British culture is one of the world’s oldest and most pronounced cultures. People love the British culture, whether it is the British accent or the British breakfast, or the British Television Brits know how to make things work, and people worldwide love it. With the recent demise of the former queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, British culture is more viewed.
With the excess amount of British media available, people worldwide want to see these shows and movies. Thanks to Netflix and other OTT services, we can view series worldwide. From the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Life in The Crown and the gangster life in Peaky Blinders, here is a list of the Top 31 British Shows to Stream on Netflix.
The Stranger
Want a Mystery and thriller Brit show? Then The Stranger is the one you need to watch. Based on the book of the same name, The Stranger revolves around a very secretive woman who hides various things about her past life and reveals secrets of various people to the people near her.
The Life of Adam, a family man, is ruined after the strange woman reveals various shocking secrets about her wife, after which she goes missing. We also get to know that the stranger has various secrets about other people. Watch this series to know who this stranger is and why she is doing this.
- Genre: Crime; Drama; Mystery; Thriller.
- Directed By: Daniel O’Hara, Hannah Quinn.
- Cast: Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, Jennifer Saunders, Shaun Dooley.
- IMDb: 7.3
- Release year: 2020.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (7 Episodes).
The English game
Football is one of the most popular and competitive sports, with Argentina just winning the 2022 world cup. The English Game is a must-watch series if you are a football fan. The story begins in England in the 1870s. The series follows how the game came into existence and the growth of this series from being a sport for the wealthy to one of the most widely played and viewed sports.
The series includes historically accurate football matches between wealthy and working-class people and how all this helped change the game and England as a whole.
- Genre: Drama, History, Sport.
- Directed By: Birgitte Stærmose, Tim Fywell.
- Cast: Edward Holcroft, Kevin Guthrie, Charlotte Hope.
- IMDb: 7.6
- Release year: 2020.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (6 Episodes).
Giri/Haji
Thriller fans, we got you with this one. Giri/Haji is a thriller show involving the brits with a Japanese twist. The story starts in a Japanese province where the crimes from the yakuza are very high. With the recent murder of a yakuza member’s nephew in the region, a possible gang war is brewing in the gangs near the province.
The murder was assumed to be done by Yuto. To prevent this, his brother, a Tokoyo-based detective, must find him and solve this murder before the gang war erupts. Along the way, he meets various brits and interacts with them to find his brother and get to the root of all the causes.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller.
- Directed By: Julian Farino, Ben Chessell.
- Cast: Takehiro Hira, Kelly Macdonald, Yōsuke Kubozuka, Will Sharpe.
- IMDb: 7.8.
- Release year: 2019.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (8 Episodes).
Top Boy
Show based on drug dealing and Gang violence. Top Boy is the show you need to watch. The story of Top Boy revolves around a bunch of people from the fictional neighborhood of London street. The story follows the lives of two wanna-be drug kingpins, Bushane and Sully.
As the story goes on, we follow the lives of these two, along with additional members of the drug cartel that they operate. Their growth from being the underdog in the drug trade to being supper rich in the block and becoming the drug kingpin.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller.
- Directed By: Ronan Bennett.
- Cast: Ashley Walters, Kane Robinson, Malcolm Kamulete, Giacomo Mancini.
- IMDb: 8.4.
- Release year: 2011.
- Season/ Episodes: 4 Seasons (Renewed for Season 5).
Collateral
An investigative show straight from England, Collateral is a show involving the murder investigation of a pizza boy. The case is assumed to be a simple murder case and dismissed by the local authorities. However, the protagonist, Deputy Inspector Kip Glaspie, does not think it is more than a murder.
As the story unfolds and with more investigation, the story starts to unravel into a big story involving a bunch of people entangled in this murder mystery. Good addition to your watchlist if you are a fan of Drama Thriller.
- Genre: Drama, Thriller.
- Directed By: S. J. Clarkson.
- Cast: Carey Mulligan, Nathaniel Martello-White, Jeany Spark.
- IMDb: 6.7.
- Release year: 2018.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (4 Episodes).
Jack Whitehall’s Travels with My Father
Father-son bonding is something that is special for every father and son pair out there. The series Jack Whitehall’s Travels with My Father, as the name suggests, is a journey of a father and his son as they embark on a trip across Asia.
Follow this father-son pair and watch them go on an adventure involving various adventurous activities, escaped and embarrassing moments. A must-watch show to enjoy with family.
- Genre: Documentary, Comedy.
- Directed By: Leo McCrea, Christian Watt, John Hodgson.
- Cast: Jack Whitehall, Michael Whitehall.
- IMDb: 7.6.
- Release year: 2017-2021.
- Season/ Episodes: 5 Seasons (18 Episodes).
Crazy Head
If you want something scary and funny, then Crazyhead is the show for you. Amy is a bowling alley worker, and Raquel is a non-conformist. Both of them are in their 20s. But these two are unique. They have the ability to see demons.
Follow these two girls and see how they tackle and kick the a**es of demons and get over their inner demons while navigating through their 20s—an excellent funny- Horror show and a good addition to your watchlist.
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi.
- Directed By: Al Mackay, Declan O’Dwyer.
- Cast: Cara Theobold, Susan Wokoma, Lewis Reeves.
- IMDb: 7.2.
- Release year: 2016.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (6 Episodes).
The Inbetweeners
Want to relive your teen memories of mischief and fun? The Inbetweeners is a show for you. It follows the lives of 4 friends and their lives in school. Willam McKenzie and his three friends, Simon Cooper, Neil Sutherland, and Jay Cartwright, are in their teens and living their life in the school Rudge Park Comprehensive.
Barely above the “Freaks,” we follow the life of these teens as they guide themselves through the difficulties of school like Love, Homework, Exam, and Sex. Watch this fun-filled coming-of-age show for a good laugh with your friends and family, With additional sequels available.
- Genre: Comedy.
- Directed By: Gordon Anderson, Ben Palmer
- Cast: Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, Blake Harrison.
- IMDb: 8.4.
- Release year: 2008-2010.
- Season/ Episodes: 3 Seasons (18 Episodes).
After Life
Dark comedy is often offensive; however, if you are still a fan of something dark and funny, the show “After Life” is perfect for you. The story of Afterlife starts in the fictional town of Tambury. We see that after the death of his wife, his life is turned upside down, and he is no more the humble, nice guy he used to be.
Now with revenge in mind, he decides to punish the world for the death of her wife. With no filter, while speaking, he says what he wants without thinking about how the other person might feel. However, this backfires, and everyone around him behaves nicely out of pity. Follow the show to know whether they can make him a better person.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama.
- Directed By: Ricky Gervais.
- Cast: Ricky Gervais, Diane Morgan, Tom Basden.
- IMDb: 8.4.
- Release year: 2019-2022.
- Season/ Episodes: 3 Seasons (18 Episodes).
Sherlock
Sherlock, the name, is now a synonym for the famous detective who solved every case given to him. The British show Sherlock revolves around the same sherlock in the modern world. The same duo, A Week Away Review – Is It Based On A True Story? and Dr. John Watson, solve various mysteries in the modern world.
The show is set in the current era, with Watson even having a blog. Sherlock is even cockier; together, they solve modern-era bizarre and baffling cases. Holmes also has a competitor named Moriarty, who he must defeat. A must-watch for a crime thriller fan.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller.
- Directed By: Mark Gatiss.
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves.
- IMDb: 9.1.
- Release year: 2010-2017.
- Season/ Episodes: 4 Seasons (15 Episodes).
Sex Education
One of the most popular entries In this list is Sex Education. Unlike the name, it is not just about educating people about safe sex but engaging the viewer and the teen life of a bunch of teenagers in their school life. We follow the Life of Otis, a socially awkward average student with no experience in lovemaking but who can guide people regarding Sex Education.
Solving various people sexual related issues, he becomes an expert in the subject. He decides to keep helping people. He joins with an intelligent girl Maeve and sets up a sex therapy clinic. Follow this series to see how things unfold for Otis and if he can get a girl of his own. Check out Sex Education to find so.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama.
- Directed By: Laurie Nunn.
- Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey.
- IMDb: 8.4.
- Release year: 2019.
- Season/ Episodes: 4 Seasons (Season 4 Still Airing).
Bodyguard
Want to see the ins and out of how a Bodyguard works? Then the British show Bodyguard is for you. The story revolves around a war veteran David Budd, a bodyguard who is now promoted to protect the more important Home Secretary, Julia Montague. However, being a war veteran, he is often volatile with PTSD and other flashbacks.
Soon he becomes involved in various political dramas by the people he is protecting. With rising terrorist activity and crime, David needs to protect the secretary with all this increase in terrorism and enemies made by her political Background. This show is a must-watch series for action thriller fans.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller.
- Directed By: Jed Mercurio.
- Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle.
- IMDb: 8.1.
- Release year: 2018.
- Season/ Episodes: 2 Seasons (7 Episodes).
Criminal: UK
Criminal psychology is often something that is often not known about or is something people rarely know. When caught, every criminal must go through procedures, one of which is the interrogation and interview process. This show Criminal: Uk interrogates and interviews the suspects and criminally accused to get clues to solve a case.
Criminal: UK is part of anthology series on Netflix named criminal. From dozens of suspects going through the interrogation process set in various UK countries. This is Psychology based series based on the interrogation process involved in procedures following an arrest.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller.
- Directed By: Jim Field Smith.
- Cast: Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Mark Stanley.
- IMDb: 7.6.
- Release year: 2019-2020.
- Season/ Episodes: 2 Seasons (7 Episodes).
Peaky Blinders
One of the most popular entries in this list, Peaky Blinders is a British show set in the post-WWI UK. This show tells us about the historically famous Peaky Blinders criminal gang in Birmingham active during the 1880s. The show’s primary focus revolves around the Shelby brothers and how they rose to power by creating Peaky Blinders.
We then follow the show as it progresses, from the Shelby brothers controlling the whole city and making a name for themselves. Various members manage various aspects of the gang, like Arthur as the head and Tommy as the brains behind the gang. Their ambition is to expand their empire. Just finished streaming- Watch this show to see how the Shelbys run and expand their empire.
- Genre: Crime, Drama.
- Created By: Steven Knight.
- Cast: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Tom hardy.
- IMDb: 8.8.
- Release year: 2013-2022.
- Season/ Episodes: 6 Seasons (36 Episodes).
Bridgerton
If you are from the United Kingdom, then you know about the famous name Bridgerton, a wealthy family in London with profound secrets. The show Bridgerton is the story of this family during Regency-era England. We follow Daphne Bridgerton and her love life after she is put on the marriage list and said to the most eligible bachelor of the time.
She finally finds her love of life is head over heels for him. However, things turn south after the elder brother of Daphne begins to rule. Follow the series to see how the Bridgerton family finds the love and happiness they want, along with handling the politics and rivalries.
- Genre: Drama, History, Romance.
- Created By: Chris Van Dusen.
- Cast: Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Jonathan Bailey, Ruby Barker.
- IMDb: 7.4.
- Release year: 2020.
- Season/ Episodes: 2 Seasons (Renewed for Season 3).
The Last Kingdom
If you are a fan of the historical medieval kind of shows, we got you with this one. The last kingdom is a fictional historical series set in 800 AD. With various wars and fights for territory across the UK, everything is under the Fane’s control. Only the kingdom of Wessex is in the power of King Alfred. This show revolves around conflicts between these two kings and the fight for their kingdom.
The show involves conflicts involving old armies like the Vikings, who are desperate to capture more land by overthrowing the Saxons. The main protagonist is also born in the enemy territory but loyal to the people he serves—a must-watch series for a medieval show fan.
- Genre: Action, Drama, History.
- Created By: Stephen Butchard.
- Cast: Alexander Dreymon, Eliza Butterworth, Millie Brad, Emily Cox.
- IMDb: 8.5.
- Release year: 2015-2022.
- Season/ Episodes: 5 Seasons (46 Episodes).
Lovesick
Lovesick might sound like something related to true love. However, it is the polar opposite. The show Lovesick’s hilarious and hysterical plot revolves around a guy named Dylan and his group of friends. Dylan is a playboy and sleeps with a lot of girls around. This is all well and good for Alan.
However, things go south when he is diagnosed with chlamydia. Now he must get in touch with every girl he has sex with to let them know about the disease. Follow the adventure of these teens as they go through their past love life and heartbreak in this comedy-filled show.
- Genre: Comedy, Love.
- Directed By: Elliot Hegarty, Gordon Anderson, Aneil Karia.
- Cast: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings, Hannah Britland, Joshua McGuire.
- IMDb: 8.0.
- Release year: 2014-2018.
- Season/ Episodes: 3 Seasons (22 Episodes).
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
This one is the oldest and totally different from other shows on this list and will entertain you the most. Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a sketch comedy show involving a bunch of actors together named Pythons in a live-action skit performance.
The show does not follow any particular format, but every sketch is different. The show generally portrays the daily life and challenges of the brits in that era. A different way of conveying via humor but a must-watch.
- Genre: Comedy.
- Created By: Graham Chapman, John Cleese.
- Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones.
- IMDb: 8.8.
- Release year: 1969-1974.
- Season/ Episodes: 4 Seasons (46 Episodes).
Black Mirror
Today we are in a digital era, with our ever-growing dependence on it. With the growing era and technology growth, Black Mirror tells us how this technology can be bad for humans in a cynical way. The show is set in a futuristic world where technology is more advance than in current times.
Each episode of the show deals with different aspects of technology that can be bad for humans. From a dating app that is a way to advance to people earning money through exercising, Black Mirror is a show that is unlike anything out there and is a must-watch for one of a kind experience.
- Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Depressing.
- Created By: Charlie Brooker.
- Cast: Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen, Anjana Vasan, Aaron Paul, Miley Cyrus.
- IMDb: 8.8.
- Release year: 2011.
- Season/ Episodes: 5 Seasons (Renewed For Season 6).
Land Girls
We all have seen plenty of war movies but have you ever wondered how the lives of the soldiers’ wives and how they live? Land Girls is a series that sheds light on this aspect of war. Set in the world War II era. The series follows the lives of four women members of a Women’s Land Army group. The main motive of this group was to win the war.
All these four women sign up for various aspects that would help their personal agenda and win the war. Their lives soon begin to change. Watch this show to see how these groups of women adapt and grow over time.
- Genre: Drama.
- Created By: Roland Moore.
- Cast: Summer Strallen, Christine Bottomley, Jo Woodcock, Becci Gemmell.
- IMDb: 7.0.
- Release year: 2009-2011.
- Season/ Episodes: 3 Seasons (15 Episodes).
Derry Girls
Derry Girls is yet another teen entry in this list and is a must-watch for comedy and drama. The story of Derry girls revolves around the lives of a schoolgirl, her friend, and her family in the suburban area of Derry, Northern Ireland.
Set in the 1990s, the lives of 16-year-old Erin Quinn, who, along with her cousin, goes to the catholic girl’s secondary school. With their blooming teenage, they often find themselves in situations like drama, love triangles also the influence of various political unrest around. Follow the show to find out how they overcome all the challenges these teenage girls face.
- Genre: Comedy, teen.
- Created By: Lisa McGee.
- Cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell.
- IMDb: 8.5.
- Release year: 2018-2022.
- Season/ Episodes: 3 Seasons (19 Episodes).
Stay Close
Everybody keeps secrets, and I do, and so do you, don’t you? Well, this British show is based on secrets and, when they come out, how devastating they can be in their personal life. Stay close is a story of three people who have deep dark secrets and even the closest to them have no idea about those secrets.
The three protagonists a suburban single working mom of three Megan, Ray, a middle-aged man stuck in a dead-end job, and the third is Lorraine, an old friend of Meghan’s. These people have a deep dark secret reveal which threatens their lives of them as well as the people around them. Watch this show to find out what these secrets are and how all this pans out.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery.
- Directed By: Daniel O’Hara, Lisa McGee.
- Cast: Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage, Eddie Izzard.
- IMDb: 6.9.
- Release year: 2021.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (8 Episodes).
You Don’t Know Me
One of the most recent shows out of British production. The show You Don’t Know Me revolves around the story of a young black man named Hero, who is accused of the murder of his friend. With the trial going on, he also does the unthinkable, fires his defense attorney, and goes head-on with the case for the final statements against the jury.
While giving his final closing statement in front of the jury, he paints the picture wide open and opens up with everything that happened on the day of the murder. Watch this show to find out whether Hero is guilty or not.
- Genre: Crime, Drama.
- Directed By: Sarmad Masud.
- Cast: Samuel Adewunmi, Badria Timimi, Yetunde Oduwole.
- IMDb: 6.8.
- Release year: 2021.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (4 Episodes).
The IT Crowd
Ever wanted to know what it is like inside the Company ins and out of an IT company? This show, The IT Crowd, depicts the Life of It support technicians in a fictional corporation. The story revolves around two computer nerds, Roy and Moss, working for a big It firm Reynholm Industries.
There is a new head of the department who is also the boss of Roy and Moss. Even though the head of the department of the IT company still does not know anything about IT. Follow this series to see how these two nerds deal with their boss and, in general, go through their daily life.
- Genre: Comedy.
- Created By: Graham Linehan.
- Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson.
- IMDb: 8.5.
- Release year: 2006-2013.
- Season/ Episodes: 4 Seasons (25 Episodes).
The Irregulars
Want to see a British show with a paranormal twist, then Kingdom: Legendary War: Episode Schedule are something you must watch. The show follows a bunch of underprivileged kids who used to commit petty crimes to barely meet ends. We follow Beatrice and her small sister, Jessie, who has some magical powers.
The famous Dr. Watson accomplice of Sherlock Holmes gets to know about the abilities of Jesse and hires them to investigate some supernatural mystery around the neighborhood, for which Watson also gives them money. They are called the Irregulars. Watch this show to see how these kids help Sherlock in solving various paranormal cases.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery.
- Created By: Tom Bidwell.
- Cast: McKell David, Thaddea Graham, Jojo Macari, Harrison Osterfield.
- IMDb: 6.0.
- Release year: 2021.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Abyss: Review, Characters and Plot Analysis (8 Episodes).
Call the Midwife
The medical field is constantly overwhelmed, even in the past and present. Call the midwife tells us the story of how nurses and midwives cope with an increasing number of patients and childbirth during the post-war era of the 1950s.
The story revolves around Jennifer Worth, a freshly graduated Midwife, who is deputed to a hospital in London’s east end alongside other nurses and midwives. The lives of these healthcare workers in the slum areas with increasing childbirth but at the same time, engage with good heated people. Watch this show to see the Life of Jeniffer as a midwife in the slums of London.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, History.
- Created By: Heidi Thomas.
- Cast: Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main.
- IMDb: 8.6.
- Release year: 2012.
- Season/ Episodes: 11 Seasons (Season 12 Coming in 2023).
Inside Man
Inside man is one of the recently made brits shows on this list. Inside man is a dark comedy show involving various. The story of Inside Man consists of a criminologist on a death sentence for some unknown reason and a British journalist. We learn that one of the journalist’s friends is missing.
These two collide, and the criminologist, with his immense knowledge, helps the journalist find her lost friend. Along the way, they find secrets and plots regarding the disappearance of her friend that will scar them for life. Watch this show to see how the two seek out their missing friend.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery.
- Directed By: Paul McGuigan.
- Cast: David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, Lydia West.
- IMDb: 6.6.
- Release year: 2022.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (4 Episodes).
The Crown
Queen Elizabeth II, the wife of the late Prince Philip, was the queen of the United Kingdom until her recent demise in September 2022. The world was grieving the loss of one of the most influential and highly regarded Queen Elizabeth II. The Crown show tells us about her life from the time she was a newlywed to the world’s most beloved and famous monarch.
The story of the Crown starts with the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II in 1947. Her growth to power and how she tackles various crises like the Suez Crisis. At the time when the British empire was in decline, how the journey of the queen behind the public face helped the British empire gain back its empires and restore its political power. The Crown is one of the most popular shows right now and is a must-watch.
- Genre: Biography, Drama, History
- Created By: Peter Morgan.
- Cast: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton.
- IMDb: 6.7.
- Release year: 2016.
- Season/ Episodes: 5 Season (Season 6 Coming in 2023).
The Serpent
True crime stories are something that is blooming in the current time. The serpent is also one such show revolving around the Life of a french Serial Killer, Charles Sobhraj. He used to drug and rob travelers and tourists and then murdered them.
Due to the victims being tourists, the crimes often went unnoticed; hence, he could commit various crimes unnoticed. Soon, a dutch diplomat indulges in the missing person case, investigates the serial killer, and uncovers various clues to lead to him. Watch this show to see how this infamous Indian descendant serial killer is found. A must-watch for a True crime fan.
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller.
- Created By: Peter Morgan.
- Cast: Tahar Rahim, Jenna Coleman.
- IMDb: 7.6.
- Release year: 2021.
- Season/ Episodes: 1 Season (Limited Series of 8 Episodes).
Last Tango in Halifax
Ever wanted to reunite with your first love? Well, in real life, it might not be applicable, but the show Last Tango in Halifax is based on this. The story revolves around Celia and Alan, who were the first love of each other back when they were 16.
Now in their 70s, they are both reunited by a Facebook group. Soon after a reunion, they find out they still love each other and can give it another shot. Watch this show as these two lost love birds get back together after being apart for more than 50 years and how this affects their family.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance.
- Created By: Sally Wainwright.
- Cast: Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, Sarah Lancashire, Nicola Walker.
- IMDb: 8.4.
- Release year: 2012-2020.
- Season/ Episodes: 5 Seasons (24 Episodes).
The End of the F***ing World
Last but not least is The End of the F***ing World. One of the weirdest but most enjoyable British shows revolves around two outcast and abnormal teens, James and Alyssa. Both in their teen are pretty much psychopaths. They do stupid things like slapping their own father, often thinking of killing each other and dying at the hand of each other.
We follow James as he runs away in his father’s car, with Alyssa joining him. They both want to get away from their dreadful life. They go through various awkward moments together, eventually develop a bond, and embark on a journey to find Alyssa’s birth father. This is one of the most entertaining and must-watch for a Dark comedy fan.
- Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Crime.
- Created By: Jonathan Entwistle.
- Cast: Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden.
- IMDb: 8.1.
- Release year: 2017-2019.
- Season/ Episodes: 2 Seasons (16 Episodes).
Also Read: 33 Best Australian Shows On Netflix To Stream Right Now.
