15 British TV Shows You Should Be Watching

In recent years, British television has made huge waves in mainstream American pop culture. First, there wasDoctor Who, the addictive sci-fi series about an alien named “The Doctor” who travels around in blue police box that doubles as a time machine called the TARDIS. Then came Downton Abbey, an equally addictive period drama/soap opera that’s more scandalous and engaging than any show The CW could ever hope to put out. Check out any Tumblr and there’s a one-in-three chance that the blog you’ll stumble upon is run by someone who’s obsessed with a show from across the pond. And don't be surprised if it's Sherlock.

Though the series runs are short and the episode counts low, there’s some seriously great television coming from the United Kingdom. In honor of this Sunday’s U.S. premiere of Downton Abbey’s third season, on PBS, we’ve compiled a helpful, foolproof list of 15 British TV Shows You Should Be Watching. 

15. Fresh Meat, (Channel 4)

American comedies are great, but there’s no denying that British sitcoms have an advantage with their lack of censors hovering over the writers’ shoulders. There’s a reason why premium cable shows are always significantly higher in quality: The writing is better, yes, but they also don’t have to worry about the FCC as much as a network comedy. Real life isn’t censored, so why should our television be?

That said, Fresh Meat is a show that could never air on any basic network station. Though extremely funny, it's as raunchy as it gets. A group of young kids, in their first year of university, are forced to live in a house together because the dorms have all filled up. Remember your first year of college? Of course not! We were all too drunk and crazy back then to remotely recall anything now. In that sense, the show is quite realistic.

In addition to its humor, the show can also pull your metaphorical heartstrings. There are a few emotional moments that even touched our jaded souls. Fresh Meat is a cross between the dearly departed fellow British shows Skins and The Inbetweeners, both of which have been remade for American audiences by MTV in the worst ways possible. Thus, it’s safe to say that Fresh Meat could meet the same unfortunate fate at some point in the near future. Do yourselves a favor and watch the real thing before that happens.

14. Threesome, (Comedy Central UK)

The concept is far-fetched: After a wild night of drinking, a trio of friends (two males, Richie and Mitch, and one female, Alice) have a threesome that results in the female getting pregnant, followed by the three friends deciding the raise the kid together. In Threesome, though, the set-up works.

The humor here isn’t as dry as in most British shows—Threesome is broadcast on Comedy Central UK, so the humor is more overt. By no means does that make it less funny, though. Plus, the first season managed not to make a sitcom pregnancy cliché, so for that alone Threesome deserves credit. 

13. Being Human, (BBC Three)

Being Humanmay be marketed as your average supernatural show featuring vampires to werewolves, but the plot actually runs much deeper than that. Originally, the series was about an agoraphobe, a sex addict, and a man with rage issues living together and trying to conduct normal lives in society. During the developmental stages, though, creator Toby Whithouse saw the very abstract link he could make between those conditions and supernatural beings.

With that in mind, the agoraphobe character turned into a ghost, the sex addict into a vampire, and the man with rage issues became a werewolf. The three remained roommates, and the show still followed their efforts to blend into society despite their now very supernatural afflictions. How’s that for a philosophy professor’s wet dream?

Being Human has been one of BBC’s more successful programs. It’s been on air since 2008, and has been renewed for a fifth season that's set to air later this year. It’s been so successful, in fact, that the Syfy network commissioned an American version that's also quite solid.

12. Peep Show, (Channel 4)

British shows typically have short lives, per programming traditions. Peep Show, however, which premiered in 2003, is the longest-running comedy on its network, Channel 4. Like most British sitcoms, the series relies a lot on generating its laughs from putting characters in socially awkward and extremely embarrassing situations, and the humor is drier than the Mojave Desert.

Narratively, it also doesn’t have much flow, which, oddly enough, is what makes it different and therefore a success creatively. Through this method, the writers have been able to avoid falling into routines in the plot, which helps maintain the show’s freshness and keep it relevant after so long. It’s also a rather unique show aesthetically—when focusing on a specific character, scenes will be filmed from their point of view, with their thoughts as voiceovers.

The Hour, (BBC Two)

The most underrated of British television shows currently making a splash stateside? The Hour, hands down. Starring Skyfall’s Ben Whishaw, alongside The Wire’s Dominic West and Atonement’s Romola Garai, it's a seamless mix of drama, espionage, and suspense. Also, it’s set in late 1950s Britain, which just makes everything better.

Following a group of journalists producing a news magazine, The Hour focuses on their investigative journalism efforts, mostly revolved around major historical events. The show is packed with consistently great performances from its gigantic cast, not only from the aforementioned Whishaw, West, and Garai, but also co-stars Oona Chaplin, Peter Capaldi and Anna Chancellor, who absolutely killed it this past season as war correspondent Lix Storm. 

10. Him & Her, (BBC Three)

Him & Her is described as a comedy about a “lazy, twenty something couple” that takes a look at love and life in its “messy, everyday glory.” We know what you’re thinking: It must be just like every other sitcom on TV ever. But we assure you—this is no Whitney.

Starring Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani as the main couple, Him & Her mainly follows their characters, Steve and Becky, and their eclectic group of friends. The show's formula for success is actually simplicity. It's similar to most British comedies in the sense that its plot isn’t extremely cohesive, making it easier to follow if you miss a few episodes here and there.

The jokes are tightly written, the episodes consistently entertain, and Joe Wilkinson’s portrayal of the couple’s creepy yet somehow still lovable neighbor, Dan, is one of the best things on any sitcom in ages.