Despite being born in the US, I grew up with quite a bit of British culture. My mum and grandparents are from England and this tradition permeated my childhood in the form of the Jammie Dodgers, mr beanand Wallace and Gromit. When I was growing up, my grandparents used to show me British TV shows on grainy VHS tapes or whatever was on BBC America (I’m really getting old here).
Nowadays, watching TV across the ocean has become a habit. quite It’s become even easier now that streaming services allow us to easily watch shows available in the UK. For me, the soothing sounds of British, Irish, Scottish and Welsh accents have become a comfort to watch, and I’ve developed many favorite sounds to listen to. These are my picks from the UK (and nearby Ireland!) that you can watch right now.
best british drama
overseer
During the first few weeks of my daughter’s life, my husband and I needed a mindless show to binge. Enter overseer. Each season, the British game show brings together a group of comedians, actors and other celebrities and tasks them with completing a series of ridiculous tasks set by impersonator Greg Davies. The results are sometimes brilliant, sometimes ridiculous, but always entertaining. All series are available for free on YouTube in the US, making it easy for anyone to watch!
stream overseer on YouTube
ghost
The United States is known for importing a large number of British TV series and producing Americanized versions (sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully). Although the American version ghost Currently airing, I recommend the original British version inspired by the CBS series. In the story, a young couple inherit a crumbling manor, only to discover that it is haunted by ghosts that span centuries (only the girlfriend can see them!). The play tells the story of this group of people learning to coexist.
stream ghost Paramount+
delhi girls
Derry Girls travels to Northern Ireland to follow a group of teenagers during the turmoil of the 1990s. Despite the political turmoil, this high school comedy is filled with laughs as everyone navigates high school. And look out for Nicola Coughlan aka Penelope Featherington bridgeton Play a very different character!
stream delhi girls on Netflix
The Great British Bake Off
If a weighted blanket were a show, this would be it The Great British Bake Off. While the series is technically a competition show for amateur bakers, it’s made so friendly and cozy that it feels like a warm hug. Come for the delicious food, but stay for the personalities and backstories of each of the delightful contestants (not to mention the hosts!).
stream The Great British Bake Off on Netflix
Would I lie to you?
One television genre perfected by the British is the panel show, in which a group of comedians take turns participating in some kind of game or commentary. would i lie to you Celebrity guests tell outrageous stories, and the opposing team must determine if what they say is true.
stream Would I lie to you? It’s Britbox
call the midwife
This drama about a group of midwives in the 1950s spans decades, blending historical issues with a heartwarming story. You’ll fall in love with these characters and just might be silently grateful for the medical advances we’ve made over the past 70+ years.
stream call the midwife on Netflix
bad sister
Although this comedy is set in Ireland (so very no UK), this is a great watch and deserves a lot of praise. The series, set in Dublin, tells the story of the five Garvey sisters, especially after the unexpected death of one of the women’s abusive, controlling husband. The deaths of the sisters plunge them into a life insurance investigation, and viewers will travel through multiple timelines to explore the truth behind these mysterious deaths.
stream bad sister On Apple TV+
try
British TV series have a way of making me laugh and cry at the same time; try is a good example. The show follows couple Nikki and Jason as they struggle to get pregnant. The episodes follow the pair as they navigate the challenges of the adoption process to expand their family.
stream try On Apple TV+
flea bag
Even if you haven’t seen it flea bagyou may have heard of it. Phoebe Waller-Bridge created and stars in the show, which follows the unnamed character’s experiences of love and loss (often while breaking the fourth wall). Personally, I have watched this show on repeat many times (two words: Hot Priest).
stream flea bag on Prime Video
disaster
Set in London, an American man and an Irish woman have a brief affair that results in an unexpected pregnancy. While this comedy is best classified as a romantic comedy, it takes an honest look at relationships and parenthood (the good, the bad, and the ugly).
stream disaster on Prime Video
sex education
This teen comedy is worthy of Gen Z, but suitable for all ages, including my millennial self. Teenage Otis opens his own sex therapy clinic at school, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge on the subject thanks to his mother’s work as a sex therapist. While I enjoyed watching this show as an adult, the frank discussion of sex made me jealous because it wasn’t a show to watch when I was a teenager (we only had people in their thirties playing teenagers).
stream sex education on Netflix
brass color
Occurs in northern England, brass color It follows a group of friends who are constantly coming up with ways to make money through petty crime. While the story leans more toward drama, the banter and friendship between the characters are often hilarious and always endearing.
stream brass color On Peacock
Downton Abbey
If you haven’t seen it yet Downton Abbeywhere have you been? The historical drama tells the story of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early 1900s and spawned several series and two movies. Much of the plot leans toward pure soap opera, but the classy backdrops, funky accents, and Maggie Smith give it a classier feel.
stream Downton Abbey on Prime Video
IT group
A true farce option, this situation comedy tells the story of a company’s dysfunctional IT department and its over-the-top boss. Watch out for Chris O’Dowd’s breakout role as Kristen Wiig’s love interest Bridesmaids.
stream IT group It’s Pluto TV
doctor who
You can’t talk about British television without mentioning iconic TV doctor who. While the show spans back to the 1960s, you can watch the early 2000s iteration on HBO Max and the new reboot on Disney+. The play tells the story of an alien doctor and his assistant who travel through time and space. As someone who generally isn’t a fan of science fiction, I was still drawn to the charismatic performances and innovative storyline. I ended up starting with the latest series on Disney+ and was not disappointed.
stream doctor who On HBO Max and Disney+
Happiness comes from across the pond!
