British TV: Drama

Here are several recent and past British television dramas. Many of these can be found on BBC America, Youtube, Netflix and/or on DVD.

Trailer for 2016 (BBC)

Sherlock

Along with Doctor Who, probably the most popular British TV show in the world right now/ A modern update of the Edinburgh-native Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories of detective Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), and his trusted companion, Watson (Martin Freeman). Series 4 returns later this year.

Broadchurch

A huge hit when it premiered two years ago (and a moderate hit with the second series this past February), the mystery series stars Olivia Coleman and David Tennant about police detectives in a small English town solving a shocking  murder. Available on Netflix. Skip the US remake. Third series appears later this year. Incidentally, the writer of this show (Chris Chibnall) will be taking over Doctor Who next year,
Trailer for  the first series:

Luther

A rather far-fetched but riveting police drama based in London and starring Idris Elba as DI John Luther. Available on Netflix and DVD. Here is the trailer fpor the most recent season:

Poldark

A brand new series (there was an earlier version in the 1970s) set in Cornwall during the time of the American Revolution. Base don the historical novels of Winston Graham. It's been a huge hit this spring.

 Wolf Hall

 Based on one of the best novels of the past decade -- Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall -- this is perhaps the best version of Henry VIII and his wives I've seen,. Told form the viewpoint of Thomas Cromwell (usually the villain in these stories). Here he is more sympathetic and modern. Incredible acting all around. A must for Tudor fans -- and heads and shoulders above The Tudors from a few years back (although a much slower paced and less sexed-up version).

Fortitude

A 2015 psychological thriller set in the fictional Norway town of Fortitude. Stars Michael Gambon (Dumbledore in Harry Potter), Stanley Tucci, and Christopher Eccleston (9th doctor in Doctor Who).

Trailer:

Casual Vacancy

Based on JK Rowling's best selling novel -- her first post-Harry Potter effort -- about a small-town election.

However, it's really an examination of class in British life. This HBO-BBC adaption stars Michael Gambon (Dumbledore)

Enfield Haunting

Based on a true-life haunting (more than likely a hoax), this brand-new series looks at paranormal investigators looking into a haunting of a working class family. Quite scary.

   Happy Valley

Billed as a Netflix original, it actually was a BBC production (now with a second season). About a middle-aged single mother police officer trying to make ends meet while investigating a kidnapping. Brilliantly acted. Be warned -- it is dark material, despite its title.

EastEnders

 

An institution in Britain since the 1980s . A soap opera based in the East End (working class) area of London, it is one of the most popular TV shows in the UK. Below is a recent episode:

Coronation Street

The other major soap opera -- on the air since the 1960s. Takes place in North England. Below is a clip from a recent episode, followed the very first episode from 1960:

Call the Midwife

A huge hit in the US and UK -- about midwives during the 1950s and 1960s. Here is the most recent trailer:

House of Cards

Many of you may seen the Netflix series, House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright (which just completed its fourth series). But most probably have not seen the original Michael Dobbs-written and stars Edinburgh-born actor Ian Richardson. This also ran for three series. Available on Netflix:
Series 1 intro:

Monarch of the Glen

 

A Scotland Highlands-based comedy-drama (it was produced by BBC Scotland), about a London chef returning to his ancestral home in Scotland.

Wire in the Blood

A crime series base don the books by Scottish crime novelist Val McDermid. It's about DI Siobhan and clinical psychologist Tony Hill. Can be found on Youtube and Netflix.