The 10 best TV shows to watch on Britbox

Stars: Mathew Horne, James Corden, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters, Rob Brydon

Original networks: BBC Three (2007–2008), BBC One (2008–2010, 2019)

Number of seasons: 3, plus 2 Christmas specials

A pre-Late Late Show James Corden and Ruth Jones (Saxondale) penned this very funny comfort watch, about the titular young couple (played by Mathew Horne and Joanna Page) who are split between Essex and a coastal town in Wales. Produced by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow Productions, the series deservedly nabbed several BAFTAs during its run. And while not nearly as, let’s say, groundbreaking as some of the other comedy series on this list, it has a warm, sitcom-y vibe, with plenty of running gags and callbacks, and a bite all its own. Plus, Rob Brydon’s fantastic turn as Stacey’s ever-upbeat uncle, Bryn, alone makes it worthy of a lazy-afternoon binge. [Tim Lowery]

Stars: Chris O’Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Matt Berry, Noel Fielding, Chris Morris

Original network: Channel 4 (2006-2013)

Number of seasons: 4, plus 1 special

The workplace comedy The IT Crowd is a pretty genius ensemble piece. (That Matt Berry is everywhere, isn’t he?) Created by Graham Linehan, this show follows three workers in, yes, an IT department and details their bond with each other as well as with their employers. While it debuted with mediocre reviews, The IT Crowd quickly gained a following and even got its own American adaptation. But this is the version to watch. [Saloni Gajjar]

Stars: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Dermot Crowley, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Michael Smiley, Patrick Malahide, Saskia Reeves

Original network: BBC One (2010-2019)

Number of seasons: 5

First things first: Casting Idria Elba as a tall, broody, handsome detective was a spot-on choice that helped elevate Luther. Based on Neil Cross’ books, the crime drama follows his DCI John Luther, whose passion for solving dark cases often leads him down a troubled path. To make matters worse, he falls for a notorious and manipulative criminal, Alice Morgan (Wilson). Once you watch all five seasons, consider checking out Luther: The Fallen Sun, a Netflix film released just this year. [Saloni Gajjar]

Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Stirling Gallacher

Original networks: BBC Two (2001-2001), BBC One (2003)

Number of seasons: 2, plus 1 Christmas special

It has been said so often since it took off in the early aughts, but Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s series really was a game changer, essentially shepherding in a new era for TV comedies with its mockumentary, single-camera format. Even 22 years after its debut (how did that happen?) and many, many imitators and international adaptations, The Office also still has a comedic sensibility and rhythm that feels unique, especially with its joke building. What’s more, it had some real empathy (flipping the script and even making its “boss from hell” David Brent someone you pull for), tough-to-watch cringe, an absorbing will-they-won’t-they romance, some choice quotes (“Trust, encouragement, reward, loyalty … satisfaction”), and something meaningful to say. And it did it all over the course of 12 episodes and a Christmas special. [Tim Lowery]

Stars: Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow, Adrian Lukis, David Bamber

Original network: BBC One (1995)

Number of seasons: 1

Jane Austen’s beloved novel has gotten several adaptations, but the 1995 limited series remains one of the most notable. Firth and Ehle are perfect as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, respectively. They both belong to different aspects of society but manage to develop a truly charming and witty banter that (obviously) leads to a great love story. With only six episodes, Pride & Prejudice wins you over by staying true to the source material while also developing a unique voice. [Saloni Gajjar]

Stars: David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Georgia Tennant, Anna Lundberg, Lucy Eaton

Original networks: BBC One (2020-2021), Britbox (2022)

Number of seasons: 3, plus 1 special

There’s nothing funnier than watching Good Omens stars Tennant and Sheen–who are real-life friends—engage in hilarious banter onscreen. And that’s what Staged is all about. Filmed initially during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the show features Tennant and Sheen playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Either they’re rehearsing for a play or reveling in their success, but trust us, they know how to make everyone laugh. Plus, several actors make cameos in Staged, including Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench, Simon Pegg, Jim Parsons, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Olivia Colman, Ken Jeong, and Ewan McGregor. [Saloni Gajjar]

Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes, Kevin McNally, Dorothy Atkinson, Emer Heatley, Aoife Checkland

Original network: ITV (2023)

Number of seasons: 1

Matthew Macfadyen leads Stonehouse, a part-fictional biopic on Labour politician John Stonehouse, who faked his death after committing fraud and espionage. In 1974, he disappeared from a luxury hotel in Miami, leaving behind only a neatly folded pile of clothes before apparently swimming into the sea. The three episodes take some creative liberties to unravel what happened, with the Succession star sharing the screen with his IRL wife, Keeley Hawes. [Saloni Gajjar]

Stars: Peter Capaldi, Chris Langham, Rebecca Front, Chris Addison, Joanna Scanlan, James Smith, Polly Kemp

Original networks: BBC Four (2005), BBC Two (2009-2012)

Number of seasons: 4, plus 2 specials

Even nearly 20 years removed from its premiere, Armando Iannucci’s blistering, foul- and motor-mouthed satire, which counts Succession’s Jesse Armstrong and Peep Show’s Simon Blackwell as writers, still sings like no other show. Iannucci, who would go on to make Thick’s feature-film spin-off In The Loop as well as its HBO adaptation Veep, captures the anxiety-inducing chaos of working in the British government, where PR crises arise out of nowhere and situations quickly, inevitably spin out of control and crash. Beyond the razor-sharp writing, the series also boasts an absolutely powerhouse performance by Peter Capaldi as the fuming director of communications. [Tim Lowery]

Stars: Steve Coogan, Susannah Fielding, Felicity Montagu, Tim Key

Original network: BBC One (2019-2021)

Number of seasons: 2

If there is any host best suited to present a current-affairs chat show post Me Too—that is, best suited for a parody; he’s the absolute worst suited person to do that type of show—it’d have to be Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge. Written by Coogan and brothers Neil and Rob Gibbons, who co-penned the hilarious webcam radio sendup Mid Morning Matters, among other Partridge projects, the series finds our guy finally back on the small screen, co-hosting the titular show with Susannah Fielding’s Jennie, who proves his perfect foil. Do you need to take in all of the character’s endeavors over the last 30-plus years to enjoy this one? No. Although, honestly, you should. [Tim Lowery]

Stars: Matt Berry, Doon Mackichan, Robert Bathurst, Harry Peacock

Original network: Channel 4 (2013-2015)

Number of seasons: 3

Matt Berry’s pitch-perfect comedic skills shine bright in Toast Of London, a sitcom he created with Arthur Mathews. In the show Berry plays Steven Toast, an actor in his forties whose personal and professional life take a downturn as he struggles through a divorce and the poor decision to star in a controversial West End play. Berry’s remarkable vocal cords (inarguably the best in comedy) are on full display here. [Saloni Gajjar]