From mind-altering science fiction to political sitcoms to sketch comedies, British TV keeps the bar high for what’s considered great TV.
From Newcastle Brown Ale to Pink Floyd, Americans love the cultural gifts of the British—but perhaps none so much as British television shows. These series have a long and proven history of offering up some of the most iconic dramas, documentaries, mysteries, and sitcoms. From mind-altering science fiction to political sitcoms to sketch comedies, British TV keeps the bar high for what’s considered great TV. To celebrate the rich, complex, and often humorous offerings from across the pond, Stacker looked at the best TV shows of all time released by British production companies and ranked them by IMDb user rating, ties broken by votes. To qualify, the show had to have 5,000 votes. These series often go from being a small, centralized favorite to an enduring worldwide favorite like Doctor Who. Or, they instantly win people over all around the world, dominating the telly and streaming services akin to Ted Lasso. Either way, the influence, charm, and signature wit of British television shows is worth exploring and honoring. Here are the best British TV shows from the past and present. You may also like: 100 best ‘Seinfeld’ episodes of all time – IMDb user rating: 8.6 – Years on the air: 1989–2013 Based on famed author Agatha Christie’s whodunit stories, Poirot follows its titular character (David Suchet), a policeman from Belgium who now lives in London. He solves crimes as a private investigator, encountering different cases in each episode. Alongside his colleague Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) and sometimes partner Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson), Poirot becomes a legend among men. – IMDb user rating: 8.6 – Years on the air: 2003–2015 Peep Show follows polar opposite friends living together in a small London flat. Jeremy Usborne (Robert Webb) is unemployed and directionless while Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) is a loan manager with an odd personality. The show is known for using point-of-view shots, hence its name, to show action. In April 2019, Radio Times named it the 13th-greatest British sitcom. – IMDb user rating: 8.6 – Years on the air: 2002–present Top Gear has a simple mission: to explore and review motor vehicles through a series of tests and challenges by its hosts. Episodes often include bombastic and at times humorous segments with a variety of guest stars. At one point, Top Gear was infamous for bringing various celebrities to do timed laps on courses; the show also introduced ” The Stig,” an anonymous and expert test driver. Since its launch, the has led to international versions in other countries, including China and the United States. – IMDb user rating: 8.6 – Years on the air: 2016–present This British Netflix series depicts the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her newlywed days with Prince Philip in 1947 through modern times. As expected, the show includes a fictional depiction of many well-known figures, including Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. This historical drama is adapted from The Audience, a 2013 stage play. – IMDb user rating: 8.6 – Years on the air: 2005–present This science-fiction, time-traveling series follows The Doctor, a wayward humanoid alien explorer from the Planet of Gallifrey. A Time Lord, he travels across time and space in his spaceship, the TARDIS, to explore and save those in need, often with a rotating roster of human and alien companions in tow. Throughout the years, The Doctor’s ability to regenerate—or change his physical appearance—has led to more than a dozen actors taking on the role. In 2017, the Guinness Book of World Records named Doctor Who the most prolific sci-fi series in terms of aired episodes ever. You may also like: 100 Best Western Films of All Time, According to Critics – IMDb user rating: 8.7 – Years on the air: 1991–1993 The famed detective and his sharp and loyal sidekick Dr. Watson solve a slew of mysteries in this series.
