The 23 best shows on BritBox to stream right now (February 2026)

Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989–2013)

Based on the iconic whodunit novels by Agatha Christie, Poirot follows the titular meticulous French detective (David Suchet) as he gets to the bottom of gripping, thrilling murder mysteries. Set in Britain and various locations around the world during the roaring ’20s and glamorous ’30s, this series features enough art deco interiors, flapper dresses, and cigarette smoke to satisfy any period drama lover. —Meg Walters

Where to watch Agatha Christie’s Poirot: BritBox

Cast: David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran

Being Human (2008–2013)

This fan-favorite sci-fi dramedy follows a trio of supernatural beings integrating with modern society. Werewolf George Sands (Russell Tovey) and vampire John Mitchell (Aidan Turner) are best friends who do their best to accommodate their particular needs in order to fit in. They decide to move into a house together, not knowing it’s already inhabited by a ghost named Annie Sawyer (Lenora Crichlow). 

Blending multiple genres, Being Human is self-aware enough to understand the inherent comedy in its premise but still makes you care about the main trio and their all-too-human efforts to find acceptance. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Being Human: BritBox

Cast: Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner, Sinead Keenan, Michael Socha

A Bit of Fry & Laurie (1987–1990)

This lesser-known British show is the vehicle that shot Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry to fame. Before they were known for their more serious acting roles, this duo, who initially met at university, made a splash with their sketch comedy, which features a supporting cast that includes the likes of Rowan Atkinson, Phyllida Law, Imelda Staunton, and many other icons of British TV. 

On A Bit of Fry & Laurie, the pair write and act in hilarious, bitingly clever comic sketches that poke fun at everything and everyone. It’s easy viewing that will leave you in stitches. —M.W.

Where to watch A Bit of Fry & Laurie: BritBox

Cast: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie

Blackadder (1983–1989)

This comedic historical sitcom follows a bloodline of self-interested, ambitious men through multiple eras. Each of the four seasons is set in a different time period, starting with Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) and his associate Baldrick (Tony Robinson) at the end of the British Middle Ages, followed by their descendants during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign; then two more descendants during the Regency era; and finally a fourth generation during World War I. Packed with gags and a clever perspective on British history, Blackadder is essential viewing on BritBox. —K.J.

Where to watch Blackadder: BritBox

Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson

Blue Lights (2023–present)

Police procedurals are a dime a dozen on British television, but this popular series about three new recruits to a Belfast police station stands apart from the more standard fare. Blue Lights follows former social worker Grace Ellis (Siân Brooke), the opinionated Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin), and the charming but inept Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff) as they navigate the precarious nature of their job, experiencing harassment, witnessing gang violence, and making tough calls.

The series balances various tones deftly, portraying the culture of violence in the city with proper realism but making room for humor as needed. —K.J.

Where to watch Blue Lights: BritBox

Cast: Siân Brooke, Katherine Devlin, Nathan Braniff, Richard Dormer

Chewing Gum (2015–2017)

Based on her one-man show Chewing Gum Dreams, Michaela Coel created, wrote, and starred in this two-season sitcom about a young religious woman trying to lose her virginity. Coel plays Tracey Gordon, a shop assistant who no longer wishes to keep her sexual desires in check and goes on a mission to do the deed.

Naturally, the awkwardness of sex and relationships in the modern age comes into play, and Coel’s penchant for observational humor and farce makes this an uncomfortably realistic yet hilarious watch. —K.J.

Where to watch Chewing Gum: BritBox

Cast: Michaela Coel, Robert Lonsdale

Doctor Who classic era (1963–1989)

When it comes to British TV, few shows can boast the cult following or icon status enjoyed by Doctor Who. This legendary family-friendly sci-fi series has been loved by numerous generations since it first hit screens in 1963, and now, you can watch nearly all of its classic era on BritBox. 

The show follows the Doctor (played by numerous Brits over the years), a human-like alien who, along with his human “companions,” travels through time in the magical telephone box-shaped TARDIS, encountering creatures and famous figures from the past as they rewrite events in history. —M.W.

Where to watch classic Doctor Who: BritBox

Cast: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison

Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

Downton Abbey took the world by storm with a window into the lives of those at the grand titular estate — both the historic Crawley family (Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith) and their servants downstairs (Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt). 

Filled with intrigue, secrets, rivalries, romance, plot twists, and swoon-worthy costumes, Downton Abbey is stuffed to the brim with our favorite British tropes. But, ultimately, this is a period drama that puts women at the center of the story. As creator Julian Fellowes told EW, „The show is about female independence.“ —M.W.

Where to watch Downton Abbey: BritBox

Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle

Extras (2005–2007)

Ricky Gervais went from deriding office culture to lampooning show business with this acclaimed two-season gem. He stars as Andy Milliman, an aspiring actor who is mostly only offered work as an extra for film and TV, alongside his best friend, Maggie (Ashley Jensen). The series features at least one major cameo per episode from a star playing an exaggerated version of themselves, whom Andy typically tries to schmooze with to improve his standing in the industry. 

Blending Gervais’ trademark cringe comedy with an underlying emotional resonance for anyone who’s toiled away at their dreams for years, Extras is one of the best showbiz satires out there. —K.J.

Where to watch Extras: BritBox

Cast: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, Shaun Pye

The Fall (2013–2016)

This gripping crime drama follows Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) as she engages in a game of cat and mouse with serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). Gibson diligently tracks Spector — who puts up a front as a family man — and his pattern of targeting young female professionals. 

The series delves into the psychology of both characters, giving insight into how they are each defined by their particular obsessions, and how those manifest in very different ways. —K.J.

Where to watch The Fall: BritBox

Cast: Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan

House of Cards (1990)

Before the six-season U.S. remake, there was this riveting miniseries about a British politician’s ruthless quest for power. Ian Richardson stars as Frank Urquhart, the House of Commons Chief Whip who subtly (and not-so-subtly) manipulates his associates and a young journalist with whom he’s having an affair. And, as with the Netflix version, Frank lets us revel in his Machiavellian schemes by breaking the fourth wall.

Universally acclaimed upon its release, House of Cards is pure Shakespearean drama for a cynical modern age. —K.J.

Where to watch House of Cards: BritBox

Cast: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Malcolm Tierney

The IT Crowd (2006–2013)

No one really knows what kind of business is being run in The IT Crowd, and that vagueness just accentuates the comedy. This beloved sitcom centers on three members of the IT department at the fictional Reynholm Industries — technicians Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Maurice (Richard Ayoade) and their (ironically) technologically illiterate manager Jen (Katherine Parkinson). 

Confined to the dingy basement, the motley crew doesn’t get much respect, but their dynamic is hilariously relatable for anyone just trying to make it through the day in a dead-end office job. —K.J.

Where to watch The IT Crowd: BritBox

Cast: Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Matt Berry

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge went through a period in the late 2010s where she could do no wrong, and the first season of Killing Eve is included in that assessment. This British spy thriller follows an MI5 agent (Sandra Oh) and a psychopathic serial killer (Jodie Comer) as they engage in a cat-and-mouse game of hunting each other. Waller-Bridge served as the first season’s head writer before passing the torch, and each of the next three seasons is crafted by a different female head writer.

Adapted from the Villanelle novel series, this antihero drama offers great acting, beautiful costuming, and thrilling strategy, all tied up in distinctly British packaging. As EW’s writer notes in the recap of the series finale, „Killing Eve is often so much fun, moment to moment, that you start to forget how very, fundamentally bad these people are.” —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Killing Eve: BritBox

EW grade: B+

Cast: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia, Owen McDonnell

Law & Order: UK (2009–2014)

The first American series to be adapted for British TV was none other than — dun-dun — Law & Order. Dick Wolf took his operation across the pond to produce eight seasons of Law & Order: UK, all of which aired on ITV. Now operating within the British legal system, Americans might be surprised by the number of wigs worn in court, but the show’s basic structure and arc are the same.

The U.K. version follows Detective Sergeant Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) as he works cases in London’s Major Incident Unit, mentors his junior partner, Detective Sergeant Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber), and attempts to contend with his personal life. Law & Order: UK is the same show Americans know and love, but with fresh characters, different accents, and a new country’s legal system to navigate. —I.G.

Where to watch Law & Order: UK: BritBox

Cast: Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber, Harriet Walter, Ben Daniels, Freema Agyeman

Luther (2010–2019)

This addictive crime procedural stars Idris Elba as John Luther, a Detective Chief Inspector haunted by the bleak nature of his chosen career. Each episode finds him investigating a heinous crime and chasing down the perpetrators. Throughout the series, he also develops an uneasy relationship with Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), a psychopathic mastermind killer whom he begins to value as an asset in his investigations. 

Elba, in a Golden Globe-winning performance, is endlessly compelling as the broody title character, elevating what could have been a standard crime drama with ambiguity and nuance. —K.J.

Where to watch Luther: BritBox

Cast: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Paul McGann, Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley

Mr. Bean (1990–1995)

Americans are likely best acquainted with Rowan Atkinson through his work on the holiday film Love Actually. (Atkinson plays the jewelry counter clerk whose deliberate gift wrapping drives Alan Rickman’s character to near breakdown.) But Brits best know the actor from Mr. Bean, his 15-episode sitcom which aired for five years on ITV.

Atkinson plays the titular role, a clueless man who lives alone, rarely speaks, and struggles to exist as a functional adult in the world. The show is a study in character creation, physical comedy, and nonverbal storytelling. As a former EW senior writer explains in an overview of Atkinson’s work, “Quite simply, he’s one of the finest silent comedians alive.” —I.G.

Where to watch Mr. Bean: BritBox

Cast: Rowan Atkinson

The Office (2001–2003)

When you think about The Office, most people recall the long-running American sitcom, but it all began with this British original starring (and co-created by) Ricky Gervais. Filmed in the mockumentary format, the cringe comedy follows workers at a paper company led by buffoonish boss David Brent (Gervais), whose self-awareness is worlds apart from how his employees perceive him. 

The series only lasted 12 episodes plus a Christmas special, but its well-observed commentary on workplace culture and instantly distinct characters helped inspire numerous adaptations around the world. —K.J.

Where to watch The Office: BritBox

Cast: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

While there are dozens (and dozens) of period dramas to choose from on BritBox, few are up to par with 1995’s Pride and Prejudice. This six-part miniseries follows the novel to a tee, taking viewers on the famous enemies-to-lovers romance of the snobbish Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) and the free-spirited Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle).

With stunning costumes, pitch-perfect performances, and some of the best sexual tension ever seen on TV, this classic Jane Austen adaptation is a must-watch for period drama fans. —M.W.

Where to watch Pride and Prejudice: BritBox

Cast: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Adrian Lukis, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow

Prime Suspect (1991–2006)

Helen Mirren elevated her stardom with her award-winning turn as Jane Tennison in this sharp police procedural. As a rare female Detective Chief Inspector, Tennison must deal with sexism from male colleagues, though her tenacity proves them wrong time and time again.

Over the course of 15 episodes, the series touches on numerous socially relevant themes, from misogyny to institutionalized racism to abortion, while unafraid to portray Tennison as a flawed person with plenty of vices. —K.J.

Where to watch Prime Suspect: BritBox

Cast: Helen Mirren, John Benfield, Richard Hawley

QI (2003–present)

The Brits aren’t just known for their period dramas and thrillers — they also make some of the world’s best panel shows. QI, a questionnaire-style series, features the legendary Stephen Fry in the role of schoolmaster (from 2003 to 2016), Alan Davies as the naughty schoolboy, and a rotating cast of comedians, actors, and politicians as the other panelists. 

Questions revolve around the weird and wonderful little-known facts that span science, history, culture, and just about every other topic under the sun. Prepare to learn a few „quite interesting“ tidbits and laugh a lot on the way. —M.W.

Where to watch QI: BritBox

Cast: Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Alan Davies

Red Dwarf (1988–1999; 2009–2020)

Cult favorite sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf is one of the longer series on this list, but it’s worth the investment. A lowly technician named Dave Lister (Chris Barrie) is aboard a mining spacecraft called Red Dwarf and placed in stasis, where he lays suspended in animation for 3 million years. He finally awakens and is astonished to learn how long it’s been, now accompanied by only a hologram of his former co-worker; a humanoid evolution of his cat; and the ship’s computer. 

The crew engages in all manner of space travel (and time travel) shenanigans, and the series evolves greatly over its healthy original run from 1988 to 1999 and its revival from 2009 to 2020. —K.J.

Where to watch Red Dwarf: BritBox

Cast: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge

Sherlock (2010–2017)

Over the course of four seasons, this take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant detective has become the definitive version for 21st-century audiences. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the hyper-observant Sherlock Holmes, who teams up with his flatmate, Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman), to solve particularly challenging cases and face classic foes like Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott in a breakout role), all while bickering with each other. 

What makes Sherlock such a satisfying watch is how it updates Doyle’s 19th-century stories for the modern age, as well as the charming interplay between Cumberbatch and Freeman. —K.J.

Where to watch Sherlock: BritBox

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Andrew Scott

Vera (2011–2025)

Brenda Blethyn stars as the no-nonsense Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in this long-running crime drama, based on the book series by Ann Cleeves. Vera is doggedly devoted to her work to the point of sacrificing a personal life — though she certainly has her demons, particularly the death of her father. 

Like Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote or Peter Falk’s Frank Columbo on Columbo, Vera is gifted at deducing the truth, and Blethyn’s complex, vanity-free performance makes the series a refreshing alternative to other crime dramas of its variety. —K.J.

Where to watch Vera: BritBox

Cast: Brenda Blethyn, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones, Kenny Doughty, Ibinado Jack