Britain's Best TV Shows the US tried to Remake
by gabriellecanfly | created - 18 Sep 2013 | updated - 18 Sep 2013 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Coupling (2000–2004)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
Six best friends talk about all aspects of sex and relationships on their never-ending quest to find true love.
Stars: Jack Davenport, Gina Bellman, Sarah Alexander, Kate Isitt
Votes: 47,708
A British television sitcom written by Steven Moffat that aired on BBC2 from May 2000 to June 2004. Produced by Hartswood Films for the BBC, the show centres on the dating and sexual adventures and mishaps of six friends in their thirties, often depicting the three women and the three men each talking among themselves about the same events, but in entirely different terms. ~Wikipedia
2. Coupling (2003)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
The mating ritual can get messy. Steve's with Jane but he's suddenly hot for Susan who met Steve through Jeff whom Susan used to go out with though she's just dumped Patrick despite the great sex so Patrick's asked Sally out.
Stars: Colin Ferguson, Jay Harrington, Lindsay Price, Christopher Moynihan
Votes: 1,144
A 2003 American remake of the British television sitcom of the same title, which aired on NBC. ~Wikipedia
3. Being Human (2008–2013)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost try to live together and get along.
Stars: Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner, Sinéad Keenan
Votes: 26,540
A British supernatural drama television series. It was created and written by Toby Whithouse for broadcast on BBC Three.[1] The show blends elements of flatshare comedy and horror drama. It originally starred Lenora Crichlow as Annie Sawyer (a ghost), Russell Tovey as George Sands (a werewolf) and Aidan Turner as John Mitchell (a vampire) — all of whom were sharing accommodation and attempting as best as they can to live a "normal" life and blend in with the ordinary humans around them. In the third series, Sinead Keenan became part of the main cast as Nina Pickering (a werewolf). In the fourth series the ensemble was joined by Michael Socha as Tom McNair (a werewolf) and Damien Molony as Hal Yorke (a vampire). The fifth series added Kate Bracken as Alex Miller (a ghost). The first two seasons were set in Totterdown, Bristol, and the third season onwards relocated to Barry, Wales. ~Wikipedia
4. Being Human (2011–2014)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Three twenty-somethings share a house and try to live a normal life despite being a ghost, a werewolf, and a vampire.
Stars: Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, Sam Huntington, Kristen Hager
Votes: 26,894
A supernatural drama television series broadcast on Syfy in the United States and on Space in Canada... And is a remake of the BBC show of the same name... The series revolves around three roommates living in Boston who appear to be in their twenties. The trio try to live a normal life despite being a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf. ~Wikipedia
5. Life on Mars (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 959 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
After a near-fatal car accident, smart, savvy, sharp-suited detective Sam is mysteriously transported back to 1973. Confused by his new surroundings, Sam tries to return to the present, but the police force of long ago needs his help.
Stars: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews
Votes: 32,424
Life on Mars is a British television series broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007. The series combines elements of science fiction and police procedural, featuring an officer from the Greater Manchester Police (played by John Simm) who travels back in time after being involved in a road accident. The title is a reference to David Bowie's 1973 single "Life on Mars?" ~Wikipedia
6. Life on Mars (2008–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.
Stars: Jason O'Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Jonathan Murphy
Votes: 10,729
It is an adaptation of the BAFTA-winning original UK series of the same name produced by the BBC. The series tells the story of New York City police detective Sam Tyler (played by Jason O'Mara), who, after being struck by a car in 2008, regains consciousness in 1973. Fringing between multiple genres, including thriller, science fiction and police procedural, the series remained ambiguous regarding its central plot, with the character himself unsure about his situation. ~Wikipedia
7. Queer as Folk (1999–2000)
TV-MA | 48 min | Comedy, Drama
A groundbreaking gay adult drama which chronicles the lives of Stuart and Vince, as well as 15-year-old Nathan, who is in love with Stuart.
Stars: Aidan Gillen, Craig Kelly, Charlie Hunnam, Denise Black
Votes: 7,614
A British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. ~Wikipedia
8. Queer as Folk (2000–2005)
TV-MA | 47 min | Drama, Romance
Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA.
Stars: Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison, Michelle Clunie
Votes: 22,457
Based on the British series created by Russell T Davies, Queer as Folk was the first hour-long drama on American television to portray the lives of gay men and women. Although it was set in Pittsburgh, PA, interior scenes were actually shot in Toronto. ~Wikipedia
9. Shameless (2004–2013)
TV-MA | 90 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
The lives and relationships of a group of siblings and their estranged father Frank Gallagher on a rough Manchester estate.
Stars: David Threlfall, Rebecca Atkinson, Alice Barry, Nicky Evans
Votes: 18,481
The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors. ~IMDB
10. Shameless (2011–2021)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
A scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family makes no apologies.
Stars: Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, Ethan Cutkosky, Jeremy Allen White
Votes: 285,525
An American television comedy-drama which airs on Showtime. It is a remake of the award-winning British series of the same name... The series follows the dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a single father of six children. While he spends his days drunk, his kids learn to take care of themselves. The show's producers sought to distinguish it from previous American working class shows by highlighting how Frank's alcoholism affects his family. ~Wikipedia
11. Blackpool (2004)
60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Soon after local entrepreneur Ripley Holden (Morrissey) opens his arcade in his beloved home town of Blackpool, a murder investigation makes tears at the fabric of his personal and professional lives.
Stars: David Morrissey, Sarah Parish, Thomas Morrison, David Tennant
Votes: 2,554
The plot concerns the murder of a young man in a Blackpool arcade, and how it affects the people involved in the arcade and the investigation. ~Wikipedia
12. Viva Laughlin (2007)
60 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
Small-time casino owner, Ripley Holden, dreams of opening up a snazzy resort on the Laughlin Strip. Based on the BBC murder-mystery-musical series, "Blackpool."
Stars: Sebastian Tillinger, Carter Jenkins, Jenny Mollen, Lloyd Owen
Votes: 576
An American musical comedy-drama series adapted by Bob Lowry and Peter Bowker (creator of the original series) from the popular BBC British serial, Blackpool, and taking its name from the latter program's sequel, Viva Blackpool... Businessman Ripley Holden, whose ambition is to run a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. It occasionally has the actors break into contemporary song. Ripley has invested all his money into opening a casino that is nowhere near completion, when his financing suddenly falls through. Needing an investor, Ripley approaches his rival, wealthy casino owner Nicky Fontana; but Fontana wants to own the casino himself, and Ripley turns down the deal. Ripley becomes embroiled in a murder investigation after the body of his ex-business partner is found at his casino. ~Wikipedia
13. Cracker (1993–1996)
TV-MA | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Dr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a criminal psychologist. He is rather anti-social and obnoxious but he has a gift for solving crimes. Thus he is employed as a consultant by the Manchester Police.
Stars: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Kieran O'Brien, Barbara Flynn
Votes: 7,873
A British crime drama series produced by Granada Television for ITV and created and principally written by Jimmy McGovern. The series is centered on a criminal psychologist (or "cracker"), Dr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald, played by Robbie Coltrane. ~Wikipedia
14. Cracker: Mind Over Murder (1997–1998)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Unconventional psychologist Gerry "Fitz" Fitzgerald is one of the best police interrogators in the business, mostly because his own quirks and perversities help him get inside the criminal mind.
Stars: Robert Pastorelli, Carolyn McCormick, Josh Hartnett, Robert Wisdom
Votes: 450
An innovative but disturbing take on the standard police-detective genre, the Americanized Cracker consists of sixteen one-hour episodes set in Los Angeles. It stars Robert Pastorelli as criminal psychologist Gerry 'Fitz' Fitzgerald and a young Josh Hartnett. Robbie Coltrane, the star of the original British series, appears as a villain in one episode. ~Wikipedia
15. Eleventh Hour (2006)
TV-14 | 90 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Patrick Stewart stars as science professor Ian Hood, who works for the Home Office as a consultant on special dangerous cases that involve deadly viruses, cloning experiments etc. Special Branch agent Rachel Young is his partner.
Stars: Patrick Stewart, Ashley Jensen, Donald Sumpter, Nicholas Woodeson
Votes: 887
A four-part British television series developed by Granada Television for ITV by writer Stephen Gallagher. It follows the adventures of Professor Ian Hood (played by Patrick Stewart), Special Advisor to the government's Joint Sciences Committee, who troubleshoots threats stemming from or targeting "scientific endeavour." He is joined by Rachel Young (played by Ashley Jensen), a Special Branch operative who acts primarily as his bodyguard, as Hood has made powerful enemies through his work. ~Wikipedia
16. Eleventh Hour (2008–2009)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A government scientist and his tough, attractive FBI handler try to save people from deadly scientific experiments, poisoners, rare diseases, and environmental hazards.
Stars: Rufus Sewell, Marley Shelton, Omar Benson Miller, Sarah Ospina
Votes: 4,249
An American science-based drama television series, which is based on the 2006 British series of the same name... Eleventh Hour follows Dr. Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell), a brilliant biophysicist and Special Science Adviser for the FBI who is brought in to investigate crimes of a scientific nature that other agents may be unable to solve. Hood is the government's last line of defense, and it is his mission to keep scientific advances out of the hands of those with nefarious intentions. Special Agent Rachel Young (Marley Shelton), of the FBI's executive protection detail, is assigned to protect Hood. Both Dr. Hood and Special Agent Young are assisted by Special Agent Felix Lee (Omar Benson Miller), towards the end of the series. ~Wikipedia
17. Free Agents (2009)
22 min | Comedy, Drama
Alex Taylor (Stephen Mangan) works for CMA, a successful talent agency. Whilst he is grateful for his job, he is currently going through a messy divorce, causing him to become depressed. ... See full summary »
Stars: Sharon Horgan, Stephen Mangan, Anthony Head, Matthew Holness
Votes: 397
[A British romantic black comedy] about Alex Taylor (Mangan) who works for CMA, a successful talent agency. Whilst he is grateful for his job, he is currently going through a messy divorce, causing him to become depressed. His boss however, Stephen Cauldwell (Head), is sex-obsessed, cocksure and roguish. Alex later meets Helen Ryan (Horgan), a co-worker who is more successful and herself recovering from a messy relationship, after her boyfriend died months before her wedding. ~Wikipedia
18. Free Agents (2011–2012)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Alex is recently divorced, and Helen lost her fiance a year ago. Obviously, these two are definitely not ready to be dating again. So naturally, they end up in bed together one night. Oops.... See full summary »
Stars: Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn, Mo Mandel, Natasha Leggero
Votes: 1,471
An American re-make of a British workplace sitcom... [following] the lives of two public relations executives at an advertising firm in Portland, Oregon: Alex Taylor (Hank Azaria), who is recently divorced, and Helen Ryan (Kathryn Hahn), a woman trying to move on after the death of her fiancé. They discover that they seem to have an attraction for each other, and have a drunken one-night stand, but try to stay professional at work, where their friends will do anything to get them to re-enter the dating scene. ~Wikipedia
19. Gavin & Stacey (2007–2024)
TV-14 | 29 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Gavin and Stacey have been continuing their romance on-line and by telephone for the last six months. Now they want to be together but will their friends and family let them?
Stars: Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Alison Steadman, Ruth Jones
Votes: 22,711
A British comedy television series sitcom that follows the long-distance relationship of Gavin (Mathew Horne) from Billericay in Essex, England, who lives with his parents and Stacey (Joanna Page) from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales who lives with her mother.
20. Us & Them (2014–2015)
144 min | Comedy
Focuses on the key life moments for Gavin and Stacey, who try to maintain their relationship while combining their polarizing families' lives.
Stars: Jason Ritter, Alexis Bledel, Kerri Kenney, Ashlie Atkinson
Votes: 298
Modeled after Gavin & Stacy
21. George & Mildred (1976–1979)
30 min | Comedy
George and Mildred Roper have just moved into a middle-class neighborhood.
Stars: Yootha Joyce, Brian Murphy, Norman Eshley, Sheila Fearn
Votes: 1,718
A British sitcom produced by Thames Television that aired from 1976 to 1979. It was a spin-off from Man About the House and starred Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce as an ill-matched married couple, George and Mildred Roper. The premise of the series had George and Mildred leaving their flat as depicted in Man About the House and moving to a modern, upmarket housing estate. Their arrival horrifies their snobbish neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile, an estate agent who despairs that the Ropers' presence will devalue his home. ~Wikipedia
22. The Ropers (1979–1980)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Stanley and Helen Roper sold their apartment complex and moved into a new one. Their characteristic quirks are intact as they deal with new neighbors and frequent visits from Helen's sister.
Stars: Norman Fell, Audra Lindley, Jeffrey Tambor, Patty McCormack
Votes: 1,138
The series is a spinoff of Three's Company and based on the British sitcom George and Mildred. The series focused on middle-aged couple Stanley and Helen Roper (played by Norman Fell and Audra Lindley) who were landlords to Jack, Janet, and Chrissy on Three's Company. ~Wikipedia
23. The Grimleys (1999–2001)
50 min | Comedy
Comedy series about the unfortunate misadventures of a misfit schoolboy, Gordon Grimley, set in 1970's Dudley.
Stars: James Bradshaw, Ryan Cartwright, Noddy Holder, Nigel Planer
Votes: 185
A nostalgic comedy-drama television series set on a council estate in Dudley, West Midlands, England in the mid-1970s... The Grimleys follows the ups and downs of the dysfunctional Grimley family and their struggle with everyday life [and the decline of the British National Health Service.] ~Wikipedia
24. The Grubbs (2002– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Randy Quaid, Carol Kane, Michael Cera, Brian Sites
Votes: 56
The Grimleys follows the ups and downs of the dysfunctional Grimley family and their struggle with everyday life. Modeled after the BBC show The Grimleys.
25. Home to Roost (1985–1990)
25 min | Comedy
John Thaw is Henry Willows, a middle-aged man in middle-management who has been divorced from his wife for seven years and is perfectly happy with the arrangement. Apart from his prudish ... See full summary »
Stars: John Thaw, Reece Dinsdale, Elizabeth Bennett, Joan Blackham
Votes: 311
The premise is that Henry Willows is forty-something, who has been divorced from his wife for seven years and is perfectly happy living alone. That is, until his youngest child, Matthew arrives to live with him, after being thrown out by his mother. The plots generally revolved around Henry's annoyance at having his solitude disturbed, and the age gap clash. Henry employed two cleaners throughout the show's life; first Enid Thompson, and, in the third season, Fiona Fennell. ~Wikipedia
26. You Again? (1986–1987)
30 min | Comedy
Henry Willows has been divorced for ten years when his son Matt suddenly moves in. Matt is an irresponsible 17-year-old and sparks fly between conservative Henry and his son. Enid is Harry's housekeeper.
Stars: Jack Klugman, John Stamos, Elizabeth Bennett, Valerie Landsburg
Votes: 133
A man still embittered from his divorce ten years earlier, who had made no effort to see his son Matt (John Stamos) during that time. Henry had become fairly comfortable with his life as a supermarket manager and was not really looking to make major changes to it when Matt arrived looking to stay with his father, whom he hardly knew anymore. Matt was an ill-mannered but quite attractive youth who was very popular with the girls. He drove the gruff Henry almost over the edge, but of course in the end familial ties conquered all differences in sitcom tradition. Derived from the British programme home to Roost. ~Wikipedia
27. House of Cards (1990)
TV-14 | 57 min | Drama
The schemes of a ruthlessly ambitious British politician who will stop at nothing to get to the top.
Stars: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Alphonsia Emmanuel
Votes: 15,074
A 1990 political thriller television drama serial by the BBC in four episodes, set after the end of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It was televised from 18 November to 9 December 1990, to critical and popular acclaim. The story was adapted by Andrew Davies from a novel written by Michael Dobbs, a former Chief of Staff at Conservative Party headquarters. ~Wikipedia
28. House of Cards (2013–2018)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama
A Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright, Kate Mara
Votes: 530,974
It is an adaptation of a previous BBC miniseries of the same name, which is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs. Set in present day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina's 5th congressional district and the House Majority Whip who, after getting passed over for appointment to Secretary of State, decides to exact his revenge on those who betrayed him. ~Wikipedia
29. Keep It in the Family (1980–1983)
30 min | Comedy, Family
Dudley Rush is an artist with a difference. Eccentric and childlike, he insists of wearing his large lion ventriloquist glove-puppet on his hand whenever he draws the "Barney, the Bionic ... See full summary »
Stars: Robert Gillespie, Stacy Dorning, Glyn Houston, Pauline Yates
Votes: 106
A British comedy television series that aired for five seasons between 1980 and 1983. It was about a likable and mischievous British cartoonist, Dudley Rush. Also featured were Dudley's wife, Muriel and their two daughters, Jacqui and Susan. Dudley's literary agent, Duncan Thomas, was also featured. ~Wikipedia
30. Too Close for Comfort (1980–1987)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
In liberal San Francisco a conservative cartoonist tries to keep his two daughters, who rent an apartment below him, safe. In season 6 the cartoonist buys a small-town newspaper in Tiburon.
Stars: Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault, Jim J. Bullock, Deborah Van Valkenburgh
Votes: 2,703
...Modeled after the British series Keep It in the Family, which premiered nine months before Too Close for Comfort debuted in the U.S. Its name was changed to The Ted Knight Show when the show was retooled for its final season. ~Wikipedia
31. Little Britain (2003–2006)
TV-MA | 29 min | Comedy
Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the creators of this character-comedy sketch show, delight in all that is mad, bad, quirky and generally bonkers about the people and places of Britain.
Stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Tom Baker, Paul Putner
Votes: 26,129
A British character-based comedy sketch show.
32. Little Britain USA (2008)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The characters of the original 'Little Britain' and some new characters feature in this comedic exploration of the modern American society from, and starring, British comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams.
Stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Tom Baker, Brett Gentile
Votes: 6,716
An American spin-off-continuation of British sketch show, Little Britain, produced and aired by HBO.
33. Man About the House (1973–1976)
30 min | Comedy
Sitcom exploring the trials and tribulations created by one man and two women flat-sharing in the 70s.
Stars: Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce
Votes: 1,576
A British sitcom starring John Carlin, Norman Eshley, Doug Fisher, Yootha Joyce, Roy Kinnear, Brian Murphy, Richard O'Sullivan, Sally Thomsett and Paula Wilcox that was broadcast for six series on ITV from 15 August 1973 to 7 April 1976... The series was considered daring at the time due to its subject matter of a man sharing a flat with two single women. ~Wikipedia
34. Three's Company (1976–1984)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.
Stars: John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Richard Kline
Votes: 17,117
Three's Company went through a lengthy development process. Two different sets of writers attempted to Americanize the British Man About the House. Three pilot episodes were shot for Three's Company, a rarity for American television. ~ Wikipedia
35. Mistresses (2008–2010)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
The lives and loves of four female friends: Katie, a doctor having an affair with a patient; Trudi, a 9/11 widow; Siobhan, a barrister; and Jessica, a commitment phobe who plays the field.
Stars: Sarah Parish, Sharon Small, Orla Brady, Shelley Conn
Votes: 2,166
A British serial drama television programme that follows the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships. ~Wikipedia
36. Mistresses (I) (2013–2016)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama, Romance, Thriller
Follows the scandalous lives of a group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery as they brave the turbulent journey together.
Stars: Alyssa Milano, Jes Macallan, Rochelle Aytes, Yunjin Kim
Votes: 14,002
An American drama series based on the 2008–10 British series of the same name about the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships. ~Mistresses
37. Mind Your Language (1977–1986)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A diverse group of immigrants and foreigners learn English at an adult education school in London.
Stars: Barry Evans, George Camiller, Jacki Harding, Zara Nutley
Votes: 9,724
The show is set in an adult education college in London and focuses on the English as a Foreign Language class taught by Mr Jeremy Brown, portrayed by Barry Evans, who had to deal with a motley crew of foreign students. ~Wikipedia
38. What a Country (1986–1987)
30 min | Comedy
The trials and misadventures of a US citizenship teacher and his class of recent immigrants.
Stars: Garrett M. Brown, Vijay Amritraj, George Murdock, Harry Waters Jr.
Votes: 52
Based on the British sitcom Mind Your Language, the series follows the theme of an American English language teacher (played by Garrett M. Brown) trying his best to teach a group of foreigners who are trying to pass the citizenship test. ~ Wikipedia
39. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,180
Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the programme is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Slough branch of the fictitious Wernham Hogg Paper Company. ~Wikipedia
40. The Office (2005–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.
Stars: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson
Votes: 711,932
The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience or a laugh track. It is an adaptation of the BBC series of the same name. ~Wikipedia
41. Porridge (1974–1977)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Crime
The prison life of Fletcher, a criminal serving a five-year sentence, as he strives to bide his time, keep his record clean, and refuses to be ground down by the prison system.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Brian Wilde, Fulton Mackay, Richard Beckinsale
Votes: 6,838
It stars Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale as two inmates at the fictional HMP Slade in Cumberland. "Doing porridge" is British slang for serving a prison sentence, porridge once being the traditional breakfast in UK prisons. ~Wikipedia
42. On the Rocks (1975–1976)
30 min | Comedy
Alamesa minimum security prison has four inmates in a friendly rivalry with their guards and warden.
Stars: Rick Hurst, José Pérez, Hal Williams, Bobby Sandler
Votes: 82
Based on the British series Porridge, the series centered around the inmates of Alomesa Minimum Security prison. The main setting was usually the cell block containing Hector Fuentes, Lester DeMott, and Nicky Palik. ~Wikipedia
43. Robin's Nest (1977–1981)
30 min | Comedy
Now a qualified chef, Robin from "Man About the House" (1973) sets up home with his girlfriend, and a business with his girlfriend's father.
Stars: Richard O'Sullivan, Tessa Wyatt, Tony Britton, David Kelly
Votes: 814
Robin and Vicky, who share a flat over a Chinese take-away, discover that their landlords, unable to pay the rent, have disappeared and that the building is in danger of re-possession. It is the practical Vicky who comes up with the perfect solution: Robin should take over the take-away and convert it into a bistro (The "Robin's nest" of the title). Robin cannot afford to go it alone so he has to go cap-in-hand to Vicky's father, James Nicholls (Tony Britton), to ask him to be his business partner. Although, Nicholls disapproves of Robin (believing him to be beneath his daughter), he knows a sensible business deal when it is offered to him – despite his failings, Robin is a brilliant chef – and he agrees. Lots of tension and misunderstandings are to arise from their mismatched relationship.
44. Three's a Crowd (1984–1985)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
Jack Tripper's co-habitation with Vicky Bradford is complicated by her hostile father's interference as Jack's landlord.
Stars: John Ritter, Mary Cadorette, Alan Campbell, Robert Mandan
Votes: 1,037
It is loosely based on the British TV series Robin's Nest, which was itself a spin-off of Man About the House, on which Three's Company was based. ~Wikipedia
45. Teachers (2001–2004)
TV-MA | 50 min | Comedy, Drama
Comedy drama that follows the exploits of school staff both inside and out of the classroom.
Stars: Ursula Holden Gill, Lloyd McGuire, Gillian Bevan, Ellen Thomas
Votes: 3,887
The series follows a group of secondary school teachers in their daily lives.
46. Teachers. (2006)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
A comedy about teachers at a New Jersey high school.
Stars: Sarah Shahi, Kali Rocha, Sarah Alexander, Phil Hendrie
Votes: 558
The show ran for six episodes until its cancellation on May 2, 2006. Loosely based upon a UK series of the same name. Set in New Jersey, Teachers stars Justin Bartha as Jeff Cahill, a skilled, irreverent young English teacher at the fictitious Filmore High School, whose apparent apathy toward his job masks his actual wisdom concerning teaching at an underfunded school. ~Wikipedia
47. Skins (2007–2013)
TV-MA | 46 min | Drama
The story of a group of British teens who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness despite questionable parenting and teachers who would rather be friends (and lovers) than authority figures.
Stars: Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray
Votes: 93,108
A British teen drama that follows the lives of a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of sixth form. Its controversial storylines have explored issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness (such as eating disorders), adolescent sexuality, substance abuse, death and bullying... Skins proved to be atypical of ongoing drama series in that it replaced its primary cast every two years. ~Wikipedia
48. Skins (2011)
TV-14 | 42 min | Comedy, Drama
About a group of teenagers in their final years of high school in Baltimore.
Stars: Danny Flaherty, Ron Mustafa, James Newman, Jesse Carere
Votes: 5,830
It is a remake of the original UK show of the same name. As with the UK series, the American version features a cast of amateur actors and young writers. The series generated controversy in the United States over its sexual content, in which several advertisers withdrew and there were some accusations of child pornography since many of the series' cast members were under the age of 18. On June 9, 2011, MTV announced that they would not renew Skins for a second season, with a statement that "Skins is a global television phenomenon that, unfortunately, didn't connect with a US audience as much as we had hoped". ~Wikipedia
49. The Thick of It (2005–2012)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
Stars: Chris Addison, James Smith, Peter Capaldi, Joanna Scanlan
Votes: 26,132
A British comedy/drama television series that satirizes the inner workings of modern British government. ~Wikipedia
50. Veep (2012–2019)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy
Former Senator Selina Meyer finds that being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she hoped and everything that everyone ever warned her about.
Stars: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Reid Scott
Votes: 63,525
After The Thick of It was dropped by ABC... Iannucci re-entered talks with HBO about adapting the series, with the result that a new pilot episode for a series based in the office of the Vice President of the United States called Veep (a nickname derived from the position's initials "VP") was commissioned in late 2009. ~Wikipedia
51. Wild at Heart (2006–2012)
TV-14 | 47 min | Drama
The story of an English family who moves to the South African bush to set up and run a game reserve.
Stars: Stephen Tompkinson, Deon Stewardson, Nomsa Xaba, Thapelo Mokoena
Votes: 1,749
...About a veterinary surgeon and his family, who emigrate from Bristol, England to South Africa, where they attempt to rehabilitate a game reserve for wild animals and establish a veterinary surgery and animal hospital. ~Wikipedia
52. Life Is Wild (2007–2008)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
A new York veterinarian moves with his family -- his second wife and their two sets of kids -- to his father-in-law's game reserve in South Africa.
Stars: Mary Mouser, D.W. Moffett, Stephanie Niznik, Andrew St. John
Votes: 533
...From the popular British drama Wild at Heart. The show is about a New York veterinarian who moves his second wife and their two sets of children to a South African game reserve run by his former father-in-law. ~Wikipedia
53. Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
The lives and fortunes of the Bellamy family and their below-stairs servant staff at 165 Eaton Place play out against the social, political and historical backdrop of Edwardian London from 1903 to 1930.
Stars: Gordon Jackson, David Langton, Jean Marsh, Angela Baddeley
Votes: 3,568
It ran on ITV in 68 episodes divided into five series from 1971 to 1975. Set in a large townhouse in Edwardian, First World War and interwar Belgravia in London, the series depicts the lives of the servants "downstairs" and their masters—the family "upstairs"... The series stands as a document of the social and technological changes that occurred between 1903 and 1930. ~Wikipedia
Not to be confused with the recent 2010 revival.
54. Beacon Hill (1975– )
60 min | Drama
Soap opera about rich family and their servants in 1920s Boston.
Stars: Susan Blanchard, David Dukes, Michael Nouri, Linda Purl
Votes: 61
The show focused on the fictitious Lassiter family and their Irish servants who lived on Louisburg Square, in Boston's fashionable Beacon Hill area. It was considered to be an Americanized version of the popular British series, Upstairs, Downstairs, of which the premise was almost the same.[1] The wealthy family lived upstairs, and the servants ruled below-stairs. ~Wikipedia
55. Two's Company (1975–1979)
30 min | Comedy
An American author hires a British butler and discovers that they are polar opposites.
Stars: Elaine Stritch, Donald Sinden, John Savident, Penelope Keith
Votes: 275
Dorothy McNab (Stritch) is an American author living in London. As she spends most of her days writing, she hires an English butler, Robert Hiller (Sinden), to help run her Chelsea home. Being the epitome of the English gentleman, Robert does not approve of Dorothy's lurid thriller novels or her American ways. Much of the comedy stems from the banter between the two, as they continually disagree due to their cultural differences and often try to outwit each other. ~Wikipedia
56. The Two of Us (1981–1982)
30 min | Comedy
Television talk-show host and single mother Nan Gallagher needs help managing her home, so she places an ad in the newspaper for a housekeeper and English butler Robert Brentwood answers it... See full summary »
Stars: Peter Cook, Mimi Kennedy, Oliver Clark, Dana Hill
Votes: 64
The Two of Us is an American comedy series starring Peter Cook and Mimi Kennedy which was broadcast from 1981 to 1982. It was produced by CBS as a US remake of the British LWT sitcom Two's Company. Cook plays an English butler named Brentwood, who was working for a single American mother, Nan Gallagher (Kennedy). A young Dana Hill played Nan's daughter, Gabby. ~Wikipedia
57. Steptoe and Son (1962–1974)
TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy
British sitcom about a father-and-son rag-and-bone business in London. The intergenerational divide between the miserly Steptoe and his ambitious son results in comedy, drama, and tragedy.
Stars: Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H. Corbett, Frank Thornton, Tim Buckland
Votes: 3,422
A British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about two men who deal in selling used items. They live on Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. ~Wikipedia
58. Sanford and Son (1972–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.
Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Don Bexley
Votes: 10,807
An American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son... known for its edgy racial humor, running gags and catch phrases, the series was adapted by Norman Lear and considered NBC's answer to Archie Bunker... Sanford and Son stars Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a widower and junk dealer living at 9114 S. Central Ave. in the Watts neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, California and Demond Wilson as his son Lamont Sanford. ~Wikipedia
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