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Brilliant British TV: Must-Watch Shows Across the Pond
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items Love sharp wit, gripping mysteries, or cozy countryside dramas? This list rounds up the best British television—from iconic classics to modern masterpieces. Whether you're into period dramas, cheeky comedies, or gritty crime thrillers, there’s someth...
Sections
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Period Dramas & Historical Series
British Crime & Mystery Thrillers
Binge-Worthy Boxsets
Period Dramas & Historical Series
Step back in time with lavish costumes, aristocratic scandals, and powerful storytelling. These British period dramas bring history to life with elegance and emotion—whether you’re in the drawing rooms of royalty or the cobbled streets of post-war Lo...
As a longtime Outlander fan, I was super curious (and a little nervous) about this prequel—but Blood of My Blood really surprised me. It dives into the origins of Jamie and Claire’s parents, adding emotional depth and rich backstory to the world we a...
Outlander: Blood of My Blood (TV Series 2025– ) ⭐ 8.1 | Drama
Victoria swept me away with its stunning visuals and heartfelt performances. Jenna Coleman brings such warmth and strength to the young queen, and the chemistry between her and Prince Albert is so compelling. It blends royal drama, political intrigue...
Victoria (TV Series 2016–2019) ⭐ 8.2 | Biography, Drama, History
This show is like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Set in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, All Creatures Great & Small follows the gentle, sometimes messy life of a country vet in the 1930s. It’s wholesome, funny, and full of heart—with gorgeous sc...
All Creatures Great & Small (TV Series 2020– ) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy, Drama
Okay, not a series—but I had to sneak this one in. This 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice is pure cinematic romance. Keira Knightley’s spirited Lizzy and Matthew Macfadyen’s brooding Darcy make for an unforgettable pairing, and the cinematography...
Pride & Prejudice (2005) ⭐ 7.8 | Drama, Romance
This is the definitive adaptation for many Austen fans—and honestly, it’s hard to argue. With six perfectly paced episodes, this version lets the story breathe, the characters shine, and the romance simmer. Jennifer Ehle is a pitch-perfect Lizzy, and...
Pride and Prejudice (TV Mini Series 1995) ⭐ 8.8 | Drama, Romance
British Crime & Mystery Thrillers
From gritty detectives to quiet villages hiding dark secrets, the UK has mastered the art of suspense. These crime dramas and thrillers deliver moody atmospheres, clever plots, and unforgettable characters. Whether it’s a slow-burn whodunnit or a pul...
Shetland drew me in with its hauntingly beautiful island landscapes and kept me hooked with its quiet intensity and complex characters. Detective Jimmy Perez is one of those rare leads—thoughtful, calm, and deeply human. The pacing is slower than som...
Shetland (TV Series 2013– ) ⭐ 8.3 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Karen Pirie is a fresh and engaging take on the cold-case detective genre. I loved how sharp and relatable Karen is—she’s not your typical brooding lead, but she's clever, determined, and easy to root for. The show balances serious themes with witty ...
Karen Pirie (TV Series 2022– ) ⭐ 7.6 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
If you’re looking for edge-of-your-seat drama, Line of Duty is the real deal. Twists, turns, and “bent coppers” galore—every episode left me guessing. The writing is razor-sharp, and the tension builds season after season as AC-12 digs into police co...
Line of Duty (TV Series 2012– ) ⭐ 8.7 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Broadchurch hits hard from the very first episode. Set against the stark beauty of a coastal town, it tells a deeply emotional story of grief, secrets, and community. David Tennant and Olivia Colman are absolutely brilliant together—raw, real, and un...
Broadchurch (TV Series 2013–2017) ⭐ 8.3 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Endeavour is everything I love in a British detective series—moody, intelligent, and beautifully crafted. As a prequel to Inspector Morse, it captures the spirit of classic mysteries while giving us a deeper look at the young, brilliant, and brooding...
Endeavour (TV Series 2012–2023) ⭐ 8.6 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Hinterland is dark, brooding, and beautifully bleak—in the best way. Set in the windswept landscapes of Wales, it’s a slow-burning detective series with a distinct Nordic noir vibe. DCI Tom Mathias is a deeply troubled but compelling lead, and the st...
Hinterland (TV Series 2013–2016) ⭐ 7.6 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Bloodlands may fly a bit under the radar, but it delivers some seriously tense, twisty drama. Set in Northern Ireland and starring James Nesbitt, it dives into cold cases, political history, and personal secrets. While it’s not as polished as some ot...
Bloodlands (TV Series 2021–2022) ⭐ 6.7 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Happy Valley hits like a punch to the gut—in the best way. Sarah Lancashire is phenomenal as Sgt. Catherine Cawood, balancing tough policing with heartbreaking personal struggles. The writing is sharp, the characters feel real, and the tension builds...
Happy Valley (TV Series 2014–2023) ⭐ 8.5 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
This show is a delightful surprise—part cozy mystery, part culinary drama, all wrapped in the stunning landscapes of South Africa. It has a gentler tone than many crime series, but the cases are still compelling. Maria Doyle Kennedy is wonderful as T...
Recipes for Love and Murder (TV Series 2022– ) ⭐ 7.5 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The 2025 Maigret reboot brings a fresh, stylish take on the classic detective. Set in 1950s Paris but produced with that signature British restraint and detail, it’s a slow-burn mystery series with atmosphere to spare. The cases are methodical, the t...
Maigret (TV Series 2025– ) ⭐ 7.1 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Technically Australian, not British—but I couldn’t leave RFDS off the list. It follows the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the remote outback, and it’s packed with emotional stories, medical drama, and jaw-dropping landscapes. Think Grey’s Anatomy mee...
RFDS (TV Series 2021– ) ⭐ 8.0 | Drama
Grantchester is a cozy crime drama with a moral heart—and a bit of a twist. Set in 1950s Cambridgeshire, it pairs a charming vicar with a no-nonsense detective as they solve crimes in their idyllic village. I love how it blends murder mysteries with ...
Grantchester (TV Series 2014– ) ⭐ 7.9 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Unforgotten quietly became one of my favorite crime series. Each season dives into a different cold case, unraveling decades of secrets with emotional depth and moral complexity. Nicola Walker is outstanding—calm, compassionate, and quietly commandin...
Unforgotten (TV Series 2015– ) ⭐ 8.4 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Binge-Worthy Boxsets
Clear your weekend—these series are so addictive, you’ll want to watch them all in one go. Featuring complex characters, layered plots, and multiple seasons of quality storytelling, these British boxsets are built for long-haul viewing and serious TV...
My personal all-time A+++ favorite! Outlander is pure escapism with a historical twist—think time travel, romance, and Scottish highlands wrapped into one epic saga. I was totally swept up in Claire and Jamie’s story, especially how it blends real h...
Outlander (TV Series 2014– ) ⭐ 8.3 | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Downton Abbey is the gold standard of British period drama. I was instantly hooked by the elegant setting, the sharp dialogue, and the upstairs-downstairs dynamics. It's not just about posh dinner parties—there’s love, loss, scandal, and even war, al...
Downton Abbey (TV Series 2010–2015) ⭐ 8.7 | Drama, Romance
Call the Midwife is one of those rare shows that manages to be both deeply emotional and quietly uplifting. Set in 1950s–60s East London, it follows midwives working in a changing world—and wow, does it pull at the heartstrings. Each episode is beaut...
Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012– ) ⭐ 8.6 | Drama, History
Bridgerton is pure Regency-era eye candy—romance, drama, scandal, and serious fashion. It’s not your typical period piece; it’s bold, diverse, and plays by its own rules (with a string quartet playing modern pop hits!). I loved how each season spotli...
Bridgerton (TV Series 2020– ) ⭐ 7.4 | Drama, Romance
Okay, this isn’t a drama or a mystery—but I couldn’t leave it off the list. Men in Kilts is pure joy. Watching Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish road-trip across Scotland is like traveling with your two funniest (and most Scottish) frie...
Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham (TV Series 2021–2023) ⭐ 8.4 | Documentary, Comedy, Reality-TV
Poldark is classic British period drama with a wild, romantic edge. Set on the rugged Cornish coast, it follows Ross Poldark—brooding, rebellious, and impossible not to root for—as he returns from war to rebuild his life. There’s love, betrayal, clas...
Poldark (TV Series 2015–2019) ⭐ 8.3 | Drama, Romance