Despite ending over a decade ago, The Inbetweeners remains a pop culture staple and has been revived by Gen Z through social media, memes and its quotable, unfiltered humour.

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve probably come across a clip from The Inbetweeners, whether it’s one of Simon’s awkward attempts to win over Carli or one of Jay’s wildly exaggerated caravan club stories. Despite ending over a decade ago, the show has found a new audience in Gen Z, and thanks to the anonymous voice behind @Clipscentral, a dedicated inbetweeners fan account, we can see why it remains as popular as ever.

Nostalgia and retro revival

Recently there has been a noticeable trend among Gen Z romanticising the late 2000s, a time of early Facebook, Blackberry phones, and indie aesthetics. Even though many weren’t even born or were likely in primary school when The Inbetweeners first aired, they’ve not hesitated to embrace its unique blend of humour and style as part of a larger retro revival.

Social media plays a huge role in this revival. Accounts like @Clipscentral on TikTok have brought the show’s most iconic moments back to life, garnering millions of views and have comment sections flooded by Gen Z users quoting their favourite lines. These platforms have turned niche moments into viral sensations, introducing new audiences to a show that ended over a decade ago.

The voice behind Clipscentral shares, “I started this TikTok account to give people an insight into The Inbetweeners and to show my own appreciation for the series. I never imagined it would take off the way it has and as I kept posting I can see how much people still loved the show. It has been great to see how a series that ended a long time ago is still bringing people together and making them laugh like it’s brand new.”

Authenticity and relatability

Unlike today’s more polished coming of age shows like Sex Education and Heartstopper, The Inbetweeners captures how it really feels to be a teen in the UK. The characters aren’t perfect, they’re awkward, crude, and constantly embarrassing themselves, much like actual teenagers. For a generation raised on social media and constant self-scrutiny, there’s something refreshing about a show that doesn’t try to present an idealised version of adolescence. Instead of showcasing aspirational lifestyles, the show highlights brutally honest moments that most teenagers experience such as failed attempts at flirting, disastrous parties, and friendships built on relentless mockery.

Clipscentral explains why The Inbetweeners resonates with Gen Z, “The show is built up of sharp, unfiltered jokes that hit home for anyone who’s ever felt out of place during their teenage years. It does a great job of capturing those real awkward and cringe moments that come with growing up in the UK. It makes everything relatable and funny but in a way that doesn’t try too hard. At the end of the day, it’s the kind of content people want to see because it reflects the messiness of teenage life in a way that’s both entertaining and comforting.”

The timelessness of cringe comedy

Second hand embarrassment is universal and is such a powerful comedic tool in television, which is why The Inbetweeners’ humour continues to land with audiences today. Whether it’s one of Simon’s over the top romantic gestures or Will’s desperate attempts to fit in, the show highlights the awkwardness of being a teenager in a way that still feels relevant.

The show’s signature British humour (dry, sarcastic, and brutally honest) also aligns well with Gen Z’s meme culture. The Inbetweeners‘ quick, sharp one-liners are made for reaction videos and internet remixes, allowing younger audiences to engage with and transform these moments into new, humorous contexts.

One character in particular, Will McKenzie, has gained a lot of love online. Clipscentral shares, “McKenzie gets the most engagement and I think it’s because he says exactly what everyone else is thinking. He doesn’t try to sugarcoat things and it’s actually his many embarrassing outbursts that create some of the funniest moments in the show. I would say that it’s his brutal honesty and social awkwardness that makes his character stand out.”

The legacy of The Inbetweeners

Even though TV has evolved massively since the late 2000s, The Inbetweeners continues to hold cultural weight. It acts as a reminder that teenage awkwardness never really changes.

Clipscentral recognises that the show’s humour captures Gen Z because it’s fast, punchy, and impactful. “The comedic one-liners fit right in with the way Gen Z consumes and shares content, so I think the show has plenty of meme potential for years to come.”

So one thing’s for certain, whether it’s 2008 or 2025, we’ll always be laughing at Jay’s terrible lies, Neil’s clueless wisdom, and Will’s complete inability to fit in.

As long as teenagers are embarrassing themselves, The Inbetweeners will always have an audience.