'Serious' Telly

What do ya'll got in the way of British drama television series?

PBS airs British dramas weekly on 'Masterpiece Theater' presented by David Tennant and mysteries on 'Mystery!'

My old man always taped 'Mystery!' and we would watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Brother Cadfael and Agatha Christie adaptations Poirot and Miss Marple. I have also seen the series Rosemary and Thyme, some of Foyles war and Inspectors Morse and Lynley.

What are some of the better modern dramas? I have heard of Spooks, but if they don't play it on PBS, then I am really in the dark.

Also, what are some American dramas that have gone over well on British Television?

My favourites over the years have been Magnum P.I., Tour of Duty, CSI and Lost. Although I am not sure to what extent these shows have been aired in the UK.

Our telly drama hasn't been too great in recent years, but shows worth looking out for include Ashes to Ashes, Survivors, Life On Mars, Being Human, Misfits, State Of Play, Dead Set, Doctor Who and Torchwood.

And Bodies.

Quote: deckard @ February 26 2010, 3:08 AM GMT

My favourites over the years have been Magbum P.E.N.I.S, Tour of Booty, KYbrownI and Lust. Although I am not sure to what extent these shows have been aired in the UK.

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You're just a porn addict.

I quite liked Garrow's Law, even if it did seem a bit tame after the similarly themed City of Vice.

Quote: chipolata @ February 26 2010, 9:42 AM GMT

Ashes to Ashes, Survivors, Life On Mars, Being Human, Misfits, State Of Play, Dead Set, Doctor Who and Torchwood.

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I'd narrow it down a little. Watch State of Play, Being Human and Dead Set. The rest you will probably find unbearably gay.

Actually, recent series of Spooks have been not bad. The gay was pretty much killed off by series five.

The Alan Clarke Diaries was good too. And some raved about Shameless and The Street, but I wasn't fussed about either.

The Street was terribly sentimental and a little obvious, I thought.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ February 26 2010, 11:19 AM GMT

I'd narrow it down a little. Watch State of Play, Being Human and Dead Set. The rest you will probably find unbearably gay. Actually, recent series of Spooks have been not bad. The gay was pretty much killed off by series five.

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Which reminds me, Queer As Folk was good too. As was Casanova.

Do all British sitcoms / dramas get put on PBS? Isn't PBS seen as a bit of a joke channel that someone watches when sports or porn isn't on?

Quote: Paul W @ February 26 2010, 11:37 AM GMT

Do all British sitcoms / dramas get put on PBS? Isn't PBS seen as a bit of a joke channel that someone watches when sports or porn isn't on?

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It's supported by donations and government grants, so it can only afford to buy in cheap BBC tosh, but that's fine as it also has a bit of a left-leaning (by US standards) pseudointellectual bent.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ February 26 2010, 11:42 AM GMT

...so it can only afford to buy in cheap BBC tosh..

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That's really quite incorrect.

Quote: Aaron @ February 26 2010, 1:53 PM GMT

That's really quite incorrect.

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You're right. I just looked up the schedules for my old local PBS and it's all cheap ITV tosh.

Quote: chipolata @ February 26 2010, 11:30 AM GMT

Which reminds me, Queer As Folk was good too. As was Casanova.

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Yes!

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ February 26 2010, 2:08 PM GMT

You're right. I just looked up the schedules for my old local PBS and it's all cheap ITV tosh.

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(That is actually largely what I was getting at.)

(Most of them are co-productions with WGBH in the first place.)