The 27 finest British TV reveals and the place to stream them

Nice Britain is aware of nice tv, and these 27 reveals are right here as proof. From long-running cultural establishments like Doctor Who (1963–current) to current Emmy favorites like Adolescence (2025), the U.Okay. breeds a particular type of actor and a mode of content material that’s uniquely its personal. Served with a stiff higher lip — and sometimes an excellent stiffer drink — the comedies, dramas, police procedurals, science fiction, thrillers, and different style fusions on this listing are a number of the finest sequence the nation and medium have to supply.

Learn on for Leisure Weekly's information to the 27 finest British TV reveals and the right way to stream them.

01 of 27

Adolescence (2025)

One of the crucial talked-about items of tv from 2025 is Adolescence — a British crime drama about 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who’s accused of murdering his classmate, with every of its 4 episodes shot in a single steady take. The technical execution of the undertaking is thrilling, and so is the present’s depiction of how fashionable media impacts the minds and actions of teenage boys.

Younger actor Owen Cooper makes a superb Emmy-winning debut as Jamie, and the scenes between him and his therapist (Erin Doherty) in episode 3 are a number of the most affecting examples of storytelling in current historical past. A miniseries that feels particularly related as speak of incels and loneliness epidemics turns into extra mainstream, Adolescence will get deep about what teenage boyhood actually appears to be like like at the moment. —Ilana Gordon

The place to look at Adolescence: Netflix

Director: Philip Barantini

Forged: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Faye Marsay

02 of 27

Black Mirror (2011–current)

Charlie Brooker’s magnificent anthology sequence is among the solely examples of the shape that rivals The Twilight Zone for mind-boggling twists and reality-shattering thrills. You could possibly make a case for almost each episode of Black Mirror being the sequence’ finest, however its construction permits you to hop in wherever you’d like. (The present is oddly rewarding for individuals who sort out it in non-consecutive order.)

The pilot is all the time a great place to begin, succinctly establishing the present’s subversive tone and worldview, however the much-discussed “San Junipero” (season 3, episode 4) can be a worthy (if less-twisted) launching level into Black Mirror’s bleak universe. —Declan Gallagher

The place to look at Black Mirror: Netflix

EW grade: A–

Forged: Bryce Dallas Howard, Hayley Atwell, Jon Hamm, Anthony Mackie, Daniel Kaluuya

03 of 27

Broadchurch (2013–2017)

Olivia Colman and David Tennant star as dour detectives investigating the homicide of a younger boy on this British sequence, which is basically affected person zero for each crime-busting BritBox present from the final decade. There aren’t any higher leads for Broadchurch than Colman and Tennant, two actors firing on all cylinders right here. (For Colman die-hards, this can be a pivotal however oddly under-discussed a part of her profession.)

Set in soggy coastal England, Broadchurch distinguishes itself from many comparable sequence via the titular neighborhood’s witty solid of characters. Viewers will likely be happy to search out three seasons' price of circumstances which might be correctly beguiling and generally a bit spooky. —D.G.

The place to look at Broadchurch: Peacock

EW grade: A–

Forged: David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey

04 of 27

Disaster (2015–2019)

Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney created and starred on this terrific sitcom a couple of one-night stand that turns right into a most surprising partnership. Disaster established Horgan as a stellar comedic voice on par with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Issa Rae, and Tina Fey — and it made fairly a star out of Delaney, as properly.

Their present is an indelible mixture of onerous jokes and real pathos; one minute you’ll be gasping that they only went there, whereas the following chances are you’ll get choked up by relatable and genuine developments. It’s an incredible, high-wire emotional balancing act. —D.G.

The place to look at Disaster: Amazon Prime Video

Forged: Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney

05 of 27

Cunk on Earth (2022)

Comic Diane Morgan stars on this miniseries as Philomena Cunk, a hopelessly daft tv presenter who travels the world to interview (very actual) specialists about matters that make human existence so confounding.

One may examine Morgan’s schtick to Borat, however that wouldn’t be giving her correct credit score. The place Sacha Baron Cohen makes use of his characters to show flaws in others, Morgan crafts an reverse strategy that makes herself the butt of the joke. It’s a gentler however no much less hysterical spin on the mockumentary format. Our solely criticism is that there are too few episodes. —D.G.

The place to look at Cunk on Earth: Netflix

Forged: Diane Morgan

06 of 27

Derry Ladies (2018–2022)

This compulsively rewatchable sequence follows a handful of defiant Catholic college ladies in Derry, Eire, through the Troubles. Very similar to Disaster, Derry Girls combines irreverent farce with weightier points that generally take you abruptly however by no means betray the sequence’ light-hearted metier. It could appear an odd comparability, however Derry Ladies is as if the Sarah Jessica Parker traditional Ladies Simply Need to Have Enjoyable had a one-night stand with Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast (2021). —D.G.

The place to look at Derry Ladies: Netflix

Forged: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn

07 of 27

Physician Who (1963–current)

The seminal time-traveling sci-fi sequence stays one in every of Britain’s most beloved leisure exports. Many actors have assumed the titular function over time, with current iterations together with David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, and Peter Capaldi. With Ncuti Gatwa enjoying the Fifteenth Physician in the newest seasons on Disney+, Physician Who segued into an thrilling new territory.

Gatwa approaches the function with a childlike surprise that’s each charming and fairly enjoyable to look at, lending the sequence an much more overtly playful, popcorn tone. It was revealed on the finish of Gatwa's second season that (SPOILER ALERT) he's exiting, with Billie Piper presumably changing into the Sixteenth Physician (although that has but to be confirmed). —D.G.

The place to look at Physician Who: BritBox for many earlier seasons, Disney+ for Gatwa's seasons

Forged: Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Michael Jayston, Jodie Whittaker, Ncuti Gatwa

The 28 best Apple TV shows to watch right now The 24 best shows on BritBox to stream right now 08 of 27

Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

An up to date tackle Upstairs Downstairs, Downton Abbey follows the residents and employees of the eponymous Yorkshire property throughout 5 seasons (and three films), from the early-1900s via the First World Struggle and into the late-Twenties.

Escapist however by no means light-weight, Downton Abbey is a excessive watermark for British costume dramas — which is admittedly saying one thing. It combines the sweep of traditional literature with pulpy cleaning soap opera and a little bit of a historical past lesson enacted by a few of Britain’s finest thespians. Chief amongst them is the late and particularly nice Dame Maggie Smith, who gave one in every of her strongest and enduring performances because the prim and smart Violet Crawley. —D.G.

The place to look at Downton Abbey: Peacock

EW grade: B

Forged: Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle

09 of 27

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s signature sequence, based mostly on her equally compelling one-woman present of the identical title, sees her play the titular wayward thirtysomething, a sexually liberated lady operating a guinea pig cafe. Our awkward hero copes with grief via humor whereas navigating relationships together with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a scorching priest (Andrew Scott).

Fleabag’s best achievement is how properly it evolves its characters and their private tragedies in simply two quick seasons with sub-30-minute episodes. The sequence is a straight-faced coming-of-age yarn, however Waller-Bridge additionally deconstructs the rom-com mythos of the kooky, free-spirited single lady via well-executed fourth-wall breaks and wry, heartbreaking writing. —D.G.

The place to look at Fleabag: Amazon Prime Video

Forged: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Andrew Scott

10 of 27

Gavin & Stacey (2007–2024)

This British sequence sees big-city businessman Gavin Shipman (Mathew Horne) fall in love with small-town Welsh lady Nessa Jenkins (Ruth Jones) via clandestine late-night cellphone calls. After they lastly meet in individual and fall deeply in love, their courtship rankles their respective shut mates (James Corden and Joanna Web page).

Eminently rewatchable, Gavin and Stacey is among the merriest of BBC sitcoms. It evokes the small particulars of long-lasting friendships and household relationships, and the present’s respect for its characters is all the time evident even because the jokes turn out to be more and more broad. —D.G.

The place to look at Gavin & Stacey: BritBox

Forged: Mathew Horne, Joanna Web page, James Corden, Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon

11 of 27

Ghosts (2019–2023)

This wry and supremely well-crafted sitcom follows Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), a younger lady who inherits a decaying manse from a departed member of the family solely to find that it’s chock-a-block with ghosts from vastly completely different eras.

Ghosts suits throughout the innuendo-laden vein of Are You Being Served?, however can be a grounded and considerably poignant examination of separate generations studying to co-exist as one. It’s an attention-grabbing, light-weight spin on the home sitcom with sufficient horror prospers to thrill the typical style fan. (And, sure, there’s a U.S. model of Ghosts.) —D.G.

The place to look at Ghosts: Paramount+

Forged: Charlotte Ritchie, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton

12 of 27

The Girlfriend (2025)

Sure, technically, The Girlfriend is a miniseries about two ladies preventing for a person’s consideration, however not in the way in which that you simply assume. This psychological thriller tells the story of Daniel (Laurie Davidson), who brings his girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), dwelling to satisfy his mom, Laura (Robin Wright), just for the 2 ladies to have interaction in an influence wrestle for the ages.

Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds throughout six episodes — Wright directed the primary three — and cleverly heightens the tensions generally skilled in in-law relationships. The sequence skews soapy, and Cooke and Wright enjoy placing one another via psychological hell. It’s all main as much as what Wright calls a “psychotic" ending, making The Girlfriend the proper binge choice. —I.G.

The place to look at The Girlfriend: Amazon Prime Video

Forged: Robin Wright, Olivia Cooke, Laurie Davidson, Waleed Zuaiter, Tanya Moodie

13 of 27

Heartstopper (2022–2024)

Netflix’s adaptation of Alice Oseman’s graphic novels is a respectful but passionate paean to old flame. Nick (Package Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) are two highschool outcasts whose friendship slowly blossoms into one thing extra as they navigate the societal expectations of their friends and oldsters.

Heartstopper is among the few teen-centric romance/drama sequence that stands alongside older-skewing reveals by way of writing and manufacturing high quality. There’s an emphatic truthfulness to the story and the performances that anchor it, which is each refreshing and progressive. Although the sequence ended after season 3, Nick and Charlie's story will correctly wrap up with an upcoming characteristic movie, Heartstopper Endlessly, resulting from arrive on Netflix this yr. —D.G.

The place to look at Heartstopper: Netflix

Forged: Package Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney

14 of 27

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

One other hit British sequence produced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Killing Eve has no scarcity of cultural influence. MI5 safety officer Eve (Sandra Oh) turns into infatuated with grasp legal Villanelle (Jodie Comer), who represents a glamor that eludes Eve in her pencil-pushing day job.

What begins as a reasonably simple (although riotously paced) spy procedural slowly morphs into one thing way more subversive and, dare we are saying, erotic (in a considerate form of manner). All of the whereas, Oh and Comer’s sluggish dance of antagonism crossed with infatuation is a number of the most thrilling appearing in current tv reminiscence. —D.G.

The place to look at Killing Eve: Netflix

EW grade: B+

Forged: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia

15 of 27

Regulation & Order: UK (2009–2014)

The primary American sequence to be tailored for British TV was none apart from — dun-dun — Law & Order. Dick Wolf took his operation throughout the pond to provide eight seasons of Regulation & Order: UK, all of which aired on ITV. Now working throughout the British authorized system, Individuals may be shocked by the variety of wigs worn in court docket, however the present’s primary construction and arc are the identical.

The U.Okay. model follows Detective Sergeant Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) as he works circumstances in London’s Main Incident Unit, mentors his junior companion, Detective Sergeant Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber), and makes an attempt to contend together with his private life. Regulation & Order: UK is identical present Individuals know and love, however with contemporary characters, completely different accents, and a brand new nation’s authorized system to navigate. —I.G.

The place to look at Regulation & Order: UK: BritBox

Forged: Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber, Harriet Walter, Ben Daniels, Freema Agyeman

16 of 27

Luther (2010–2019)

Idris Elba stars because the titular detective investigating brutal homicide circumstances on this more and more wicked psychological thriller, which is a religious cross between Dexter and The Wire. Elba’s Luther is a terrific, haunted antihero who has extra in widespread with the killers he hunts than he’d probably care to confess. That is on the harder-edged aspect of British procedurals, with Elba displaying a captivating duality in a sequence that isn’t afraid to probe the darker recesses of its characters’ psyches. —D.G.

The place to look at Luther: BritBox

Forged: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown, Ruth Wilson

17 of 27

Misfits (2009–2015)

This terrific teen superhero present preempted an excessive amount of the Marvel/DC Universe output, and for our cash, it’s extra constant than better-known fare. The British sequence considerations a gaggle of juvenile delinquents (chavs, actually) who’re unintentionally imbued with unbelievable powers after getting caught in {an electrical} storm.

Misfits is a good instance of a present for a teenage viewers that respects its demographic slightly than speaking right down to them. It does a masterful job of interweaving sci-fi/motion plotting with considerate, well-placed beats about adolescent confusion — which is commonly way more vexing than any acquired supernatural skill. —D.G.

The place to look at Misfits: Peacock

Forged: Iwan Rheon, Robert Sheehan, Lauren Socha, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Antonia Thomas

18 of 27

Mr. Bean (1990–1995)

Individuals are probably finest acquainted with Rowan Atkinson via his work within the 2003 vacation movie Love Truly. (Atkinson performs the jewellery counter clerk whose deliberate reward wrapping drives Alan Rickman's character to close breakdown.) However Brits finest know the actor from Mr. Bean, his 15-episode sitcom which aired throughout 5 years on ITV.

Atkinson performs the titular function, a clueless man who lives alone, not often speaks, and struggles to exist as a purposeful grownup on this planet. The present is a examine in character creation, bodily comedy, and nonverbal storytelling. As a former EW senior author explains in an summary of Atkinson’s work, “Fairly merely, he’s one of many best silent comedians alive.” —I.G.

The place to look at Mr. Bean: BritBox

Forged: Rowan Atkinson

19 of 27

The Workplace (2001–2003)

Ricky Gervais’ seminal mockumentary a couple of determined center supervisor (Gervais) of a London-based paper firm set the tone for a lot of cringe comedy sitcoms (and films) that adopted within the early-2000s. And naturally, it birthed the better-known NBC remake of the identical title.

Nobody does this form of factor higher than Gervais, although. He has a definite skill to tease out empathy from awkwardness in eventualities that might in any other case appear mean-spirited or ill-conceived. Every of the 2 seasons is splendidly structured. If Gervais by no means matches the excellence of this work, it’s solely as a result of The Workplace set such a excessive bar. —D.G.

The place to look at The Workplace: Hulu

Forged: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Criminal, Lucy Davis, Stirling Gallacher

20 of 27

Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

Simply while you thought the gangster drama had mentioned all there was to say, Peaky Blinders got here blazing onto the scene, reinventing the style with a mix of skillful writing, galvanizing performances, and a contemporary (however by no means anachronistic) aptitude.

World Struggle I veteran Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) guidelines the titular crime household with an iron fist and a pointy blade. When given a possibility to segue right into a extra reliable enterprise, Tommy dangers disguise and hair, going up towards British and Irish brutes to make himself a fortune. —D.G.

The place to look at Peaky Blinders: Netflix

Forged: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson

21 of 27

The Responder (2022–2024)

Martin Freeman stars on this police drama as Chris Carson, a has-been pressing response officer tasked with working countless evening shifts in gritty London reverse his much less skilled however nonetheless sport companion (Adelayo Adedayo).

The Responder is a compelling variation on the procedural format, sharing extra in widespread with American sequence like The Wire and True Detective than it does Broadchurch or Shetland. Freeman, so adept as a likable man and a little bit of a ne’er-do-well, shows an altogether more durable (and dare we are saying steely) demeanor, which has us hankering to see him in additional morally doubtful motion roles. —D.G.

The place to look at The Responder: BritBox

Forged: Martin Freeman, Adelayo Adedayo, Warren Brown, MyAnna Buring, Emily Fairn

22 of 27

Sherlock (2010–2017)

Benedict Cumberbatch stars because the titular Baker Road sleuth whereas Martin Freeman performs his doting companion, Watson. Sherlock is a simple replace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s seminal detective novels, one which’s brilliantly modernized whereas retaining all the supply materials’s classical charms. The sequence is witty, thrilling, and touching — often unexpectedly — and options a number of of essentially the most stunningly realized twists on fashionable tv. —D.G.

The place to look at Sherlock: Hulu

Forged: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman

23 of 27

Shetland (2013–current)

Together with Broadchurch, Shetland is the prototypical drizzly British procedural. DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) patrols the eponymous wet isle, the place many individuals go lacking and much more will be predisposed for turning up useless.

Extra critical than Broadchurch (although not by a lot), Shetland has equally witty characters whereas going a bit deeper into the emotional chaos of all of it. Henshall is a hoot because the tortured inspector, although the sequence has not too long ago taken on a brand new dimension with the addition of Ashley Jensen (so sensible in Ricky Gervais’ Hollywood satire, Extras) because the formidable DI Ruth Calder. —D.G.

The place to look at Shetland: BritBox

Forged: Douglas Henshall, Alison O'Donnell, Steven Robertson, Lewis Howden, Erin Armstrong

24 of 27

Skins (2007–2013)

It’s secure to say that with out Skins, there could be no Euphoria. Taking inspiration from Degrassi, Skins follows a gaggle of teenagers in dead-end Bristol who boost their boring center college existences with consuming, drugging, and saucy prompt messaging (keep in mind that?). For individuals who maybe discover Euphoria a contact too harrowing (or exaggerated) to look at, Skins offers an ideal middle-ground with extra genuine adolescent experiences that also flirt with darkness. That mentioned, it’s most likely finest to not watch this one along with your mother and father… —D.G.

The place to look at Skins: Hulu

Forged: Nicholas Hoult, Hannah Murray, Larissa Wilson, Joe Dempsie, Mike Bailey

25 of 27

Sluggish Horses (2022–current)

Gary Oldman stars because the brilliantly repugnant Jackson Lamb, a crude authorities agent tasked with overseeing the MI5’s division of “slough horses” — those that have screwed up within the line of obligation and now have nowhere to go however down.

Sluggish Horses, based mostly on the ebook sequence by Mick Herron, is raucous, usually anxiety-producing, and a bit grosser than you’ve come to count on from British reveals. It’s additionally one of the vital thrilling packages presently on tv. —D.G.

The place to look at Sluggish Horses: Apple TV

Forged: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce

26 of 27

Tracey Ullman's Present (2016–2018)

Tracey Ullman is a British nationwide treasure with a comedic resume that sparkles as brightly because the crown jewels. Her sketch comedy present, Tracey Ullman’s Present — to not be confused together with her Fox sketch comedy selection present, The Tracey Ullman Present (1987–1990) — is a beautiful instance of Ullman doing what she does finest.

The sequence is the proper receptacle to carry all of Ullman's characters, impressions, and ruminations on British life. The present is price your time only for the Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith impressions alone, however Ullman additionally reminds you why she’s one of many foremost character actors of all time. —I.G.

The place to look at Tracey Ullman's Present: BritBox

Forged: Tracey Ullman

27 of 27

Years and Years (2019)

Three years after the British populace voted on a referendum to depart the European Union, a restricted sequence referred to as Years and Years premiered on BBC One. A dystopian science-fiction miniseries informed throughout six episodes and set over the course of 15 years, the drama follows Britain's cultural and financial collapse, as skilled by the Lyons household. The nation's decline is accelerated by the likes of Vivian Rook (Emma Thompson), a profitable businesswoman turned populist politician whose proposed insurance policies — like one which bars anybody with an IQ underneath 70 from voting — are a sobering reminder of how tenuous our world democracies are, and the way simply freedom can free fall into fascism.

Concurrently compelling and horrifying, Years and Years is a political and social satire that will be rather a lot funnier if it didn't really feel so truthful. —I.G.

The place to look at Years and Years: HBO Max

Forged: Anne Reid, Rory Kinnear, Jessica Hynes, Emma Thompson

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