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WeirdThe Top Rated British TV Series on Netflix
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It should come as no surprise that British TV ends up being reviewed so positively on this side of the pond. What makes it extra great is that this list includes everything from serial-killer hunts to rude school chums to gorgeous nature photography to pitch-black comedy about death. Basil Fawlty, Mary Berry, David Brent, and the Queen herself all rubbing elbows in Netflix's most exclusive of all roped-off areas: British TV. This list features the 17 best-reviewed British series currently streaming on Netflix. They would make for a right proper to-do list of shows to binge, they would!
Photo: Everett Collection, BBC, Netflix ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Monty Python's Flying Circus
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
An entire generation of comedy dudes grew up on the lunacy of John Cleese, Michael Palin, and the company of Monty Python's Flying Circus, the TV show behind the great, memorable films like Life of Brian and The Holy Grail.
[Stream Monty Python's Flying Circus on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
An entire generation of comedy dudes grew up on the lunacy of John Cleese, Michael Palin, and the company of Monty Python's Flying Circus, the TV show behind the great, memorable films like Life of Brian and The Holy Grail.
[Stream Monty Python's Flying Circus on Netflix]
Everett Collection
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Fawlty Towers
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If John Cleese hadn't ever done "Monty Python" in his life, he'd still be celebrated as one of the great comedic actors of all time for his work on the short-lived cult classic Fawlty Towers. Cleese and his co-creator Connie Booth star in this series about Basil Fawlty, who owns the titular shambolic hotel where any number of farcical calamities come to pass.
[Stream Fawlty Towers on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If John Cleese hadn't ever done "Monty Python" in his life, he'd still be celebrated as one of the great comedic actors of all time for his work on the short-lived cult classic Fawlty Towers. Cleese and his co-creator Connie Booth star in this series about Basil Fawlty, who owns the titular shambolic hotel where any number of farcical calamities come to pass.
[Stream Fawlty Towers on Netflix]
Everett Collection
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The Great British Baking Show
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Easily the greatest British export of the 21st century -- Harry Styles as the lone possible exception -- has been this reality competition where every-Brit home bakers compete to make pies, cakes, tarts, and the occasional cannoli and impress the judges enough to survive all the way to the end. It's no surprise this holds down a perfect RT score, and it's one of the most impossible-to-hate TV shows ever.
[Stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Easily the greatest British export of the 21st century -- Harry Styles as the lone possible exception -- has been this reality competition where every-Brit home bakers compete to make pies, cakes, tarts, and the occasional cannoli and impress the judges enough to survive all the way to the end. It's no surprise this holds down a perfect RT score, and it's one of the most impossible-to-hate TV shows ever.
[Stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix]
Everett Collection
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Sherlock
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Benedict Cumberbatch was a moderately-known British character actor before he took up the role of literature's greatest detective in Sherlock. But it was this modernized take on the character presided over by Steven Moffat, including drug addiction and an aloof personality bordering on the spectrum, that sent Cumberbatch into the realm of obsessed-over object of obsession.
[Stream Sherlock on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Benedict Cumberbatch was a moderately-known British character actor before he took up the role of literature's greatest detective in Sherlock. But it was this modernized take on the character presided over by Steven Moffat, including drug addiction and an aloof personality bordering on the spectrum, that sent Cumberbatch into the realm of obsessed-over object of obsession.
[Stream Sherlock on Netflix]
BBC
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Planet Earth II
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If The Great British Baking Show hasn't sufficiently soothed your nerves, perhaps follow it up with the greatest nature documentary in TV history. This sequel to Planet Earth -- 10 years in the making -- boasts nature at its most fascinating, some of the most dazzling visual presentation you've ever seen, and a majestic Hans Zimmer score that will have your spirit swelling.
[Stream Planet Earth II on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
If The Great British Baking Show hasn't sufficiently soothed your nerves, perhaps follow it up with the greatest nature documentary in TV history. This sequel to Planet Earth -- 10 years in the making -- boasts nature at its most fascinating, some of the most dazzling visual presentation you've ever seen, and a majestic Hans Zimmer score that will have your spirit swelling.
[Stream Planet Earth II on Netflix]
BBC
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Lovesick
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Johnny Flynn plays Dylan, an unlucky-in-love landscaper who's just been diagnosed with VD and must then contact all his previous sexual partners to inform them. A comedy about young people's lives and romantic struggles is nothing new, but this one drew raves for its refreshing honesty.
[Stream Lovesick on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Johnny Flynn plays Dylan, an unlucky-in-love landscaper who's just been diagnosed with VD and must then contact all his previous sexual partners to inform them. A comedy about young people's lives and romantic struggles is nothing new, but this one drew raves for its refreshing honesty.
[Stream Lovesick on Netflix]
NETFLIX
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The Fall
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
While the star of The Fall was an American, the series was a decidedly UK affair, both set and filmed in Northern Ireland. Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) plays police investigator Stella Gibson who comes upon the trail of a serial killer, the disarmingly attractive Paul Spector. That Jamie Dornan went from serial killings in The Fall to being cast as the lead in the 50 Shades of Grey tells you everything you need to know about how much of an impression he makes here.
[Stream The Fall on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
While the star of The Fall was an American, the series was a decidedly UK affair, both set and filmed in Northern Ireland. Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) plays police investigator Stella Gibson who comes upon the trail of a serial killer, the disarmingly attractive Paul Spector. That Jamie Dornan went from serial killings in The Fall to being cast as the lead in the 50 Shades of Grey tells you everything you need to know about how much of an impression he makes here.
[Stream The Fall on Netflix]
NETFLIX
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Chewing Gum
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Written by and starring Michaela Coel, Chewing Gum is about a twentysomething shop assistant whose sheltered, virginal life needs some shaking up. Netflix imported the series, which was a hit for the awkwardly hilarity of Coel's character trying to step into her new adult and fully sexual life.
[Stream Chewing Gum on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Written by and starring Michaela Coel, Chewing Gum is about a twentysomething shop assistant whose sheltered, virginal life needs some shaking up. Netflix imported the series, which was a hit for the awkwardly hilarity of Coel's character trying to step into her new adult and fully sexual life.
[Stream Chewing Gum on Netflix]
NETFLIX
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River
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Created by Abi Morgan, the writer behind such TV series as The Hour and such movies as Shame and The Iron Lady, comes this series about a police investigator, played by Stellan Skarsgard (his last name is "River," making this show the Bosch of Britain), who is haunted by the cases he can't leave behind. The supporting cast includes greats like Leslie Manville (Phantom Thread) and Eddie Marsan (The World's End).
[Stream River on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Created by Abi Morgan, the writer behind such TV series as The Hour and such movies as Shame and The Iron Lady, comes this series about a police investigator, played by Stellan Skarsgard (his last name is "River," making this show the Bosch of Britain), who is haunted by the cases he can't leave behind. The supporting cast includes greats like Leslie Manville (Phantom Thread) and Eddie Marsan (The World's End).
[Stream River on Netflix]
BBC
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The End of t he F***ing World
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Based on the graphic novel by Charles S. Forsman, this verrry dark comedy centers upon psychopath teen James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), the girl who latches onto him as a way of rebelling against her home life. Despite its dark, murderous storyline, the show was praised for its razor-sharp writing.
[Stream The End of the F***ing World on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Based on the graphic novel by Charles S. Forsman, this verrry dark comedy centers upon psychopath teen James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), the girl who latches onto him as a way of rebelling against her home life. Despite its dark, murderous storyline, the show was praised for its razor-sharp writing.
[Stream The End of the F***ing World on Netflix]
NETFLIX
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Call the Midwife
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This BBC series set in London in the 1950s centers on a group of midwives working in the early days of the National Health service. The cast is positively stacked with some of the best actresses working in Britain. You likely recognize Miranda Hart (who plays "Chummy" on the show) from her role opposite Melissa McCarthy in Spy. Seven seasons of this addictive and often heartbreaking show are streaming on Netflix.
[Stream Call the Midwife on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This BBC series set in London in the 1950s centers on a group of midwives working in the early days of the National Health service. The cast is positively stacked with some of the best actresses working in Britain. You likely recognize Miranda Hart (who plays "Chummy" on the show) from her role opposite Melissa McCarthy in Spy. Seven seasons of this addictive and often heartbreaking show are streaming on Netflix.
[Stream Call the Midwife on Netflix]
BBC
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The Office (UK)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The original and one of the great TV comedies of all time, Ricky Gervais's brief but bright-burning comedy not only set the template for the groundbreaking American series, but it also offers a short, less sentimental, and in many ways more satisfying story about go-nowhere employees in a bleak office. Gervais's David Brent is one of the most singularly unfortunate characters in all of fiction, and Tim and Dawn more than hold up to the Jim and Pam comparisons.
[Stream The Office (UK) on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The original and one of the great TV comedies of all time, Ricky Gervais's brief but bright-burning comedy not only set the template for the groundbreaking American series, but it also offers a short, less sentimental, and in many ways more satisfying story about go-nowhere employees in a bleak office. Gervais's David Brent is one of the most singularly unfortunate characters in all of fiction, and Tim and Dawn more than hold up to the Jim and Pam comparisons.
[Stream The Office (UK) on Netflix]
BBC
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Luther
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Idris Elba had already become American famous due to The Wire before he returned to his native Britain to p;au Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, tracking down serial killers in the dark recesses of London. Ruth Wilson managed to leverage her three seasons on this show to get a role on Showtime's The Affair, while Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones; The Good Fight) appears in season 4.
[Stream Luther on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Idris Elba had already become American famous due to The Wire before he returned to his native Britain to p;au Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, tracking down serial killers in the dark recesses of London. Ruth Wilson managed to leverage her three seasons on this show to get a role on Showtime's The Affair, while Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones; The Good Fight) appears in season 4.
[Stream Luther on Netflix]
BBC
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Broadchurch
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This series, about a police investigation into who killed a young local boy and left his body on the beach in the seaside town of Broadchurch, is great all on its own, but it's even better as a showcase for actors and actresses who've become huge deals elsewhere. Two Doctors, for one thing. Former Doctor Who star David Tennant played enigmatic inspector Hardy, while current Doctor Jodie Whittaker played the mother of the dead boy. And the series' lead character, Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller, was played by Olivia Colman, currently lined up for Oscar attention for her role in Yorgos Lanthimos's The Favourite.
[Stream Broadchurch on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This series, about a police investigation into who killed a young local boy and left his body on the beach in the seaside town of Broadchurch, is great all on its own, but it's even better as a showcase for actors and actresses who've become huge deals elsewhere. Two Doctors, for one thing. Former Doctor Who star David Tennant played enigmatic inspector Hardy, while current Doctor Jodie Whittaker played the mother of the dead boy. And the series' lead character, Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller, was played by Olivia Colman, currently lined up for Oscar attention for her role in Yorgos Lanthimos's The Favourite.
[Stream Broadchurch on Netflix]
BBC
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The Inbetweeners
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
The vulgar and hilarious interactions between a quartet of English middle-schoolers forms the basis for this three-season coming-of-age Britcom. The consistently rude and often inept characters were funny despite all your best intentions as a viewer.
[Stream The Inbetweeners on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
The vulgar and hilarious interactions between a quartet of English middle-schoolers forms the basis for this three-season coming-of-age Britcom. The consistently rude and often inept characters were funny despite all your best intentions as a viewer.
[Stream The Inbetweeners on Netflix]
Everett Collection
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The Honorable Woman
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Maggie Gyllenhaal may not be a Brit, but she burned the house down as one in this 2015 Sundance Channel series. Gyllenhaal played Nessa Stein, a baroness and businesswoman looking to use her family's wealth and influence to philanthropically affect positive change in the Middle East. Secrets, betrayal, and and the deeply ingrained enmity in the region stand in opposition to her. The A+ cast here, including Tobias Menzies, Stephen Rea, Janet McTeer, Katherine Parkinson, and Eve Best, is nothing short of astounding.
[Stream The Honorable Woman on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Maggie Gyllenhaal may not be a Brit, but she burned the house down as one in this 2015 Sundance Channel series. Gyllenhaal played Nessa Stein, a baroness and businesswoman looking to use her family's wealth and influence to philanthropically affect positive change in the Middle East. Secrets, betrayal, and and the deeply ingrained enmity in the region stand in opposition to her. The A+ cast here, including Tobias Menzies, Stephen Rea, Janet McTeer, Katherine Parkinson, and Eve Best, is nothing short of astounding.
[Stream The Honorable Woman on Netflix]
BBC
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The Crown
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Heard of it? Netflix's acclaimed series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II stars Emmy-winner Claire Foy as Elizabeth, Matt Smith (another former Doctor!) as her husband Phillip, and an all-star cast that includes John Lithgow, Vanessa Kirby, and Jared Harris. It is a dazzlingly produced look at royal history and in Foy's hands, Elizabeth's life is a complicated story of political maneuvering and the clash between the crown and the statesmanship that it requires.
[Stream The Crown on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Heard of it? Netflix's acclaimed series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II stars Emmy-winner Claire Foy as Elizabeth, Matt Smith (another former Doctor!) as her husband Phillip, and an all-star cast that includes John Lithgow, Vanessa Kirby, and Jared Harris. It is a dazzlingly produced look at royal history and in Foy's hands, Elizabeth's life is a complicated story of political maneuvering and the clash between the crown and the statesmanship that it requires.
[Stream The Crown on Netflix]
Everett Collection
