Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
WeirdThe 20 Best British Shows On Netflix
By Jade Budowski
@jadebudowski
Published
Oct. 3, 2017, 9:00 p.m. ET
1 of
21
Take a trip across the pond with the best British series available on streaming, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes Scores.
Photos: Everett Collection , NETFLIX ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
2 of
21
Absolutely Fabulous
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Created by, written by, and starring the hilarious Jennifer Saunders opposite partner-in-crime Joanna Lumley, this British sitcom follows best friends Edina and Patsy (Saunders and Lumley), two ridiculously selfish, oblivious, drug-using women who make Edina's daughter absolutely crazy with their insane antics. Every episode is a gift, and there are a wide range of laughs to be had at all of the shenanigans that Eddie and Patsy find themselves in (or are the direct cause of).
[Stream Absolutely Fabulous]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Created by, written by, and starring the hilarious Jennifer Saunders opposite partner-in-crime Joanna Lumley, this British sitcom follows best friends Edina and Patsy (Saunders and Lumley), two ridiculously selfish, oblivious, drug-using women who make Edina's daughter absolutely crazy with their insane antics. Every episode is a gift, and there are a wide range of laughs to be had at all of the shenanigans that Eddie and Patsy find themselves in (or are the direct cause of).
[Stream Absolutely Fabulous]
Photo: Everett Collection
3 of
21
Black Mirror
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This unfailingly dark, brilliant anthology series takes a deep dive into the way technology impacts our everyday lives in ways that we may not be noticing. Each episode tells a different story (and likely offers a whole new nightmare) with a new, star-studded cast, and the lessons taken away from every one of them - no matter how horrifying - will stay with you for days afterwards.
[Stream Black Mirror]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This unfailingly dark, brilliant anthology series takes a deep dive into the way technology impacts our everyday lives in ways that we may not be noticing. Each episode tells a different story (and likely offers a whole new nightmare) with a new, star-studded cast, and the lessons taken away from every one of them - no matter how horrifying - will stay with you for days afterwards.
[Stream Black Mirror]
Photo: Netflix
4 of
21
Being Human
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
A wicked blend of comedy, drama, and the supernatural, Being Human sees a group of friends (who are also vampires and werewolves) shack up in a house together only to discover that there are already some ghosts inhabiting the residence. As they all struggle with their dreams of being human, they navigate the wild waters of a supernatural existence and become closer in the process.
[Stream Being Human]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
A wicked blend of comedy, drama, and the supernatural, Being Human sees a group of friends (who are also vampires and werewolves) shack up in a house together only to discover that there are already some ghosts inhabiting the residence. As they all struggle with their dreams of being human, they navigate the wild waters of a supernatural existence and become closer in the process.
[Stream Being Human]
Photo: Netflix
5 of
21
Chewing Gum (British): 100%
Photo: Netflix
6 of
21
Happy Valley
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Happy Valley doesn't just refer to Penn State. This drama follows Catherine, a stern police sergeant who leads a team of officers in a rural West Yorkshire valley. She soon finds herself involved in something much darker and closer to home than she ever anticipated, and must reckon with her own past as horrific events unfold around her.
[Stream Happy Valley on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Happy Valley doesn't just refer to Penn State. This drama follows Catherine, a stern police sergeant who leads a team of officers in a rural West Yorkshire valley. She soon finds herself involved in something much darker and closer to home than she ever anticipated, and must reckon with her own past as horrific events unfold around her.
[Stream Happy Valley on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
7 of
21
Last Tango in Halifax
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The romantic dramedy follows Alan and Celia, two 70-somethings now widowed who rediscover feelings for one another once shared as teenagers after connecting online. There are some obstacles, however - their respective families might not get along as well as they'd hope.
[Stream Last Tango in Halifax]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The romantic dramedy follows Alan and Celia, two 70-somethings now widowed who rediscover feelings for one another once shared as teenagers after connecting online. There are some obstacles, however - their respective families might not get along as well as they'd hope.
[Stream Last Tango in Halifax]
8 of
21
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Based on the novel of the same name, this historical fantasy miniseries takes us back to England's Napoleonic Wars and imagines a version where magic once existed (but was rarely practiced). These powers soon emerge in two men who begin to bring respect back to magic and study how best to hone these abilities.
[Stream Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Based on the novel of the same name, this historical fantasy miniseries takes us back to England's Napoleonic Wars and imagines a version where magic once existed (but was rarely practiced). These powers soon emerge in two men who begin to bring respect back to magic and study how best to hone these abilities.
[Stream Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell]
9 of
21
Lovesick
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This under-the-radar British comedy is as snappy and smart as anyone could ask for; after finding out he has an STD, Dylan decides to get back in touch with every girl he's ever slept with to let them know what's happened. Rife with a range of different comedic styles and stand-out performances from every cast member, Lovesick is the perfect cure to any illness.
[Stream Lovesick]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This under-the-radar British comedy is as snappy and smart as anyone could ask for; after finding out he has an STD, Dylan decides to get back in touch with every girl he's ever slept with to let them know what's happened. Rife with a range of different comedic styles and stand-out performances from every cast member, Lovesick is the perfect cure to any illness.
[Stream Lovesick]
Photo: Netflix
10 of
21
Ripper Street
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Starring Matthew Macfayden, Adam Rothenberg, Jerome Flynn, and more, this mystery drama kicks off in 1889 Whitechapel, England, six months after the last Jack the Ripper killing. While it seems like they might be in the clear, suspicions amongst detectives arise when a slew of murders occur that the killer may have returned.
[Stream Ripper Street]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Starring Matthew Macfayden, Adam Rothenberg, Jerome Flynn, and more, this mystery drama kicks off in 1889 Whitechapel, England, six months after the last Jack the Ripper killing. While it seems like they might be in the clear, suspicions amongst detectives arise when a slew of murders occur that the killer may have returned.
[Stream Ripper Street]
11 of
21
River
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This police drama puts a fresh, supernatural spin on the genre - the central detective (played by Stellan Skarsgaard) is haunted by "manifests" (AKA ghosts) of his murdered partner, victims, and criminals involved in the cases he's working). Chillingly performed and truly original, River is one you won't want to skip.
[Stream River]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This police drama puts a fresh, supernatural spin on the genre - the central detective (played by Stellan Skarsgaard) is haunted by "manifests" (AKA ghosts) of his murdered partner, victims, and criminals involved in the cases he's working). Chillingly performed and truly original, River is one you won't want to skip.
[Stream River]
Photo: Netflix
12 of
21
The Inbetweeners
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This offbeat comedy follows four friends and the shenanigans they get themselves into during their last years at school - and boy, do they get into them. From friendship and family problems to issues with school officials and ridiculous sexual endeavors, this uproarious British sitcom covers it all.
[Stream The Inbetweeners]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This offbeat comedy follows four friends and the shenanigans they get themselves into during their last years at school - and boy, do they get into them. From friendship and family problems to issues with school officials and ridiculous sexual endeavors, this uproarious British sitcom covers it all.
[Stream The Inbetweeners]
13 of
21
Peaky Blinders
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Set in 1919 England, this gangster drama follows the Peaky Blinders gang of post-war Birmingham, England as they wreak havoc and deal with their own family drama while pursued by law enforcement. The number of renowned European actors on the series is astounding, but leading man Cillian Murphy truly stands out from the crowd with his riveting performance.
[Stream Peaky Blinders]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Set in 1919 England, this gangster drama follows the Peaky Blinders gang of post-war Birmingham, England as they wreak havoc and deal with their own family drama while pursued by law enforcement. The number of renowned European actors on the series is astounding, but leading man Cillian Murphy truly stands out from the crowd with his riveting performance.
[Stream Peaky Blinders]
Photo: Netflix
14 of
21
Photo: Everett Collection
15 of
21
Luther
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Looking for a riveting crime drama that also stars an incredibly hunky leading man? Look no further than Luther, a series that stars Idris Elba as a brilliant detective with some dark secrets. His inability to suppress his emotions often pushes him to use unorthodox methods to solve crimes and seek justice - a fault that may very well come back to haunt him later.
[Stream Luther]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Looking for a riveting crime drama that also stars an incredibly hunky leading man? Look no further than Luther, a series that stars Idris Elba as a brilliant detective with some dark secrets. His inability to suppress his emotions often pushes him to use unorthodox methods to solve crimes and seek justice - a fault that may very well come back to haunt him later.
[Stream Luther]
16 of
21
The Crown
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This critically-acclaimed Netflix original series follows the happenings within the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) as a 25-year-old newlywed and all of the complications of the time that she rose to power. Featuring stunning performances across the board and some truly fascinating revelations, it's no surprise that The Crown has become one of Netflix's best series.
[Stream The Crown]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
This critically-acclaimed Netflix original series follows the happenings within the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) as a 25-year-old newlywed and all of the complications of the time that she rose to power. Featuring stunning performances across the board and some truly fascinating revelations, it's no surprise that The Crown has become one of Netflix's best series.
[Stream The Crown]
17 of
21
The Fall
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, and a slew of other incredible stars, this psychological thriller follows a detective and a serial killer as they both hunt their respective prey. Well-written, chillingly executed, and unlike most series of the same genre, this unique show gives viewers an intimate look at the kind of monster that inspires nightmares.
[Stream The Fall]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, and a slew of other incredible stars, this psychological thriller follows a detective and a serial killer as they both hunt their respective prey. Well-written, chillingly executed, and unlike most series of the same genre, this unique show gives viewers an intimate look at the kind of monster that inspires nightmares.
[Stream The Fall]
18 of
21
The Honourable Woman
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
This political spy thriller miniseries earned Maggie Gyllenhaal a Golden Globe, and it's not hard to see why. The Honourable Woman sees Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) thrust into a high-stakes situation when she fights for an Israeli-Palestinian resolution after inheriting her father's arms business.
[Stream The Honourable Woman]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
This political spy thriller miniseries earned Maggie Gyllenhaal a Golden Globe, and it's not hard to see why. The Honourable Woman sees Nessa Stein (Gyllenhaal) thrust into a high-stakes situation when she fights for an Israeli-Palestinian resolution after inheriting her father's arms business.
[Stream The Honourable Woman]
19 of
21
Marcella
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Starring Anna Friel as the eponymous Detective Sergeant Marcella Backland, this British crime noir series chronicles Marcella's tumultuous journey into an unsolved case of a serial killer after her husband leaves her and her two children and it becomes apparent that things may be much more close to home than she thinks. Twisty, dark, and totally bingeable, Marcella will throw you for more than a few loops.
[Stream Marcella]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Starring Anna Friel as the eponymous Detective Sergeant Marcella Backland, this British crime noir series chronicles Marcella's tumultuous journey into an unsolved case of a serial killer after her husband leaves her and her two children and it becomes apparent that things may be much more close to home than she thinks. Twisty, dark, and totally bingeable, Marcella will throw you for more than a few loops.
[Stream Marcella]
20 of
21
Call the Midwife
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Based on the memoirs of British nurse Jennifer Worth, this period drama follows a group of nurse midwives in 1950s and 60s London as they go about their day-to-day business and navigate their own lives in the process. Call the Midwife manages to be moving and entertaining while addressing a slew of important social issues like reproductive rights, sex work, religion, sexuality, and more.
[Stream Call the Midwife]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Based on the memoirs of British nurse Jennifer Worth, this period drama follows a group of nurse midwives in 1950s and 60s London as they go about their day-to-day business and navigate their own lives in the process. Call the Midwife manages to be moving and entertaining while addressing a slew of important social issues like reproductive rights, sex work, religion, sexuality, and more.
[Stream Call the Midwife]
21 of
21
The Bletchley Circle
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
The Brits really seem to get just how great a female-fronted series can be, and The Bletchley Circle is a testament to this fact. This mystery drama follows four women who helped to break German military codes in World War II who reunite nine years later when a serial killer begins to leave clues in codes of his own. This gorgeous post-war feminist crime series will leave you wondering why there haven't been more like it.
[Stream The Bletchley Circle]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
The Brits really seem to get just how great a female-fronted series can be, and The Bletchley Circle is a testament to this fact. This mystery drama follows four women who helped to break German military codes in World War II who reunite nine years later when a serial killer begins to leave clues in codes of his own. This gorgeous post-war feminist crime series will leave you wondering why there haven't been more like it.
[Stream The Bletchley Circle]
