Best Shows on BritBox With High Rotten Tomatoes Scores

by

Every country could benefit from a service like BritBox. Launched in 2017 by ITV and the BBC, BritBox lets viewers in the US and a handful of other countries easily access top British TV shows. It offers a great mix of classic programs and new releases, and has also started creating its own original content.

BritBox has made British TV shows incredibly popular, and that’s great news because so many excellent series often get missed. British shows almost always receive positive reviews – it’s unusual to find one that isn’t well-regarded. But even among the good ones, some truly stand out. Here are a few of the very best series available on the platform.

Here are must-watch TV shows on Britbox with impressively high Rotten Tomatoes scores.

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

Idris Elba plays the lead role in Luther as a highly skilled detective known for cracking difficult cases. He’s driven and sometimes uses force – but viewers don’t mind when it leads to results. The show also explores the personal sacrifices he makes in his pursuit of justice, making him a sympathetic character.

Idris Elba is fantastic in this role, and it’s a shame he hasn’t played more police officers on screen. He convincingly portrays a lawman who’s skilled at finding clues and escaping danger. Critics consistently praise both Elba and his character as the highlights of the show. The series itself features compelling, dark, and psychologically driven crime stories that are incredibly captivating.

‘Staged’ (2020–2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%


BritBox

As a total film and theatre nerd, I was hooked by Staged from the start. It features Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing, well, versions of themselves – brilliant British actors navigating life. The first season is amazing because it shows them trying to rehearse Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author while stuck in lockdown – it felt so real! Then, the second season gets really juicy when they find out an American adaptation of their show is happening without them having any say. It’s a clever, funny look behind the scenes, and I couldn’t get enough.

This show is brilliantly self-aware and hilarious. The two main characters act like overgrown children, and it’s impossible not to laugh at the messes they get into each episode, whether they’re out and about or at home. Ultimately, it’s a wild and sometimes surreal journey that might just teach viewers a lesson or two about avoiding self-destructive behavior and getting their lives on track.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%


Prime Video

Downton Abbey, set in the 1910s and 1920s, follows the lives of the wealthy Crawley family, showcasing both their successes and struggles. The series skillfully weaves in significant historical events of the time, like the Titanic disaster, the beginning of World War I, the Spanish flu, and various political scandals, as well as the Irish War of Independence, into the characters’ stories.

Few shows have captured the elegance of the post-Edwardian period as well as this one. It’s a captivating story about a group of fashionable people who both admire and resent those within their social circle, while openly disliking outsiders. Downton Abbey achieved significant recognition, becoming the first international series to receive 27 Emmy nominations. It’s also incredibly popular on PBS and holds a Guinness World Record for the most Emmy nominations a scripted TV series has received in a single year.

‘Time’ (2021–2025)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96%


BritBox

“Time” is a multi-layered drama series that follows the lives of inmates and staff within the British prison system over several months and across different years. It explores the experiences of both those serving sentences and those working within His Majesty’s Prison Service.

While the show is captivating, those familiar with the prison drama genre won’t find much new here. Time follows a typical plot for this type of series, but the incredible acting from its cast elevates it beyond being boring. The first season, featuring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, is particularly strong – you could even enjoy the show just by watching that one part, it’s that good.

‘Peep Show’ (2003–2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 96%


Pluto TV

Peep Show follows the lives of Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) and Jeremy “Jez” Usbourne (Robert Webb), two very different friends and roommates. The show is unique because it lets you hear what they’re thinking, with most of the humor coming from their internal monologues. Depending on whose perspective you’re in, these thoughts are either hilariously strange or just plain anxious, offering a funny and relatable look at everyday British life.

If you enjoy funny, cringeworthy comedies about everyday social situations, you’ll probably love this show. Mark and Jez have a knack for turning anything into a disaster, and it’s surprisingly captivating. The series also does a great job of developing a rich backstory with memorable characters and ongoing relationships, often revisiting past mistakes for comedic effect. Plus, because each episode is self-contained, it’s easy to jump in and rewatch your favorites.

‘The Office’ (2001–2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%


BBC

The Office is a comedy filmed like a documentary, taking place at a paper company in Slough, England. The manager, David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais), constantly tries to be liked by his employees, but his attempts usually backfire and are awkward. This character served as the inspiration for the popular Michael Scott from the American version of the show.

Let me tell you, the UK version of The Office isn’t just good – it’s fantastic! People keep asking if it holds up, and honestly, it blows the American version out of the water. It’s like comparing a simple, perfect biscuit to a fancy meal – the biscuit just hits different. A lot of it is the brilliant writing, but Ricky Gervais is incredible. Seriously, watching him makes you think he should have been a massive, legendary comedic star. He’s that good!

‘Ludwig’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%


BritBox

Ludwig, filmed in the beautiful city of Cambridge, is a truly excellent dramedy – one of the best ever made. It centers on John Taylor (David Mitchell), a solitary puzzle creator who must investigate when his twin brother, a detective, disappears. John quickly becomes immersed in the case, even going undercover as his brother to join the police force.

Even though John is new to the job, he consistently comes up with brilliant solutions to cases and ways to help people, often offering to pay for things himself when the department tries to save money. The lead actor deserves a lot of credit for making the show so entertaining. Critics agree, with Rotten Tomatoes saying: “Ludwig is a smartly written and charming mystery series, largely thanks to David Mitchell’s performance, and it’s consistently enjoyable and fast-paced.”

‘Gavin & Stacey’ (2007–2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%


BBC

Gavin & Stacey is a comedy about the relationship between Gavin, an Englishman from Essex, and Stacey, a Welsh woman. As they fall in love, their quirky families and friends get involved, leading to plenty of funny moments.

The show really shines by looking at the differences in thinking and values between its characters – some are traditional, while others are more modern. Gavin & Stacey received many award nominations and consistently impressed critics, who especially loved how it could make everyday moments feel special. It’s definitely worth checking out.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%


BBC One

Set in the West Yorkshire town that inspired its title, Happy Valley centers around police sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) and her work in a challenging neighborhood. She’s also raising her grandson, following the tragic death of her daughter, which creates intense emotional difficulties in both her job and personal life.

Over its three seasons (with a few years between the second and third), Happy Valley skillfully intertwined Catherine’s personal struggles with her work as a police officer, giving each season a focused, emotional arc. Sarah Lancashire delivers a brilliant performance, portraying a character who is both a pillar of strength in her community and deeply vulnerable. It’s a gripping, fast-paced British crime drama available on BritBox that’s definitely worth watching.

‘Mum’ (2016–2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%


ITV

Mum centers on Cathy, a woman in her late 50s who is navigating life after losing her husband. The show follows her as she copes with grief, family challenges, and the search for new love, all over a three-year period, highlighting important moments along the way.

Despite being a bit dense with detail and requiring close attention to fully appreciate its humor, Mum is a strong and well-made addition to the world of suburban sitcoms. Critics consistently praised the actors’ performances, and anyone wanting a genuine and moving depiction of family life and dealing with loss should check it out.

Read More

2026-03-08 22:21