2020 has been a difficult year for film and TV, with production delays being felt across the board. However, while production delays have become commonplace this year, not every show has been affected by delays. While 2020 has been far from stellar, some fantastic shows did make their debut this year.
Across the board, British production studios have given the world a host of incredible TV shows, whether it be comedy, drama, or crime, there is guaranteed to be a show on this list that will be able to pique one's interest in 2020's offering of British TV.
Updated on March 27th, 2021 by Kristen Palamara: Although 2020 was a difficult year to release new movies and television, it didn't halt all productions and there were several new British shows introduced to audiences that are worth checking out. There was a wide range of genres and recognizable actors starring in the 2020 British shows and miniseries, from crime dramas starring David Tennant to political thrillers starring Hugh Laurie and more dramatic and uniquely creative series from Michaela Cole and Billie Piper. Here are some of the best British shows released in 2020 that viewers might have missed but can catch up on now.
The English Game
The English Game is a 2020 Netflix miniseries that tells the story of the invention of football and provides a detailed history of the game to the audience. The show focuses on the game itself and on various characters who helped make the game as prominent as it is around the world today.
Although the show focuses on football as a game, it also focuses on the influence football had on bridging class divides and bringing everyone to the same level on the field.
Gangs Of London
This gritty crime series follows London organized crime and gang violence within the city that escalates after the head of London's most prominent organized crime family is killed.
The gangster drama follows everyone who is reaching for power after the death and how it affects everyone who lives in the city of London as international gangs are trying to reach and gain more prominence in the crime world.
Roadkill
Roadkill is a 2020 BBC One and PBS Masterpiece miniseries and a British political thriller that follows a successful and lovable government minister. Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie) is celebrating success in his career and is about to be promoted but he might have hidden secrets about to be exposed that would be detrimental to his career.
An inmate at a woman's prison comes forward saying that she knows about his sketchy past and Laurence must face it and try to keep his career alive.
Deadwater Fell
Deadwater Fell is a 2020 miniseries that delved into the mysteries of a small town of Kirkdarroch. The four episodes focus on grieving father and doctor Tom Kendrick (David Tennant) who has recently lost his children and wife in a house fire.
The slow burn series reveals that the house fire might have been intentional and the town tries to figure out the truth behind the tragic deaths.
Miss Scarlet And The Duke
This new series follows the young Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) who finds herself in a desperate situation when her father dies and she has to try to survive on her own. Scarlet is an unmarried woman and living in a time when that would surely mean poverty, but instead, she attempts to take over her late father's detective agency.
Scarlet stumbles at first but then finds a friend and unlikely partner in a Detective Inspector nicknamed The Duke (Stuart Martin). The two begin their business together and try to solve the crimes and mysteries of London.
I Hate Suzie
Starring Doctor Who’s Billie Piper, I Hate Suzie follows a woman named Suzie whose life is turned completely upside down when her computer is hacked and compromising photos of her are posted online. The series follows Suzie as her mental state unravels throughout the series, showing her trying to hold her life together after this horrific event.
Despite its real and dark subject matter, I Hate Suzie is indeed a comedy and tackles its dark subject matter with a bold and intelligent script that is given life by Billie Piper’s incredible portrayal.
The Great
Starring Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning, The Great tells the tale of Catherine the Great, though plays fast and loose with the historical facts surrounding the legendary leader’s actual rise to power.
The Great manages to masterfully switch from period drama to comedy within in the blink of an eye, showing how Catherine the Great would eventually go on to become the longest-reigning monarch in Russia’s history.
I May Destroy You
Starring Chewing Gum’s Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You is one of the most critically acclaimed British comedies of the past decade. The series follows the themes of dating and relationships, exploring issues such as consent, exploitation, and liberation.
The series has been praised by critics for how it deals with emotionally disturbing events such as sexual assault while applying a level of dark humor in its brave exploration of its subject matter.
Normal People
Based on the book of the same name by Sally Rooney, Normal People follows the relationship of a young couple, tracking the pair from the end of their school days in Ireland to their university years in Trinity College.
The series, much like the book, has gone on to receive critical acclaim, with many praising the series for its tender subject matter and the fantastic performances of the central cast.
The Salisbury Poisonings
The Salisbury Poisonings tells the true story of how two former Russian intelligence officers were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury City Center after being poisoned by a nerve agent. The show deals with those trying to track the nerve agent across the city, with several others being exposed.
The series has received critical acclaim, with many praising the series for how it dealt with adapting this recent and important crisis for TV.