21 British TV Shows Americans Are Missing Out On

There are so many great shows the world is missing out on.

We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community which British TV shows all Americans should watch. Here are some of the best responses...

1. Chewing Gum

Retort / FremantleMedia International

"You'll start wondering 'Why am I watching this?', then you get hooked. And all you can do is tell your friends about this weird show about a British girl trying to lose her virginity."

– christyv465775f0c

2. Peaky Blinders

Tiger Aspect Productions / Endemol UK

"Peaky Blinders is a perfect crime drama where the criminal is the protagonist. You will be intrigued by the thieves' honor Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, follows – it's well worth the watch."

– e4a4a6a1c0

3. The IT Crowd

FremantleMedia / Channel 4

"The funniest thing I've ever seen. The dry humor mixed with situational perfection is so good."

– kaylgill

4. My Mad Fat Diary

Tiger Aspect Productions / Endemol UK

"It's honestly one of the best shows I've ever watched and is so sad but so funny and heartwarming at times. I love it."

– alicebenton06

"It's about a teenage girl and her struggles with her binge eating disorder. She comes out of the hospital and joins a new group of friends. There is a lot of heart, relatable struggles, and funny moments. And it's set in the '90s, so it's fabulous."

– eclaire95

5. The Great British Bake Off

Love Productions / BBC

"The Great British Bake Off is a very wholesome and sweet show to watch. It’s a baking competition but so much more laidback and calmer than American cooking shows."

– gabiithegreat

6. Misfits

Clerkenwell Films / E4

"It's a show about teenagers who get superpowers while doing community service. It's probably the most realistic depiction of what people would ACTUALLY do with any kind of special abilities. The comedy is well done, the occasional dramatic bits are really compelling, and overall the writing and acting come together in a way that makes for superb television."

– yougomollycoco

7. The Inbetweeners

Bwark Productions / E4

"The Inbetweeners will make you cry laughing while you cringe so much your shoulders will tense up. Four friends go through the most universally awkward years of their lives together, trying almost too hard to be 'cool' amongst their peers. School, partying, vacations, relationships… it's a classic coming-of-age comedy that's relatable now matter how old the viewer is."

– yougomollycoco

8. The Hour

BBC Two

"The Hour is a spectacular drama that was cancelled way before its time. It takes place in the mid-1950s, and deals with journalism in a particularly tumultuous time, considering rampant fear of communism, and takes on detective-y tones along the way. The show, from acting to writing and producing, is all well done. Even though it was cut after two seasons, it's a show that will leave you feeling very satisfied once you've finished."

– yougomollycoco

9. Luther

BBC Drama Productions

"An amazing series showing the darkness that can eat away at someone who spends day in and day out seeing horrible things."

– db1218

"It's so amazing. The criminals are so creative and the lead character is battling with inner demons while combatting terror on the streets of London. Amazing."

– dejan3

10. Skins

Company Pictures / All3Media

"It's a show about friendship and real-life problems that every teenager could relate to."

– carlaevezayn

"It honestly contains some of the most well-written teen characters ever on TV."

– Amanda Winkelman, Facebook

11. Outnumbered

Hat Trick Productions / BBC One

"I remember myself crying from laughter while watching this show. The actors are very natural. Highly recommended."

– mirayakincic

12. Broadchurch

Kudos Film and Television / ITV

"I lucked out and started watching it and it was fantastic. Great acting, cinematography, background music, and story. It's devastating and beautiful."

– Tasha Genck Morton, Facebook

13. Blackadder

BBC

"The first season is not my favorite, so start with Blackadder II. As an American it introduced me to Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, and of course Rowan Atkinson! The finale of Blackadder Goes Forth will crush you, but it is worth it!"

– Clair Warnicke, Facebook

14. Sherlock

Hartswood Films / BBC

"Sherlock is such an amazing and entertaining show! The episodes are quite long but they are incredibly interesting."

– gabiithegreat

15. The Fall

Fables Limited / BBC

"It's a suspenseful crime thriller starring the incredibly talented and gorgeous Gillian Anderson as Stella Gibson, a detective trying to catch serial killer Paul Spector, played by Jamie Dornan. It's well written, well acted, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat!"

– sarahxx17

16. Black Mirror

Endemol UK / Channel 4

"This show is insane but brilliant. Every single episode is a new story with another strange but plausible idea and a twist at the end that can leave you thinking about it for days. It's like the British version of The Twilight Zone, but up-to-date with technology and way more relevant."

– jessicak411e32390

17. Spaced

Big Talk / Channel 4

"Spaced is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen! It's about two friends who, in their desperation to find a new place to live, end up pretending to be a couple when they find a flat that's 'couples only'. It's from the creators of Shaun of the Dead and is especially great if you have an appreciation for sci-fi."

– caitlinm18

18. Secret Diary of a Call Girl

Tiger Aspect Productions / Endemol UK

"It's a lot of fun. Kind of like Sex and the City if Carrie was a high-class hooker."

– caitlinm18

19. The Office

BBC

"It's so amazing, and – don't get me wrong – I love the American version, but the British version has a super-amazing cast and it's absolutely hilarious! Plus who doesn't love young Martin Freeman?"

– constanzaruizdev

20. Peep Show

All3Media / Channel 4

"If you're a fan of dry humor and awkward moments this show is full of them."

– amandab4b3dd8ffb

21. Fleabag

BBC

"I've begged every one of my friends to watch it and they all loved it. It's so short it's almost like watching an extra-long movie. It's one of those shows that manages to be outrageously funny, raunchy, and somehow heartbreakingly poignant all at the same time. A must-watch!"

– jenniferc482c40dce

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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