Every country needs a version of BritBox. Created in 2017 by ITV and the BBC, the streaming service has made it easy for viewers in America and a few other regions of the globe to watch the best shows made in the United Kingdom.
The platform’s library is a fine buffet of classics and new releases. Additionally, new episodes of British soaps and dramas such as Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale are provided within hours of their UK broadcast via BritBox’s “Now” feature, available to US and Canadian users.
Thanks to BritBox, British shows are more popular than they’ve ever been, which is good since many of them tend to be ignored, yet they are of extremely high quality. It’s rare to find a British series with a bad Rotten Tomatoes score. However, even among the good, there’s always the best. Of all the great small-screen productions available on the platform, the following qualify as part of the cream of the crop.
Here are 10 must-watch TV shows on Britbox with impressively high Rotten Tomatoes scores.
10
‘Luther’ (2010 – 2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Idris Elba stars in Luther as a reliable gumshoe reputed for solving the most complex cases. Like many great TV detectives, he is obsessive and, at times, violent. But who cares, so long as he gets the job done? Still, you’ll sympathize with him as his work takes a personal toll on him.
Luther Will Solve It
It’s a shame that Elba hasn’t played more cops in movies, considering how good he is here. His lawman easily unearths all stifled pieces of evidence and often gets himself out of precarious situations easily. And critics sure agree that Elba and his character are the best things about the show. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus? “Gritty and ambiguous, Luther is a captivating drama bolstered by a powerhouse performance from Idris Elba in the title role.”
9
‘Staged’ (2020 – 2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Staged stars British actors Michael Sheen and David Tennant as fictionalized versions of themselves. The first season finds them rehearsing a performance of Six Characters in Search of an Author by Italian dramatist Luigi Pirandello while on lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the second season, they crash out after learning that their show is being given an American adaptation without their involvement.
Blurring the Fiction and Reality Lines
This is self-referential humor at its finest. Our two main characters are like grown babies, and we can’t help but laugh at their misfortunes in every single episode. Whether they are up and about or relaxing in their pied-à-terre, they remain funny. And at the end of this crazy, partly-trippy ride, everyone might learn a thing or two about how not to foolishly sabotage their chances of progress in life.
8
‘Downton Abbey’ (2010 – 2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Set in the 1910s and the 1920s, Downton Abbey covers the triumphs and woes of members of the aristocratic Crawley family. The show stitches many memorable events of the era into the lives of the main characters, including the sinking of the Titanic, the start of World War I, the Spanish influenza pandemic, the Marconi scandal, the Teapot Dome scandal, and the Irish War of Independence.
The Best of the 2010s Period Dramas
Has the post-Edwardian era ever been covered more beautifully? You’ll love this show about fashionable people who envy those within their cloister while openly loathing those outside of it. Downton Abbey was the first international show to be nominated for a whopping 27 Emmys in its first two seasons, and the most-watched series on both ITV and PBS. Additionally, it entered the Guinness World Records in 2011 for the spot of “Highest critical review ratings for a TV show.”
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7
‘The Office’ (2001 – 2003)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
The Office is a mockumentary set in a fictional British paper company located in England’s Slough Trading Estate. The boss, David Brent (Ricky Gervais), makes frequent attempts to win favor with his subordinates, only for his efforts to result in embarrassing outcomes.
There’s More Chaos in This Office
Is the British version of The Office any good? The question has been asked again, and the answer remains the same: it’s better. It’s like a bourbon biscuit, or a lovingly prepared, delicately seasoned risotto, easily trumping the fries from across the Atlantic. Much of the joy stems from the humor, of course, but Gervais is excellent, too, delivering a performance that leaves you wondering why he didn’t become the greatest British comedic star of all time.
6
‘Ludwig’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
3.5
/5
Release Date
September 25, 2024
Cast
Filmed in the picturesque city of Cambridge, Ludwig is one of the finest dramedies ever made — in any language. Our central character is John Taylor (David Mitchell), a reclusive puzzle maker who is forced to investigate after his identical twin brother, a detective, goes missing. Soon, John gets too carried away and joins the force, pretending to be his bro.
Laughs and Puzzles
Despite his lack of experience, John often hatches great ideas on how to solve cases and save disgraced people, going to the extent of ponying up his own little money whenever the department opts for penny-pinching ways. And kudos to the lead actor for making it all enjoyable. The Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus acknowledges his contribution, stating: “Cleverly plotted and a wonderful showcase for star David Mitchell’s brainy charm, Ludwig is a thoroughly pleasant mystery series that stays light on its feet.“
5
‘Gavin & Stacey’ (2007 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
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Joanna Page
Stacey Shipman
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Alison Steadman
Pam Shipman
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Mathew Horne
Gavin Shipman
Gavin & Stacey concerns the long-distance relationship between Gavin (Mathew Horne), from Essex, and Stacey (Joanna Page), from Wales. As their love deepens, their idiosyncratic families and peculiar best friends poke their noses to hilarious effect.
Making it Work from Miles Apart
The series excels by exploring the intellectual and generational rift between different sets of characters, some old-fashioned, some progressive. Gavin & Stacey was nominated for several awards during its run and was consistently praised by critics, with many singling out its ability to expand mundane activities and make a big deal out of them. Definitely worth a try.
4
‘Mum’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date
2016 – 2018
Network
BBC Two
Directors
Richard Laxton
Writers
Stefan Golaszewski
Mum follows Cathy (Lesley Manville), a recently widowed woman in her late 50s, doing her best to deal with grief, family chaos, and the hunt for fresh romance. Events stretch across three years, capturing many key moments in her life.
Hugs for Cathy
Even though it consistently gets bogged down in the little details and demands the highest level of concentration to catch all the humor, Mum is a slick and meaty entry into the suburban sitcom line. And the actors are unbelievably good, something critics agreed on. “Lesley Manville and Peter Mullan’s heartfelt and keenly observed performances make it a highly rewarding experience,” reads the final word on Rotten Tomatoes.
3
‘Time’ (2021 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Time (short for “serving time in prison”) is a sprawling anthology series, spanning several months in different years, and spinning out several characters to delineate the experiences of those who’ve been convicted. The events take place in correctional facilities under His Majesty’s Prison Service.
Prison is Hell
Engaging though the show is, there are very few surprises in store for you if you’ve watched similar shows. Time is a fairly conventional kind of prison drama series with a fairly predictable plot, but exceptional performances from its talented stars prevent it from being a humdrum time-waster. Keep your eyes on the first season, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. It’s even okay if you watch that chapter only. It’s magic.
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2
‘Being Human’ (2009 – 2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Being Human follows stars Andrea Riseborough as Annie Sawyer (a ghost), Guy Flanagan as John Mitchell (a vampire), and Russell Tovey as George Sands (a werewolf), as they share accommodation and attempt to blend with humans. Unsurprisingly, their friendship bonds are sorely tested as they become impulsive and erratic, and are forced to clean up after each other.
Learning To Fit in
The cocktail of flatshare comedy, drama, and horror works incredibly well, pumping a lot of life into what would have looked like a standard friendship story. One other thing that makes Being Human triumph is Richard Wells’ marvelous score, and the backup instrumentalists with the pipes who put it over. At the SFX Awards, the show got nominated for just about every award available.
1
‘Inside No. 9’ (2014 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Inside No. 9 is an anthology series whose stories are linked primarily by the fact that they are all linked to the number 9 in some form, be it a shoe size or a room number. The tone and themes vary across each of the 30 episodes, but each has an element of comedy and horror.
Black Mirror’s Funnier Cousin
In the first season, the plots sometimes lack credibility at very crucial moments, and it is a testament to the talents of the returning actors, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, that the storytelling shortcomings are so effectively masked. However, from the second season, everything became perfect, hence the 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. You’ll be wowed by the twists and also laugh your heart out.
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