My Favourite British TV Shows
An ever changing list of favourite British TV, from the classics to today's best offerings.
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- StarsSteve CooganSimon GreenallFelicity MontaguA failed television presenter, now presenting a programme on local desperately tries to revive his broadcasting career.
- CreatorSydney NewmanStarsJodie WhittakerPeter CapaldiPearl MackieThe further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
- DirectorAdam TandyStarsSteve CooganPeter BaynhamAmelia BullmoreZ list celebrity will do anything to become A list
- CreatorJesse ArmstrongSam BainAndrew O'ConnorStarsDavid MitchellRobert WebbMatt KingMark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.
- StarsCharlie BrookerAl CampbellDavid FirthSatirical TV show critique.
- StarsChristopher MorrisMark HeapKevin EldonControversial spoof of current affairs television, and the role of celebrity in the UK.
- DirectorPeter DavisonStarsSean PertweeOlivia ColmanPeter DavisonWith the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who (1963) approaching, former Doctors Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy try to sneak onto the set of the anniversary special.
- DirectorTerry McDonoughStarsDavid BradleyRoss Gurney-RandallRoger MayAn actor tapped by a succession of hard-man roles and a wannabe producer frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama, time travel and monsters.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonStephen FryStuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonTim McInnernyIn the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.
- StarsKarl PilkingtonJohn MontgomeryRichard YeeKarl is faced with the different aspects of life by travelling around the world and discovering how different people face life's challenges.
- StarsKarl PilkingtonRicky GervaisStephen MerchantBritish comedy duo Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send their simple and closed-minded friend Karl Pilkington on a trip around the world to experience a variety of people and cultures.
- StarsAlan DaviesCaroline QuentinStuart MilliganJonathan Creek, a magician with a natural ability for solving puzzles, works from his home in a converted windmill. He uses his abilities to solve impossible crimes and mysterious murders.
- StarsSimon PeggJessica HynesJulia DeakinFriends Tim and Daisy, 20-something North Londoners with uncertain futures, must pretend to be a couple to live in the only apartment they can afford.
- StarsPaul 'Bubble' FergusonJaime WinstoneAndy NymanDuring a fictional series of Big Brother, a zombie outbreak occurs, but the house-mates are unaware of the impending doom outside of the Big Brother House.
- CreatorMark GatissSteven MoffatStarsBenedict CumberbatchMartin FreemanUna StubbsThe quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
- CreatorCharlie BrookerStarsWunmi MosakuMonica DolanDaniel LapaineFeaturing stand-alone dramas -- sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia -- "Black Mirror" is a contemporary reworking of "The Twilight Zone" with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world.
- StarsSimon PeggSteve CooganAmelia BullmoreFive animals (a horse, rat, monkey, sparrow and a cat) that can think and speak are released by animal rights activists and must try to survive in the world.
- StarsCharlie BrookerTim KeyDoug StanhopeHosted and written by Charlie Brooker, this sardonic series follows and critiques both current news stories and the way television portrays them.
- StarsCharlie BrookerLiz May BriceKevin EldonA comedic documentary series in which Charlie Brooker uses a mix of sketches and jaw-dropping archive footage to explore the gulf between real life and television.
- StarsChris O'DowdRichard AyoadeKatherine ParkinsonThe comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.
- StarsSimon BirdJames BuckleyBlake HarrisonFollows four friends and their antics during their final years of school.
- CreatorDonald WilsonSydney NewmanStarsWilliam HartnellPatrick TroughtonJon PertweeThe adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.
- DirectorAl CampbellStarsCharlie BrookerDara O BriainGraham LinehanCharlie Brooker sets his caustic sights on video games. Expect acerbic comment as he looks at the various genres, how they have changed since their early conception and how the media represents games and gamers. Features interviews with Dara O Briain, sitcom scribe Graham Linehan and Rab and Ryan from Consolevania.
- StarsChristopher MorrisAmelia BullmoreDavid CannA surreal, ambient mix of bleak comedy sketches.
- StarsChristopher MorrisSteve CooganPatrick MarberA spoof of the British style of news broadcasting - including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors.
- StarsNaveen AndrewsBrenda BlethynRoshan SethKarim's mother is English and his father is Indian. Therefore Karim has some problems with life in British society which is becoming more and more racist and intolerant; he experiences this especially when he pursues acting.
- CreatorGraham LinehanArthur MathewsStarsKevin EldonMark HeapSimon PeggA British sketch comedy show where people in ordinary situations suddenly find themselves in absurd situations.
- StarsPeter SerafinowiczNigel LambertRobert PopperA parody of educational programs. Just don't believe anything in the show is true.
- StarsSteve CooganGraham DuffHayley HendersonSeries of half hour parodies of British horror films of the 60s and 70s.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonMel SmithPamela StephensonBritish sketch comedy starring the likes of Rowan Atkinson and Mel Smith.
- StarsSteve CooganJames BachmanRasmus HardikerTommy, an ex-roadie, runs a pest control biz in Stevenage post-divorce. He lives with Magz and mentors his assistant Raymond, seeing himself as a maverick dispensing wisdom.
- StarsSteve CooganTim KeySimon GreenallFamous DJ Alan Partridge gives us an insight into what happens behind the microphone at North Norfolk digital radio.
- StarsJack DavenportSusannah HarkerIdris ElbaThe six-episode series, first aired in 1998, stars Jack Davenport as Detective Sergeant Michael Colefield, who discovers a secret government vampire-hunting unit while investigating the disappearance of his partner.
- StarsSean LockBenedict WongDan MershThe lives of two men sharing a flat in South London.
- StarsJon TickleJoe RowntreeTom PringleFast-paced, fun-packed and award winning series which combines entertainment and science in a groundbreaking format to prove that science really can be fun.
- CreatorGreg DaviesStarsGreg DaviesRoisin ConatyMike WozniakA deadbeat drama teacher gets a wake-up call when his girlfriend leaves him.
- CreatorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantKarl PilkingtonRicky Gervais and Stephen Merchant talk to Karl Pilkington about important things in life whilst Karl provides anything but intelligent answers. Comedy at its finest with wonderful animation.
- StarsAdrian EdmondsonRik MayallSteven O'DonnellTwo perpetually bored and broke flatmates waste their days in a futile struggle to get laid, earn cash, and not kill one another.
- CreatorSimon NyeStarsMartin ClunesCaroline QuentinLeslie AshTwo early thirties best friends live together while having completely different personalities. While their girlfriends try to help them take on more responsibilities the boys seldom respond well and usually end up drinking together.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonHugh LaurieIn the Regency era, Mr E. Blackadder serves as butler to the foppish numskull Prince George amidst the fads and crazes of the time.
- StarsCharlie BrookerDiane MorganAl CampbellCharlie Brooker highlights the week's news in a comic fashion.
- StarsKate LonerganAdam MorrisDanny John-JulesRobin was a cowardly tailor from Kensington, and Marian was the brains behind the Merry Men. With her ruthless band of freedom fighters, Marian seeks to save the villagers of Worksop from the tyrany of King John and his cunning henchman.
- StarsReece ShearsmithSteve PembertonDaniel KaluuyaA group of seemingly unrelated strangers all receive a mysterious note stating "I know what you did", which sends their lives into a downward spiral.
- StarsDavid MitchellRobert WebbJames BachmanA comedy sketch show featuring David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
- StarsRik MayallAdrian EdmondsonNigel PlanerThe crazy and sometimes surreal comedic adventures of four very different students in Thatcher's Britain.
- StarsRichard WilsonAnnette CrosbieDoreen MantleVictor Meldrew is a retiree who attracts bad luck. If he's not driving his long suffering wife Margaret crazy with his constant moaning, he's fighting with neighbours.
- StarsNicholas BurnsJulian BarrattClaire KeelanAfter publishing a rant about 'idiots' - frantically hip, ignorant scenesters - Dan Ashcroft finds these same people embracing him as his idol and his nerves constantly tested by his biggest fan, moronic scene personality Nathan Barley.
- StarsMark GatissSteve PembertonReece ShearsmithAn interweaving narrative chronicling the antics of such diverse characters as: a transgender taxi driver, a family obsessed with hygiene and toads, a fiery reverend, a carnival owner who kidnaps women into marriage, and a xenophobic couple who run a local shop for local people.
- StarsJohn HannahSuranne JonesNavin ChowdhryDCI Jack Cloth and DC Anne Oldman are paired to investigate a series of grisly murders done by a devious killer.
- CreatorSteve PembertonReece ShearsmithStarsReece ShearsmithSteve PembertonDerek JacobiGenre-mixing anthology series, inviting viewers into some very different and enigmatic No. 9s.
- StarsRichard AyoadeMatt BerryMatthew HolnessThis parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.
- CreatorRobin FrenchKieron QuirkeStarsGreg DaviesHelen BaxendaleTyger Drew-HoneyCuckoo is every parent's worst nightmare - a slacker full of outlandish, New Age ideas.
- StarsAlan DaviesStephen FrySandi ToksvigA comedy panel game in which being Quite Interesting is more important than being right. Sandi Toksvig is joined each week by four comedians to share anecdotes and trivia, and maybe answer some questions as well.
- CreatorDylan MoranStarsDylan MoranBill BaileyTamsin GreigBernard Black runs a book shop, though his customer service skills leave something to be desired. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.
- StarsMiranda HartPatricia HodgeTom EllisSocially inept Miranda always gets into awkward situations; working in her joke shop with best friend Stevie, being hounded by her pushy mother, and around her crush Gary.
- StarsMax BeesleyJohn SimmPhilip GlenisterFollows the reunion of four old sixth form friends. They head to Spain to visit the fifth member of the gang, but things take a dark turn.
- CreatorMatthew GrahamTony JordanAshley PharoahStarsJohn SimmPhilip GlenisterLiz WhiteAfter a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
- CreatorArmando IannucciStarsChris AddisonJames SmithPeter CapaldiThe Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
- StarsJulian BarrattNoel FieldingMichael FieldingSurreal British comedy in which Vince Noir and Howard Moon have adventures filled with oddball characters while working as Zoo Keepers, before pursuing a musical career and running a second-hand shop.
- StarsDermot MorganArdal O'HanlonFrank KellyThree misfit priests and their housekeeper live on Craggy Island, not the peaceful and quiet part of Ireland that it seems to be.
- CreatorRobert PopperStarsTamsin GreigSimon BirdPaul RitterTwo siblings share their Friday-night dinners at their parents' home and, somehow, something always goes wrong.
- CreatorRichard CurtisStarsRowan AtkinsonBrian BlessedElspet GrayIn the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.
- StarsPeter KayDave SpikeyJustin MoorhouseThe misadventures of club owner Brian Potter who is determined to make The Phoenix Club the best working men's club in Greater Manchester.
- CreatorWarwick DavisRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsWarwick DavisRicky GervaisStephen MerchantThe show centers on Warwick Davis in his day-to-day life, complete with the frustrations he faces.
- StarsMorwenna BanksMark BentonTim HealyEx soldier Carl Palmer returns home from Cyprus to join his brother Chris who has agreed to help find Carl's son.
- StarsStewart LeeRichard HerringKevin EldonA spoof of the well known This Morning With Richard & Judy, by Lee and Herring.
- CreatorNeil CrossStarsIdris ElbaDermot CrowleyMichael SmileyJohn Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.
- StarsJeremy ClarksonRichard HammondJames MayThe hosts talk about everything car-related. From new cars to how they're fueled, this show has it all.
- StarsArmando IannucciHugh CecilKaren AscoeObservations of society and life by Armando Iannucci in comedy sketches and narration.
- CreatorRussell T. DaviesStarsJohn BarrowmanEve MylesKai OwenThe members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.
- CreatorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisMartin FreemanMackenzie CrookThe story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
- StarsNick HelmElliot Speller-GillottDaisy HaggardAn amateur musician of stunted emotional growth is reluctant to take care of his young nephew, but as his reluctance grows, his other emotions begin to follow to the fore, meaning he may even become a better, more-rounded person.
- CreatorRob GrantDoug NaylorStarsChris BarrieCraig CharlesDanny John-JulesThe adventures of the last human alive and his friends, stranded three million years into deep space on the mining ship Red Dwarf.
- CreatorJohn SullivanStarsDavid JasonNicholas LyndhurstRoger Lloyd PackComedy that follows two brothers from London's rough Peckham estate as they wheel and deal through a number of dodgy deals and search for the big score that'll make them millionaires.
- StarsStewart LeeRichard HerringPeter BaynhamHilarity prevails as comic geniuses Stewart Lee and Richard Herring present their musings via the medium of sketch.
- CreatorRicky GervaisStarsRicky GervaisKerry GodlimanDavid EarlDerek is a loyal nursing home care assistant who sees only the good in his quirky co-workers as they struggle against prejudice and shrinking budgets to care for their elderly residents.
- StarsLeigh FrancisCraig PhillipsPatsy KensitComedy involving celebrity stalker Avid Merrion, and a whole host of "celebrities".
- StarsMorwenna BanksBrian BowlesSimon GreenallA definitely-not-for-children animated series with each episode made up of an array of perverse skits.
- StarsVic ReevesBob MortimerEmilia FoxRandall and Hopkirk are detective partners with a difference: one of them is a ghost.
- StarsMatt BerryRich FulcherTerry WadeTwo hangmen (Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher) compete for women, money and happiness, venturing deeper in the ocean of depravity than any friends should in a whisky-fuelled, cross-cultural friendship.
- StarsSteve CooganRebecca FrontPatrick MarberAlan Partridge hosts his own chat show on the BBC. He insults and belittles almost all of his guests and is humiliated by the rest.
- StarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsFollows the lives of the Porters; a seemingly average family whose world is frequently turned upside-down, due to bad luck and bizarre occurrence.
- CreatorBrian CosgroveMark HallStarsDavid JasonTerry ScottEdward KelseyDanger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans.
- StarsPaul WhitehouseCharlie HigsonArabella WeirUK comedy sketch show depicting most forms of stereotypical British society.
- CreatorMark LevesonDan PattersonStarsClive AndersonRyan StilesColin MochrieHost Clive Anderson arbitrarily awards points as four players act their way through a series of improvisational games based on suggestions from either Clive or the studio audience.
- StarsDawn FrenchJennifer SaundersSimon BrintComedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders satirically present aspects of British life, films such as Batman Forever and Pulp Fiction.
- StarsGlen MurphyRichard WalshBen OnwukweThe lives of firefighters at Blackwall Fire Station.
- CreatorBen EltonStarsRowan AtkinsonMina AnwarJames DreyfusVarious mishaps at a police station in an English town. The main character is the anachronistic, yet charming and funny Inspector Fowler. CID foil to Fowler, Inspector Grim is a bumbling, seething idiot.
- DirectorMichael WinterbottomStarsSteve CooganRob BrydonRebecca JohnsonSteve Coogan has been asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, but after his girlfriend backs out on him he must take his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon.
- CreatorRichard FegenAndrew NorrissStarsChris BarrieHarriet ThorpeMichael BurnsGordon Brittas is the manager of the Whitbury-Newtown Leisure Centre. Despite his good intentions, everything seems to go wrong when he's around, despite the best efforts of the center staff and his long-suffering wife, Helen.
- CreatorMark LevesonDan PattersonStarsDara O BriainHugh DennisAndy ParsonsA comedic look at current events.
- StarsMatthew CottleSamantha WomackNeil StukeThe misadventures of three twenty-something flatmates, bound together by circumstance. Mandy is sexually active, Martin is sexually inactive, and their troubled landlord Matthew never leaves the flat.
- StarsGeraldine JamesCathy TysonBarbara DicksonIn Bradford, England, several desperate streetwalkers team up to run the business for themselves. They must deal with competition, mobsters, moralists, psychos and cops, but at least now they have each other and a plan.
- StarsChristopher EcclestonMark StrongGina McKeeDrama examining the politics and change across Britain from the Sixties to the Nineties seen through the varying fortunes of four friends.
- CreatorAmy JenkinsStarsJack DavenportAmita DhiriAndrew LincolnA series following the lives of Miles, Milly, Warren, Egg and Anna, five young legal professionals.
- CreatorRussell T. DaviesStarsElisabeth SladenDaniel AnthonyAlexander ArmstrongInvestigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, with the help of her adopted son, his friends, and an intelligent supercomputer, combats evil alien forces here on Earth.
- StarsMatt BerryRobert BathurstDoon MackichanSteven Toast, an eccentric middle-aged actor with a chequered past, spends more time dealing with his problems off stage than performing on stage.
- CreatorJimmy McGovernStarsRobbie ColtraneGeraldine SomervilleKieran O'BrienDr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a criminal psychologist. He is rather anti-social and obnoxious but he has a gift for solving crimes. Thus he is employed as a consultant by the Manchester Police.