56 best English TV series you must watch before you die

Lots of TV shows start off strong ,and don't quite live up to the hype over five to six seasons .

But some TV shows are special .They start solid and never lose you .                                           


56.  Columbo :(1968-78, 1998-2003)

The beauty of Columbo,and a huge why it continues to be a staple on the afternoon TV schedules , 45 years after its debut , is that it took a different approach. Here was a cop showthat wasn't a whodunit -We know who the killer is from the off. It's not even whydunit.It's a hoehegonnagetem ,as Columbo slowly ,painstakingly pieces together his clues ,ready for the big reveal at the end .It was a glorious subversion of everything we;d been conditioned to expect from cop shows. There are few greater joys in television than watching the seemingly absent-minded lietenant run rings around a snooty killer who underestimated him from the very second they met.

55.Sex And The City :(1998-2004)

Carrie ,Miranda ,Samantha and Charlotte ,four sassy New York based women ,who are best friends ,gossip about their social lives and constantly search for long-lasting relationships.

54. 30 Rock : (2003-2013)

Liz Lemon ,head writer of a sketch comed show must deal with her arrogant boss crazy stars, all while trying to run a successful TV show without losing her mind .

53. M*A*S*H : ( 1972-1983)

The series is centeres upon the interrelationships ,stress and trauma involved in being a part of Mobile Army Surgical Hospital .They survive insuperable odds with the help of practical jokes and fun .

52. The Americans : 2013 present



During the Cold War ,two Russian spies ,who are married to each other and have kids , pose as Americans while residing in Washington DC in order to spy on the American government,

51. ER (1994-2009)

It ran until there wasn't a single member of the original cast left (at least ,until the spectacular reunion finale)but ER amazingly showed little sign of decline throuhout its 15 year run .Based on a film script byMichael Crichton, the series evolved into a weekly slice of emergency medicine at Chicago's county hospital,one that was seperaed from inferior imitators by smart scripts, great characters and a willingness to shock -Dr Greene's bathroom attack , Lucy and Carter vs schizophrenic knife-wielder .The llist of cameos ,both in front and behind the camera , is as long as your arm and boasted such names as Quentin Tarantino ,Kristen Dunst and Ewan Mc Gregor.

50. Star Trek : Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)


The perfect show for binge- watching before the concept existed .In its earliest days , this spin off to Star Trek: The Next Generation felt like the storytelling was going to by-the-numbers Trek,only on a space station.Flash -forward a couple of seasons, and this is the show that broke the Star Trek Mould , filled with flesh-and -blood human beings(even if they were aliens ), character arcs that frequently stretched over the course of seasons ,ground breaking story-telling and complex characters .Some complain this station -bound show doesn't go anywhere , but this the Trek that went where none had gone before.

49. Arrested Development: (2003-2006) , Netflix-2013 present

After his father's arrest , Michael , a widower with a 13 year old son , named George -Michael struggles to keep his dysfunctinal family together.

48. The Bridge ( Broen) 2011_

A body is discovered on a bridge between Denmark and Sweden.The two Countries have to work together in order to catch the killer .

47. Fargo 2014-

Lester Nygaard ,an insurance salesman , lives a life of monotony with his uninteresting wife .He meets Lorne Malvo who convinces him to tag along in search of killer .

46. Parks and Recreation :(2009-2015)

Leslie Knope, a mid level bureaucrat , wishes to hep a local nurse ,Ann ,convert a discused construction site into a community park ,but deals with red -tapeism and self -centred neighbours .

45. The Walking Dead :2010-

Agroup of survivors led by police officer Rick Grimes travel in search of a safe and secure hom after a zombie apocalypse spreads across the USA .

44. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974)

And now for something completely different and how ? .The brainy members of the python troupe present sketches from the absurd to obscure ,and milk humor out of anything they come across .Just mention the ''Dead Parrot'' sketch , the ''Ministry of Funny Walks''or ''Spam,'' and you 'll get a chorus of python fans chiming in wth the best lines .

43. Doctor Who : (1963-89/2005)

In the Ood Sphere , the Ood warn the Doctor that the time has come for the Master to return .On Earth , a group of women aare engrossed in bringing The Master back to life but their cause is Sabotaged .

42. Six Feet Under : (2001-2015)

When Nathaniel Fisher Sr.dies , he hands over the control of his funeral home business to his Sons Nathaniel Samuel Jr, and David .But the brothers and the entire family are caught in a conflict.

41. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

 After being ousted as Dillon High's football coach ,Coach Eric Taylor must build a team from the ground up at East Dillion .Eric's wife ,Tami, also is challenged in her role as principal at west Dillon ,as the parents of students who were zoned out of the district blame her for their kids being thrust into a less -than -desirable situation at East Dillon.While dealing with issues at their respective jobs , Eric and Tami also face challenges in their family with teenage daughter Julie .

40. Only Fools And Horses : (1981-2003)

The later Christmas specials may have been about as funny as an Oxfam ad but for most of its run ,Only Fools And Horses was a sitcom that made you proud to be British .Del Boy and Rodney Trotter's doomed attempts to become millionaires kept the nation smiling for over 20 years and even with constant repeats , they still manage to raise a giggle today .No matter how many times you watch the best bits ( the chandelier scene,the yuppie bar fall, the Batman And Robin run),they never fail to make us laugh.

39. I' m Alan Partridge : (1997-2002)


More Cracking comedy from the ultimate little Englander Steve Coogan's grotesque comic creation Alan Partridge .

38. The Thick Of It (2005-2012)

The Thick of it satirizes the inner workings of modern British Government , with focus on the fictitious Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, a rather broad title that allows many political themes and viewpoints to be introduced . The department is run by an appointed minister , one who of course is depicted as bumbling . over matched and out with the public .

37. Curb Your Enthusiasm : 2000


Take a closer llok at the nearly perfect personal and professional life of David who is a popular personality in the entertainmnt industry .He lives happily with his wife in Los Angeles.

36. Star Trek : (1966-1969)

Star Trek is an American media franchise based on the science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry.

35. Sherlock : 2010-


Dr,Watson, a former army doctor ,finds himself shariga flat with Sherlock Holmes, an eccentric individual with a knack for solving crimes Together , they take on the most unusual cases.

34. Twin Peaks : 1990-1991

A Crime drama mixed with healthy doses of the surreal , this series is about FBI Agent Dale Cooper ,who travels to the small logging town of Twin Peaks to solve the murder of seemingly innocent high schooler Laura Palmr .Almost nothing is as seems, however , and the show's sometimes eerie visuals ,oddball characters and wild drea sequenecs drive the point home .

33. The Office (UK) : (2001-2003)


The US adaptation ,set at a paer company in scranton,pa ,haas a similar documentary style to that of the Ricky Gervais-led British original.It features the staff of Dunder -Mifflin , a staff that includes characters based on characters from the British show (and ,quite possibly ,people you work with in your office ) .There's Jim , the likable employe who's a bit of an everyman .Jim has a thing for receptionist- turned-scales rep pam (because office romances are always a good idea )There's also Dwight ,the successful co-worker who lacks social skills and common sense .And there's Ryan ,who has held many jobs at the company .

32. Lost : (2004-2010)

The survivors of a plane crash find themselves stranded on a mysterious island . They are forced to work together for their suvival when realis that they are not alone on the island .

31. Seinfeld (1990-1998)

 A stand up comedian's life in New York City is made even more chaotic by his quirky group of friends who join him in wrestling with life's most perplexing ,yet often trivial questions .

30. Fawlty Towers : (1975-1979)


Basil Fawlty , an intolerant and rude manger tries to run the hotel ,constantly under verbal attack from his unhelpful wife Sybil and hindered by the incompetent Manuel , their Spanish waiter.

29. 24 (2001-2015)

Jack Bauer , an agent working for Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit ,solves various cases along with his dedicated team .Jack comes down hard upon criminals ,not bothered by the consequences .

28. Buffy The Vampire Slayer :(1997-2003)


At 16, Buffy was chosen to hunt vampires ,demons and the like, At Sunny dale High ,she is joined by Willow Alexander and Giles ,as she deals with school life while saving the world at the same time.

27. The X-Files (1993-2006)


Fox Mulder who believed in extraterrestrial life forms and the paranormal and Dana Scully , a Doctor and a sceptic , are FBI agents who investigate cases that consist of elements of the supernatural.

26. The Shield (2002-2008)

The Series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions .

25. Fraiser (1993-2004)


24. Homicide :Life on The Streets : (1993-1999)

This fast-paced police drama portrays  the brutal detective work of a homicide department in Baltimore .Dealing with the numerous murders are Detective John Munch ,Lt.AI Giardello and Det .Meldrick Lewis .Early episodes of th show were inspired by the hook ''Homicide : A year on th Killing Streets '' written by David Simon .

23. Spaced :(1991-2001)


Tim , a comic book artist who just broke up with the lov of his life ,and Daisy , an aspiring writer , meet by chance and decide to pose as a professional couple to secure a relatively cheap flat .

22.Mad Men : (2007-2015)

Donald Draper , the creative director at the sterling cooper ad agency in New York ,tries to maintain a balance between his exceptional professional life and wavering personal life in the 1960s.

21. Hill Street Bonus :(1981-1987)

A gritty , realistic look at the life of cops in a large (and unnamed ) metropolitan city .Led by Capt .Frank Furillo, the cops of the Hill Street station kept the peace - though there were plenty of casualtis along the way .Focusing more on those within the precinct than on the caases they were trying to solve ,''Hill Street Blues '' cast of characters featured public defendeer Joyce Davenport (who later married Furillo) ,gruff agt. Phil Esterhaus (who always cautioned his charges to ''be careful to ''be careful out there '') , eccentric Lt. Howard Hunter ,Officer Lucy Bates and sgt .Mick Belker (who sometimes resorted to injuring the felons he apprehended ).

20. The Sopranos :(1999-2007)


Tony Soprano , an Italian -American mafia head based in New Jersey , struggles to manage his family and criminal life and confides his affair to his psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi.

19.Deadwood :(2004-2006)

''Deadwood '' is set in a mining town that was not part of any U.S state or territory in the post -Civil War years , and thus was literally lawless .Deadwood attracts people looking to get rich after a huge gold strike , as well as those looking to capitalize on the lack of organised law in the town , built on land stolen from the Sioux.

18. The Twilight Zone : (1959-1964)



This anthology series features a collection of mystical tales with ample doses of tragic and comic undercurrents concluding with a shocking twist .

17. Cracker :(1993-1996,2006)


''I drink too much , I smoke too much , I gamble too much .I am too much .''So says criminal psychologist Eddie Fitz  Fitzgerald , but in his self - analysis he left out ''brilliant '' and '' cagey '' two qualities he uses to aid the police in Manchester ,  England ,profile and catch killers .His cerebral approach is supported by DS jane Penhaligon , who also happens to be Fitz's Love Interest , and clashes with the old -style aggressive policing of DS Jimmy Beck .

16. The Killing(Forbrydelsen) : (2007-2012)

This anthology series features a collection of mystical tales with ample doses of tragic and comic undercurrents concluding with a shocking twist .

15.Blackadder : (1983-1989)

For a show that began expensive and extravagant , and only survived the chop when its creators (including Ben Elton AND Richard Curtis )agreed to turn it into a studio-bound production, Blackadder quicky entered the national consiousness for its well- constructed gags and some consumate acting from the likes of Rowan Atkinson , Tony Robinson ,Hugh Laurie ,Tim Mclnnerny and revoving -door troupe of guests .For all its formulaic nature , the show was consistently sharp and funny , and even , with its fourth series ,Blackadder Goes Forthshowed off a beating heart of compassion.

14. OZ  : (1997-2003)

Inmates and correctional officers inside the Oswald State Correctional Facility , nicknamed ''OZ ,'' battle for power and survival amid warring factions and explosive acts of retribution .Much of the show takes place in Emerald City , an experimental unit in the facility that tries to emphasize rehabilitation and learning responsibility while being incarcerated .Tim McManus is the unit manager of Emberald City .

13. Battlestar Galactica : (2003-2009)

The series is an epic saga of a group of humans abroad a battleship- Battlestar Galacctica ,they are forced to abandon their planet after being attacked by Cyclons who were created as slaves by humans .

12. Game of Thrones :2011-

Several royal families desire the Iron Throne to gain control of Westeros .Whilst Kingdoms fight each other for power , a sinister force lurks beyond the wall in the north .

11. Friends :(1994-2004)

Take a look at some of the best episodes of Friends the story of six friends living in Manhattan ,who experience comfort and companionship with each other as they indulge in many adventures.

10. The Simpsons :1989-

Homer Simpson and his dysfunctional family come across comical situations in the city of Springfield .

9.The West Wing :(1996-2006)


American president Josian Barlet and his administration tackle various political issues in order to maintain peace and harmony in the nation.

8. Breaking Bad :(2003-2013)

Walter white , a chemistry teacher , discover that he has cancer and decides to get into the meth-making business to repay his medical debts. His priorities begin to change when he partners with Jesse.

7. The Wire : (2002-2008)

The Wire's Crown as Greatest TV show of all Time ,  but nearly a decade after we left Baltimore , nothing has come close .

6. How I Met Your Mother

Admit it , you watched HIMYM for Barney and maybe the eye candy in it . Because the story and plot of the show died long back .

5.The Big Bang Theory

The lives of socially awkward physicts Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper take a wild turn when the beautiful and free-spirited Penny moves in next door .

4.Grey's Anatomy

Nice drama but its medical sciencce is just all over the place .I am sure surgeons are pretty chill in OTs but more sure that they don't discuss what an a** thir ex while opening someone up.

3.Prison Break

Iconic prison drama that lost its glory by the end. But irrespective of how it ended , Prison Brak has an epic fan following for all the right reasons .Though not many brilliant mainstream dramas are made ,so we had to pick out a completely diffrent sort of vibe for you .

2.Suits


This show about lawyers could have asliy been a period drama .with the style and suave , it belongs right in the 6os.

1.  Two and a Half Men

You Know it just as well that whatever humor and uniqueness Two and a Half Man had, went way with Charlie Sheen .So its time to make room for someone else.