By Shauna Deleon
Contributing Writer
A man has been traveling through space for as long as he can remember. He has encountered every possible species and battled in intergalactic wars that have changed the face of time as we know it. This man may look human and be called a physician, but he considers himself to be so much more. He is a Time Lord, fondly referred to as “The Doctor.”
“Doctor Who” is just one example of a British show you may not know about but might want to watch if you’re ready to branch out from what you’re used to.
Barring living as a monk from your birth or being a self-imposed hermit, you have watched television at some point in your life. This could include popular shows, critically acclaimed series, or anything in between. What you may never have watched, though, are shows from across the Atlantic, especially British TV.
You can judge for yourself if they’re better than your usual American fare, but IMDB ratings say they usually are. Here is a guide to find out which may be the right fit for you.
Shows About Out-of-Control Teenagers
Watching the lives of fictional characters spin out of control can be extremely satisfying and the fact that these shows do this with teens only makes them more enjoyable.
“MISFITS” (IMDB Rating: 8.4/10)
Rich Johnston from the “Bleeding Cool” blog calls this show “something very British, very grounded, and the empowering of a disenfranchised underclass.” It features a group of youngsters with anti-social behavior orders (commonly known in Britain as ASBOs) who are placed in a community service center for punishment. Everything goes awry, though, when a thunderstorm comes into town, striking them and giving them all superpowers.
Common themes are sex, drugs, and a little rock and roll. So, the rock and roll may not be completely true, but if you love indie music with a bit of EDM and dubstep thrown in, this is a must-see. Every episode contains impressive humor and original plot-lines that will keep you wondering what’s coming in the next episode.
“SKINS” (IMDB Rating: 7.9/10)
“So far, so Dawson’s Creek. But what makes Skins different to all those American teen dramas is its edge–and comedy,” said Leigh Holmwood on the “Guardian” blog “Organ Grinder.” Yes, this show may be a lesser caliber than “Misfits,” but it still hosts a group of dysfunctional teens who let you revel in the fact that you did not grow up in London, even if it’s for a short period of time.
“Skins” is about a group of friends who are all attending the same college (high school in American terms) but spend most of their time focusing on everything but school. They attend parties, crash cars into rivers, and fight with their parents like typical teens but with British flair.
If you are looking to lose yourself in a semi-realistic world of young people who do all the things you wished you had the guts to do back in your lower education days, then start watching as soon as possible.
“THE INBETWEENERS” (IMDB Rating: 8.3/10)
From a review of this raunchy teen comedy, Joe McNally wrote in “The Independent” that “like ‘Skins,’ it can be viewed and certainly relished by any adult with an open mind; after all, everyone was a teenager once.”
Its themes are those commonly bouncing around a teenage boy’s brain, but it presents them in a way that can be enjoyed by anyone. This show just wants you to have a good time watching it and to laugh at the ridiculous situations the four protagonists get themselves into every day without fail. If you’re looking for shallow humor with an emphasis on quick laughs, then it’s for you.
Shows About Equally Out-of-Control Adults
If you thought far-fetched scenarios in real-world settings were just for the kids of the U.K., you will be pleasantly surprised by these shows about adults that don’t quite have their lives together..
“THE OFFICE” (IMDB Rating: 8.6/10)
Yes, there is a British version of “The Office” and it indeed came first. The characters and plots are basically the same as the U.S. version’s first few seasons, but it also includes that acerbic wit our former motherland is so well-known for. You should be watching this show if you want more subtle jokes, a look at British office life, and Ricky Gervais in one of his earliest TV roles. Only a tenth of a point lower than Steve Carell’s office offerings, you won’t be amiss in reliving many fond moments between Dwight and Jim, well, Tim and Gareth.
As “Matt” so fondly put it in his review of the entire series on the website “Ruthless Reviews,” “Few American shows ever have the courage to leave an audience wanting more, which speaks to our stupidity and our greed.”
“DOWNTON ABBEY” (IMDB Rating: 8.7/10)
“This fantasy of enlightened management is comforting, especially in its portrayal of a system in which knowing your place was pretty much all it took to remain in your place,” said Carina Chocano from “The New Yorker.”
Even though this show is about an aristocratic family in northern England during the early part of 20th century, there is an air of utter chaos within its castle walls.
Butlers are going to jail for murder, foreign dignitaries are dying in heiresses’ beds and chauffeurs are falling in love with nobility. This is a show you need to be watching if you prefer your radical drama behind a screen to your own life. You will not only get the serious themes about responsibility and tradition but you will also get the comedic themes of bickering old ladies and jealousy after unrequited love. It has everything you would have never thought you’d be interested and Dame Maggie Smith to round it all out.
Shows About Crimes Against Humanity
Not only are the British masterful in their approach to comedy, their take on crime dramas, whether it be alien criminals or human offenders, leaves nothing to be desired. If you wish to sit on the edge of your seat for hours on end, check out these psychologically thrilling programmes.
“LUTHER” (IMDB Rating: 8.5/10)
“Luther” turns everything you’ve come to expect from crime dramas on its head. Starting off with a cop who has just been released from a mental health institution, you know that this man approaches law like no detective you’ve ever seen. The seasons are extremely short, but each episode packs a heartbreaking punch that will leave you reeling for some time. Watch this show for its suspense, unexpected plot twists and intellectual character development.
Regarding the character of John Luther, “The most fascinating thing about him is that he keeps getting involved with shady characters not because he’s shady himself, but because he wants to make things better faster than the law will allow,” said Matt Zoller Seitz, writing for “Vulture.”
“DOCTOR WHO” (IMDB Rating: 8.7/10)
Regaining a major cult following since returning in 2005 after leaving the air in 1989, “Doctor Who” is one of those shows you can’t help but love. It has a lovable main character, compelling sidekicks, and a story that’s so fantastical you just have to go with it. Each episode deals with a problem that needs to be fixed in order for the world to continue on, but you never doubt for too long that the Doctor will have the answer by the time the screen has turned to black.
Tune in if you’re looking for constantly interesting plots, realistic special effects, and a fantastic array of British accents that will keep you on your toes.
