What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedOne Foot in the Grave
David Renwick · Series · 1990
If you loved One Foot in the Grave, start with A Man Called Ove: A Novel (Fredrik Backman, 2016) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to One Foot in the Grave across media.
If you loved the way Victor Meldrew found cosmic catastrophe in the mundane, you will appreciate these portraits of cranky resilience.
Books on the same thread
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
Explores: Grumbling protagonist, Unexpected friendship, Redemption.
Like the protagonist of One Foot in the Grave, Ove faces a life of unexpected frustration, offering a similar blend of curmudgeonly humor and deep-seated, bittersweet human vulnerability.
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman · Book
Explores: found family, grief and loss, grumpy-to-sunshine.
Much like Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, this character uses a gruff, cynical exterior to navigate life, revealing a hidden heart behind his constant social friction.
Three Men in a Boat
Jerome Klapka Jerome · Book · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Leisure, British Culture.
These characters mirror the restless, hypochondriac energy of One Foot in the Grave as they encounter endless, absurd obstacles during their attempts to enjoy a simple, quiet life.
Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with One Foot in the Grave: Everyday Annoyances.
The observational, self-deprecating wit found here captures the same spirit of social exasperation that makes Victor Meldrew’s various misadventures in One Foot in the Grave so consistently funny.
Films on the same thread
A Man Called Ove
Hannes Holm · Film · 2015
Explores: Grumpy Old Man, Unexpected Friendship, Redemption.
Fans of One Foot in the Grave will recognize the familiar archetype of the grumpy man whose rigid, iron-fisted approach to his neighborhood leads to constant, inevitable personal conflict.
Groundhog Day
Harold Ramis · Film · 1993
Explores: Redemption, Existentialism, Self-Improvement.
The cynical protagonist’s struggle against a repetitive, frustrating reality echoes Victor Meldrew’s own battle against misfortune in One Foot in the Grave, proving that some days never end.
Another Year
Film · 2010
Explores: Aging, Loneliness, Friendship dynamics.
This character study explores the tension between contentment and dissatisfaction in later life, reflecting the domestic friction that defines the core relationship in One Foot in the Grave.
Shaun of the Dead
Edgar Wright · Film · 2004
Explores: Underdog Protagonist, Slacker Comedy, Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances.
The way an ordinary man’s life is suddenly derailed by absurd chaos mirrors the recurring, involuntary problems that Victor Meldrew constantly faces throughout One Foot in the Grave.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
This podcast captures the same domestic irritations and relationship dynamics that fuel the long-suffering marriage in One Foot in the Grave, presented with a modern, candid, and humorous perspective.
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
If you enjoyed the unfiltered cynicism of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, these hosts provide a similarly skeptical view of the modern world and its absurdities.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is One Foot in the Grave about Victor Meldrew's retirement?
Yes, One Foot in the Grave follows the exploits of Victor Meldrew after he takes involuntary early retirement. The series focuses on his attempts to keep himself busy while living in a typical English suburb with his long-suffering wife, Margaret.
What is the premise of One Foot in the Grave?
One Foot in the Grave is a BBC television sitcom that centers on the life of Victor Meldrew. The episodes typically depict his ongoing battle against the various problems he creates for himself while navigating his daily life in an unnamed English suburb.
Who created the television series One Foot in the Grave?
The television sitcom One Foot in the Grave was created by David Renwick. The series first aired in 1990 and features the character Victor Meldrew as he deals with the challenges of his involuntary early retirement and domestic life.
Does One Foot in the Grave feature a wife character?
Yes, One Foot in the Grave features the character Margaret, who is the long-suffering wife of Victor Meldrew. The series documents the couple's experiences as they live together in a typical English suburb following Victor's sudden departure from the workforce.