10 Classic British TV Shows Worth Bringing Back, According to Reddit

British TV has produced some classic shows and memorable moments over the years. And a recent Reddit post discussed which favourite shows should make a comeback. Some of the names put forward simply wouldn't work – for example, The Young Ones, Bottom and Blackadder.

All great shows but they've had their moment and a reboot with a different cast would be a disaster.

But here are 10 that might just make a successful comeback if writers and producers are willing and able to make them happen.

10. Hole in the Wall

Yes, it is just half an hour of celebs in wetsuits falling in the water. And yes, it was a show most people switched on just because they knew it was going to be bad. And it was. But it was so bad it was good. And Saturday night TV was better for having it.

9. Duty Free

Some sitcoms are of their time simply by virtue of their subject matter. This isn't one of them. Neither is it one like Only Fools and Horses which has characters who are part of British culture and are not to be messed with. It's just two couples on holiday – and a bit of a carry-on between the man from one and the woman from the other.

8. Yes Minister

This would rank higher but for two key factors – the success of The Thick of It and the fact that British politics has been satirising itself for the past 7 or 8 years. But politics is going nowhere, and neither is comedy. So, the day may yet come when we see the return of Yes Minister.

7. Brass Eye

Immensely funny but maybe not the right show in today's world. At times, this was satire at its absolute best. But it trod a fine line back then. However, it shouldn't be written off forever.

6. The Royle Family

Now, we're in murky waters here. Would it be the same without the late Caroline Ahearn? Maybe not. But if even the majority of the cast were willing to get back together, and Craig Cash could find an alternative writing partner, it might just work. Certainly, the premise is one that allows for different comings and goings.

5. Keeping Up Appearances

Class difference is still a thing – and it could be hilarious to hear what Hyacinth Bucket has to say these days. In fact, one Redditor had a pretty stab with this little gem – 'It's my sister, Violet! You remember Violet, the one with the mansion in a gated community, the Hermes Birkin and room for a Tesla!'

4. Early Doors

Another one with a timeless set-up. The writing and acting was superb and any new version of this show would need to be cast with great attention to detail. It would be great to see some of the old faces joined by a few new cast members to change things up a bit and not just see a remake of the show. But if they can get a fair few of the brains behind the original together, this looks a nailed-on triumph.

3. Red Dwarf

It's set so far in the future and in space that there are literally no barriers to the stories that can be told or the world's invented. Once again, it doesn't need the original cast (or even all the same characters) to make it work – just good quality writing and casting that is in keeping with the insane genius that defined the original.

2. Gavin and Stacey

When James Corden and Ruth Jones announced a Christmas Special back in 2019, fans worried that it could ruin what remains one of the best shows ever on TV. Instead, the one-off simply showed they still had it. The writing and acting were as good as people hoped (and way better than they feared) and everything just slipped seamlessly back into how it had been. And with James Corden moving back to the UK, who knows?

1. The Sweeney

Everybody loves a good cop show – and The Sweeney was a very good cop show. It was all action, realistic and wasn't afraid to delve into the dubious tactics used by Jack Regan and George Carter. Focusing on tackling gang crime including violence and drugs, there is plenty of modern-day subject matter to get stuck into. And it would be interesting to see a show that highlights what the good guys are doing in the battle against gangs in London in comparison to shows like Top Boy which (as good as it is) is very much about those involved in the gangs. The return of The Sweeney is something British TV is crying out for – even if it doesn't know it.

Source: Reddit.