Gateford

Gateford is a fictional city featured in the British television series *Peep Show*, which aired from 2003 to 2015. The show follows the lives of two struggling actors, Mark Corrigan and Jeremy "Jez" Usborne, as they navigate their chaotic careers, personal relationships, and social interactions in the city. While Gateford is not explicitly named in the series, it is widely recognized by fans and referenced in the show’s lore.

The city is depicted as a grim, rain-soaked urban environment with a bleak atmosphere, reflecting the characters' existential dread and financial struggles. Gateford’s setting is often characterized by its dreary weather, cramped living spaces, and the monotony of everyday life. The city’s name is a playful nod to its fictional status, blending elements of "gate" (suggesting confinement or barriers) and "ford" (a shallow part of a river, implying stagnation). This name aligns with the show’s themes of entrapment and the difficulty of escaping one’s circumstances.

Gateford serves as a backdrop for the series’ humor and satire, critiquing aspects of modern British life, including the gig economy, mental health, and social inequality. The city’s portrayal is intentionally exaggerated to highlight the absurdity of the characters’ situations, though it remains grounded in recognizable urban experiences. While Gateford itself is not a real location, its depiction has become iconic among fans of the show, embodying the show’s unique blend of dark comedy and social commentary.