Best British TV shows by genre
Best British crime dramas
Killing Eve
Seasons: 3 (2018-present) Where to stream: Hulu This supremely addictive crime thriller, produced by BBC America, stars Sandra Oh as an intelligence agent obsessed with female serial killers. She meets her match in the mysterious Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer, and their cat-and-mouse game quickly turns into something very twisted and very personal. Smart, funny and violent, each season of Killing Eve is helmed by an exciting female filmmaker, including Fleabag’sPhoebe Waller-Bridge (see below) and Promising Young Woman writer-director Emerald Fennell.
Luther
Seasons: 5 (2010-2019) Where to stream: HBO Max The world’s no. 1 crush Idris Elba stars as John Lucas, an obsessive and hot-tempered police detective who lives dangerously close to the edge. Bloody, tragic and riveting, Luther features an unforgettable love-hate interest in Ruth Wilson’s charming psychopath Alice Morgan.
Prime Suspect
Seasons: 7 (1991-2006) Where to stream: Hulu, BritBox In the years leading up to her first Oscar nomination, Dame Helen Mirren won three BAFTA awards for her now-iconic performance as the tough, brilliant Jane Tennison on Prime Suspect. At the beginning of the long-running show, Tennison is trying to prove herself as one of London’s first female detective chief inspectors; in later years, the character falls into alcoholism and personal crises, but never loses her edge.
Broadchurch
Seasons: 3 (2013-2017) Where to stream: PBS Passport & PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel A devastating murder sends ripples through a small beachside town in this intense, empathetic whodunit. Though it can be a tough watch, Broadchurch is mandatory viewing just for the detectives played by Olivia Colman and David Tennant–a BBC dream team if there ever was one.
Blood
Seasons: 2 (2018-2020) Where to stream: Acorn A chilling murder mystery from Ireland, Blood stars the sensational Carolina Main as one of three adult siblings who returns home after her mother’s death, only to become suspicious of her doctor father (Adrian Dunbar). A second season was announced this summer.
Spooks (A.K.A. MI-5)
Seasons: 10 (2002-2011) Where to stream: Hulu, Britbox This action-packed spy show is much like Law and Order: a long-running procedural full of murder, intrigue and a revolving door of charismatic special agents. The original cast features Matthew MacFadyen and David Oyelowo, and a 2015 feature film spinoff stars Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington.
Best British sci-fi and fantasy shows
Doctor Who
Seasons: 13 (2005-present) Where to stream: HBO Max Few shows have as much as history as the BBC’s seminal sci-fi series (which first premiered in 1963), but don’t let that scare you. Rebooted in 2005, the saga of a mysterious time traveler known only as The Doctor is an irresistible adventure, pivoting effortlessly between past and future, sci-fi and fantasy, mystery and romance. A new storyline begins whenever the title role is recast, so beginners can jump in at season 1 (Christopher Eccleston), season 2 (David Tennant), season 5 (Matt Smith), season 8 (Peter Capaldi) or season 11 (Jodie Whitaker).
Black Mirror
Seasons: 5 and a film (2011-present) Where to stream: Netflix At its best, this twisty sci-fi anthology series is chilling, thought-provoking and inventive. At its worst, it’s downright sadistic. Still, the very best episodes are essential viewing. Start with numbers 1-4, skip the interactive movie, and don’t miss “San Junipero” or “USS Callister.”
Good Omens
Seasons: 1 (2019-present) Based on the 1990 bestseller by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, this irreverent fantasy epic tells the time-and-dimension-hopping story of an angel (Michael Sheen) and a demon (David Tennant) who team up to try and prevent the apocalypse.
Years and Years
Seasons: 1 (2019) Where to stream: HBO Now A shockingly plausible sci-fi series set in a post-Trump, post-Brexit dystopia, this drama about a struggling Manchester family, which takes place between 2019 and 2029, is not for the faint of heart. A beautifully written cautionary tale, it’s as addictive as it is devastating.
Best British period dramas
Poldark
Seasons: 5 (2015-2019) Romance and melodrama abound in this rousing 18th century tale. Englishman Ross Poldark (dreamboat Aiden Turner) returns from fighting in the American Revolutionary War to find his family in ruins and the woman he loves engaged to another man. Can Poldark restore his family’s estate and learn to love again? Can he take off his shirt a lot in the process? We bet you know the answer.
Downton Abbey
Seasons: 6 (2010-2015) Unless you’ve been living in a hole in the ground, you’re familiar with the international sensation that is Downton Abbey. (Even if you have been living in a hole in the ground, you’ve probably heard at least one earthworm attempt a Lady Grantham impression.) Whether you’re new to Julian Fellowes’ addictive turn-of-the-century drama or you’ve watched it so much that you’re practically a member of the Crawley family, now is the perfect time to visit Downton. Cap off your binge watch with the 2019 feature film, available on Peacock.
Upstairs Downstairs
Seasons: 5 (1971-1975) Where to stream: BritBox Done with Downton? Step back in time and watch the show that inspired it. Co-created by star Jean Marsh (who plays the head house parlor maid), Upstairs Downstairs chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants between the years 1903 and 1930. Despite its lean production values (the first several episodes were shot in black and white), the ‘70s hit remains a highly enjoyable drama with a stellar cast. (And if you do want to check out the short-lived 2010 revival, it’s streaming on Hulu.)
The Crown
Seasons: 4 (2016-present) Where to stream: Netflix Probably the best-looking show on Netflix, this sumptuous costume drama tells the life story of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning with her wedding in 1947. Claire Foy played Elizabeth as a young woman in the first two seasons, winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy in the process. Oscar winner Olivia Colman is portraying middle-aged Elizabeth for the middle section of the story, which includes her power struggles with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) and Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin). Imelda Staunton will play the Queen in her later years for The Crown’s final two planned seasons—that is, if a potential lawsuit from the actual royal family doesn’t interfere.
Outlander
Seasons: 5 (2014-present) Where to stream: Netflix, Starz As sexy time-travel costume dramas go, it’s hard to top Outlander. This lush wish-fulfillment fantasy follows a newlywed World War II nurse (Caitriona Balfe) who finds herself transported to 18th century Scotland, where she falls in love with a Highland warrior (Sam Heughan). Stylish and smart, it’s a perfect escape from everyday life–and it’s already been renewed through Season 6.
Call the Midwife
Seasons: 10 (2012-present) Where to stream: Netflix Celebrate history’s unsung feminist heroes–the women who delivered children in often-unimaginable circumstances–with this captivating drama about a religious order of midwives in London’s impoverished East End in the 1950s. Steeped in history, Call the Midwife is an eye-opening look at marginalized communities in the 20th century…but you may be laughing and crying too hard to notice.
Best British sitcoms (a.k.a. Britcoms)
Fleabag
Seasons: 2 (2016-2019) If you’re not yet aboard the Phoebe Waller-Bridge train, start here. The actress, writer and fashion icon broke out with this tour-de-force black comedy, about a witty London woman barreling through life after the sudden death of her best friend. Season 1 is shocking and hilarious, but the second (the “hot priest” season) cemented Fleabag as an instant classic.
The Office
Seasons: 2 plus a Christmas special (2001-2003) You’ve watched the American show a million times. Do you really need to see the original? Why yes, yes you do. Ricky Gervais’ workplace comedy is leaner and meaner than the long-running NBC adaptation, telling its timeless boss-from-hell story in just 13 perfect episodes.
The Vicar of Dibley
Seasons: 3 plus assorted specials (1994-2007) Where to stream: BritBox Created by quintessential British rom-com writer Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones’ Diary, Love Actually), The Vicar of Dibley stars comedy legend Dawn French as the first female priest assigned to a provincial village church. The cast of quirky characters is wonderful, but it’s French’s kindhearted performance and comic timing that elevate this one to a classic.
Rev.
Seasons: 3 (2010-2014) Where to stream: BritBox A perfect counterpoint to Vicar of Dibley, this comedy-drama stars Tom Hollander as a country vicar who is transferred to an inner-city church. Olivia Colman costars in this very funny show that nevertheless takes the challenges of a priest’s life seriously.
Catastrophe
Seasons: 4 (2015-2019) This half-hour comedy turns a fun premise–what if a quick fling between strangers resulted in a pregnancy, and the couple decided to raise the baby together?–into a hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking meditation on life’s unexpected twists. Stars and co-creators Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney play an uncomfortably realistic couple who are anything but soulmates, and it just makes you root for them that much harder. Catastrophe features one of the final performances of Carrie Fisher, as Delaney’s character’s mother.
Miranda
Seasons: 3 plus two specials (2009-2015) Where to stream: Hulu Six-foot-one comedic powerhouse Miranda Hart plays an endearingly awkward version of herself in this predictable but lovable sitcom. The Call the Midwife standout (who also held her own opposite Melissa McCarthy in the film Spy) created and co-wrote the series, about a single woman who lives above the joke shop she owns.
Absolutely Fabulous
Seasons: 6 plus 8 specials (1992-2012) The most iconic Britcom of the 1990s, AbFab is still a bitchy, boozy pleasure. Indulge in a few minutes with Patsy (Jennifer Saunders) and Edina (Joanna Lumley) whenever you need a reminder that aging gracefully is overrated.
We Are Lady Parts
Seasons: 1 (2020) Where to stream: Peacock A shy university student with an overactive imagination (Anjana Vasan) is searching for a husband, but instead finds an all-female punk band, in this hilarious and stereotype-bashing comedy about young Muslim women in East London.
Gavin and Stacey
Seasons: 3 plus 2 specials (2007-2019) Fans of Carpool Karaoke will enjoy getting reacquainted with James Corden as Smithy, the nickname-dropping, food-obsessed best friend on this endearing BBC hit. Corden co-created the show, about an Essex man and a woman from Cardiff who fall in love on a blind date, flummoxing one another’s friends and family.
The Thick of It
Seasons: 4, plus two specials and a movie (2005-2012) Where to stream: Hulu and BritBox From Veep creator Armando Iannucci, this similarly dry-witted political satire focuses on civil servants in the fictional Department of Social Affairs. Thankfully, you don’t need to understand the workings of the British government to get the joke. An excellent feature film spin-off, In the Loop, was released in 2009 and is worth the $2.99 rental.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Seasons: 1 (1981) Douglas Adams’ hilarious radio-show-turned-novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy has been remade as a Hollywood film, a stage show, even a video game–but none are quite as funny as this low-budget, six-part BBC series from the early 1980s. In this comic sci-fi adventure, the last surviving human finds himself on an interplanetary journey with an alien travel guide writer.
Spaced
Seasons: 2 (1999-2001) Early in his career, filmmaker Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver) directed this brisk, edgy sitcom about two Gen X slackers (co-writers Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson) who pose as a couple to get an apartment. Chock full of the pop-culture homages that would define Wright’s career, the short-lived series is a veritable cult classic.
Chewing Gum
Seasons: 2 (2015-2017) Where to stream: HBO Max Filthy, fearless and cancelled too soon, Chewing Gum tells the story of a 24-year-old virgin from a religious household who’s desperate for sexual adventure. Michaela Coel’s semi-autobiographical comedy won her a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent and made her one of Britain’s biggest rising stars, prior to her groundbreaking drama I May Destroy You (also streaming on HBO Max).
Fawlty Towers
Seasons: 2 (1975-1979) Where to stream: BritBox Has anyone ever been funnier than an angry John Cleese? The founding Monty Python member seethes and stumbles his way through this quintessential British farce as Basil Fawlty, the disaster-prone manager of a seaside hotel. More than 40 years after its original broadcast, Fawlty Towers is probably still the most beloved Britcom of all.
Coupling
Seasons: 4 (2000-2004) Where to stream: HBO Max and Hulu Often called “the British Friends,” this early-aughts ensemble comedy revolves around six friends and their interconnected love lives. More sex-obsessed than its NBC predecessor, with characters more likely to be drinking pints than coffee, it’s equally bingeable.
My Mad Fat Diary
Seasons: 3 (2013-2015) Where to stream: Hulu Rae Earl (Sharon Rooney), the narrator of My Mad Fat Diary, is just a normal 16-year-old girl–except that she secretly spent the past four months in a psychiatric hospital. Now it’s time to go back to high school. Set in the late ‘90s, this funny and sensitive coming-of-age story will have you cheering for its refreshingly blunt, gloriously plus-size heroine.
Blackadder
Seasons: 4 plus three specials (1983-1989) In Blackadder, there’s a fine line between actual history and black comedy. Rowan Atkinson plays the scheming villain Edmund Blackadder, who sows chaos into a different period of British history in every season (beginning with the Middle Ages and ending in World War I). Ask any of Blackadder’s many devoted fans, and they’ll tell you: there has never been another show quite like it.
The IT Crowd
Seasons: 4 (2006-2013) Where to stream: Netflix Fans of the lovable-nerd genre (i.e. The Big Bang Theory, Silicon Valley) shouldn’t miss this acclaimed workplace comedy, starring Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade as the socially inept IT guys who work in the basement of a London company.
Best British sketch comedy shows
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Seasons: 4 (1969-1974) Where to stream: Netflix Before Saturday Night Live, before Key and Peele, before all the shows that inspired those shows, there was Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Essential viewing for comedy fans, the genre-defining sketch series is available in its entirety on Netflix, along with the wacky ensemble’s two best films (Monty Python and The Holy Grail and Life of Brian) and an assortment of live specials, documentaries and greatest-hits collections.
A Bit of Fry and Laurie
Seasons: 4 (1989-1995) One of the all-time great comedy duos, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie (yes, the House guy) bring a seemingly endless repertoire of witty scenes and hilarious characters to their two-person sketch show. The pair went on to star in the popular Jeeves and Wooster series, which for some tragic reason is currently unavailable to stream anywhere. Watch this instead.
Best British reality shows
Love Island
Seasons: 7 (2015-present) Where to stream: Hulu This cheeky ITV series made a huge splash in the U.K. before an American remake washed ashore. It works like this: a handful of beautiful men and women are brought to an isolated tropical villa and must immediately couple up. As more contestants enter, the couples can…well…re-couple–and anyone who’s left single gets the boot. The couple who survives to the end without being voted off by the television audience, or their fellow islanders, gets a take-home relationship and a cash prize.
The Great British Baking Show
Seasons: 12 (2010-present) Where to stream: Netflix and PBS Passport Has anyone prevented more Brexit-era nervous breakdowns than Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, hosts of The Great British Baking Show? Known as The Great British Bake Off in the U.K., this kindhearted cooking competition is TV comfort food at its finest.
Taskmaster
Seasons: 12 (2015-present) Where to stream: YouTube Five British celebrities subject themselves to absurd challenges (write the best song about a person you’ve just met, eat the most watermelon in one minute) over the course of a season in this reliably hilarious and inventive game show. Creator Alex Horne, who plays the bashful assistant to host Greg Davies, is not-so-secretly running the whole game. All but the latest season are available to stream for free on YouTube.
Big Dreams, Small Spaces
Seasons: 3 (2014- 2017) Here’s one thing the U.K. has that the U.S. does not: a celebrity horticulture expert. And it’s our loss, because Monty Don is a treasure. On this cozy show, the host helps gardeners with tiny yards design and plant their dream gardens.
The Only Way is Essex
Seasons: 28 (2010-present) Where to stream: Hulu A “scripted reality” show in the vein of The Hills, this runaway hit points the camera at a group of trendy 20-somethings in the suburban county of Essex (think: the British equivalent of New Jersey). Unlike American equivalents like Real Housewives or Keeping Up with the Kardashians, TOWIE (as it’s known to fans) airs each episode just days after it’s shot, playing out the dating-and-hating drama in real time.
Would I Lie to You?
Seasons: 13 (2007-present) Where to stream: BritBox, YouTube Comedy “panel" shows haven’t been popular in the U.S. for decades, but WILTY reminds us just how much fun they can be. Celebrity contestants are divided into two teams and asked to reveal embarrassing secrets; the opposing team does an interrogation to determine who’s bluffing. Even if you’ve never heard of a single guest, it’s hilarious. Looking for something a little more like Outlander?Try any of these 21 Outlander-esque shows.
