British TV show Recommendations?

Hey There,

So I've been here in Edinburgh about 2 weeks now, and settling in fairly well. We had Virgin installed for our tv and internet, and I couldn't help but notice the high prevalence of US tv shows here! Esp the crime shows! Now, I like the occasional Law&Order episode as much as the next person, but not on (what feels like) every other channel! Besides I've really gone off the crime shows as there are just too many of them, aren't really based on real-life at all, and tbh do I really need to be entertained by shows that are all about how people kill people? Enough of that in the real world.

It really surprises me (and not necessarily in a good way) the sheer number of US shows - and  a lot of them are ones that I didn't even watch when in the US. Sooo, I'd like some recommendations on some Brit shows to watch. I generally watch SciFi~ish shows, and shows like Big Bang Theory, and I enjoy comedies too. I'm not into reality tv at all, and don't really do soap operas too much.

So do you have any fave Brit shows and why do you like them?

I love comedies like Spaced, Father Ted, Black Books, and The IT Crowd.

I'm the Brit half of the relationship -Cable TV does have a lot of US Shows, that said we don't have cable or a TV  . We tend to watch everything on the BBC iplayer, ITV catch up, youtube and Netflix etc. Not into reality TV either and the channels do seem awash with these.  

Anyway, on to your question. I am actually loving:
Thick of It - political comedy filmed in a 'fly on the wall documentary' way. Warning - a lot of swearing but I find it hilarious and it stars the soon to be Doctor Who. Hubby loved it too.

Dr Who (obviously.... .)
Wire in the Blood - currently on ITV being repeated but can be found on Youtube - pretty gritty and can be bloody though (criminal psychologist).

I suppose it depends on what you are open to. You said you like Sci Fi so something like Torchwood may appeal - but I haven't noticed lots of Brit sci fi to be honest and other than the Thick of It I'm not up to date on current comedies.

There are some great crime dramas around though if you are open to that (even my hubby loved them). It's one thing I think we do well and which are also very different to the US crime dramas. But they may not be on TV at the moment but I know a couple will be starting new series soon. I'd check out - Endeavor (ITV), George Gently (BBC), Broadchurch (ITV), Lewis (ITV), Whitechapel (ITV) Wire in the Blood (ITV), Waking the Dead (BBC) Afterlife (ITV) - ... I could go on and I do love a good crime drama (especially mixed with sci-fi). I love sci-fi too but I'll have a think about the Brit sci fi's other than Dr Who and Torchwood I can't think of any so far! You may have already seen 'Life on Mars' and 'Ashes to Ashes' but if not it may be worth checking these out too - although not on TV now repeats may come around

Ooo I need to watch one of the above now!

Anyway, on to your question. I am actually loving:
Thick of It

So good! But like a lot of British comedy it can be dark. I currently watch mostly panel shows - anything with David Mitchel. QI, Have I got News, 9 out of 10 Cats...

Strictly come dancing started last night.   

British TV series are shorter than US ones, usually 6 or maybe 12 episodes.

I'm the Brit in this relationship but DW likes a lot of British shows. Currently on - Strictly Come Dancing, Downton Abbey, Whitechapel

Recent crime ones include...
The Guilty
Broadchurch

Also
Spooks (called MI:5 in the US) but that has finished now.

Comedies -
We watch a lot of the satirical news shows - Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week etc

The Thick OF It, satire on politics, written by Armando Iannucci, who has also written Veep in the US, which is basically an American version of The Thick of It minus the swearing!

Just started watching The Wrong Mans, a dark comedy.


For older comedies check out the channels Gold or Dave, classic Fawlty Towers, Dads Army, Only Fools And Horses, Red Dwarf (sci-fi comedy), Little Britain.

Charlie Brooker written series:
Touch of Cloth (it was on Sky, but theres two series and about 6 episodes on total) - dark police comedy
Black Mirror - two series, 12 episodes in total. dark & surreal drama. Each episode is stand alone, so if you dont like one, move on to the next. Was on Channel 4 and should be available on 4OD
Screenwipe - comedy, multiseries, on BBC3. Discusses and mocks the news, reality tv and the internet.
Charlie also writes a weekly column for the Guardian as well as being an author and tv writer.

Graham Lineham
Father Ted
Black Books
The IT Crowd
All comedies and all on C4. You should be able to access them on 4OD, though Father Ted is always on More4

What Remains should be on BBC iPlayer. Dark police drama. 4 episodes in length and the buildup to the last episode is so well worth it.

The Mill, another 4 parter. About the Victorian mills and getting them unionised. Period drama on C4. Again, should be on 4OD

I love the Sky at Night on BBC4. Once a month and everything to do with space and the stars

Red Dwarf, ten series in length. Basically worth only watching 1-6 though. On Dave or can buy box sets.

Adding to comedy suggestion,

Mrs Browns Boys

Many of the shows I love have already been listed. I tend to like scifi and comedies that are a bit off-kilter and dark, so here are some of the things that I like.

• Misfits- dark drama-comedy about juvenile delinquents that gain super powers (like Heroes, but better)
• Utopia - thriller about a group of people who find the original manuscript of a cult graphic novel and the danger that awaits them
• The Inbetweeners
• Phoneshop
• Peep Show
• The Mighty Boosh
• The League of Gentlemen (so dark, but good)
• Psychoville- from the evil minds that created The League of Gentlemen
• Garth Merenghi's Darkplace- doctors battle evil in a hospital
• Armstrong and Miller
• 15 Storeys High
• A Bit of Fry and Laurie (old, but good)
• Brass Eye- brilliant and completely twisted
• Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle- one of my favourite comedians

Charlie Brooker written series:
Touch of Cloth (it was on Sky, but theres two series and about 6 episodes on total) - dark police comedy
Black Mirror - two series, 12 episodes in total. dark & surreal drama. Each episode is stand alone, so if you dont like one, move on to the next. Was on Channel 4 and should be available on 4OD
Screenwipe - comedy, multiseries, on BBC3. Discusses and mocks the news, reality tv and the internet.
Charlie also writes a weekly column for the Guardian as well as being an author and tv writer.

There's also Dead Set for people who are fans of both Brooker and extremely gruesome zombie films.

DH constantly moans about British TV and refuses to watch anything with adverts.  He records all the oldies like Inspector Morse, Foyle's War, Lewis, Dad's Army, etc. and sits there with remote in hand whizzing through any commercials.

There've been some interesting documentaries lately: Lucy Worsley on about murders, "Fabulous Fashionistas" about women over 70 who manage to do their own thing fashion-wise (love Baroness Trumpington  ), BBC series Fabric of Britain about knitting, wallpaper, embroidery, etc.

There've been some interesting documentaries lately: Lucy Worsley on about murders, "Fabulous Fashionistas" about women over 70 who manage to do their own thing fashion-wise (love Baroness Trumpington  ), BBC series Fabric of Britain about knitting, wallpaper, embroidery, etc.

This actually is my favourite BBC stuff - the documentary. Watched one recently on the historical importance of barns; there's a lot more to barns than you would think.

This actually is my favourite BBC stuff - the documentary. Watched one recently on the historical importance of barns; there's a lot more to barns than you would think.

Me too! Nobody does documentaries like the BBC.

Though I did miss what sounds like a riveting barn programme. 

DH constantly moans about British TV and refuses to watch anything with adverts.  He records all the oldies like Inspector Morse, Foyle's War, Lewis, Dad's Army, etc. and sits there with remote in hand whizzing through any commercials.

There've been some interesting documentaries lately: Lucy Worsley on about murders, "Fabulous Fashionistas" about women over 70 who manage to do their own thing fashion-wise (love Baroness Trumpington  ), BBC series Fabric of Britain about knitting, wallpaper, embroidery, etc.

I love Lucy Worsley! I'm a big fan of BBC documentaries, and of shows like Only Connect, University Challenge and 8 out of 10 cats.

This actually is my favourite BBC stuff - the documentary. Watched one recently on the historical importance of barns; there's a lot more to barns than you would think.

I REALLY miss shows like 'Springwatch' and 'Countryfile'. I'm totally jealous of Julia Bradbury and all of her adventures. This barn show sounds pretty excellent.