It’s not an exaggeration to say that the United Kingdom has produced some of the best TV shows in the entertainment industry.
From genre-bending sitcoms like The Office to surreal sketch comedy series like Monty Python’s Flying Circus, British television continues to gauge audiences’ interests the world over, delighting viewers with their series’ dry humor, idiosyncratic characters, and memorable plot lines.
As universally praised as many of the United Kingdom’s comedies are, it’s also important to note just how fantastic many of Britain’s drama series are as well. Whether discussing a neo-noir thriller like Broadchurch or a historical drama like Downton Abbey, these series remain every bit as influential as their comedic counterparts, appealing to mainstream television fans across the globe.
Though he’s better known for portraying the endlessly eccentric Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, David Tennant has also appeared in a number of other notable TV shows, including the 2013 crime drama, Broadchurch. Pairing Tennant with the Academy Award-winning Olivia Colman, Broadchurch focuses on the larger implications a small-town murder has on a seaside community, including an in-depth look into the lives of the victims’ family members. Divided into three equally excellent seasons, it’s among the finest achievements in British neo-noir there is.
A sleek and stylish new take on the espionage genre, Killing Eve acts as the female-oriented equivalent to the James Bond or Jason Bourne series. Opting for a more intelligent exploration of the conventional spy story in lieu of over-the-top action and gadgetry, Killing Eve’s cerebral nature helped set it apart from most other thrillers on television. Though the series received some shakier reception in its final two seasons, the initial two entries in Killing Eve offer a first-rate psychological thriller–one that touches upon obsession, respect, and the commonalities that exist between the main characters (Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer).
With Cillian Murphy only recently winning the Academy Award for his lead performance in Oppeneheimer, there’s no better time to revisit some of the actor’s earlier work, starting with the period crime drama, Peaky Blinders. Set between the First and Second World War, Peaky Blinders follows the exploits of the eponymous Birmingham street gang, as well as their interactions with prevailing forces within Europe at the time. More than a mere crime drama alone, Peaky Blinders excels at illustrating the gradual change in international culture during the ‘20s and ‘30s, such as the emergence of the New York Mafia and the burgeoning fascist movement that predated World War II.
On paper, Downton Abbey may seem like a show where nothing much happens, with many of its scenes containing lengthy spells of dry dialogue and an illustration of how upper-class English society looked in its heyday. Yet at its heart, Downton Abbey provides a meticulous portrayal of how life dramatically changed over the first half of the 20th century, as well as how certain events forever altered English history. Tackling such topics as the demise of the R.M.S. Titanic to the outbreak of World War One, Downton Abbey’s careful adherence to historical reality makes it a show that’s impossible to pause once you’ve hit play.
Adapted from Robert Graves’ masterful 1934 novel, I, Claudius offers an in-depth look at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire over several eventful decades. Narrated by Derek Jacobi’s philosophical Emperor Claudius, I, Claudius analyzes how imperial regimes gradually dissolve, with introspective and thoughtful leaders soon being replaced by murderous, power-hungry, mentally unstable tyrants. For this reason alone, I, Claudius remains a forever timely piece of television, reflecting how—sooner or later—all great political powers must slowly come to an end.
While I, Claudius did a phenomenal job portraying the generational gaps between the Roman Empire, The Crown accomplished a similar feat with the English royal family in the mid to late 20th century. Examining Queen Elizabeth II’s life from the early days of her reign up to the modern era, The Crown focuses on how the power behind the throne has changed over the past half-century, as well as how the royals reacted to certain events in global politics. An epic portrait of England’s most powerful dynasty, it’s also a harrowing glimpse into some of the United Kingdom’s most defining historical struggles, from the tragic death of Princess Diana to the election of Margaret Thatcher.
