# Please recommend some TV, possibly British **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 27, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693 "2013-07-27T18:48:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HenryGale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@HenryGale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryGale)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/1 "2013-07-27T18:48:14Z")
Hi all, My wife and I, having just caught up on Orphan Black, are starving for another show to get into. In the Sherlock Season 3 thread, someone mentioned how outstanding British dramas have been lately, and someone asked for recommendations, but the question went unanswered. Rather than hijacking that thread, I’ll ask here: What are the really good British shows of the last few years that an American has probably missed? British TV we watch: Doctor Who, Sherlock, Downton Abbey, just started on Merlin American TV we watch: Breaking Bad, The Newsroom, Dexter, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Hannibal, Bates Motel, Homeland. Gave up on True Blood, Falling Skies, and Revolution. Couldn’t get into Under the Dome. Past favs: Joss Whedon stuff, Fringe, Lost, BSG I’m asking specifically for British TV because I’m less likely to know it, but any and all recs are appreciated edit: ugh. big ol stupid typo in the title. that’s what I get for posting from my phone ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/2 "2013-07-27T18:58:59Z")
Utopia is probably the most obvious choice. It was a recent British sci-fi show that got a lot of great reviews. I wasn’t overly impressed, myself. It was very dark - much darker than Orphan Black - and I thought that it used shock value to cover up weak writing, but I’m in the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/3 "2013-07-27T19:07:55Z")
I just watched _In the Flesh_. It’s three episodes with more on the way in the future. > **[In the Flesh (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series))** > > In the Flesh is a BBC Three supernatural drama series starring Luke Newberry. Written and created by Dominic Mitchell, the show began airing on BBC Three on 17 March 2013 with the first series consisting of three one-hour-long episodes. Set after "The Rising", which is the show's take on a zombie apocalypse, the drama focuses throughout on reanimated teenager Kieren Walker and his return to his local community. > An extended second series of the show, consisting of six one-hour-long episodes, be... ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/4 "2013-07-27T19:52:38Z")
[The Fall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_(TV_series)) Set in Belfast. Gillian Anderson makes a surprisingly convincing Brit. [Broadchurch](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadchurch). ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/5 "2013-07-27T20:47:36Z")
Doc Martin Call the Midwife ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/6 "2013-07-27T21:05:09Z")
The short answer - as already mentioned - is Broadchurch. No bullshit: TV that treats you like a reasonably intelligent adult. Available on iTunes, etc. With the best will … I couldn’t really rec Utopia; there is an issue of style over substance and I don’ think it would travel well. If you could handle subtitles you’d have an awful lot of fun with Borgen, The Bridge and The Killing. From France, ditto the very smart The Returned. There is also a very, very long answer - as there’s been quite a lot of good quality UK drama - but Broadchurch will fill the gap. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/7 "2013-07-27T21:14:52Z")
btw, theabove rec are all series drama - 6-7 hours. If you prefer 1 hour drama, then there is the truly outstanding The Accused (written by Jimmy McGovern with a range of co-authors) - S1 and S2. This is outrageous quality: > **[Accused](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accused_%28TV_series%29)** > > Accused or The Accused may refer to: ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/8 "2013-07-27T21:28:30Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > [The Fall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_(TV_series)) > > Set in Belfast. Gillian Anderson makes a surprisingly convincing Brit. She lived in England until she was 11. She can switch between British and American accents. I’ve been wanting to see this since I’ve heard good things about it. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/9 "2013-07-27T21:33:47Z")
**[Misfits.](http://www.hulu.com/misfits)** Spectacularly good, especially the first two seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/10 "2013-07-27T21:50:52Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > **[Misfits.](http://www.hulu.com/misfits)** Spectacularly good, especially the first two seasons. Seconded. It’s a profane, funny version of what “Heroes” should have been. A warning - it will take a few episodes to get used to the thick accents on some of them, but it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/11 "2013-07-27T22:10:03Z")
_Lark Rise to Candleford_ won many plaudits, though I’ve not seen it. _I, Claudius_ also fits the bill. _Life on Mars_ and _Ashes to Ashes_ are excellent. With _Merlin_, be warned that it is very much a children’s show. ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/12 "2013-07-27T22:12:16Z")
> [@HenryGale](#): > > Hi all, > > My wife and I, having just caught up on Orphan Black, are starving for another show to get into. In the Sherlock Season 3 thread, someone mentioned how outstanding British dramas have been lately, and someone asked for recommendations, but the question went unanswered. Rather than hijacking that thread, I’ll ask here: What are the really good British shows of the last few years that an American has probably missed? I think I was the one that asked, so I’m glad you started this thread. =) I’ve seen a bit of Utopia and would agree with **Smeghead** and **BrokenBriton**. I liked the music though. ---
**Author:** ![LMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@LMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LMarie)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/13 "2013-07-27T22:27:51Z")
Besides Downtown Abbey and [Luther](http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Luther/70175633?trkid=2361637), I don’t watch a lot of British tv. Based on what you’ve previously watched, however, you might also enjoy: [Intelligence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_(TV_series)) [The Event](http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Event/70197638?trkid=2361637) (First few episodes are really boring, but stick with it for a few and it will get a lot better) [Damages](https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Damages/70157463?trkid=2361637) [Mad Men](http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Mad_Men/70136135?trkid=2361637) [Suits](http://www.usanetwork.com/suits) ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/14 "2013-07-27T23:01:58Z")
This is probably a bit older than you’re thinking of, but the UK series _Cracker_ with Robbie Coltrane is pretty awesome. I like British dramas (crime ones, especially) b/c they aren’t afraid to go to dark places. They made a US version which I tried to like but couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/15 "2013-07-27T23:05:06Z")
As you liked House of Cards (part 1 of a trilogy), I confidently recommend: - To Play the King (part 2) - The final Cut (part 3) The funniest political comedy ever is in two parts: Yes, Minister Yes, Prime Minister ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/16 "2013-07-27T23:09:18Z")
i enjoyed the uk version of “being human”. they are finally showing the final series on bbc america now. series 1-4 are on netflix, i’m sure series 5 will be on once it has finished showing on bbc am. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/17 "2013-07-28T00:01:44Z")
I haven’t tried the UK version of “Being Human” yet - I watched a bit of the North American version, and I liked it okay, but I didn’t love it. I think the UK version is on Netflix - I’ll have to give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/18 "2013-07-28T00:07:40Z")
If you like dark police/crime stuff “Spiral” is a French series available on Netflix streaming you might enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/19 "2013-07-28T00:08:04Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > **[Misfits.](http://www.hulu.com/misfits)** Spectacularly good, especially the first two seasons. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Seconded. It’s a profane, funny version of what “Heroes” should have been. A warning - it will take a few episodes to get used to the thick accents on some of them, but it’s worth it. I watched with subtitles and it helped a lot. I watched the whole series but I do think the first two were the best and it kind of went off the rails after that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693/20 "2013-07-28T00:24:13Z")
Hustle. Life on Mars (even if you’ve seen the American version, the UK version is better IMHO. Everything’s better in Manchester.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-some-tv-possibly-british/664693.md?page=2)