Words by Harper’s Bazaar Staff
From streaming mega-hits to Britain’s best kept secrets.
Thanks to the streaming era, audiences have been discovering British TV shows that they may have previously missed out on. It’s clear that there’s a huge amount of talent across the pond, and viewers can finally delve into shows like Industry, Rain Dogs, and Trying, which each give an alternate perspective on life in the United Kingdom. If you fell in love with Downton Abbey due to the Dowager’s hilarious quips, or you’re a royal family fan with a penchant for The Crown, there’s something for you on this list. And if you’ve been craving a vacation to England, but can’t spare the time, our list of 25 of the best British TV shows will quell your hunger for now.
Industry
HBO’s Industry takes us inside the fierce and competitive world of fictional investment bank Pierpoint & Co in London. New recruits fight for employment, while navigating exceedingly messy personal lives. Kit Harington joins the show for its eagerly-anticipated third season.
Downton Abbey
The world instantly fell in love with Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes’ fictional series about an aristocratic family living on a country estate in the early 20th century. The immense charm of the series comes from the relationships formed between the family and their employees, from butlers to kitchen aids. Two movies followed.
This Is Going to Hurt
Based upon Adam Kay’s memoir, This Is Going to Hurt is an unrelenting examination of what it’s like to work as a junior doctor in a hospital in the United Kingdom. Ben Whishaw stars as Adam, a young doctor working in the obstetrics and gynaecology department, and dealing with all of the horror and politics it entails.
Black Mirror
Charlie Brooker’s dystopian TV series only gets darker the long it runs. The dark anthology show has explored everything from our voracious desire for true crime narratives to the frivolous way we share our personal information online. Season 6 stars everyone from Salma Hayek to Aaron Paul.
Killing Eve
Viewers quickly fell in love with the cat and mouse chase between investigator Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and dangerous assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Based on the Villanelle novel series by Luke Jennings, this unexpected and often-volatile relationship was explored for four seasons.
Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge burst on to the scene with Fleabag, a TV series adapted from her stage show of the same name. While dealing with grief, Fleabag muddles through life and love with a unique wit and a penchant for breaking the fourth wall.
Sex Education
Set in the fictional Moordale Secondary School, Sex Education explores the often-embarrassing teenage years we’ve all lived through. The incredible cast features Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emma Mackey, among others. A fourth season is on the way.
Bridgerton
Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton marked Shondaland’s debut on the streaming service. Adapted from Julia Quinn’s series of Regency Era-inspired novels, Bridgerton focuses on the social hierarchy in London society, and the over-the-top romances occurring between eligible suitors. The show’s first spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, arrived in 2023.
Catastrophe
Catastrophe explores what happens when a fling leads to pregnancy. Throughout four seasons, Sharon and Rob attempt to build a life after unexpectedly welcoming a child together. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney created, wrote, and star in the hilarious show, while Carrie Fisher makes a wonderful guest appearance.
Luther
Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther in this gritty police drama, which sees him forced to choose between his personal relationships and his talent for solving bloody crimes. The Affair‘s Ruth Wilson plays a wonderful nemesis. Most recently, the detective returned in Netflix film Luther: The Fallen Son.
Broadchurch
Olivia Colman and David Tennant star as detectives investigating the death of a young boy in a coastal town. Season 1’s shocking denouement genuinely surprised viewers, with Colman and Tennant’s performances being widely lauded. Two more seasons and an American remake followed.
Vanity Fair
William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1848 novel has been adapted on many occasions. 2018’s seven-part series is a spritely adaptation, featuring modern flair and an incredible cast. The show follows Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) as she attempts to rise the social classes by snagging a rich man, amongst other things.
I May Destroy You
Writer and creator Michaela Coel stars as millennial novelist Arabella Essiedu, whose attempts to write a second book are stalled when she is sexually assaulted. After remembering what happened to her, Arabella struggles to confront the assault, which leads her down a potentially dangerous path.
Rain Dogs
Created by British-Irish author Cash Carraway, Rain Dogs tracks the unexpected friendship between a working class author and her very rich gay best friend. The unstoppable Daisy May Cooper stars as single mom Costello, who is trying to be taken seriously as a writer while navigating the realities of life in England.
I Hate Suzie
Billie Piper stars as Suzie Pickles, a former child star whose career is thrown into jeopardy when an explicit photo of her is leaked. To make matters worse, the photo exposes Susie’s affair with a colleague, and threatens to lose her the biggest gig of her career. Co-created by Piper and Succession writer Lucy Prebble.
Trying
Apple TV+’s Trying follows Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall), a couple who decide to adopt when they’re unable to have a baby. Trying follows the ups and downs of their decision to expand their family, and remains one of the most heartfelt shows on the streaming platform. A fourth season is in the works.
The Night Manager
Based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name, The Night Manager focuses on Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a hotel worker in Cairo and former soldier who’s recruited to investigate illegal arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie). A second season is on the way.
Obsession
Netflix’s Obsession probably isn’t one of the “best” British TV shows of all time, but it’s definitely one of the most talked about. Richard Armitage stars as a man drawn into a 50 Shades of Grey-esque relationship with his son’s girlfriend, much to the detriment of, well, everything. The show’s sex scenes have been the focus of much discussion.
The Office
Without the BBC’s version of The Office, there is no Michael Scott, so we’re extremely thankful for the iconic British show. Ricky Gervais takes the lead as David Brent, the obnoxious and embarrassing boss at a fictional paper company. The show ran for just two seasons, but certainly left its mark on popular culture.
Derry Girls
Set in Northern Ireland in the early ’90s, Derry Girls follows five young adults as they attend an all-girls Catholic high school. Set against the backdrop of the Troubles, the series references many real-life political events, while also exploring the lives of its female characters. The pop soundtrack is extremely nostalgic.
Outlander
Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan star in this incredibly popular adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels. Claire Randall unexpectedly time travels to 1743 where she meets the seriously hot Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. The show is set to end with its eighth season, and a prequel is on the way.
Ghosts
When Alison (You‘s Charlotte Ritchie) unexpectedly inherits a countryside mansion, she has no idea that the residence is already inhabited by a number of spirits. After a near-death experience, Alison finds she can see and interact with the ghosts living in her new home. So successful an American adaptation airs on CBS.
Love Island
The popular reality show has already spawned an American version, but the British series is also watched the world over. A group of contestants live together in a villa in Mallorca, where they’re required to pair up in order to stay in the competition. Sometimes they find love, other times they’re in it for the money, so Love Island is always entertaining.
The Crown
Netflix’s The Crown has been a phenomenon since it first launched on the streaming service. The series takes viewers on a (slightly fictionalized) behind-the-scenes look at the royal family. The show’s sixth and final season is set to include Kate Middleton’s relationship with Prince William, bringing the award-winning series up-to-date with the real life royals.
The Great British Baking Show
A group of amateur bakers compete via a series of challenges on The Great British Bake Off, hoping to impress judges like Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Celebrity editions are always iconic, with actors such as David Schwimmer showing off their baking skills. The relaxing pace and the kind feedback make this the quintessential British competition show.
This article originally appeared in harpersbazaar.com
