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Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Stefanie Hutson

Whether you started a trial of Apple TV+ to watch Ted Lasso or you're just curious about the service, you'll be pleased to know it offers a number of shows likely to appeal to British TV fans. 

Below, we talk about the Apple TV+ shows we recommend for British TV watchers. Most are British (set in the UK and starring mostly UK actors), but some are American shows featuring prominent British or Irish actors. We have not included any of the shows that require additional purchases or subscriptions within Apple TV+.

Please keep in mind that as with all streaming services, availability can change after this list is published.

The Best Apple TV+ Shows for British TV Fans

Bad Sisters – Ireland – 2022 – Set in London and Dublin, this dark comedy is based on the Flemish series Clan, which tells the story of sisters brought close together by the death of their parents. When their brother-in-law dies, his life insurance company endeavours to prove one or more of the sisters had malicious intent. For those wondering – Bad Sisters, Season 2 has the green light. 

Becoming You – 2020 – Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) narrates this series about how a child’s first 2000 days will shape the rest of their lives.

Big Beasts – 2023 – Actor Tom Hiddleston narrates this 10-part journey around the world to see some of nature's most fascinating and enormous creatures. Filmed across 17 countries over the course of two years, the series includes gray whales, gorillas, hippos, brown bears, ostriches, tigers, and polar bears, among other large animals. 

The Big Door Prize – United States – 2023 – Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd) stars in this series about a small town that’s changed forever when a mysterious machine appears, promising to tell everyone their true life’s potential. Based on what it tells them, many of the townspeople begin taking drastic actions to rewrite their own destinies. The series is based on M.O. Walsh's novel of the same name.

Though not a British series, British TV fans will recognise Chris O'Dowd from shows like Moone Boy, The IT Crowd, State of the Union, and Family Tree.

The Buccaneers – 2023 – Inspired by Edith Wharton's unfinished novel The Buccaneers, this period drama follows a group of “new money” American ladies who head to London in search of husbands and titles. With their brash American mannerisms, they'll come up against just as many issues as they make a new home in the land of the stiff upper lip. 

COMING SOON – Criminal Record – 2024 – Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo will star in this eight-episode thriller about “detectives in a tug of war over a historic murder conviction”. The character-driven series will be set in contemporary London, focusing on the dynamics of a young woman in the early stages of her career going up against a more established and well-connected man. Premieres January 10th.

The Earth at Night – 2020 to present – British actor Tom Hiddleston narrates this nature series about the nighttime lives of wild animals.

The Enfield Poltergeist – 2023 – The Enfield poltergeist is one of the most famous hauntings in British history, and this is just the latest in a long line of productions inspired by the claims of supernatural activity at 284 Green Street in Enfield (a town in north London). This docuseries takes a look at the 1977 haunting that terrorised a family while also showing the country that hauntings weren't reserved for stately homes and ancient castles. It reconstructs the events using a mix of interviews and real recordings captured by paranormal investigator Maurice Grosse.

The Essex Serpent – 2022 – Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston star in this Victorian-era period drama about a newly-widowed woman who’s eager to start fresh after the death of her abusive husband. She heads to a small Essex village and finds herself quickly wrapped up in tales of a mythical sea dragon and a clash with the local vicar.

Fingernails – 2023 – This sci-fi romance follows Anna (Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White, The Bear), a perfectly matched couple, aside from one minor detail. Despite being matched by a controversial, cutting-edge technology, Anna isn't convinced. When she takes a job at a love testing institute and meets Amir (Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal), her doubts only grow. 

Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas – 2023 – Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham hosts this Christmas-themed musical event in which she performs festivae classics and welcomes a variety of famous and interesting special guests. The special was pre-recorded live in front of an audience at the London Coliseum. 

Hijack – 2023 – When a flight from Dubai to London is hijacked, businessman Sam Nelson will have to use his negotiating skills to get everyone back on the ground in one piece. Idris Elba stars. 

Liaison – 2023 – This French and British production dives into the world of French spies, exploring how the mistakes of our past hold the potential to destroy the future. 

Long Way Down – 2007 – This docuseries follows Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and English presenter Charley Boorman as they undertake a motorcycle journey from John o’Groats in Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa.

Long Way Round – 2004 – This docuseries follows Scottish actor Ewan McGregor and English presenter Charley Boorman as they travel from London to New York City on motorcycles. They travel east through Europe and Asia, then take a flight to Alaska and continue by road to New York.

Long Way Up – 2020 – This docuseries picks up more than a decade after Long Way Round and Long Way Down, following Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they travel from Argentina to Los Angeles.

The Pigeon Tunnel – 2023 – This feature documentary takes a look back at the life and career of former British spy David Cornwell. To most, he's better known as John le Carré, the bestselling author of spy thrillers like The Night Manager, The Constant Gardener, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The documentary draws from Cornwell's best-selling memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life, and it follows his career over the course of six eventful decades. It also includes his moving final interview, showing the tight-lipped man at his most candid.

Prehistoric Planet – 2022 – Sir David Attenborough hosts this peek back in time to see what the world might have been like when dinosaurs and other extraordinary creatures roamed the planet.

Shantaram – United States – 2022 – Based on Gregory David Roberts’ novel of the same name, this period drama follows an Australian bank robber called Lin Ford (English actor Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy) who flees to India. Richard Roxburgh (Rake) appears as DS Marty Nightingalem.

Slow Horses – 2022 – Gary Oldman stars in this series about a team of British intelligence agents who each find themselves dumped in a department at Slough House after career-ending mistakes. The series is based on Mick Herron's Slough House novels, and it's already been renewed for seasons 3 and 4.

Surface – United States – 2022 – British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Bonekickers, Black Mirror) stars in this psychological thriller about a San Francisco woman who survives a suicide attempt but loses all her recent memories.

Suspicion – 2022 – After being identified as suspects in the kidnapping of an American media mogul’s son, five people see their lives turned upside down. Robert Glenister (Hustle) and Jennifer Ehle (Pride & Prejudice) are among the cast members. 

The Me You Can’t See – United States – 2021 – Wealthy celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry discuss the hardships in their lives and the ways they’ve suffered, offering advice on mental health.

Ted Lasso – 2020 to present – Jason Sudeikis plays an American college football coach who takes over as head coach of a British football club (aka “soccer” in the US). Even if you don't think you'd ever want to watch a show about football, it's worth giving this one a try. It's more about people than sport.

Trying – 2020 to present – This sitcom follows a couple, Nikki and Jason, who desperately want to become parents but struggle to conceive a child. They decide they’ll adopt, only to face a whole new set of challenges.

The Velveteen Rabbit – 2023 – Based on Margery Williams' much-loved classic children's tale, this family-friendly special follows 7-year-old William as he receives a special toy for Christmas, only to discover he's made a lifelong friend.

The Year Earth Changed – 2021 – The pandemic-driven lockdowns may have been hard on people, but while the people were inside, nature thrived.

How to Subscribe to Apple TV+

If you're not familiar with Apple TV+, they have a handy guide on how to set it up HERE. 

Before you do that, though, make sure you check whether any of the services you already use have an extended free trial or promo. Some T-Mobile plans (including many Sprint plans now under T-Mobile) offer a free subscription to Apple TV+, and Playstation 5 and Best Buy have also offered deals for 2-3 months free.

People who have purchased many Apple computers and devices also get free months through different promos, and people who've bought new Rokus during promotional periods have also been offered similar promotions.

In the UK, Sky TV, Currys, O2/Virgin Media, and Barclaycard have all offered a variety of free Apple TV+ deals.

Though these deals are constantly changing and rotating, it's worth checking if you use any of these businesses or services.