The BBC is well known for creating riveting period dramas and drama series that can get you hooked on watching back to back episodes. It's a good thing that Netflix has a number of BBC shows available at your fingertips. Some shows have created quite a whirlwind of chatter with its popular storylines.
A number of BBC shows are well recognized such as Sherlock or Father Brown. While trying to decide what new show to add to your must-watch list, it can be hard to decide whether or not the show is worth the time. IMDb rates almost every show possible and will make deciding what BBC show to watch a little easier.
Dracula (6.8)
The new mini-series, Dracula aired on BBC and Netflix at the beginning of January 2020. The series consisted of only three parts that told an interesting tale of the famous vampire. The show was based on the famous novel of the same name. The story of Dracula has been used in countless films, television and pop culture references.
In this mini-series, Dracula isn't what we expected. Viewers follow the story of Dracula in his origins in Eastern Europe. In the beginning, the viewers are being recounted the story from a surviving victim of the vampire. Later on, audiences are introduced to the Van Helsing bloodline. The end result of the show may shock some.
Collateral (6.8)
The four-part British show, Collateral was originally aired on BBC Two in February of 2018. The show was co-produced by Netflix and was released internationally in March 2018.
The show is a crime drama involving multiple characters in an intricate web all tying back to one murder. Kip Glaspie (Carey Mulligan) is a detective assigned to a murder case of a pizza delivery boy. The delivery boy was gunned down in a London suburb. As the investigation goes on, Glaspie realizes there are multiple characters involved with many parts to play in this one murder.
Black Earth Rising (7.3)
Black Earth Rising became a hit show when it originally premiered in 2018 on BBC Two. Co-produced by Netflix, the show aired internationally on its platform in 2019. The show starres actor Michaela Coel as the main protagonist, Kate Ashby.
The show centers around the prosecution of international war criminals. Ashby works as a legal investigator for the law chambers of Micahel Ennis (John Goodman). Ashby's adoptive mother, Eve (Harriet Walter) is also a legal prosecutor. When Eve takes on a case of prosecuting an African militia leader, it puts Ashby and her mother on a dangerous journey they never saw coming.
Doctor Foster (7.7)
The BBC One show, Doctor Foster, first aired in 2015. It was a five-part series about Dr. Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones). Dr. Foster suspects her husband of having an affair. As she uncovers the truth, she starts to unravel and becomes enraged. Her seemingly perfect life turns to ruin.
The series aired its second part in 2017. The series has no official end date. The third installment of the show has been up in the air for quite some time. Its creator, Mike Bartlett, has explained that there is more to explore with the character but has no immediate desire to create a new season unless necessary.
Giri/Haji (7.9)
In 2019, BBC Two aired a new television series titled, Giri/Haji. The series aired on Netflix in January 2020. The crime/thriller drama centers around a Tokyo detective, Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira). He travels to London to find his missing brother, Yuto, who was presumed dead. Yuto (Yōsuke Kubozuka) is accused of murdering a member of the Yakuza.
Mori must find out the truth in whether or not his brother is alive while navigating the unfamiliar streets of London. He must also try to stop a gang war back in Tokyo and keep his family together.
Bodyguard (8.2)
Bodyguard became a talked-about series when it originally aired in 2018 on BBC One. It later hit internationally on Netflix. The show has no current end date. while fans and its shows creators are anxious for a second season, the BBC has not yet officially renewed the show.
The show centers around Police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden). Budd suffers from PTSD during his time in the British Army. He now works for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. He is assigned to bodyguard the Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). Their story unfolds into political debate and personal turmoil.
The Last Kingdom (8.3)
The BBC show, The Last Kingdom, has created quite a stir when it premiered on Netflix in 2018. Netflix became the sole producer of the show's third season after BBC America. The show was confirmed to be renewed for a new season in 2018. It started filming in 2019 and it is unclear on when it would release, but fans are hoping for a 2020 arrival.
The show takes viewers back to the drama and turmoil of the Viking age. Alfred the Great (David Dawson) defends his kingdom from Norse invaders. The storyline then introduces Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), a born Saxon who was raised by Vikings. His goal is to claim his birthright.
Call The Midwife (8.4)
The original BBC One show, Call the Midwife, has fans in tears with its recent season finale of season nine. The show originally premiered in 2012. Netflix has all eight seasons of the show to catch up on before the ninth season can premiere on the platform.
The period drama takes place in the 1950s starting with the story of midwife Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine). Lee is a midwife among others and the nuns as the Nonnatus House; a nursing convent. They perform many nurse duties and help bring babies safely into the world. With the medical issues in the Poplar district, along with countless infants being born, the midwives have to a lot to handle.
Happy Valley (8.5)
Happy Valley, originally aired on BBC One, has received critical acclaim as a Best Drama Series by BAFTA. The crime show follows the main protagonist Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire), a police sergeant in West Yorkshire.
She is still coming to with her daughter's suicide but soon becomes committed to finding the one responsible for her daughter's rape. As she investigates, the one responsible is involved is a much bigger crime than she expected. The third season of the show is currently in development for awaiting fans.
Peaky Blinders (8.8)
According to IMDb and its fanbase, Peaky Blinders is near the top of the list of BBC/Netflix shows. The show currently finished its fifth season on BBC One in 2019. The show's creator, Steven Knight assured fans that it would take seven seasons to fully complete the story. Netflix currently has all five seasons.
The story takes place in the late 1890s, loosely based on the urban youth gang of the same name. Peaky Blinders follows the Shelby crime family in the aftermath of the First World War. The Shelby family and its boss, Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) become the center of attention for a detective, Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neill).