15 Lesser-Known British Series That Should Be on Your Radar

This list got you covered.

1. Utopia (2013-2014)

This series kicks off when a group of online friends stumbles upon a mysterious comic called "The Utopia Experiments". The comic seems to predict disastrous events like pandemics and bio-warfare. But here's where it gets complicated: a shadowy organization called The Network starts hunting them down to get that comic. One by one, they find themselves implicated in various crimes, and it becomes a race against time to uncover the comic's secrets.

2. In the Flesh (2013-2014)

Zombies, but make it British. The show picks up three years after a zombie apocalypse was miraculously contained. A treatment has been found to "rehabilitate" zombies back into society. Our protagonist Kieren is one such "Partially Deceased Syndrome" sufferer. Kieren returns to his small, hostile hometown where people are far from accepting of PDS folks.

3. Him & Her (2010-2013)

This is a slice-of-life comedy that takes place almost entirely in the London flat of a lazy, twenty-something couple, Steve and Becky. The series follows their lives, capturing the everyday minutiae, from arguing over who's making tea to dealing with annoying neighbors and family. It's not dramatic or action-packed, but that's the charm—real life, warts and all.

4. The Fades (2011)

Imagine waking up one day and finding out you can see the spirits of the dead. That's the life of Paul, a geeky 17-year-old who's plagued by apocalyptic dreams. He can see Fades, spirits of the deceased who are stuck in our world. As if being a teen isn't hard enough, right? The Fades are growing increasingly hostile and figure out a way to touch things in the human world, including people. Now, Paul has to stop these vengeful spirits before they start a whole apocalypse.

5. Banished (2015)

This historical drama revolves around a group of British convicts exiled to Australia in the 18th century. It's survival of the fittest as they navigate hostile terrain, malnutrition, and uneasy relations with the indigenous population. Convict Elizabeth finds herself in a love triangle with her partner Tommy and the colony's blacksmith. As if life wasn't hard enough already, they have to deal with the iron fist of Governor Phillip, who's hell-bent on maintaining order.

6. Detectorists (2014-2017)

Meet Andy and Lance, two mates who spend their free time combing the English countryside with metal detectors, searching for Saxon treasure. But it ain't just about digging up old bottle caps; this show digs deep into their personal lives. Andy's girlfriend is pregnant, and Lance is trying to win back his ex-wife.

7. Inside No. 9 (2014-Present)

Think of this as the British cousin of The Twilight Zone, but darker and weirder. Every episode is a standalone story set in a location with the number 9—like a mansion, a dressing room, or a flat. The plots range from a game of 'sardines' that unveils dark secrets to a pair of burglars dealing with an unexpected twist.

8. The Wrong Mans (2013-2014)

What do you get when you mix office life with international espionage? This comedy-thriller! Two office workers, Sam and Phil, witness a car crash and discover a ringing phone at the scene. They answer it and get entangled in a kidnapping plot. Now, these two average Joes find themselves dodging bullets and dealing with dangerous criminals.

9. River (2015)

Detective Inspector John River isn't your typical cop. For starters, he's haunted by 'manifests'—visions of dead people, including his murdered partner, Jackie. This isn't some "I see dead people" gimmick; River actually converses with these ghosts to solve crimes. He's also trying to solve Jackie's murder but keeps getting roadblocked by those who think his methods are, well, unconventional.

10. Dead Set (2008)

Imagine you're on a reality TV show, but while you're in the house, a zombie apocalypse happens outside. That's Dead Set for you! Contestants and producers of the Big Brother show find themselves trapped in the studio as the undead close in. Their only hope is their TV-obsessed producer who's as ruthless as the zombies.

11. Prisoners' Wives (2012-2013)

Forget the inmates; this one's all about their wives and families. While their men serve time behind bars, these women navigate love, betrayal, and a whole heap of secrets. Each episode focuses on a different wife—like Gemma, who's reeling after her seemingly innocent husband gets convicted, or Fran, whose kingpin husband runs his empire from his cell.

12. Cucumber (2015)

Henry is a middle-aged man whose life turns upside down after a disastrous date night with his boyfriend of nine years. This leads him to a midlife crisis that includes moving out and living with a much younger man. It's a comedic, yet painfully realistic look at gay life in modern Britain.

13. Misfits (2009-2013)

What if juvenile delinquents suddenly got superpowers? In Misfits, a freak electrical storm does just that. Now, a group of five young offenders must navigate their new abilities while serving community service. Kelly can hear thoughts, Simon can turn invisible, but their powers are more a curse than a blessing, especially they accidentally kill their probation officer and have to cover it up.

14. Thirteen (2016)

Ivy Moxam escapes from a cellar after being held captive for 13 years. Sounds like a happy ending, right? Wrong. Returning to her family and adapting to the world is just as harrowing. Plus, her kidnapper is still at large and kidnapping other girls. Ivy becomes both a suspect and an asset in the police investigation, and the viewer is left constantly wondering if Ivy is a victim or more involved in the crimes than it seems.

15. The Shadow Line (2011)

This seven-part series is a mind-bender that centers on a murder investigation led by Detective Inspector Jonah Gabriel. Problem is, Gabriel is recovering from a bullet to the brain and has significant memory loss. He's investigating the murder of a drug baron while unraveling his own mysterious past.