10 British Shows You Have to Watch
America is at the forefront of modern cinema and continues to produce definitive and extraordinary television too. However, Great Britain (my home country) also has a long tradition of producing trailblazing television.
If you’re already up to scratch with the classics, here’s a list of shows that quite frankly deserve more recognition on the world stage:
1. Misfits
Misfits follows a group of young offenders completing community service. However, all is not what it seems.
Against a backdrop of grey skies and brutalist tower blocks, the offenders get caught in a storm that changes their lives, and their DNA, forever. Each character is given a peculiar superpower and has no idea what to do with it. Gritty, witty, and pitch black in tone, this dark comedy will have you hooked instantly.
You can watch Misfits on Hulu.
2. The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners has reached true cult status in the UK due to it’s cringe-worthy writing, stomach-crunching laughs, and wicked soundtrack.
The series follows Simon, Jay, Neil, and resident posh boy Will and their ridiculous escapades. Akin to coming-of-age predecessors like American Pie, The Inbetweeners channels smut and nonsense, but injects it with a heavy dose of British wit, bringing it squarely back down to earth.
You can stream The Inbetweeners on Netflix or Hulu.
3. Catastrophe
Catastrophe is a true comedy gem.
Written and starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, the show comprises of two one night standers coming to terms with the fact that they have somehow created a baby. Their unborn child manages to gel the two (almost) strangers together, as they promise to complete this journey together.
Crass, hearty, and laugh-out-loud funny, Catastrophe will have you caterwauling the house down within seconds of the opening credits.
You can check out Catastrophe on Amazon.
4. The Thick of It
Politics on both sides of the Atlantic are quite frankly farcical right now, so there’s no better time to get acquainted with The Thick of It. From Veep creator Armando Iannucci, The Thick of It is a show like no other.
Peter Capaldi plays Malcolm Tucker, the acid-tongued director of communications, who has a palpable taste for the most creative profanity imaginable. While cabinet ministers, politicians, civil servants, and the media flounder, Malcolm Tucker is there to keep them in line and give them the verbal scorching of a lifetime.
The Thick of It is currently available on Hulu.
5. Happy Valley
Sarah Lancashire is the driving force behind this crime drama series.
Set in the rolling hills of Northern England, Lancashire plays Catherine Cawood, a tenacious police sergeant who’s still coming to terms with her daughter Becky’s suicide a year earlier. Catherine cares for her grieving grandson and ex-drug addict sister.
Things take a dark turn when Becky’s vicious ex-boyfriend is released from prison. Heart-wrenching, gloomy, and strangely uplifting, Happy Valley will have you hooked instantly.
You can check out Happy Valley on Netflix.
Sam Wilkinson
Sam Wilkinson is a resident of London who studied English Literature at Portsmouth University. He works as an assistant producer and researcher at an animation studio in East London, sometimes watching Netflix in the corner of his screen (whoops). While he’s an avid Doctor Who, Stranger Things, and House of Cards fan, new drama is his bread and butter. Ben and Jerry are currently his bingeing companions of choice.