Top 10 British Shows to Binge Watch

Top 10 British Shows to Binge Watch

Close the curtains, stock up on snacks and put your phone on silent! Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’re counting down the top 10 British shows to binge watch.

For this list, we’ll be focussing on those massively popular, must-see shows which are either made in Britain, feature a predominantly British cast and crew, or focus primarily on British life. And just to be clear, we’re trying to keep within the realms of realistic binge-watching goals, so we’re excluding any exceptionally long-running series, such as “Doctor Who”.

#10: “Peep Show” (2003-2015)

If you get a thrill from being plonked into awkward social situations, then “Peep Show” is an absolute must-watch. Letting you literally see through the eyes of dysfunctional, yet lovable characters who are bursting with comic reactions to relatable issues, it’s the show that put David Mitchell and Robert Webb on the map. Whether they’re trying to wean a friend off crack or they’re inadvertently eating a dog, you can always rely on these two to be completely inappropriate and utterly brilliant.

#9: “Lovesick” (2014-)

An edgy, light-hearted romantic sitcom - about chlamydia? Hmm. Following a young guy who's told he has the STI and must contact his former sexual partners, the majority of the show is told through flashbacks of protagonist Dylan, played by actor and musician Johnny Flynn. Although its subject matter may be a little different, it’s still an awesome off-kilter comedy that’s never afraid to make light of difficult situations. The fact that the series was formerly known as “Scrotal Recall”, speaks volumes.

#8: “The Fall” (2013-16)

Unlike formulaic detective dramas built around the quest to uncover a killer, “The Fall” is a little different - because we know who the murderer is from the get-go. However, it’s not as easy as condemning the murderer and rooting for the hero, as this series challenges us to decide who to sympathise with. Featuring a flurry of great performances from the likes of Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, it’s got plenty of twists and turns and keeps us guessing until the very end.

#7: “The Office” (2001-2003)

A TV show that focuses specifically on the mundanity and uneventful routine of an everyday office - it may not sound funny, but in the hands of Ricky Gervais, it’s comedy gold. Honing in on the inadequacy of middle management, at the expense of hapless boss David Brent, it’s endlessly quotable, agonisingly awkward and ridiculously relatable. Think you’re the only one having to put up with a monotonous daily grind? Or a boss who’s always trying to crack a joke? Guess again.

#6: “Luther” (2010-)

Many of our favourite heros have gaping flaws in their character - and DCI John Luther has more than most. Expertly played by Idris Elba, and said to have been inspired by both Sherlock Holmes and Columbo, he’s a brilliant, unrelenting detective that puts himself on the frontline to fight crime - when he’s not tackling his own demons, that is. A gritty series that’s as much about solving mysteries as it is about the fragile psyche of those that crack them, it’s definitely not your average crime drama.

#5: “The Crown” (2016-)

Ever been curious about the innermost workings of the royal family - and exactly what responsibilities the Queen has? Get a load of “The Crown”. Chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth II - from as far back as her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 - the series stars Claire Foy as the young royal and follows her through all the ups and downs of her early reign, through historic milestones and controversy. Characterised by its grand appeal, excellent cast and beautiful cinematography, it’s like “Downton Abbey”, but taken up another notch.

#4: “Peaky Blinders” (2013-)

Based on the eponymous real-life Birmingham gang, this series has got all the trademarks of a gangster epic - guns, murder, gambling and complex allegiances - but it offers its own unique style. Starring the likes of Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and Helen McCrory, it serves up terrifying villains, tense showdowns and plenty of engrossing dialogue. For those who like period dramas but enjoy the dark and dingey feel of something slightly more violent - look no further.

#3: “Black Mirror” (2011-)

If you consider yourself a bit of a technophobe, or you’re a little cynical when it comes to mass media, then you’ll feel right at home with this. Pulling apart the culture, expectations and attitudes towards current and future issues - such as social media infatuation and reality TV shows - Charlie Brooker’s “Black Mirror” is insightful, controversial and, more often than not, on the money. Although common themes feature throughout the series, each episode is completely different and unrelated, making for a new experience each time you click play.

#2: “Broadchurch” (2013-2017)

Prefer hard-hitting over uplifting? Well, be careful what you wish for, because “Broadchurch” offers no reprieve. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit coastal town, it stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman as two police officers who initially set out to solve the murder of an 11-year-old boy. It’s not what you’d call polished, and it’s not quite gritty, it’s somewhere in between, as both frighteningly realistic and relentlessly bleak. Nevertheless, if you’re after a gripping series, and you don't mind morbid themes, then give “Broadchurch” a watch.

#1: “Sherlock” (2010-)

A modern take on Conan Doyle’s world-famous detective, the “Sherlock” series swaps the horse and carriage for Black Cabs and old-school powers of deduction for new-fangled gadgets. Regardless of whether Sherlock tracks someone on foot or by GPS, Benedict Cumberbatch still manages to play the detective with all the brilliant, yet socially-inept, traits we’ve come to love - with Martin Freeman’s Dr. Watson chiming in as the voice of reason. Superbly written, one of the best things about “Sherlock” is its long episodes and individual, yet intertwined, plot lines.