# What British Series Should I Watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895 "2011-09-01T22:33:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/21 "2011-09-02T02:02:01Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > [Coupling](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupling_%28UK_TV_series%29) > > [The Office](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28UK_TV_series%29) Agreed. Coupling is very funny. The British version of the office is better than the U.S. Also Sherlock Holmes (the ones with Jeremy Brett). > **[Jeremy Brett | Actor, Soundtrack](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0107950/)** > > Known for: My Fair Lady, War and Peace, The Sign of Four Yes, Minister > **[Yes Minister (TV Series 1980–1984) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080306/)** > > 30m | TV-PG Yes, Prime Minister. > **[Yes, Prime Minister (TV Series 1986–1987) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086831/)** > > 30m | TV-PG Monarch of the Glenn (first three seasons). > **[Monarch of the Glen (TV Series 2000–2005) ⭐ 7.7 | Comedy, Drama, Romance](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238793/)** > > 1h | TV-14 Rumpole of the Bailey. > **[Rumpole of the Bailey (TV Series 1978–1992) ⭐ 8.4 | Crime, Drama, Mystery](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078680/)** > > 1h | Not Rated Doc Martin > **[Doc Martin (TV Series 2004–2022) ⭐ 8.4 | Comedy, Drama, Romance](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408381/)** > > 46m | TV-14 Skins > **[Skins (TV Series 2007–2013) ⭐ 8.2 | Drama](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/)** > > 46m | TV-MA ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/22 "2011-09-02T02:17:02Z")
A couple Canadian comedies worth mention, just because they are not U.S. humor: Trailer Park Boys is, IMHO, the funniest comedy ever (unless you live in a trailer park and are easily offended). > **[Trailer Park Boys (TV Series 2001–2018) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy, Crime](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290988/)** > > 30m | TV-MA Corner Gas (mild and unoffensive, but often hilarious). > **[Corner Gas (TV Series 2004–2009) ⭐ 8.4 | Comedy](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397138/)** > > 30m | TV-14 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/23 "2011-09-02T02:18:49Z")
My Mom, who loves British TV, has been raving about Doc Martin. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/24 "2011-09-02T05:48:57Z")
Worst Week of My Life, starring Ben Miller from the Armstrong and Miller Show and Primeval. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/25 "2011-09-02T06:00:10Z")
I second Yes Minister/Prime Minister and would add Jeeves and Wooster. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/26 "2011-09-02T06:43:35Z")
The Detectives. A bit obscure, but brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/27 "2011-09-02T07:21:36Z")
> **[BFI TV 100](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100)** > > The BFI TV 100 is a list of 100 television programmes or series that was compiled in 2000 by the British Film Institute (BFI), as chosen by a poll of industry professionals, with the aim to determine the best British television programmes of any genre that had been screened up to that time. > The British Film Institute television programme poll was conducted in the year 2000,\[citation needed\] and its results are reflected in the list that appears in a following section. Initially, a 'big list' o... ---
**Author:** ![Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffer_Spice_1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/28 "2011-09-02T08:23:59Z")
classics: porridge blackadder (avoid series 1 - start at series 2, it’s all great from there.) only fools and horses red dwarf (gets poo after about four series though) yes minister modern: peep show the office brasseye the day today (spoof news show) knowing me knowing you with alan partridge i’m alan partridge (watch these after “the day today” and knowing me, knowing you) the royle family (may not cross the channel well though - you’ll either love it or not even know why it’s called comedy!) edit: agree with the detectives too! the first dvd was amazing! the second was rubbish though i think coupling is pretty poor really. the odd funny moment, but largely incredibly contrived and poorly acted. guess that’s just me though ☹ same goes for inbetweeners ---
**Author:** ![Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffer_Spice_1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/29 "2011-09-02T08:38:55Z")
ooh, forgot phoenix nights - one of the greatest comedies ever made ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/30 "2011-09-02T08:50:09Z")
Porridge Open All Hours The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Rising Damp Darling Buds of May ---
**Author:** ![drbhoneydew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d78d45/32.png) [@drbhoneydew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drbhoneydew)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/31 "2011-09-02T09:10:50Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > I rather liked the original “Queer as folk”. I believe it was a British series (bit old now, must be more than ten years). And written by Russell T Davies, him what brought back Dr Who. [Takin’ over the Asylum](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209813/) is well worth looking out for. Featuring a rather younger David Tennant. [This Life](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115390/) may have rather too much gratuitous sex in for trans-Atlantic tastes, but it was brilliantly well written. [Look Around You](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358323/) is a work of ever so slightly not right genius [Absolute Power](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386149/) is good, but not as good as it was on the radio. [House of Cards](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098825/) and its sequels To Play the King and The Final Cut are excellent political thrillers. So is [Between the Lines](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103362/) ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/32 "2011-09-02T09:23:34Z")
Doctor Who? Either the original series, which started back in the sixties and ran through the eighties or the new series which began in 2005. Not sure where to begin with someone who likes Fawlty Towers but not Benny Hill or Monty Python. ---
**Author:** ![JessMagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@JessMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessMagic)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/33 "2011-09-02T09:25:52Z")
In addition to those already mentioned: The Fast Show (genre-defining catchphrase-based comedy) Harry Enfield and Chums (prototype to the above) The IT Crowd (filmed in front of a live studio audience, sitcom about IT geeks) ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/34 "2011-09-02T13:22:26Z")
What, no mention so far of Spaced? > **[Spaced](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Bisley)** > > Spaced is a British television sitcom created, written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, and directed by Edgar Wright, about the (comedic and sometimes farcical and action-packed) misadventures of Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley, two twenty-something Londoners who, despite only having just met, decide to move in together after she gives up on squatting and he is kicked out by his ex-girlfriend. Supporting roles include Nick Frost as Tim's best friend Mike, Katy Carmichael as Daisy... Edit: woops, post #10. ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/35 "2011-09-02T13:45:35Z")
I would recomend Kingdom. Stephen Fry is a market town lawyer (or whatever you call them in England) Quirky characters and Fry what more do you need? I quite liked Misfits as well. 4 kids on probabtion who get zapped with super powers. Not your traditional super hero show. These kids are hilarious and complete fuck ups. I second Spaced as well. Great show if you liked Shaun of the Dead. Then there’s always Black Books. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/36 "2011-09-02T13:50:42Z")
The original (1967) version of “The Forsyte Saga” with Eric Porter, Nyree Dawn Porter, Kenneth More and the always delicious Susan Hampshire. A pity it was black and white but they got the right cast. ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/37 "2011-09-02T14:00:00Z")
MI5… I love this show… and I’m currently waiting for the production of the next season. Several things I like about this show… the Americans frequently come off as total sonofabitches… theirs a total different perspective… the scenery and action kicks ass as well… Also… they have absolutely no qualms about killing off a lead character. Unlike American tv where either you heard such and such is in a contract squabble and is gonna get killed off… or wants to go make movies. MI5 will just move someone else right in there… ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/38 "2011-09-02T14:25:55Z")
Just adding my vote for _House of Cards_. When I first saw it, I did not realize that there were two sequels, so my jaw dropped at the end of the first one. Not the ending I was expecting. I also like _MI5_. I like Matthew MacFayden as an actor (and wasn’t he great in _Little Dorrit_?), but I think the series improved when Rupert Penry-Jones took his spot on the team. They have some…uh…unusual ideas about how computer security works, but otherwise I like the show a lot. I agree that _Coupling_ has preposterous plots, but I found it sweet and funny, and I liked the characters. The setup sounds like _Friends_, but while I wanted to stab every character on _Friends_, I liked _Coupling_. When I want to turn my brain off and revert to adolescence, I enjoy _Little Britain_ also. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/39 "2011-09-02T14:28:00Z")
I actually enjoyed [Manchild](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306353/). Tony Head was marvelous in it. [Ballykissangel](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115105/) was excellent as well. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895/40 "2011-09-02T14:41:42Z")
Allow me to add another vote for House of Cards–it’s brilliant, and Ian Richardson as Francis Urquhart is so deliciously, delightfully, and affably _ **evil** _. I cannot imagine that the Netflix version will be able to hold a flickering match, much less an entire candle, to the brilliant sun that is this series. I’ll also recommend _Mongrels_, a puppet show for grown-ups. Sometimes raunchy, always hiliarious. There will be a handful of UK-centric pop culture references per episode that will most likely fly right over your head, but there’s more than enough that’s universal to keep you laughing. Dunno if it’s quite right for your style of humor, but it’s not Benny Hill or Monty Python. (It’s not Fawlty Towers either.) And I’m shocked that no one has mentioned _QI_ yet. Quiz show featuring a rotating panel of UK comedians, hosted by the brilliant Stephen Fry. The questions are intended to be more or less impossibly obscure, so the panel gets points for “interesting” (and factual) responses, regardless of whether they’re actually responsive to the question. They also lose points for giving the obvious/conventional/boring and wrong answer. Entertaining and “educational”. Learn why the Bishop of Canterbury’s left ear is like Adam’s navel! Clips of \*Mongrels \*and (as of last I checked) full episodes of \*QI \*are available on YouTube. …no, really… who’s paul ross? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-british-series-should-i-watch/594895.md?page=3)