Long Running British and Australian TV Soap Operas and Dramas
by tbell1826 | created - 05 Jan 2017 | updated - 05 Jan 2017 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Coronation Street (1960– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Romance
The world's longest-running television soap, Coronation Street focuses on the everyday lives of working-class people in Manchester, England.
Stars: William Roache, Helen Worth, Barbara Knox, Sally Dynevor
Votes: 6,013
2. Emmerdale Farm (1972– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama
A soap opera set in a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales.
Stars: Christopher Chittell, Lucy Pargeter, Mark Charnock, Dominic Brunt
Votes: 3,522
3. The Bill (1984–2010)
TV-14 | Crime, Drama
Police drama series following officers and detectives from Sun Hill Police Station in East London.
Stars: Graham Cole, Jeff Stewart, Trudie Goodwin, Simon Rouse
Votes: 4,093
4. EastEnders (1985– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
The everyday lives of working-class inhabitants of Albert Square, a traditional Victorian square of terrace houses surrounding a park in the East End of London's Walford borough. The square includes the Queen Vic pub and a street market.
Stars: Adam Woodyatt, Steve McFadden, Letitia Dean, June Brown
Votes: 9,216
5. Crossroads (1964–1988)
30 min | Drama
The four-or-five-times-a-week adventures of a motel owner and her son, daughter and staff. Drama was never far away from the ringing of the reception bell.
Stars: Noele Gordon, Roger Tonge, Susan Hanson, Jane Rossington
Votes: 413
6. Casualty (1986– )
TV-PG | 50 min | Drama
The everyday lives of the people frequenting the frenetic Accident and Emergency department of Holby City Hospital.
Stars: Derek Thompson, Tony Marshall, Suzanne Packer, Ian Bleasdale
Votes: 3,687
7. Holby City (1999–2022)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
The everyday lives, professional and personal, of the doctors, nurses and patients who find themselves, for various reasons, in the wards of the frenetic cardiac unit of Holby City General Hospital.
Stars: Hugh Quarshie, Rosie Marcel, Jaye Jacobs, Bob Barrett
Votes: 2,617
8. Hollyoaks (1995– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Romance
Hollyoaks takes a look at the lives, loves, and careers of a group of teenage friends and their families as they graduate through GCSEs, A-Levels, and College into the world of work.
Stars: Nick Pickard, Ashley Taylor Dawson, Kieron Richardson, Jennifer Metcalfe
Votes: 4,492
9. Family Affairs (1997–2005)
30 min | Drama
British soap opera focusing on the lives of residents in the fictional London suburb of Charnham.
Stars: Ebony Thomas, Nicola Duffett, David Easter, Barbara Young
Votes: 181
10. Brookside (1982–2003)
25 min | Drama
The everyday life and times of the residents, friends and enemies who live in a suburban street in the city of Liverpool in the north of England.
Stars: Dean Sullivan, Paul Byatt, Claire Sweeney, Alexandra Fletcher
Votes: 945
11. Doctors (2000–2024)
30 min | Drama
The daily lives of staff at a Birmingham medical practice, including their often-dramatic involvements with their patients.
Stars: Adrian Lewis Morgan, Jan Pearson, Matthew Chambers, Diane Keen
Votes: 1,695
12. Taggart (1983–2010)
TV-14 | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The Maryhill CID investigates gruesome murders against the bleak backdrop of the city of Glasgow.
Stars: Blythe Duff, James MacPherson, Robert Robertson, Iain Anders
Votes: 1,997
13. Heartbeat (1992–2010)
TV-PG | 50 min | Drama, Comedy, Crime
The 1960s lives and adventures of the police constabulary, medical staff, and residents of Ashfordly and Aidensfield.
Stars: William Simons, Derek Fowlds, Tricia Penrose, Mark Jordon
Votes: 4,047
14. The Royal (2003–2011)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
Set in the 1960s, this British medical drama follows the staff and patients of St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital.
Stars: Linda Armstrong, Robert Daws, Wendy Craig, Michelle Hardwick
Votes: 1,205
15. Neighbours (1985– )
TV-G | 22 min | Drama, Romance
Australian soap opera exploring the lives and relationships of the residents of Ramsay Street in a suburb of Melbourne called Erinsborough.
Stars: Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Ryan Moloney
Votes: 6,352
16. Home and Away (1988– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Drama, Romance
This show chronicles the lives, loves, happiness, and heartbreaks of the residents of Summer Bay, a small coastal town jon the upper Northern Beaches of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Stars: Ray Meagher, Lynne McGranger, Emily Symons, Ada Nicodemou
Votes: 6,477
17. Prisoner (1979–1986)
TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama
The lives of the staff and inmates of a women's prison.
Stars: Elspeth Ballantyne, Barbara Jungwirth, Betty Bobbitt, Sheila Florance
Votes: 2,229
18. Number 96 (1972–1977)
25 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Follows the lives and relationships of residents in a Sydney apartment building, exploring adult themes and featuring risky content like sex scenes.
Stars: Pat McDonald, Jeff Kevin, Joe Hasham, Elaine Lee
Votes: 143
19. The Young Doctors (1976–1983)
25 min | Drama, Romance
The lives, loves and medical complaints of the doctors, nurses and patients at Sydney's Albert Memorial Hospital.
Stars: Tim Page, Lyn James, Gwen Plumb, Michael Beecher
Votes: 122
20. The Sullivans (1976–1983)
30 min | Drama
Follows the Sullivan family from Melbourne, Australia during the Second World War.
Stars: Paul Cronin, Steven Tandy, Reg Gorman, Vikki Hammond
Votes: 524
21. All Saints (1998–2009)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama
A drama series centred on the lives of the nurses at All Saints Western General Hospital.
Stars: Judith McGrath, Georgie Parker, Tammy Macintosh, Martin Lynes
Votes: 1,630
22. Blue Heelers (1994–2006)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The series primarily focuses on the daily lives of Victorian police officers working at a police station in the fictional small town of Mount Thomas.
Stars: Julie Nihill, John Wood, Martin Sacks, Paul Bishop
Votes: 1,685
23. A Country Practice (1981–1993)
60 min | Drama, Romance
The highs and lows of the Wandin Valley residents, from the patients and staff at the rural town's hospital, to the locals and their everyday lives.
Stars: Shane Porteous, Brian Wenzel, Lorrae Desmond, Joyce Jacobs
Votes: 695
24. Sons and Daughters (1982–1987)
30 min | Drama, Romance
Dramatic incidents in the lives of the wealthy Hamilton family and working class Palmer family, linked by the long-ago secret affair of David Palmer and Patricia Hamilton and the offspring ... See full summary »
Stars: Ian Rawlings, Leila Hayes, Brian Blain, Pat McDonald
Votes: 345
25. E Street (1989–1993)
50 min | Drama
An Australian soap opera, set in a tough fictional inner-city district called Westside. The stories revolve around the local community there.
Stars: Cecily Polson, Les Dayman, Tony Martin, Vic Rooney
Votes: 165
26. Cop Shop (1977–1984)
50 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Life in a suburban Australian police station.
Stars: Paula Duncan, Gregory Ross, Gil Tucker, John Orcsik
Votes: 146
27. The Restless Years (1977–1982)
25 min | Drama
Tragedy tinged story of various school-leavers entering the adult world of careers and relationships as overseen by matriarchal former teacher Miss MacKenzie.
Stars: June Salter, Malcolm Thompson, Kim Lewis, Benita Collings
Votes: 35
28. Heartbreak High (1994–1999)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama, Romance
A crash course in the turbulence of being a teen is always on the schedule for the students at Hartley High School in this 1990s series set in Sydney.
Stars: Callan Mulvey, Lara Cox, Emma Roche, Ada Nicodemou
Votes: 3,569
29. Homicide (1964–1977)
120 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The cases and crimes actioned by the Victoria (Australia) homicide squad, with many cases based of true events.
Stars: Leonard Teale, George Mallaby, John Fegan, Alwyn Kurts
Votes: 138
30. Bellbird (1967–1977)
60 min | Drama
Stars: Carmel Millhouse, Carl Bleazby, Peter Aanensen, Maurie Fields
Votes: 39
31. McLeod's Daughters (2001–2009)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Romance
Estranged sisters Claire and Tess are reunited after 20 years when they inherit their family's cattle station, "Drover's Run", in the outback of South Australia, following their father's death.
Stars: Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani, Simmone Mackinnon, Bridie Carter
Votes: 6,652
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