By Anna May @AnnaMayMight

Written by brother and sister duo, Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, This Country tells the story of cousins, Kerry and Lee ‘Kurtan’ Mucklowe, who live out in the sticks, somewhere in the Cotswolds.

These two are played by Daisy May and Charlie themselves and, I have to hand it to these guys, I’m already hooked after just two short episodes.

To be honest, there really shouldn’t be anything to write about in a place where there is literally nothing to do and everyone appears to be either a farmer or a bored resident waiting for the next big event in the village.

I know The Vicar of Dibley was a huge success, but where would you even start with a mockumentary?

Well…there IS a vicar…and it’s obvious he not only feels responsible for keeping his flock happy, but also for helping out with any wayward youngsters who may need a bit of friendly, fatherly guidance from time to time. He’s very positive about his efforts, but he knows…deep down…they’re not really working.

Talking of big events…behold the annual scarecrow-making competition, which causes a huge stir each year, earning the winner incredible respect from all involved. It’s a big deal. It really shouldn’t be, but it is. Especially to Kurtan, who goes to great pains in the first episode to bag the most prominent place in the village for his own creation. Things don’t go well for him…and his reaction is our first glimpse of just how petty and childish he can be when he doesn’t get his own way.

We find out little bits and pieces about Kerry and Kurtan, here and there, as the cameras follow them round the village.

Kerry lives with her single mum, who we haven’t seen yet. So far we’ve only heard her shout hysterically from upstairs each time she wants Kerry’s attention.

Kurtan lives with his nan, who we also haven’t seen yet...and, whereas Kerry constantly bigs herself up to the cameras as being ‘ard and feared by all who know her, which she isn’t, Kurtan just gets on with being an immature, sweary and altogether naughty boy.

From what I can see, the lack of any real entertainment or even the inspiration to make something interesting happen, is where the comedy lies.

Just watching and listening to Kerry and Kurtan talk about their lives and the people who live around them in the authoritative way they do is so cringey. It’s like they have no idea how drab their lives really are, or how trivial the insignificant events that punctuate their day-to-day lives might seem to the outside world.

Sadly, they probably do know how boring they are…and this is their chance to reinvent themselves to the general public as anything they want. Again, herein lies the comedy.

But this isn’t just about two people giving us a tour of their village and the bizarre personalities in it. I mean, nutty Mandy who does free tattoos that she very unskillfully designs herself, whether you want one or not, is a joy in herself, but there is more to discover about Kerry and Kurtan than you think.

Their attempt to promote themselves as a pair of ‘never a dull moment’ kids, living from one epic drama to the next, is thwarted by little snippets of their real lives being filmed as scattered reminders of their off-camera worries and vulnerabilities. There are quite a few little ‘aww’ moments that help to give this series a little more 'reality' than we’re ‘supposed’ to see.

This Country is produced by Stephen McCrum and Simon Mayhew-Archer…and from the two episodes I’ve already watched, I cannot fault the results.

Ashley McGuire, by the way, plays mad tattooist, Mandy, and I cannot think of many other comedy characters who have left me with such a broad smile on my face for days after like she has. Just a picture of her, flashed up on the internet alongside promos for the series, makes me snigger out loud. Just bonkers.

If you’ve been reading up on This Country, you may well have come across a few reviews likening it to mockumentaries such as People Just Do Nothing or, the obvious comparison, The Office.

Firstly, I don’t care if it’s yet another spoof documentary series. Secondly, the fact one of the main characters is as close to Mackenzie Crook’s Gareth (The Office) as you could possibly get without actually being him, is a bonus! Who cares if there are similarities to other mockumentaries. If it’s funny…I’ll enjoy it. If it’s not…I won’t.

I’m pleased to say I really AM enjoying This Country…and I’m actually hoping that, somewhere along the line, there will be an opening for Mackenzie Crook to play a close relative of Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe. That would be hilarious.

For the record, I've watched People Just Do Nothing and I don't feel this is anything like it...other than it's a mockumentary. I prefer this.

Try it. The first episode will introduce you to Kerry and Kurtan, but the second will give you Mandy. Omg…Mandy! Just watch it.

This Country: BBC3 - Wed from 10am. Repeated Sat - BBC1, 11.50pm