Underrated British TV Shows
by johnno74 | created - 06 Oct 2015 | updated - 06 Oct 2015 | PublicThis covers any show which was produced in the UK; drama, sitcom, animated, whatever. Also regardless of target audience, here is the list in no particular order.
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1. The Animals of Farthing Wood (1993–1995)
TV-Y7 | 25 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A group of wild animal friends are forced to move to a park after humans drive them away from their old home.
Stars: Ron Moody, Stacey Gregg, Rupert Farley, Sally Grace
Votes: 3,639
2. Microsoap (1998–2000)
25 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Initially the plotline concerned the problems of a brother and sister whose parents have separated, but by the second season both parents had new married partners and the show concentrated ... See full summary »
Stars: Rebecca Hunter, Suzanne Burden, Ivan Kaye, Paul Terry
Votes: 98
3. The Professionals (1977–1983)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Bodie and Doyle, senior agents of the British intelligence service CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their handler George Cowley fight terrorism and similar high-level crimes.
Stars: Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins, Bridget Brice
Votes: 3,649
4. UFO (1970–1971)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Sci-Fi
The missions of the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organization (SHADO), which defends Earth from extra-terrestrial threats.
Stars: Ed Bishop, Dolores Mantez, Michael Billington, Ayshea Brough
Votes: 4,122
5. Rex the Runt (1991–2005)
TV-14 | 10 min | Animation, Comedy
Animated adventures with the intrepid Rex and his Plasticine friends.
Stars: Elisabeth Hadley, Steve Box, Andrew Franks, Colin Rote
Votes: 383
6. I Am Not an Animal (2004)
29 min | Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Five animals (a horse, rat, monkey, sparrow and a cat) that can think and speak are released by animal rights activists and must try to survive in the world.
Stars: Simon Pegg, Steve Coogan, Amelia Bullmore, Kevin Eldon
Votes: 289
7. Psychoville (2009–2011)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Horror, Mystery
A group of seemingly unrelated strangers all receive a mysterious note stating "I know what you did", which sends their lives into a downward spiral.
Stars: Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Daniel Kaluuya, Daisy Haggard
Votes: 7,379
8. The New Statesman (1987–1994)
TV-14 | 70 min | Comedy
The ultra right-wing Alan B'Stard, the most selfish, greedy, dishonest, sadistic and sociopathic Conservative MP of them all, plots to achieve his meglomaniacal ambitions.
Stars: Rik Mayall, Michael Troughton, Marsha Fitzalan, Terence Alexander
Votes: 2,803
9. Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967–1968)
TV-PG | 25 min | Action, Crime, Drama
In 2068, the indestructible Captain Scarlet leads the agents of Spectrum in a war of nerves against the Mysterons from Mars.
Stars: Ed Bishop, Donald Gray, Francis Matthews, Sylvia Anderson
Votes: 1,897
10. Ultimate Force (2002–2006)
TV-MA | 1,105 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
Explosive military drama about a crack SAS team. There's a life-or-death mission, reputations at stake, and stamina sorely tested at a combat survival weekend.
Stars: Ross Kemp, Miles Anderson, Christopher Fox, Danny Sapani
Votes: 2,336
11. Catterick (2004– )
30 min | Comedy
Ex soldier Carl Palmer returns home from Cyprus to join his brother Chris who has agreed to help find Carl's son.
Stars: Morwenna Banks, Mark Benton, Tim Healy, Matt Lucas
Votes: 877
12. Stressed Eric (1998–2000)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Eric Feeble is a man living in London who strives to survive his divorce, angry boss, rival family, almost alien children, drunken housekeeper and even his own "achievements".
Stars: Mark Heap, Alison Steadman, Morwenna Banks, Doon Mackichan
Votes: 502
13. Hardwicke House (1987)
30 min | Comedy
Sitcom set in a comprehensive school.
Stars: Roy Kinnear, Pam Ferris, Tony Haygarth, Duncan Preston
Votes: 60
14. dinnerladies (1998–2000)
TV-14 | 34 min | Comedy
Comedy about the workers in a factory canteen.
Stars: Victoria Wood, Thelma Barlow, Andrew Dunn, Shobna Gulati
Votes: 2,764
15. Lavender Castle (1999–2000)
TV-Y7-FV | 10 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Lavender Castle is a place of mystery and legend, fabled throughout the universe, a floating city of light, a place of peace, harmony and all the things that have ever been dreamt of. It is... See full summary »
Stars: Kate Harbour, Rob Rackstraw, David Holt, Jimmy Hibbert
Votes: 90
16. Out of Sight (1996–1999)
25 min | Comedy, Family
Stars: Shane Fox, Moira Brooker, Sacha Dhawan, Simon Pearsall
Votes: 36
17. Survivors (I) (2008–2010)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
An unknown virus pandemic kills more than 90% of the world's population. Those immune must strive to survive and overcome the difficulties of this new world order, hoping that the virus will not mutate.
Stars: Julie Graham, Max Beesley, Paterson Joseph, Zoë Tapper
Votes: 8,918
18. The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996)
30 min | Comedy, Crime
Various mishaps at a police station in an English town. The main character is the anachronistic, yet charming and funny Inspector Fowler. CID foil to Fowler, Inspector Grim is a bumbling, seething idiot.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Mina Anwar, James Dreyfus, Serena Evans
Votes: 7,937
19. Danger Mouse (1981–1992)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Danger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans.
Stars: David Jason, Terry Scott, Edward Kelsey, Victor Knight
Votes: 3,911
20. Supercar (1961–1962)
30 min | Family, Sci-Fi
The adventures of the crew of Supercar, an amazing land, sea, and air vehicle, based at a secret laboratory in the Nevada Desert in 1961.
Stars: David Graham, Graydon Gould, Sylvia Anderson, George Murcell
Votes: 393
21. On the Buses (1969–1973)
30 min | Comedy
Jack-the-lad bus driver and conductor Stan and Jack enjoy the female employees more than their work and Inspector Blake is relentless in his attempts to make their lives a misery.
Stars: Anna Karen, Bob Grant, Stephen Lewis, Reg Varney
Votes: 2,648
22. Joe 90 (1968–1969)
TV-PG | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of nine-year-old Joe McClaine, who can have the expert skills, knowledge, and experiences of top experts downloaded into his brain by his scientist father, enabling him to become a secret agent code-named "Joe 90".
Stars: Keith Alexander, Sylvia Anderson, Rupert Davies, Len Jones
Votes: 663
23. The Protectors (1972–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Challenges abound for worldwide crime-fighting team The Protectors. Organised into a global secret society, their mission is to protect the innocent and apprehend the guilty. Starring Emmy winner Robert Vaughn "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.".
Stars: Robert Vaughn, Nyree Dawn Porter, Tony Anholt, Yasuko Nagazumi
Votes: 572
24. Big Break (II) (1990–2002)
30 min | Game-Show, Sport
General knowledge game show where contestants team up with snooker stars testing their skill against the clock.
Stars: Jim Davidson, John Virgo, Colin Ward-Lewis, Charles Nove
Votes: 201
25. Space Precinct (1994–1995)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
The alien adventures of former NYPD detective Patrick Brogan, now a lieutenant in the Demeter City Police Department on the planet Altor.
Stars: Ted Shackelford, Rob Youngblood, Simone Bendix, Nancy Paul
Votes: 1,011
26. Angry Kid (1999–2019)
TV-14 | 1 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Angry Kid is a hilarious Aardman animated series about an annoying young boy wading his way through childhood, dealing with problems like Tourette's, shaving, hammer roulette, puberty, telepathy and dogs stealing his chips.
Stars: Darren Walsh, David Holt, Jo Allen, Beth Chalmers
Votes: 286
27. Wipeout (1994–2003)
30 min | Game-Show
General-knowledge quiz show.
Stars: Bob Monkhouse, Tom Edwards, Paul Daniels, Charles Nove
Votes: 69
28. Birds of a Feather (1989–2020)
Not Rated | 75 min | Comedy
Comedy series following the lives of sisters Tracey and Sharon who are left to fend for themselves after their husbands are arrested for armed robbery.
Stars: Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph, Pauline Quirke, Alun Lewis
Votes: 2,474
29. 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
30. Catchphrase (1986– )
30 min | Game-Show
Game show in which contestants try to guess well-known phrases or sayings from animated picture puzzles.
Stars: Roy Walker, Nick Weir, Stephen Mulhern, Ted Robbins
Votes: 1,117
31. Byker Grove (1989–2006)
30 min | Drama, Family, Romance
Byker Grove follows the lives and relationships of a group of young people who are members of a youth club.
Stars: Daymon Britton, Brett Adams, Kerry Ann Christiansen, Jody Baldwin
Votes: 931
32. Bread (1986–1991)
30 min | Comedy
The series set in working-class Liverpool. Meet the Boswells: they're penniless, jobless and with little hope of things improving, but life's never stale.
Stars: Jean Boht, Nick Conway, Jonathon Morris, Kenneth Waller
Votes: 1,538
33. Serious and Organised (2003– )
50 min | Crime, Drama
Two brothers serve in a specialist unit fighting organised crime.
Stars: Martin Kemp, Joe Duttine, Danny Sapani, Emily Bruni
Votes: 25
34. Pass the Buck (1998–2002)
25 min | Animation, Game-Show
Stars: Fred Dinenage, Eamonn Holmes, Gareth Kingston
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