The 30 best TV shows to watch on UK Netflix right now

• The roster of titles available on Netflix differs depending on which country you're in, and the UK version is home to tons of great TV shows.

• We've curated a list of the 30 best ones to watch on UK Netflix right now, listed by the year they first aired.

• They range from British classics like "Fawlty Towers" and "Doctor Who" to American series like "Fargo" and "Gotham."

• There are also adaptations of classic novels like "Sherlock" and "Dracula," animated shows like "Rick and Morty" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender," a trio of Ricky Gervais shows, and Richard Madden in the gripping "Bodyguard."

• Note: This list was last updated on October 2, 2020. Numerous Netflix titles drop off the service monthly, so the availability of titles below may change. 

• Insider has many movie and TV show lists to keep you occupied. You can read them all here.

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'Fawlty Towers' (1975)

John Cleese is best known for being one of the founding members of British comedy troupe "Monty Python," but he's had a fair share of success by himself, too. "Fawlty Towers" is a prime example — it's basically the John Cleese show, about a hapless and constantly-stressed out hotel manager who finds himself in a consistent mess of his own making.

'The Fresh Prince Bel-Air' (1990)

This one, meanwhile, is basically the Will Smith show. While James Avery and Alfonso Ribeiro are great in the show, "Fresh Prince" made Smith the star he is today. The TV series — about a young man from West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his rich, upper class uncle and aunt in Bel Air, Los Angeles — is just as relevant today as it was in the 1990s.

'The Office' (2001)

While the debate will undoubtedly rage on about which version of "The Office" is better — the happy-watching US version or the more acerbic UK version — Ricky Gervais started the entire argument by creating this genius mockumentary-style show following the lives of office-workers in a mundane working environment.

'Extras' (2005)

Likewise, Gervais created a second genius show in "Extras," which didn't get a US remake. This show followed Gervais as Andy, an extra trying to hit the big time in the film and TV industry, who comes across a variety of celebs playing fictional versions of themselves.

'The Thick of It' (2005)

Peter Capaldi may be better known worldwide for taking on the mantle of Doctor Who, but before that he starred in the political comedy series "The Thick of It" from Armando Iannucci, who later went on to create "Veep."

Capaldi is the king of sweary insults in this show about a spin doctor mopping up the mess of various politicians and their advisors.

'Avatar: The Last Airbender' (2005)

M. Night Shyamalan's live-action version of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" didn't go down that well, but don't let that take away from how great this show is. Animated it may be, but basic storytelling it is not. It follows Avatar, who is capable of bending all four elements, trying to bring his talents to a magical world ravaged by war.

'Doctor Who' (2005)

The 2005 return of "Doctor Who" introduced the Doctor to a whole new generation, and has spawned multiple stars in the process — including David Tennant and Matt Smith. Follow various incarnations of the Doctor on his adventures through time and space with a number of sidekicks.

'Skins' (2007)

There was a US remake of this show, but it's best not to talk about that. The UK version of "Skins" changed the game for TV aimed at young adults, and gave teenagers a darker, grittier collection of stories to follow as several groups of young adults attempt to navigate their lives but get caught up in a ton of partying, drugs, alcohol, and sex. Dev Patel, Nicholas Hoult, Daniel Kaluuya, Joe Dempsie, and many more all made their names from "Skins."

'Community' (2009)

Likewise, "Community" helped to propel the careers of several emerging US stars, including multi-hyphenate Donald Glover. Mixed in with younger stars are veteran actors like Chevy Chase and Jim Rash. The show follows a group of adults making their way through community college, and was birthed by "Rick and Morty" co-creator Dan Harmon.

'Modern Family' (2009)

"Modern Family" was so successful and popular that it ran for 11 years, outlasting the likes of "Friends." The show follows one big family across three separate households. Sofia Vergara, Ed O'Neil, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet all star in this feel-good comedy series.

'Sherlock' (2010)

There will be a debate about which on-screen Sherlock Holmes is the best, but what is not up for debate is that Benedict Cumberbatch's iteration of the character is right up there. Martin Freeman plays the Watson to Cumberbatch's Sherlock in this updated, modern take on Holmes from Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat.

'Black Mirror' (2011)

"Black Mirror" isn't the cheeriest of shows to watch, but it is one of the smartest, and any one of its anthology stories will stick with you. The show's individual efforts are so good that they constantly draw big name stars, from Anthony Mackie to Bryce Dallas Howard. The series explores the dark intersection between technology and humans' relationship with technology.

'Friday Night Dinner' (2011)

"Friday Night Dinner" is one of the easiest shows to watch on this list, and is a guaranteed good time. "Episodes" star Tamsin Greig features as the mother of this family, who constantly try and have a nice sit-down meal with one another every week, only for some sort of mishap to scupper the plans.

'Suits' (2011)

While "Suits" may sometimes now be referred to as "that Meghan Markle show," it should be remembered that it's actually beloved in its own right. The series follows Patrick J. Adams as a college drop-out who stars working in a fictional New York City law firm.

'Homeland' (2011)

Damien Lewis stars as Nicholas Brody, a US Marine Corps Scout Sniper, who Claire Danes (starring as a CIA officer with bipolar disorder) believes was turned by the enemy and is now a threat to the USA. This show was once hailed as one of the very best on TV during its nine-year, eight-season run.

'Episodes' (2011)

In one of Matt LeBlanc's best roles, the former Joey Tribbiani actor stars as a fictionalized version of himself in this show about a duo of British writers (Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan), who happen to be husband and wife, heading to the States to remake their British TV show.

'Line of Duty' (2012)

This anthology British police series follows an anti-corruption police unit and their investigations into various officers. Every season, there's a new investigation, each one more exciting than the last. Stars such as Thandie Newton and Stephen Graham have featured in this show.

'Rick and Morty' (2013)

"Rick and Morty" is one of the most inventive shows on TV, with its mix of irreverent pop-culture references and high-concept sci-fi storylines endearing it to a very dedicated fanbase. A genius but cynical scientist, Rick, sets out on adventures with his nervous grandson, Morty. If you like shows about sarcastic alcoholics turning themselves into pickles, then this is the show for you.

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' (2013)

Not only is "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" one of the funniest shows around, but its also incredibly earnest and feel-good, and boasts the sort of on-screen representation that not many other shows possess. It follows a group of detectives in Brooklyn solving crimes under the leadership of their stoic Captain, James Holt.

'Peaky Blinders' (2013)

Cillian Murphy is a movie star in his own right following appearances in "Batman Begins," "Inception," and "Dunkirk" amongst others, but here he owns the show as the head of the crime-ridden Shelby family in Birmingham, UK in the aftermath of WWI.

'Fargo' (2014)

The Coen brothers' film was so good that it not only won two Academy Awards, including Frances McDormand's first best actress Oscar, but it also made any thought of a television remake seem unbearable. Thankfully, the TV show is brilliant in its own right.

The anthology show follows a different series of interlinking, catastrophic mishaps, and accidents and crimes in the sleepy town of Minnesota. Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton star in the first season, Kirsten Dunst and Patrick Wilson in the second, and Ewan McGregor (playing brothers) and David Thewlis in the third.

'Gotham' (2014)

"Gotham" presents a different version of the fictional city in which Bruce Wayne AKA Batman resides. The series focuses on Jim Gordon and how he started out in the Gotham City Police Department, but also features a very young Bruce Wayne and depicts the origin stories of many iconic DC villains including the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and more.

'Chewing Gum' (2015)

Michaela Coel has recently been launched to international success with her comedy-drama series "I May Destroy You," which she created, wrote, and starred in. If you're a fan of that, you'll like "Chewing Gum," a show she also acted as creator, writer, and star on.

"Chewing Gum" is more comedic than "I May Destroy You," and follows Coel's Tracey Gordon — a religious virgin who is keen to explore more about sex and the world at her feet.

'Humans' (2015)

"Humans" follows highly-intelligent, anthropomorphic robots called "synths," and explores the social and cultural impact such creations would have on our society. Gemma Chan plays one of the synths, and the show touches on people's fear of the uncanny valley while remaining insightful at all times.

'Bodyguard' (2018)

Richard Madden made a name for himself by playing Robb Stark in "Game of Thrones," but he exploded into further stardom playing a bodyguard suffering from PTSD while trying to protect the Home Secretary, played by Keeley Hawes. The show was nominated for best TV drama at the Golden Globes, and Madden won best TV drama actor.

'Pose' (2018)

"Pose" won Billy Porter an Emmy, and he subsequently became the first openly gay black man to win in any of the lead categories. In this progressive show, trans people finally get the chance to shine while playing trans characters in a series that follows the ballroom scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

'The Witcher' (2019)

Fans of "The Witcher" video game were probably equally excited and sceptical when this TV series was announced, but they were pleasantly surprised when Netflix's show starring Henry Cavill as the titular character finally aired. Both this TV series and the video game are based on Andrzej Sapkowski's book series, and the world is brought to life superbly in this epic Netflix tale.

'After Life' (2019)

The fact that this is the third Ricky Gervais show on this list proves how talented a multi-hyphenate Gervais is. And this, which he also created, wrote, and starred in, may be the pick of the bunch. Gervais plays a cynical man with nothing left to lose after his wife dies, and the show is equally as tear-inducing as it is funny.

'Dracula' (2020)

Like Sherlock Holmes, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" has been adapted many times over, with many actors taking on the role, including Christopher Lee and Gary Oldman. But none of them deliver as witty or as magnetic a performance as Danish actor Claes Bang does in this delectable version of the show from "Sherlock" creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat.

'Snowpiercer' (2020)

Bong Joon-ho's "Snowpiercer," starring Chris Evans and a fabulous Tilda Swinton, was a real gem of a movie, and earned a bit of a cult-following on release. It remains to be seen as to whether this television adaptation will garner the same sort of success, but the early signs are pretty good. Starring Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly, the show follows the same story as the movie: Snowpiercer, a mammoth train, continually circles the globe in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, with each carriage split up into different social classes.

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