Man Like Mobeen: A Bold and Baffling Conclusion to the Series
The fifth and final season of the BBC’s critically acclaimed comedy-drama, Man Like Mobeen, has premiered to a mixture of praise and bewilderment. The show, created by and starring Guz Khan, has undergone a significant transformation since its inception in 2017. What began as a lighthearted sitcom about three friends navigating life in Birmingham has evolved into a complex and violent gangster thriller.
According to The Guardian, "Do not come to the new series of Man Like Mobeen cold. What started out in 2017 as a relatively straightforward sitcom about three twentysomething friends who kept inadvertently grazing the criminal underbelly of their corner of inner-city Birmingham is now a violent, convoluted gangster thriller." (The Guardian, "Man Like Mobeen: BBC’s final season review – who said childish jokes can’t be hilarious").
At its core, Man Like Mobeen is a show about community and representation. Khan, who left his teaching job to pursue a career in comedy after going viral on YouTube, has always been passionate about showcasing the experiences of British Muslims. The show’s depiction of working-class life in the Midlands is refreshingly honest and unapologetic, with characters frequently speaking in Urdu and Punjabi without translation.
As The Guardian notes, "Man Like Mobeen has always been about crime – just not the sort of crime Islamophobes might associate with Muslims. When we first encounter him, our eponymous hero (Khan) is a reformed drug dealer, who has recently become responsible for his 15-year-old sister after their mum left for Pakistan." This theme of crime and redemption has been a recurring thread throughout the series, with the show’s tone gradually shifting from comedy to drama.
The final season promises to be the most action-packed yet, with a plot that involves a promised assassination, the Turkish mafia, and an Irish mobster. However, The Guardian warns that "the action will be practically incomprehensible to the uninitiated – and pretty hard to follow even for the faithful." This raises the question of whether it’s worth starting from the beginning.
For those willing to invest in the series, Man Like Mobeen offers a unique viewing experience. Khan’s natural comedic talent and the show’s dedication to tackling weighty themes such as racism and poverty make for a compelling watch. As The Guardian observes, "childish jokes can also be hilarious," and the show’s non-stop stream of gags ensures that viewers will be entertained, even if some of the humour is juvenile and repetitive.
The show’s cast, including Tolu Ogunmefun and Tez Ilyas, deliver strong performances, and the introduction of new characters, such as Uncle Shady, adds to the show’s complexity. However, the combination of comedy and hard-hitting drama can be jarring, and some viewers may find the show’s tone difficult to follow.
In conclusion, the final season of Man Like Mobeen is a bold and baffling conclusion to the series. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, the show’s unique blend of comedy and drama makes for a compelling watch. As The Guardian notes, "if it does sound like your cup of chai, then good news: there are five whole series of Mobeen-based comedy and tragedy out there waiting for you."
The show is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, and The Guardian recommends that viewers "don’t come to the new series of Man Like Mobeen cold." With its complex plot and shifting tone, Man Like Mobeen is a show that will keep viewers on their toes until the very end.
Man Like Mobeen aired on BBC Three and is available to stream on iPlayer now.
Source: The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/01/man-like-mobeen-bbc-final-season-review-who-said-childish-jokes-cant-be-hilarious
