25 best English TV shows of all time

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These romantic dramas, flamboyant detective stories and witty comedies are worth watching for everyone.

1. Doctor Who

• UK, 1963 - present.
• Science fiction, drama.
• Duration: 37 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

A time lord named Doctor from the planet Gallifrey travels through space and time in the TARDIS spaceship, which looks like a blue police box. The hero regularly saves entire worlds.

Over its more than half a century history, the legendary series is still loved by fans (although recently things have not been going very smoothly for it). At first, Doctor Who was conceived as an educational TV show for children. But the concept quickly changed and the project turned into space fiction filled with crazy adventures. Moreover, the appearance of the Doctor and his companions changes from season to season due to the idea that the Time Lord, instead of death, can regenerate into a new body.

2. Monty Python: Flying Circus

• Great Britain, 1969-1974.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

The brilliant path of the Monty Python comedy troupe began with the Flying Circus sketch show, which immediately revolutionized the genre. In their humorous sketches, the artists often broke the "fourth wall", abandoned the final funny phrases (punchlines), and Terry Gilliam's psychedelic animation inserts gave special relish to the project.

Monty Python has had as strong an impact on the comedy genre as The Beatles have on musicians. The troupe was inspired by the creators of Mr. Bean, The Fry & Laurie Show, The Simpsons and South Park. "Pythons" are no longer just a symbol of English humor - they have become part of the cultural code of the country: questions about the work of "Monty Python" have even entered the updated tests for those wishing to obtain British citizenship.

3. The Folty Towers Hotel

• Great Britain, 1975-1979.
• Sitcom.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The sitcom talks about the Fawlty Towers Hotel on the English Riviera and its owner Basil Fawlty. The owner has a very poor understanding of how to manage the hotel, and his lack of professionalism and disgust for guests are eternal sources of trouble. Together with him, the work of the hotel is supported by his bilious wife, a silly waiter and a business maid.

The cast is headed by John Cleese of Monty Python (the project was born a few years after he left the legendary troupe), and the series is incredibly well written and cleverly written. So for many years the Folty Towers Hotel has deservedly remained one of the most beloved folk comedies in Great Britain.

4. Fools are lucky

• Great Britain, 1981-2003.
• Sitcom.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

The main plot revolves around the next stupid ideas of the Trotter brothers, who decided to become millionaires. To achieve their goal, they drive around in a yellow three-wheeled van, selling useless and usually stolen goods.

The long-lived British sitcom is still very popular in England. The show closed in 1996, but returned after a five-year hiatus and continues to occasionally pamper viewers with festive special episodes.

5. Black viper

• Great Britain, 1982-1989.
• Black comedy, historical.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The series takes place at different times - from the Middle Ages to the First World War. The hilarious Rowan Atkinson plays at first the stupid and cowardly Prince Edmund, nicknamed the Black Viper, and in the other three seasons - his descendants who participate in important historical events. Each time the heroes find themselves in the most inappropriate place, in every possible way harm others and put themselves and others in awkward situations.

The critical reviews for the first season were mixed, and the series did not have much success. But the sequel brought the "Black Viper" incredible love of the audience. Even years later, the show does not lose its cultural value thanks to the excellent script, deep dialogue and brilliant acting. And the ending of the final season is still considered one of the best in the history of British television.

6. Poirot Agatha Christie

• Great Britain, 1989-2013.
• Detective, comedy, drama.
• Duration: 13 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The reference film adaptation of classic works by Agatha Christie is dedicated to the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This pedantic detective is famous for his passion for order and is able to unravel even the most difficult case.

Actor David Suchet brilliantly embodied the detective Hercule Poirot for almost 25 years. He created such an accurate and reliable image that it is difficult to imagine someone else in this role. To do this, Suchet read all the books about the detective, studied the history of Belgium and tried to copy the accent of his hero.

7. Jeeves and Worcester

• Great Britain, 1990-1993.
• Sitcom.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

Unlucky aristocrat Bertie Wooster constantly gets involved in troubles and adventures, but the all-knowing and witty valet Jeeves pulls the owner out of the most delicate situations. And he does it easily and calmly.

The brilliant duet of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry can rightfully be called a British national treasure. Before that, the artists had already managed to win the hearts of the audience with their witty "The Fry and Laurie Show". But it was the brilliant film adaptation of the novels of the English writer Pelam Grenville Woodhouse about a dull aristocrat and his sophisticated butler that made them recognized masters of comedy.

8. Cracker Method

• Great Britain, 1993-1996.
• Detective drama.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

Dr. Fitz Fitz successfully splits criminals by helping the police investigate the most difficult and bloody cases. He also has a lot of problems and shortcomings, for example, he smokes and drinks a lot, suffers from gambling addiction and regularly cheats on his wife. But it still remains extremely charismatic.

The show is distinguished by an innovative approach for its time. For example, here they are trying to figure out what is going on in the head of a person who commits a crime. At the same time, the villain may well be a hostage of circumstances, and the controversial protagonist (played by Robbie Coltrane, known for his role as Hagrid in Harry Potter) is far from always able to empathize.

9. Pride and prejudice

• UK, 1995.
• Costume melodrama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

The legacy of the main English novelist Jane Austen has been filmed very often. Best of all, the BBC succeeded, whose miniseries superbly recreated the atmosphere of the 19th century and conveyed the true spirit of Great Britain. In the story, a wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley and his best friend Mr. Darcy visit the Bennet family's mansion. The acquaintance soon turns into a confusing and stormy story of love and hate.

At first, Colin Firth flatly refused to star in the role of Mr. Darcy. But in the end, the image he created was recognized as canon, and the scene where his hero emerges from the water was even called one of the most recognizable in the history of British television. The most interesting thing is that a few years later the actor starred in the role of Mark Darcy in the film "Diary of Bridget Jones", where he portrayed a modernized version of the character.

10. Black's Bookstore

• Great Britain, 2000-2004.
• Situation comedy, black comedy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Bookstore owner Bernard Black wakes up every day in a bad mood, does not believe in the benefit of polite customer service, or in the need for attention to them in general. He just sits at the cash register, reads, drinks, smokes, is rude to everyone and at every opportunity rushes to the pub with his friends.

It is not so much the plot that is important here as funny scenes and great quotes (“You know, the salary is not very good, but the work is difficult”, “You will always have time to find a job and improve your personal life, and the pub closes in five hours”, “The book is disgusting, but ends quickly ). Unfortunately, the show only lasted three seasons.

11. Peep show

• UK, 2003-2015.
• Sitcom.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The plot revolves around the relationship of two eccentric buddies who rent the same apartment: a clerk with low self-esteem Mark Corrigan and a careless aspiring musician Jeremy Osborne.

The very name of the series, which literally translates as "peeping show", hints at a special camera work: each frame is shot from the point of view of one of the characters. Therefore, the viewer sees exactly what the characters are looking at. The project lasted on the air for nine years and managed to become a national treasure, and the phrases from it went to the people.

12. Mighty Bush

• UK, 2003-2007.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The British comedian group Mighty Bush, inheriting the Monty Python tradition, began with comedy and radio shows and later produced an entire series. The latter tells about the adventures of friends Vince Noir and Howard Moon. They often find themselves in various troubles, for which they are usually themselves to blame.

The content of the series is pointless to retell, they are too surreal. Nevertheless, the show quickly gained fans who fell in love with the bright scenery, musical numbers and extravagant costumes of the characters.

13. The thick of things

• UK, 2005-2012.
• Political satire.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The plot tells about the difficult and very nervous everyday life of British government officials. The central character is the Prime Minister's press secretary, Malcolm Tucker, whose job it is to yell at others in the hope of avoiding another failure.

A satirical procedural starring Peter Capaldi provides a peek behind the scenes of British politics. The viewer will be able to take note of sophisticated English curses: there is really a lot of foul language in "The Thick of Things".

14. Waste

• UK, 2009-2013.
• Science fiction, black comedy, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Five hooligans who were sent to community service for petty crimes end up in a thunderstorm. A lightning bolt gives them superpowers: from the ability to rewind time back to telepathy. But because of their new talents, the heroes constantly get into trouble.

A very funny and rude series about teenagers from the lower strata of society was filmed for mere pennies and practically without special effects. But nevertheless, he had a huge impact on modern popular culture.

15. Luther

• UK, 2010 - present.
• Thriller, detective, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

The tough and shrewd investigator John Luther of the London police is able to unravel any complex case. True, his methods are too cruel, which often creates very controversial situations.

It is the contradictory image of the protagonist performed by Idris Elba that makes the psychological confrontation between the detective and the villain doubly interesting.

16. Sherlock

• UK, USA, 2010 - present.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 9, 1.

War veteran John Watson meets an ingenious but strange detective Sherlock Holmes. Together, the partners unravel complex cases and enter into confrontation with the king of the underworld Moriarty.

The modern version of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle was told by Stephen Moffat, who for several years headed another famous British project, Doctor Who. As the action takes place these days, Sherlock began to use advanced technology, developed Asperger's syndrome and highly functional sociopathy. But the focus is still on Holmes's deductive method. The project won a BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series and has an army of fans.

17. Downton Abbey

• UK, 2010-2015.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The series tells about the life of the aristocratic Crowley family, their friends and servants. The fictional stories of the old Downton estate are superimposed on the canvas of real historical events of the early 20th century.

The show will not only delight you with exquisite English speech and first-class acting. The project also shows how the line between aristocrats and ordinary people was slowly blurring, and the world was changing before our eyes. Not to mention, Downton Abbey is full of British wisdom, elegance and sense of humor from start to finish.

18. Black mirror

• UK, 2011 - present.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Charlie Brooker's anthology "Black Mirror" at first was more of a show "for friends", but gradually became one of the main hits of television fiction of our time. The creators are constantly experimenting with genres: in the series you can find echoes of horror (Metalhead, Playtest), detective (The Entire History of You) and even teenage comedy (Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too). There is even an experimental interactive episode of Bandersnatch, in which the fate of the hero directly depends on the viewer's choice.

But at the same time, all the series have one thing in common: they paint a gloomy picture of the technological future (after all, even the name of the show itself hints at the black screen of a smartphone or computer).

19. On duty

• UK 2012 - present.
• Crime drama, detective.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

After an unsuccessful anti-terrorist operation that ended in the death of an innocent man, young Sergeant Steve Arnott refused to cover his colleagues. However, he is not fired, but only transferred to the anti-corruption department. There, he is surprised to learn about the venality of many police officers and their connections with organized crime.

In this series, the police are not shown from their best side. British law enforcement agencies refused to advise the authors of the project. Therefore, the creative team had to work with the stories of retired officers, as well as carefully study professional forums.

20. Peaky Blinders

• UK, 2013 - present.
• Historical crime drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Returning to their hometown of Birmingham after World War I, the Shelby brothers take over the streets. They become more and more influential due to their brutality. But the gang's life is poisoned by the machinations of the police and competitors.

The historical drama about a group of gangsters who had a habit of stitching sharp razors into the peaks of their caps is a must-see. Stylish costumes, interiors and bright characters embodied by Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and other talented actors will not leave anyone indifferent.

21. Inside the ninth number

• UK, 2014 - present.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Each episode is an independent story, only the place of action remains unchanged: room or house number nine.

The show is imbued with the spirit of English retro broadcasts and can be both dramatic and comedic, but the plot keeps the plot in suspense every time until the last second.

22. Disaster

• UK, 2015-2019.
• Comedy, melodrama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

American Rob comes to England on a business trip and meets witty teacher Sharon in a bar. At first, the heroes are sure that their short romance will not lead to anything serious. But it soon turns out that the girl is pregnant.

Performers of the main roles (and part-time creators of the show) Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney built the plot around their own life experiences and even gave the characters their own names. Perhaps that is why there is a special chemistry between the characters, and their relationship looks extremely convincing and believable.

23. Trash

• UK, 2016-2019.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The nameless heroine keeps the cafe on the verge of ruin, sleeps with everyone, treats her boyfriend terribly, and has never learned to communicate with her family. At first glance, the girl looks irresponsible and cheerful. But in reality he is trying to cope with depression and terrible feelings of guilt.

The author's television project Phoebe Waller-Bridge grew out of her own solo performance. In a few hours, the series manages to both make you laugh and make you cry. And the second season of "Rubbish" turned out to be even better than the first. Waller-Bridge was instantly named the main screenwriter of our time and was invited to add dialogues to the new James Bond film.

The heroines of Waller-Bridge are far from perfect and remind us that we are all real people - and this is normal.

24. End of the *** world

• UK, 2017-2019.
• Black comedy, drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

An unsociable teenager James considers himself a psychopath and is going to kill his classmate Alyssa. However, the girl unexpectedly invites him to run away from the city together. The guy agrees, intending to finish off his companion later, but the further, the more difficult it is to do it. After all, gradually the heroes fall in love with each other.

The story of modern Bonnie and Clyde tells of scars that have not healed for years, adolescent nihilism and fruitless attempts to hide from problems. In the wake of the popularity of the first season, the creators released the second, no less beautiful and stylish, where they revealed the themes of toxic relationships and unhealthy attachments.

25. Sex education

• UK, 2019 - present.
• Comedy, school drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

Otis, a teenager, is well versed in sex education, which is not surprising, because his mother works as a sexologist. At the same time, he himself is extremely shy, and his personal life does not add up at all. At school, the hero, together with the rebel Maeve, opens an underground "psychological office", where he helps his classmates to solve sexual problems for money. And he himself does not notice how he falls in love with his accomplice, who perceives him exclusively as a friend.

The show, although it plays up all conceivable stereotypes from school life, presents sex primarily as a way to understand yourself. Heroes face challenges that are equally relevant for all ages: self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even sexual abuse.