10 Most Popular British TV Shows Of All Time 

What is better than getting home from a long day of work and sitting in front of the telly with your family to watch a few programs? Fortunately, those in England and Scotland have had no shortage of funny, exciting, investigative, and eye-catching TV shows over the years. 

Ranging from melodramatic soaps to procedural dramas, British TV has got it all. And don’t forget the cringe-worthy reality TV shows! Really, what can’t the British do well? I mean, they have the best tea, crumpets, breakfasts, and pints. It’s really not fair they also have binge-able shows that put the rest of us to shame.

Let’s check out the top 10 best British TV shows of all time – this may require you to ask your nan about a few shows you’ve never seen!

1)Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch filming Sherlock – By Benedict_Cumberbatch_filming_Sherlock.jpg: Fat Les (bellaphon) from London, UKderivative work: RanZag (talk) – Benedict_Cumberbatch_filming_Sherlock.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15323212

One of the more modern programs on this list. Sherlock took the world by storm when it came out in 2010. Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch before he was a household name, this show portrays the classic Sherlock and Watson as they work together to solve crime and mystery. 

With Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, and Ruper Graves as supporting actors, this British TV show takes on the crime world in 21st century London. Running for 7 years until 2017, this is one of the most exciting and thought-provoking shows on British tele.

2) Mr. Bean

Atkinson Rowan Mr. Bean – By Gerhard Heeke – Photo taken by Gerhard Heeke., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=226929

Okay, listen up — at the time this show came out, it was genius. Rowan Atkinson seriously starred as Mr. Bean, a very simple person who creates more drama and funny scenarios than is really necessary. By taking boring everyday life and turning it into the potential for something raucous and funny to happen, Mr. Bean highlights the skill of Atkinson and how simplicity can reign supreme. 

3) Merlin

Chateau de Pierrefonds Camelot – FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=207697

This young-teen drama focuses on teenage and 20-something actors who were out to prove themselves — and that he did! This series based on the old legend of Merlin was a hit, using modern twists to portray the old classic. The show focused on the King’s servant instead of the King, showing a more interesting side to ‘royal’ life. Unfortunately, this show was canceled right before the fifth season — can anyone bring this BBC drama hit back?

4) The Office

Gervais in 2010 – By Thomas Atilla Lewis, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15735536

The one that started it all! Ricky Gervais and his dry, sarcastic, and sometimes offensive (almost always offensive) humor began on this British sitcom. Paving the way for Steve Carrell’s greatness in the American version, the British ‘the Office’ was one of the best shows of its time. Airing from just 2001-2003, the legacy of the show lives on forever.

5) Skins

Skins filming – By Gothick – Location, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7415033

We love Skins — this show deals with tons of teen angst troubles and issues that were not talked about at the time of release. Effy deals with drug use and addiction, Tony suffers from a traumatic brain injury, and Cassie deals with self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

The topics spoken about candidly in this show paved the way for many shows afterward. Released in 2007, this show was way ahead of its time, dealing with taboo, serious, and dramatic issues that tried to make it more commonplace in British culture to discuss personal and mental health concerns. 

Plus, the acting by basically an all-teenage cast was incredible — give it a watch! 

6) The Crown

The Crown title card – By Netflix Inc. – https://www.facebook.com/TheCrownNetflix/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1558207257809738, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51178235

Who doesn’t love royal shows? The Crown is a historical period piece that rose to prominence after being released on the streaming giant, Netflix. Including big-name actresses and actors like Helena Boham Carter and Olivia Colman, this show gave us incredible performances, great costumes, and historical drama.

7) Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle as Downton Abbey – By Richard Munckton from Windsor, Melbourne, Australia – Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17688007

The infamous show that took the cake one year at the Golden Globes, Downton Abbey, is arguably the most famous British TV show in the 21t century. With critical acclaim that had everyone speaking about this show for years on end, including big-name actors, like Maggie Smith, into the cast was just another move to cement this show in British TV glory. 

8) Doctor Who

Doctor Who title card – By British Broadcasting Corporation – Doctor Who – Series 11, Episode 2, “The Ghost Monument”, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38027790

Okay, back to the classics — Doctor Who was a cultural genius that created a cult-like fan base. Since its inception back in 1963 — yes, you read that right — it has gained notoriety and fame for its long-running nature and sci-fi theme. With time machines, a mysterious protagonist, and science fiction elements, the audience loved (loves) this show. 

9) Killing Eve

Eve Polastri – By https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3G7xNbL7JVSXJCldyp1jXyf/eve-polastri, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60496169

Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer — that’s it, that’s the show. The cat and mouse-like attitude between the two of these actresses were unparalleled in season 1 and season 2. Although season 3 lost some continuity and season 4 seems to be struggling to pick up the steam the first season had, the chemistry between these two actresses is enough to win an award itself.

Sandra Oh is an MI5 agent who is dedicating her life to finding out who runs the mysterious ‘The Twelve,’ an assassination organization. Through this process, she stumbles upon Villanelle, played by the magical Jodie Comer, who captures her interest and eye — the precarious balance of romance and tension between these two throughout the series is outstanding. 

10) Peaky Blinders

Cillian Murphy – By www.GlynLowe.com – https://www.flickr.com/photos/glynlowe/12517305955/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31228175

Spearheaded by the ever-so-talented Cillian Murphy of Irish descent, Peaky Blinders is one of the most popular period dramas ever made. Set in Birmingham, England, in the late 1890s, this show focuses on gangsters, great peacoats, stylish English blokes, and the working-class people of England in the 19th century.