It's time for a NEW round of "Name your favorite British TV show"!!

Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a classic. I also liked the old shows “One Foot in the Grave” and. “Keeping Up Appearances” which taught me that “Hounslow” is not just a London suburb.

Keeping Up Appearances. (Richard!) (Sheridan, you must come to my candlelight supper!)

Thanks, Mardee!

Traitors!!! It's a new reality show based in the UK and I love it!!

Very impressive spreadsheet, thanks for putting that together!

A new show I am enjoying right now is "How Are You? It's Me, Alan (Partridge)" the latest in a long series of Alan Partridge programmes starring Steve Coogan. I love all the Partridge entertainments (including podcasts) going all the way back to the classic comedy series "The Day Today" where the character of Alan Partridge was introduced. I also really recommend the series before this one "This Time with Alan Partridge" which was some of the best tv I've seen in a while.

There's also a new series of Mitchell and Webb which I enjoyed tho I don't think it's as good as their previous one.

that must have been a real labour of love!!

Time for legs up and a nice cup of tea

I don't think it is mentioned anywhere but Father Ted is an absolute comedy classic. 30 years after it was made and it is still quoted especially when offering a cup of tea, "Go on, go on, go on".

I'm not sure if he particularly 'travels' but Peter Kay has written some brilliant stuff. Phoenix Nights is set in a northern working man's club. The episode with the family fun day is hilarious. "Chorley FM Coming in your ears".
Car Share is equally funny and sweet. The soundtrack on the car radio is also brilliant if you are of an early 70s vintage. Peter Kay really knows his music.
Finally, i think it has only been shown once on TV but a one off he did for Christmas is one of the best p1ss takes of TV talent shows you will ever see. It is genuinely called 'Britain's Got the Pop Factor....and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice". He gets the ridiculousness of these types of competitions bang on but with affection. The 'real' people like Simon Cowell and Cat Dealey play themselves in it.

Time for legs up and a nice cup of tea.

Ha ha, yes, indeed, Nigel - and that's exactly what I did!

Thank you for organizing that thread! I used it to find some new shows for my folks to watch, they're avid Brit murder show fans.

A few more that I don't see on the list:

The Cleaner - irreverent comedy about a crime scene cleaner (BritBox/Roku, IMDB 7.1)

Durrells in Corfu - Brits in Greece in the 1930s (PBS, Amazon, IMDB 8.2)

Fleabag - cringy comedy, in a good way (Amazon, IMDB 8.7)

The Thick of It - cringy government political drama (Britbox, Peacock, IMDB 8.7)

No Offence - another crime drama (Pluto, BritBox, Acorn, IMDB 8.0)

Wow, Mardee, that's some amazing dedication to the forum!

I don't see Heartbeat. I give it a 100 ;) for music, 10 for scenery, and maybe 6.5 for writing/plot??

Over decades usually via PBS on American TV:
Dr Who
The Avengers
Benny Hill ( my dad loved that show)
The Prisoner
Vera
Inspector Morse
Scott and Bailey
Happy Valley
Midsomer Murders
Annika
Hetty Wainthrop
Touching Evil
MI 5
Prime Suspect
Unforgotten
Taggert
McDonald and Dobbes
Lovejoy
DI Ray
No Offense
Magpie Murders
Shetland
Shakespeare and Hathaway
Monty Python
Poirot
Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett
Whitsable Pearl
Magrait with the late, great Michael Gambon. Loved that it was filmed in Budapest doubling for WW2 Paris. Ah the magic of location filming.

Watching PBS is part of my DNA.

EDIT 1: Forgot Inspector George Gently and Endeavor
EDIT 2: I Claudius with Derek Jacobi

There are a few shows that did not make their way onto the list because I didn't know which one it was. For example, Heartbeat had about. 3-5 different entries on IMDB, and without knowing which one it was, I was reluctant to put it in there. So if someone wants to let me know more details about it, I'd be happy to flesh it out more.

The problem is some shows that people named had no time period, description or cast members, or anything that would help to identify it. And there are a lot of shows out there with the same name, lol!

The same thing with "No Offense". There were at least five shows named with the same title. I was trying to do more searching in the beginning, but by the time I was 60% of the way through, I was just trying to get through the list. So I admit I did not make the same effort towards the end as I was in the beginning. 😊

There have been 3 ‘civilian’ series of British Traitors and the first celeb series is currently showing. The US series is shot back to back with the British version and features the same tasks and Scottish location but a different presenter. I’m a huge fan and have watched all the English language versions currently available!

I believe the BBC is going to start showing .the Irish Traitors once the UK celeb Traitors finishes. Their ‘Claudia’ is Siobhan McSweeney, Sister Michael from Derry Girls.

This is awesome mardee! Thank you so much! Scrolling through the other thread for new show ideas was getting crazy! Really appreciate you!

It was sad to learn that Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth) from Keeping Up Appearances passed away a couple weeks ago.

We still enjoy Midsomer Murders and the new Lynley series as well as the new Karen Pirie series.

I looked at the spread sheet earlier in the day, and now its completely different? With the same shows repeating?? Is it me?

Really nice interview, hosted by Matthew Bannister, on the BBC podcast Last Word from Samuel West about his mother Prunella Scales. I found out about the Great Canal Journeys show from this thread!

https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/p0mcscr8

jules,

oh dear! it's not you. something happened to the spreadsheet. seems like a sort problem or something.

The Young Ones :)

edit: And some British Police drama with an older Detective and his younger partner who was almost like a monk. Don't remember the name but the younger partner was my kind of character.

ATTENTION!!!!!

I should have thought of this and warned you, so that's my fault. The reason the copy is getting edited is that I allowed edits on the copy, not the original, but didn't think about the fact that you probably wouldn't think about making your own copy.

So what I've done is changed the link above to the spreadsheet in my first post. Go ahead and open that one up. That will be view-only, and no one will be able to edit it.

For those who are editing the old document, please remove your edits so that it won't show up, and make your own copy. That way, you can just make edits for yourself.

TO MAKE YOUR OWN COPY: Use the old link, then click on File-->Make a Copy, and that will copy the link so you have it for your own. But as I said, if you don't care about creating your own copy to edit, just use the NEW link upthead in the original post.

I, Claudius; Sunset Song; A Town Like Alice and so many more from over four decades ago.
This is so much fun, Mardee. I can't imagine the amount of time and effort you've put into your spread sheet!

No Graham Norton? Especially the turn of the century risqué 'So Graham Norton'.

No where near the bizarre of my pick of "The Young Ones". I didn't expect anybody else to agree but I'm surprised it was as popular as it was:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Young_Ones_(TV_series)

"The show was voted number 31 in the BBC's Best Sitcom poll in 2004.[1]"

Though, like with Monty Python, the BBC had difficulties:

[snip]
According to Jackson, the finished project was met with complete disbelief by the BBC, but the recent arrival of Channel 4 led the broadcaster to air what had been created a week after its opening night, on 9 November.[7]

To help make it stand out, the group opted to combine traditional sitcom style with violent slapstick, non-sequitur plot turns, and surrealism.

edit: Also:
Last of the Summer Wine
Some of "Doc Martin"
That Judi Dench series with Lionel (can't remember the name)

And of course, can't forget the British Tim Hunkin and his wonderful "Secret Life of Machines"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Machines

RobertH, many British Gen Xers have a great affection for the Young Ones. it was like nothing we had ever seen on the BBC, felt really quite subversive and most importantly was very funny.
I was 10 when it was first shown and would sneak into my bedroom to watch it on the black and white TV I was allowed to have I my bedroom for my ZX81 computer.

Emma, you can be excused for your (very) young and impressionable age. I was over 40 when I first saw it. :)

That Judi Dench series with Lionel (can't remember the name)

"As Time Goes By"

Thanks for the Judi Dench tip.

This is so much fun, Mardee. I can't imagine the amount of time and effort you've put into your spread sheet!

Thanks! It was a labor of love, I will admit! Although I'm sorry for the mixup with the first version...

Mardee, thanks so much for putting this together. I feel like I watch a lot of British tv, but there are loads more on your list that I was unaware of. I owe you a glass of wine for this!

Well for me it’s a toss up between

• 24 hours A&E which was previously mentioned
• Wheeler Dealers and its various offshoots. Really enjoy the old episodes with Edd Chyna.

For all the Slow Horses fans, Stephen Colbert went to the UK and interviewed the four major cast members of Slow Horses. He tests them on their American accents among other things. I didn't realize that Jack Loudon was Scottish! At any rate, it was pretty funny.

https://youtu.be/YjKqXfH2OY8?si=zD1r5UouWZ21eVUK

Gotta say British and Australian actors are stellar at adopting American accents. When I first saw Toni Collette on an interview show following the release of the film The Sixth Sense and learned she was Australian I was totally shocked. Same with Hugh Laurie who played House.

Just read a new season of In Line of Duty is in the works!!! I’m chuffed!

Toni Collette was brilliant in Muriel’s Wedding - the movie which launched hers (and Rachel Griffiths, ‘Six Feet Under) careers. Favourite British Show was the Blackadder Series (The trenches, WW One). Keith Michell (another Australian) in the Six Wives of Henry V111. Slow Horses is an excellent series (currently showing). Upstairs Downstairs, from the 1970s, looks dated now, but more authentic than Downton Abbey, however not as glamorous. And of course, Spooks. Roddy from Slow Horses is an Australian actor and a Town Like Alice, not British, but Australian mini series with some British actors in it

Up Pompeii!

I miss that style of cheeky humor so much.

-- Mike Beebe

Gotta say British and Australian actors are stellar at adopting American accents.

I wholeheartedly agree. I'm always amazed when I find out some of the actors I see on a lot of American shows are either British, Australian, Welsh, or Scottish.

Kate Winslet was recently in the wonderful limited series "Mare in Easttown" on HBOMax. Not only did she speak with an American accent, but it was a very localized accent from a specific area outside of Philadelphia. It was very impressive.

I’m in London at the moment, and stepped into the Waterstones bookstore on Piccadilly a couple of days ago, to get out of the cold for a few minutes until our bus came. A couple of new Monty Python alum notes:

John Cleese was at the store just a few days earlier, talking about, and signing his new book, Fawlty Towers Fawlts and All. A sign inside, listing the November store events noted that it had been Sold Out. The book is from his recollections about the show (in which he and former wife - and a fellow-Hoosier - Connie Booth co-wrote and co-starred), and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the show … all 12 episodes!

Also, on a shelf just inside the entrance were copies of a new Michael Palin book about his recent travelogue show to Venezuela. Glad that he wasn’t in a speedboat in the Caribbean! He’s made many travel shows over the past 30+ years, starting with Around the World in 80 Days, and also about a recent visit to North Korea.

At the V&A museum, next to a video of Monty Python’s Silly Walks sketch, was the completely unexpected waiter’s uniform from the Manuel character on Fawlty Towers. The harried character was Spanish, but was played by German-born British actor Andrew Sachs, who sadly died 9 years ago. His daughter donated the costume to the V&A after he passed.

Also passing away less than a month ago, Prunella Scales played Sybil, the wife of the hapless John Cleese/Basil Fawlty. For a show with such a short run, it’s had a huge impact. So many treasured TV people are gone.

The BBC had an excellent series called Secrets of the Museum where they showed how the curators at the V&A looked after long standing and new exhibits. One of the ones they focussed on was the Manuel waiter’s outfit, showing the processes they went through to get it ready to show.

If you have any interest in museums it really is worth a watch..

This week I've been rewatching one of my favourites, "Look Around You," which is a satire of educational science programming (featuring one of the best, Peter Serafinowicz, and in series 2, Olivia Coleman early in her career). It's not available on any streaming service but luckily it is on the internet archive!
https://archive.org/details/look_around_you/

This week I've been rewatching one of my favourites, "Look Around You,"

Hah! It's great!. My favourite from Look Around You is probably "Synthesiser Patel". The sniffles, and the obsession with the security of his synthesisers :)

https://youtu.be/z2myFLUDB74?si=GRdOCcrfbqrQJ03K (YouTube, 2m 44s)

Peter Serafinowicz's series was pretty out there too. Lots of clips on Youtube.

Another couple of my Peter Serafinowicz favourites - T-Wog$, Terry Wogan's secret pirate radio show.

https://youtu.be/3z9uLdARaNU?si=LY0tkBaoUJdpdgbp (YouTube, 27m 24s)

Also, his Zaphod Beeblebrox-esque video for Daft Punk's Get Lucky.

https://youtu.be/P-bcnVU_NAU?si=j3fU5daVj4YvIlJe (YouTube 1m 52s)

I love that I just stumbled on this thread! My husband and I are huge fans of British telly (thank you, Britbox!).
Some faves, off the top of my head:
-- Broadchurch (especially series 1) and Fleabag are my favorite things I've seen on TV.
-- other top shows for me are Karen Pirrie (especially series 2), Slow Horses, Sherwood, A Confession, Happy Valley, and Ludwig (can't wait for the next series!).
-- we really enjoy Traitors UK, especially series 1 and the recent Celebrity Traitors UK (we like the UK series more than the US series)
-- we're currently enjoying Dept Q and This is Going to Hurt -- though these are on Netflix, not Britbox.
-- AND, Gogglebox is always wonderful for unwinding after a long week!

A tip for BritBox - I had signed up for a month that was ending soon (I tend to rotate streaming services). I went to cancel the renewal and they offered me a month free. These sorts of retention offers are not uncommon. Worth a try.

Current BritBox Black Friday Deal: $2.99/mo. for the first two months of a new monthly subscription or through Amazon Prime $2.75/month for 2 months.

Mary, thanks! And Roku is having their Black Friday sale now. That's how I got BritBox and Acorn last year for such great prices. They have a number of other offers as well.

https://www.roku.com/whats-on/subscriptions/offers/black-friday

ETA: I just found out that all of these sales can be used on the actual websites. So for example, if you go to BritBox, you can actually get the deal directly through them instead of going through Roku or Prime

BritBox just began a new series , "I, Jack Wright", about a wealthy family battling over an inheritance, after a mysterious murder, with a few quirks added in. I'm just two episodes in, but I'm hooked.

Pat, that sounds really good. I will check it out. I need to get it first but I plan on doing that before Sunday so I can take advantage of their sale

Pat, thanks for the recommendation of 'I, Jack Wright.' I'm 3 episodes in and it's so good!

Currently hooked on The Crow Girl.

Midsommer Murders was great.

We just finished "The Royals" and all I can say is DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father (especially the first season)

Cunk on Earth and Cunk on Life with Diane Morgan (warning: often very crude, irreverent and childish)

Of course: Are You Being Served, Keeping Up Appearances, and Fawlty Towers

Smoggie Queens (watched Season 1 on a plane; not available in Canada)

Picking up an earlier post, Heartbeat is set in 1960s North York Moors and Whitby. It's always on a certain UK TV channels. When it reaches the last episode it cycles round to the start again. This is the IMDB entry
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101114/?ref_=ext_shr

The same thing with "No Offense". There were at least five shows named with the same title.

It's this one https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3922704/

Ok, not a British show, but a British Actor, Matthew Rhys , in The Beast in Me. I've never seen this actor doing creepy. We binged on this. It's a Netflix show. Starts slowly, then hang on!

Pat,
We are watching The Beast in Me and it is great.

Pat and geovagriffith, that's good-to-know. I keep looking at the trailer and thinking it looks really interesting (and pretty creepy), and I love Claire Dane as well as Matthew Rhys (I love his Welsh accent!). I will definitely check that out.

For anyone who's a fan of Blue Lights on BritBox, season 3 has been released and it's really good!

Also there is a new show coming out from PBS Masterpiece called "Winter." It's based on the French series "Balthazar" which I watched and loved. It starts filming in early 2026. Here's a synopsis of the show:

Set in Bristol, England, Winter follows Dr. Ethan Winter, one of the most gifted pathologists of his generation. He possesses an extraordinary analytical mind, capable of impeccable deductive reasoning which perfectly complements DI Lauren Bell, played by Annabel Scholey (The Sixth Commandment, Rivals, The Split), a meticulous, no-nonsense detective who is as driven as Winter when working on a case. Together they make a formidable team, as Winter’s genius and insight into the victims is invaluable to Bell and her murder squad detectives. Yet Winter is harboring a secret. The unsolved murder of someone close to him still haunts his every move, and he’s intent on unofficially investigating the death to bring the murderer to justice. This personal thread runs beneath the six-part series, with each episode featuring its own compelling, self-contained crime story.

I’ve been watching Down Cemetery Lane with Emma Thompson. It’s set in Oxford and there are some sweeping shots of that city, but it was actually filmed mainly in Bristol and any street scenes are obviously Bristol (well, if you know the city anyway). Numerous people told me they saw Emma Thompson shopping or getting lunch while filming was taking place.

Helen, I just watched episode 7 last night and was looking at the beautiful scenery there. It's supposed to be on a Scottish island but when I looked it up to try and find what island, the article just said the show was filmed around Bristol, Somerset and Cornwall.

I did find it interesting that the first few episodes that took place in Oxford were not actually filmed in Oxford but in Bristol. According to an article, it said: Bristol's proximity, resemblance to Oxford, and access to production studios made it a practical and cost-effective choice for the production. Makes me want to visit Bristol. I almost made it on my last trip but just couldn't work it in. But definitely the next one.

I'm curious if anyone here has seen Episode 7 because the setting for that Scottish island looks to me like it might be Cornwall. It was really gorgeous

Riot Women will be on britbox Jan 14th. I have high hopes for this one. Written by Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, Scott & Bailey, Gentleman Jack).

Trailer https://youtu.be/hMILATvScWI?si=Jqd4KZBn35bpeNyA

For Annika fans, I just realised the theme is by Dot Allison and Anton Newcombe. I used to see Dot Allison in the Sub Club in Glasgow and at various parties in the west end. I looked it up and she's about five years older than me and I was too young to be in The Sub Club, so I never spoke to her. Always a very striking woman.

Here's the theme to Annika, Bringing Murder to the Land, by Anton Newcombe and Dot Allison -
https://youtu.be/gFUoTw9W1Gg?si=LpM5pAwjkH_L5f5W

One Dove, Fallen came out when I used to see Dot Allison around Glasgow. It was very cool and zeitgeisty at the time. -
https://youtu.be/RIOYBdNA0sE?si=Tv9vJt_xMad8ZWk5

Here she is with Death in Vegas in 2000 -
https://youtu.be/Hd6dDRrtyHM?si=2re-URP-LqerEZI3

But Gerry, did you find out the most important question? Is Annika coming back? Inquiring minds want to know!

Marlee, Coronation Street wasn’t on the list.

Is Anika coming back?

That I do not know. I have two connections (from years ago!) to Annika I can ask I suppose now I don't know if these things are covered by an NDA :)

Another person that made a name for himself that I used to see out a lot is Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting etc). I hadn't read anything by him for ages.

He wrote a great eulogy for fashion designer Pam Hogg in The Guardian this week. It's well worth a read, even if you don't know who she was.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/dec/01/irvine-welsh-friend-pam-hogg-designer

It's bordering on inhumane to leave us on an Annika cliffhanger with Nicola Walker's perfectly concerned facial expressions as that voicemail plays...tell that to your contacts, Gerry ;-p

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/tv/popular-scottish-detective-series-cancelled-32236144

Annika cancelled.

Annika cancelled

It says there are no current plans. It seems odd to me when it was left hanging and was reasonably well liked. I read elsewhere (Reddit, so make of that what you will) that PBS didn't commit to picking it up in the US because of funding, so it isn't feasible to make it without that... Or something along those lines.

It seems to me to a be non-committal statement that leaves it open for another season, if someone funds it.

https://britishtvshows.com/article/nicola-walker-annika-cancelled

Another source dated October. Would be terrific if the 'spokesperson' is wrong.

Another source dated October.

It's just a quote from the same Radiotimes.com article. I wouldn't be surprised if the statement is part of the plan working on securing funding for it. I'm pretty sure there's quite a few people keen to make it, especially since it didn't get finished in the last season. I think a lot of big budget BBC programming relies on international syndication to get made these days.

I can’t read about Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By without thinking of To the Manor Born. Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles were such well-matched lead actors. Loved Audrey, Marjory, Richard (aka Bedrich) and his mama!

To the Manor Born. Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles were such well-matched lead actors.

Another one from that time featuring Penelope Keith, which is probably horribly dated now, is The Good Life. It was very popular when I was young. Posh neighbour / hippy neighbour sitcom from the late 70's.

Another very popular series from that time is Butterflies. It features Wendy Craig, who was in a lot of TV in the 80's, and a young Nicholas Lyndhurst, who later played Rodney in Only Fools and Horses.

Victoria
It was on Masterpiece back in 2017-19 but it just showed up this week on Netflix. This should give it a new generation of viewers that are not the usual PBS/Britbox audience. It was so much better than The Crown!

The Good Life in the U.S. was called “Good Neighbors.” For the U.S. market, it was obviously “Neighbors,” and not “Neighbours.” Really enjoyed seeing it on PBS, but now it’s been a long time since it aired!

How interesting Cyn.

The Good Life is currently on iPlayer to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Not sure if you'll be able to see it in North American regions.

Drat, seems I also forgot to include Inspector Frost (UK) and Dr Blake Mysteries from Australia.

IMDb says The Good Life is available on Britbox.

What about Van der Valk? My research reported that the production company was sold. I can't find any info regarding renewed or canceled. Seems it was pretty popular, and the scenes of Amsterdam, against the cultural and political background, made it quite interesting.

Watching "Grantchester" as I type. Like several other similar British shows, it's a Vicar who solves crimes. In this one, he actually is good friends with the local inspector, and they both cooperate in finding clues. Has the manditory busybody lady who manages the office, and harrumphs a lot when the Vicar isn't pious enough.

Also has the manditory scenes occasionally where the new Arch-Deacon summons him to tell him all the great new plans he has for improving everything.

Started watching the recent year's series, with a Vicar of East Indian origin. Watched a year or two worth on PBS, and now we're starting back in Series 1 on Netflix. Different Vicar, pretty young, likes his ale and partying. We don't like him quite as much as the East Indian one.

All in all, we like Father Brown better, but now we're waiting for his next season to begin.

Posting about Butterflies further up made me think about Carla Lane and British writing versus American. Carla Lane had a good name as a writer. She is maybe best known for Bread, what you might call a Liverpudlian satire on working class living.

Jimmy Perry, David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd were responsible for a lot of British sitcom classics between them. It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Dad's Army, Hi-De-Hi!, 'Allo 'Allo, Are You Being Served?, maybe more. Just Wikipedia links behind all the hyperlinked text.

British comedy has usually tended to be written by one or two people. The American tradition is a big team of writers. Traditionally it was just in these short little series (seasons), often only six weekly episodes. American seasons tended to be much longer. It maybe isn't so pronounced these days with the internet homogenising viewing.

Another vote for “Blue Lights”, if you like police dramas.
This one is set in modern day Belfast and it really draws you in.
It’s on BritBox for us and is only on Season Two , releasing a new episode each Thursday.
I hope we get to Season Three very soon!!

SJ, I mentioned above that Season 3 of Blue LIghts is now airing in the United States and it is really good. In fact, I think it's the best season yet. I hope you get it soon! I don't know if this is possible but someone on Reddit mentioned that they use a VPN to access the U.S. BritBox so that they can get the newer seasons. If you have a VPN, it might be worth a shot.

American seasons tended to be much longer. It maybe isn't so pronounced these days with the internet homogenising viewing.

Gerry, I think those days have been gone for a while, at least on streaming stations. Most of the shows I see on streaming are 8-10 episodes long at the most, although the network shows, which I no longer watch, are longer. For example, Chicago Med is around 18-20+ episodes, I believe.

The longest streaming show I've seen recently is The Pitt, which is 14 episodes. Although The Pitt is so good that I wish that were double that. 😊

What about Van der Valk? My research reported that the production company was sold.

Pat, I just read that Van der Valk has been confirmed for a fourth season that will release in 2026 on PBS Passport. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/get-ready-for-van-der-valk-season-4/

Many of our loved shows have been listed above or on the spreadhseeet, but one of our all time favorites I have not seen is Green Wing; a 20 year old comedy that included one future Dr. Who “Master” and a relatively unknown at the time Olivia Coleman.

Another favorite is Brokenwood, a detective/crime series with some quirky characters and is based on New Zealand.

What? No mention of The Royle Family, or did I miss a post? One of the funniest Britcoms ever! Ricky Tomlinson is outrageously funny as Jim Royle, and the rest of the cast are absolutely brilliant. North American viewers will definitely need subtitles, as those Mancunian accents defy easy translation.

Like some of the classic American television programmes like The Honeymooners and All in the Family, almost all of the action takes place in one room.

"Antny, go down the shop and get me a pack of ciggies!"

Also, there is a six part crime drama currently running on Britbox, that is very suspenseful and well acted. Payback stars Morven Christie and the always excellent Peter Mullan. The exterior shots are filmed in Edinburgh, so the castle features in many of the establishing shots.

Happy viewing, and don't forget to check out the Royles!

Mike (Auchterless)

Another one from that time featuring Penelope Keith, which is probably
horribly dated now, is The Good Life. It was very popular when I was
young. Posh neighbour / hippy neighbour sitcom from the late 70's.
Another very popular series from that time is Butterflies. It features
Wendy Craig, who was in a lot of TV in the 80's, and a young Nicholas
Lyndhurst, who later played Rodney in Only Fools and Horses.

@GerryM, do have fond memories of both of those shows, too! And of course Butterflies also featured Geoffrey Palmer, who went on to play the endearingly grumpy Lionel in As Time Goes By.

Another ‘70s sitcom that I enjoyed as a teenager was No, Honestly, starring John Alderton and his real-life wife, Pauline Collins. I was saddened to learn of her passing just last month.

I didn't check the spreadsheet, but some that I really enjoy.....

• Heartbeat
• Doc Martin (my favourite!)
• On The Buses (haven't seen it for awhile)
• A Touch of Frost
• Keeping Up Appearances

I loved Pauline Collins as Shirley Valentine.

I don’t think I see Silent Witness mentioned anywhere. My mom got me hooked. Her advice—start with season 20 as she enjoys the characters in the more recent episodes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Witness

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115355/

All 28 seasons can be found on Britbox (and Amazon with a Britbox subscription).

What? No mention of The Royle Family, or did I miss a post?

I thought about The Royle Family when I mentioned Carla Lane. The scouse connection. Ricky Tomlinson is a real talent. It's really interesting, his early life as a docker and then breaking into TV, to the point where him and Caroline Aherne had their own hit series on the BBC. It's another really clever bit of British sitcom writing in that tradition that I talked about.

Has anyone seen Save Me? I can't imagine it wouldn't be great with that cast, but for some reason I've never noticed it before.

I almost forgot about this one. I quite enjoyed it at the time it was airing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v16yL-Vf8E4 .

A show I just found, set in modern day Edinburgh, is Case Histories with Jason Isaacs (White Lotus) and Amanda Abbington, (Mary from Sherlock, Watson's (Martin Freeman) wife. Plenty of Edinburgh scenery, and well-developed stories that tie up all loose ends by the conclusion.

Pat, I love Amanda Abbington. She was wonderful in Sherlock and I've seen her in a few other things. I will check it out. She was actually married to Martin Freeman in real life as well, although I believe that they are since divorced.

Mary, that looks interesting and it's got a 7.7 rating on IMDb. I love Stephen Graham especially after seeing "Adolescence," and Suranne Jones.

I just saw on BritBox that Shetland will be premiering season 10 in the US on January 1. Woo hoo! I am very excited about that!

I just finished watching season eight and nine again so that I could get ready for it.

Mardee, Shetland is one of the few series I can happily rewatch. I’ll be there for the next season. But I just found out that Annika is not coming back! I’m rewatching it right now, I love Nicola Walker; very disappointed that it ended.

Lyndash, I'm sorry about that too, although I did understand it to mean that it could potentially come back if there is someone to take it over and fund it or something like that. So I don't think it's entirely dead, but I don't know how realistic a comeback is. Regardless, I will miss it.

Is 7 weeks and 90+ posts "New"?

We've been enjoying, Escape to the Country, Ludwig, Grace, Paris Murders, (Fr), Brokenwood (NZ), Whitstable Pearl, Chelsea Detective and Signora Volpe.

This is good news!
"THE SHETLAND TV series is set to return again in 2026 for series 11.

The announcement was made at the end of last night’s Wednesday programme, which brought series 10 to an end with a bang.

BBC Scotland confirmed the news following the show, and said it would provide more details about series 11 in the New Year.

Series 10 of Shetland was significant in that a large section of the production moved to Levenwick, which became the fictional hamlet of Lunniswick, for the shoot.

The latest series of the show focused on the death of a former social worker in the area, and the investigation into her murder."

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/12/11/bbc-confirms-shetland-will-return-in-2026/#:~:text=THE%20SHETLAND%20TV%20series%20is,the%20investigation%20into%20her%20murder.

Is 7 weeks and 90+ posts "New"?

Joe, considering the first one had over 300 posts, and was over a year old, I'd say this is still new... 😂

This is good news!
"THE SHETLAND TV series is set to return again in 2026 for series 11.

Good news if you live in the UK! Not so good news for us in the U.S. who won't get to see it until 2027 (sigh). And no spoilers please!

I really do like the camaraderie between Ruth and Tosh. I think they match really well and work really well together. In fact I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I prefer Ruth Calder to Jimmy Perez, especially Jimmy in the last three to four seasons. He got a tad grumpy... 😂

We will have Season 10 in 2026, but it's never enough! I liked the relationship with Jimmy and Duncan in the first few seasons, then Duncan was seen less and less. Doug Henshall in the last season seemed to just "phone it in". He was obviously unhappy in the role.

I still haven't watched the last season of Vera because I just can't say goodbye. (crying emoji).

Lindy, have you ever read the books? They're quite different from the series for one thing. You find out the whole history of Jimmy's love life and how he wound up with his daughter and how Duncan was involved. And Tosh isn't even in the books. I just read the newest book called the Killing Stone. It was really good and it involves a whole new plotline that takes him away from Shetland and on to Orkney and his new partner.

Mardee, I have read some of the first Shetland books which give a great history of Jimmy and Duncan. Can't wait to read Killing Stone. Thanks for the heads up.

Apologies for not scrolling back over the entirety of two ginormous threads..I'm old, time's precious.

Dr. Who, The Saint, Bless This House, Sherlock Holmes (first series whilst Brett was in good health), The Avengers, Eastenders, Abfab, Poirot, Top Gear (of course only the original with Clarkson, Hammond and May).

Lindy, great news about Shetland renewal, although I am bummed we can’t see it sooner. Something to look forward to I guess. At least ACGAS starts soon here. We just finished season 3 of Blue Lights. What a fantastic show! Best season yet. Such great writing and acting.

MLD, for some reason this year I didn't get around to watching "All Creatures ..." until just now. But it's been a great season so far and I can't wait to watch the next season in January! Shetland is also airing a new season in January—so many choices!

My Brit relatives would say I was daft, but as a kid in the sixties, I was taken with the low-humor show "Doctor in the House". Maybe because I was a child, and it was vaguely naughty.

I finished Save Me last night (and season 2 titled Save Me Too). Excellent. I was floored by Lennie James's performance. Stephen Graham and Suranne Jones were also great, as always. It's not cheery viewing though, fair warning...

I've been eyeing that, Mary, and it's still not sure but I'll give it a try.

Right now I'm watching "Untamed," which is about a violent death that takes place in Yosemite National Park. So far it's very good and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I did find out it was mostly filmed in British Columbia, as it's too difficult to film inside a national park in the U.S. Too many restrictions, I guess.

Starring our man former stand up comic Eric Bana.
Eric became a star in the sketch comedy Full Frontal. Got his big break playing Mark Brandon Read in Chopper.

Oh maybe Mr Hartog as The Hulk.

Starring our man former stand up comic Eric Bana.

Really? That's interesting, I had no idea that he was a comedian. I also didn't know he was from Australia. Evidently he is a producer and co-creator of this show. He's very good, although I would never guess he was a comedian because his character is so solemn. But then again he had a tragedy in his life (the character, not Eric) so that's understandable.

Actually Claudia his break out was back in 1997 when he featured in the Aussie classic The Castle.
Then he got the roll in Chopper which shocked his Aussie fans but he nailed it. Chopper Read was a famous hard core crime who had sliced off his own ears. So for a popular comedian to successfully play such a sinister character set up his career. It wasn't long before Hollywood found him, I think Black Hawk Down might have been his first Hollywood film.
Eric who is of Croatian/Italian background is a very popular guy at home, loves his AFL, knockabout laconic character, down to Earth.

I’ll clarify by stating as a Yank my first knowledge of Mr Bana acting was in The Hulk.

Would also like to add that a very favorite British series was the Foyle’s War with Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks. Probably 25 years old now. Also had Jeremy Swift in the cast. Swift one should recognize as the butler to Dame Maggie Smiths character in Downton Abbey as well as from Ted Lasso. He was Hannah Waddingham’s (Rebecca) assistant Higgins.

Lastly my appreciation of UK produced shows began in college with the PBS broadcasts of Ian Carmichael’s Lord Peter Wimsey and Dr Who.

I recently watched Mrs. Biggs and don't see it on the spreadsheet. Sheridan Smith is so good.

https://www.britbox.com/us/season/Mrs_Biggs_S1_10086832

No love for the IT Crowd?

0118 999 881 999 119 725 3

Happy New Year … and Happy New Round! I’ve actually just discovered that this thread, now 2 months old, was a new continuation of the original thread, and not the first thread itself!

I’ve also just discovered the Spreadsheet at the top. Mardee, that took some effort (and I can personally appreciate the effort compiling it for this Forum involved), but I have a couple of updates to note:

In the original iteration of this British TV show topic, I’d mentioned the Black Adder/Blackadder series, but it didn’t make it on the Spreadsheet up top. On this second (continuation) thread, on 11/18/25, Susie mentioned the “Blackadder Series (The trenches, WW One),” but the series also had brilliant Medieval and Regency-era episodes. All featured Rowan Atkinson, who also starred in sublimely silly Mr. Bean (also not listed in the Spreadsheet), and the police comedy The Thin Blue Line, kind-of Britain’s answer to Barney Miller.

The latest installment of it just happened on New Year’s Day, but there’s the showing of The London Parade. I wasn’t aware of it until maybe three years ago, but 2026 was the 40th edition. Passing London landmarks including Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, the parade includes lots of Brits, but also many American High School marching bands. There are a couple of bagpipe bands from the UK, but the vast majority of bands are kids from the U.S., who otherwise play at football (not soccer, football) games. What a great experience for high school kids, to get a trip to London! My guess is that the band teachers (and supportive parents) make extra efforts to get their school’s program noticed and approved by the Parade organizers. Last year’s parade on New Year’s Day took place in drenching rain, and this year’s was chilly, but not wet. The three hour broadcast has lots of sights and sounds of London, and having been there less than 3 weeks ago, the parade made me ready to go back in an instant.

Cyn, thanks for the information. If it's not on the spreadsheet, it's possible that I missed it. But there were some things I had to leave off because I wasn't given enough information. Usually that meant there were multiple versions of it and I didn't know which one someone was referring to. But I will check into that. Thanks!

Here's a heads up for a couple of new shows that are coming out that some might be interested in.

I saw the first one today in my PBS newsletter. It's a show called Bookish and is about a bookseller who helps the police solve crimes. It looks very interesting and premieres this Sunday (Jan. 11) on PBS. https://www.pbs.org/show/bookish/

The other show is an American adaptation of Doc Marten called "Best Medicine" about a doctor (Josh Charles from Sports Night) who has a cranky personality, a blood phobia and solves crimes in a Maine fishing village called Port Wenn. Streaming on Hulu/Disney. Here is a trailer: https://youtu.be/8zxy5q5L2NI?si=XxMjdVO9-n_imZWu

I have been enjoying Peep Show via YouTube. 8.7 on IMDB.

Signora Volpe has been a recent favorite of mine (with Emilia Fox of Silent Witness). Beautiful cinematography, music and nice storylines. Anybody know if it's coming back for a new season? Fingers crossed!