15 Best British TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked

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You might be under the impression that British television is all reality shows like "The Great British Bake-Off," "Love Island," and "Taskmaster," but the United Kingdom has churned out some of the greatest TV shows of the 20th and 21st centuries. Whether it's on prestigious networks like BBC, SkyTV, or Channel 4, the best British TV shows of all time span many genres, from suspenseful spy thrillers and crime dramas, to underrated comedy series you need to see.
There's far more great television from England to compile into one list, but these 15 shows span several eras of television, and they all somehow remain timeless nonetheless. Some shows have had influence over the worlds of comedy television for decades since they aired, while others are more recent examples of British TV still leading the way in innovative programming. Let us know...
You might be under the impression that British television is all reality shows like "The Great British Bake-Off," "Love Island," and "Taskmaster," but the United Kingdom has churned out some of the greatest TV shows of the 20th and 21st centuries. Whether it's on prestigious networks like BBC, SkyTV, or Channel 4, the best British TV shows of all time span many genres, from suspenseful spy thrillers and crime dramas, to underrated comedy series you need to see.
There's far more great television from England to compile into one list, but these 15 shows span several eras of television, and they all somehow remain timeless nonetheless. Some shows have had influence over the worlds of comedy television for decades since they aired, while others are more recent examples of British TV still leading the way in innovative programming. Let us know...
- 5/19/2025
- by Blaise Santi
- Slash Film
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