The Best of British Television
by kellie197500 | created - 31 Dec 2011 | updated - 31 Dec 2011 | PublicThe best of British programs which have aired on BBC, Itv, or SkyTV, etc.
It is a list in progress...more to be added soon.
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1. The Sweeney (1975–1978)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Jack Regan and George Carter are hard-edged detectives in the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police. They pursue villains by methods which are underhanded and often illegal, frequently violent and - more often than not - successful.
Stars: John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, Garfield Morgan, John Alkin
Votes: 2,644
2. Inspector Morse (1987–2000)
TV-14 | 3,431 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.
Stars: John Thaw, Kevin Whately, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe
Votes: 14,330
3. The Sandbaggers (1978–1980)
TV-14 | 60 min | Thriller
The missions of an elite British Intelligence covert operations unit.
Stars: Roy Marsden, Ray Lonnen, Jerome Willis, Bob Sherman
Votes: 927
4. Life on Mars (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 959 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
After a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
Stars: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews
Votes: 32,309
5. Ashes to Ashes (2008–2010)
TV-MA | 1,320 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
After being shot in 2008 while investigating DCI Sam Tyler, DI Alex Drake wakes up in 1981.
Stars: Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster
Votes: 11,050
6. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1985)
TV-PG | 688 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of copper beeches, a Greek interpreter, the Norwood builder, a resident patient, the red-headed league, and one final problem.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Rosalie Williams, Eric Porter
Votes: 24,185
7. The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986–1988)
TV-PG | 781 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of the devil's foot, Silver Blaze, Wisteria Lodge and the Bruce-Partington Plans.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, Colin Jeavons
Votes: 13,388
8. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994)
TV-PG | 51 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The last installment of Sherlock Holmes' investigations.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, Rosalie Williams, Edward Hardwicke, Charles Gray
Votes: 8,319
9. Mad Dogs (2011–2013)
60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Follows the reunion of four old sixth form friends. They head to Spain to visit the fifth member of the gang, but things take a dark turn.
Stars: Max Beesley, John Simm, Philip Glenister, Marc Warren
Votes: 5,879
10. Identity (2010)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A drama series following an elite police unit formed to combat the explosion of identity-related crime.
Stars: Aidan Gillen, Keeley Hawes, Holly Aird, Elyes Gabel
Votes: 720
11. Upstairs Downstairs (2010–2012)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
A new family and their servants live at the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in 1936.
Stars: Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Adrian Scarborough, Neil Jackson
Votes: 6,817
12. Doctor Who (1963–1989)
TV-PG | 25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.
Stars: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker
Votes: 39,494
13. Doctor Who (2005–2022)
TV-PG | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
The further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
Stars: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Smith
Votes: 246,260
14. MI-5 (2002–2011)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The missions of MI-5, the UK's domestic intelligence organization.
Stars: Peter Firth, Hugh Simon, Nicola Walker, Rupert Penry-Jones
Votes: 18,345
15. Blue Murder (2003–2009)
Not Rated | 138 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Single mother DCI Janine Lewis struggles with the problems of bringing up four children while leading her team of detectives in solving high-profile murders.
Stars: Caroline Quentin, Ian Kelsey, Paul Loughran, Nicholas Murchie
Votes: 1,852
16. Torchwood (2006–2011)
TV-MA | 50 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
The members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.
Stars: John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen, Gareth David-Lloyd
Votes: 43,422
17. Primeval (2007–2011)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
When strange anomalies start to appear all over England, Professor Cutter and his team must track down and capture all sorts of dangerous prehistoric creatures from Earth's distant past and near future.
Stars: Andrew Lee Potts, Hannah Spearritt, Ben Miller, Juliet Aubrey
Votes: 15,420
18. Hidden (2011)
57 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
When lawyer Gina Hawkes hires Harry to find a witness, he unexpectedly revisits his brother's decades-old death, embroiling him in a political conspiracy at the highest levels of British government.
Stars: Philip Glenister, Thekla Reuten, Anna Chancellor, Matthew Marsh
Votes: 1,042
19. Midsomer Murders (1997– )
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young Sergeant investigate murders around the regional community of Midsomer County.
Stars: John Nettles, Jane Wymark, Barry Jackson, Neil Dudgeon
Votes: 39,333
20. Inspector Lewis (2006–2015)
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
DI Robert Lewis and DS James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.
Stars: Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman, Rebecca Front
Votes: 15,845
21. Demons (2009)
60 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy
Luke Rutherford is your average teenager - until his dead father's best friend, Rupert Galvin turns up to reveal his secret destiny: he's the great-grandson of Abraham Van Helsing, the ... See full summary »
Stars: Philip Glenister, Zoë Tapper, Christian Cooke, Holliday Grainger
Votes: 1,710
22. Jekyll (2007)
56 min | Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi
London, 2007. Tom Jackman is the only living descendent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He has made a deal with his dark side: a body share. What Mr. Hyde doesn't know is that Tom has a family.... See full summary »
Stars: James Nesbitt, Gina Bellman, Denis Lawson, Michelle Ryan
Votes: 7,752
23. The Avengers (1961–1969)
TV-14 | 50 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson
Votes: 8,879
24. The New Avengers (1976–1977)
60 min | Action, Mystery, Thriller
Secret agent Steed, working for an unnamed branch of British intelligence, is teamed up with two partners to fight evil plots for world domination, dealing with suspended animation, biological warfare, robotics, and other threats.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Gareth Hunt, Joanna Lumley, Maurice Marsac
Votes: 2,603
25. Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy
The wild misadventures of Edina "Eddy" Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone, who live in a nearly constant haze of drugged, drunken selfishness.
Stars: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield
Votes: 21,499
26. The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sketches by Catherine Tate and her comedy troupe.
Stars: Catherine Tate, Mathew Horne, Niky Wardley, Derren Litten
Votes: 4,294
27. The Invisibles (2008– )
60 min | Comedy, Crime
After 15 years of living it up in the Costa Del Crime, ex-criminals Mo and Sid soon discover that everyday life is a far cry from the white-knuckle ride of a spot of breaking and entering.
Stars: Anthony Head, Warren Clarke, Jenny Agutter, Dean Lennox Kelly
Votes: 252
28. Law & Order: UK (2009–2014)
TV-14 | 46 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
UK version of the long-running U.S. TV drama that tells the stories of two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.
Stars: Bradley Walsh, Robert Glenister, Harriet Walter, Freema Agyeman
Votes: 4,843
29. State of Play (2003)
TV-14 | 52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Journalists uncover a government conspiracy when a young politician's assistant and mistress is killed.
Stars: John Simm, David Morrissey, Kelly Macdonald, Bill Nighy
Votes: 10,514
30. The Vice (1999–2003)
TV-MA | 90 min | Crime, Drama
Veteran Detective Inspector Pat Chappel (Ken Stott) heads up the Metropolitan vice squad as he and his team investigate prostitution and pornography in the London sex trade.
Stars: Caroline Catz, David Harewood, Ken Stott, Rosie Marcel
Votes: 609
31. Rebus (2000–2004)
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Set in Edinburgh, the mercurial Detective Inspector John Rebus's investigations lead him through the city's ancient beauty and into its more sinister quarters.
Stars: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Gregor Gillespie
Votes: 2,237
32. Taggart (1983–2010)
TV-14 | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The Maryhill CID investigates gruesome murders against the bleak backdrop of the city of Glasgow.
Stars: Blythe Duff, James MacPherson, Robert Robertson, Iain Anders
Votes: 1,997
33. Sherlock (2010–2017)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves
Votes: 996,597
34. Bonekickers (2008)
342 min | Adventure, Drama, History
English archaeology professor 'Dolly' Parton's team handles high-profile finds. Often those prove relevant in the present, as such as symbol for a cause. The team runs personal danger, on top of their messy love - and other personal lives.
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Julie Graham, Adrian Lester, Michael Maloney
Votes: 962
35. Survivors (1975–1977)
50 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
A community of survivors struggle to stay alive in the wake of a global pandemic known as the Death that wiped out 99.98% of humanity.
Stars: Lucy Fleming, Ian McCulloch, Denis Lill, Stephen Dudley
Votes: 1,434
36. Survivors (I) (2008–2010)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
An unknown virus pandemic kills more than 90% of the world's population. Those immune must strive to survive and overcome the difficulties of this new world order, hoping that the virus will not mutate.
Stars: Julie Graham, Max Beesley, Paterson Joseph, Zoë Tapper
Votes: 8,918
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