The Best British TV Shows Streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Max & Prime Video
Industry
Nick StrasburgHBO'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.
2Downton Abbey
Jaap BuitendijkThe 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.
3This Is Going to Hurt
EverettBased 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4Black Mirror
NetflixCharlie 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.
5Killing Eve
EverettViewers 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.
6Fleabag
Amazon PrimePhoebe 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7Sex Education
Sam Taylor/NetflixSet 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.
8Bridgerton
Liam Daniel/NetflixNetflix'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.
9Catastrophe
Ed Miller//EverettCatastrophe 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10Luther
John Wilson/NetflixIdris 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.
11Broadchurch
©BBC America/Courtesy Everett CollectionOlivia 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.
12Vanity Fair
EverettWilliam 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13I May Destroy You
HBOWriter 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.
14Rain Dogs
HBOCreated 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.
15I Hate Suzie
Tom Beard/HBOMaxBillie 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16Trying
Ben MeadowsApple 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.
17The Night Manager
©AMC/courtesy Everett Collection18Obsession
Ana Blumenkron/NetflixNetflix'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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19The Office
©BBC/Courtesy Everett CollectionWithout 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.
20Derry Girls
NetflixSet 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.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfmMKtwNSrnGiemaG6bsDVaJ5tbGJtgnV8lGiZnqukYq%2BztdOiqqFlpKt6tLTOsKpo