Entertainment outlet Tvline has compiled a list of the 15 best british television series ever, highlighting classics from sci-fi to sitcoms that have influenced global viewing. The ranking places monty python's flying circus at number one, praising its innovative sketch comedy.
British television has long been celebrated for its creativity, often surpassing american network shows through government funding, talented performers, and resourceful storytelling. In a recent article published on december 29, 2025, Tvline ranked the top 15 british tv series, emphasizing their enduring impact despite modest budgets.
The list begins with black mirror at 15, charlie brooker's anthology series exploring technology's dark side, which shifted to netflix for bolder narratives including the interactive bandersnatch. Downton abbey follows at 14, julian fellowes' edwardian drama blending historical intrigue and family secrets, spawning successful films. Teletubbies, ranked 13, targeted toddlers with colorful routines and unexpected twists, becoming a merchandising powerhouse despite controversy.
Sherlock at 12 modernizes arthur conan doyle's detective with benedict cumberbatch as a sociopathic holmes and martin freeman as watson. Minder, number 11, follows small-time criminals arthur daley and terry mccann in a critique of capitalism across 10 seasons. The fall and rise of reginald perrin at 10 satirizes mundane life through leonard rossiter's reggie, who fakes his death amid corporate drudgery.
The young ones, ranked 9, captures 1980s youth angst with anarchic housemates from the comic strip troupe. Spitting image at 8 uses grotesque puppets to skewer politicians like margaret thatcher and ronald reagan. Red dwarf, number 7, mixes sci-fi and comedy as the last human survives with quirky companions in deep space.
Robin of sherwood at 6 reimagines the hood legend with pagan mysticism and shocking character deaths. Sapphire & steel, ranked 5, features joanna lumley and david mccallum as time guardians battling anomalies. The prisoner at 4 traps patrick mcgoohan in a surreal village, inspiring cult theories.
Fawlty towers, number 3, stars john cleese as the explosive hotelier basil, critiquing class pretensions. Doctor who at 2, running since 1963, follows the time lord's adventures, regenerating leads and teaching through time travel. Topping the list is monty python's flying circus at 1, which revolutionized sketch comedy with absurdism, influencing modern humor and spawning iconic films.