Amazing TV series that others might not see internationally!

[IsabellaSnow]

Hey! Forgive me if there's another thread on this but I couldn't find one!

I saw a comment on some quotes from a good British tv series from an American guy saying how much he loves the show and how it's a shame less Americans know about it, and I thought that actually with the abundance of tv in each country we're probably only watching a handful of the amazing shows out there!
I watch a lot of US shows as most tend to come out here but if anyone has any really good ones please post them up as I'm always looking for new shows to watch!

I'll start with some british sit coms, I know some shows have been recreated to US versions but the originals are amazing! Pretty much all of these are a different type of humour to what you see in US sit coms, more dry humour.

- The inbetweeners- I've watched some of the US version and it just wasn't what the original version was. I'm not sure I've ever met someone who doesn't love this show.

- Peep Show- Try watching an episode, it may not be to your liking as it's very dry, but it's worth a watch. I love this show!

- Father Ted - Very light humour about irish priests.

Dramas

- Downton Abbey I believe has become really popular in the US but I'll leave it here in case anyone's missed it..

- Secret Diary of a call girl

- Rome- This is actually a mixture of being british, american and italian I think and has been shown elsewhere but is worth a mention! Well made show, good characters, sex, fighting, politics and costumes!

Especially with the comedies definitely have a watch of one episode and see what you think!

 

[GracieHart]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Great idea Isabella! I second Father Ted and Peep Show.

The Missing which is currently on the BBC is great!

The Fall is back for a second series and features the sexy Jamie Dornan as well as Gillian Anderson - very creepy.

Luther was awesome and has the wonderful Idris Elba as the main character.

Love Hate is an Irish drama about drug gangs - it is excellent although the accents might be a little hard to understand.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Hoping it's okay to add some older ones not currently on TV, but still available by other means.

When I was growing up the local PBS stations always played British shows at night. That's how many of us older Americans were originally introduced to Doctor Who.

But a few of my favorite comedies were from that time as well.

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073990/

BBC Television comedy detailing the fortunes of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin. Disillusioned after a long career at Sunshine Desserts, Perrin goes through a mid-life crisis and fakes his own death. Returning in disguise after various attempts at finding a 'new life', he gets his old job back and finds nothing has changed. He is eventually found out, and in the second series has success with a chain of shops selling useless junk. That becomes so successful that he feels he has created a monster and decides to destroy it. In the third and final series he has a dream of forming a commune which his long suffering colleagues help bring to reality. Unfortunately that also fails and he finds himself back in a job not unlike the one he originally had at Sunshine Desserts.

Fawlty Towers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Basil and Manuel. 'Nuff said. :lol:

Good Neighbors aka "The Good Life"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075511/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The perils of "escaping the rat race" and dropping out of society - to start a farm in Surbiton (and to drive Margo nuts).

Good Neighbor's (as it was called here in America) probably had the most profound influence on my life of any show I've ever watched. From the overall ideal of being self sufficient, making do and being creative with what you had to just the character of the characters. There hasn't really been a show like this since. Plus I had a total crush on Felicity Kendal.

 

[Fay_Galore]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I'd like to add "Top of the Lake" it's New Zealand/UK, it's very good! great atmosphere, cinematography and storyline.



Luther as mentioned above, Sherlock of course, The Bridge - scandinavian crime, Wallander, there's loads of great scandinavian crime shows actually.

 

[Red7227]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

...Plus I had a total crush on Felicity Kendal.

We all had a crush on Felicity Kendal

The Brittas Empire

 

[mynameisbob84]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Spaced - Brilliant British comedy from Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg/Nick Frost (pre-Cornetto trilogy) about two 20-somethings sharing a flat. Despite the really unadventurous premise, it's really well written, rammed to the tits with pop culture references and subtle visual gags, and has an awesome dog called Colin...



Brasseye/jam/The Day Today - Surrealist/socio-political comedy from Chris Morris. From introducing Alan Partridge on the news-lampooning Day Today...



... to the thoroughly bizarre and darkly humorous jam...



... or the controversial Brasseye, that had the British media pretty much calling for Morris' head after the 'paedophile special' (which was never making light of paedophilia, but rather mocking the sensationalist coverage of paedophilia in the British media that exists primarily to cause panic and hysteria in a bid to increase revenue, whilst also taking advantage of the stupidity of celebrities)...



... Morris is pretty much a comedic genius.

 

[LovelyLucille]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I don't think I saw this one mentioned already, so I have to chime in and recommend Utopia. The original is a UK based show, although I know there is an American version planned for HBO. It's definitely a darker show and from what I hear comes with some pretty strong warnings before it airs on TV. But it's just absolutely brilliant in every way. There's currently two seasons, but I don't think there have been any solidified plans for any more.

The story follows a small group of people who find themselves in possession of the manuscript sequel of a cult graphic novel called The Utopia Experiments, which is rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century. This leads them to be targeted by an organisation known as The Network, which they must avoid to survive. Using the manuscript, they must uncover the meaning hidden in its pages before the disasters depicted become reality.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Fawlty Towers
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Quote:
Basil and Manuel. 'Nuff said.


Good Neighbors aka "The Good Life"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075511/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Ahhh nostalgia! I love The Good Life. I was never as keen on Fawlty Towers but my family loved it, I think at the time it was showing a lot I was a bit too young to fully appreciate it

 

[Alexandra Cole]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Black Mirror.

It kills me that this isn't available in the US, though it looks like this year's Xmas special will be available if you have DirectTV (as far as I know). It's ridiculous what I have to do to re-watch previous seasons.

Edited to add: Peep Show's on Netflix (in the US) for anyone interested. Great show.

 

[Osmia]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Here's a list I had already made for someone, so I might as well use it here as-is.

In lieu of descriptions, I've included links to Wikipedia and IMDB. Not all of these are "amazing," but they're at least good-to-excellent entertainment IMHO, especially if you like British and Scandinavian dramas.

These were viewed on Netflix, Amazon video, or obtained "by other means"


Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annika_Bengtzon
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2188010/


The Bridge (original Danish/Swedish series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_(Danish/Swedish_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1733785/


Collision
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collision_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1349084/


The Eagle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eagle_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383164/


The Fall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294189/


Five Days
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Days
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840094/


Identity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1468779/


Life on Mars (British original)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(UK_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478942/


Luther
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1474684/


Murder in Suburbia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_in_Suburbia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396997/


Spooks (aka MI-5)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spooks
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160904/


State of Play
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Play_(TV_serial)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362192/


The State Within
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_State_Within
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770652/


Wallander (original Swedish series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallander_(Swedish_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907702/


Wallander (British adaptation with Kenneth Branagh)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallander_(UK_TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178618/

 

[GracieHart]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Seconding Spooks and Black Mirror. Both are incredible.

 

[mynameisbob84]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I just started Peaky Blinders last night. Really good. Like Boardwalk Empire but set in 1920s Birmingham and with lots of Nick Cave and Jack White on the soundtrack.

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Seconding Spooks and Black Mirror. Both are incredible.

Thirding the Black Mirror I just wish they would make more 3 episodes a series.

 

[InaraPage]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I don't think I saw this one mentioned already, so I have to chime in and recommend Utopia. The original is a UK based show, although I know there is an American version planned for HBO. It's definitely a darker show and from what I hear comes with some pretty strong warnings before it airs on TV. But it's just absolutely brilliant in every way. There's currently two seasons, but I don't think there have been any solidified plans for any more.

The story follows a small group of people who find themselves in possession of the manuscript sequel of a cult graphic novel called The Utopia Experiments, which is rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century. This leads them to be targeted by an organisation known as The Network, which they must avoid to survive. Using the manuscript, they must uncover the meaning hidden in its pages before the disasters depicted become reality.

I need to +1 this post. Excellent show, and so beautifully made!


Didn't see anyone mention Black Books or The IT Crowd yet, both are hilarious british comedy shows.

 

[hapa74]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Black Mirror.

It kills me that this isn't available in the US, though it looks like this year's Xmas special will be available if you have DirectTV (as far as I know). It's ridiculous what I have to do to re-watch previous seasons.

Edited to add: Peep Show's on Netflix (in the US) for anyone interested. Great show.

I noticed that Netflix US has added "Black Mirror"...I will be watching this!

 

[waogo]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Black Mirror is really good. I need to watch Utopia before the HBO redo, especially since the original's been cancelled, now, I believe.

For an addition, there's Cuckoo. Which is a weird UK sitcom about a crazy guy that a girl has married after knowing him for a few days, and them coming home to live with her parents in England. Starring Andy Samberg and then Taylor Lautner. Also getting a US remake.

 

[Worship Jaclyn]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Seconding Spaced so hard. I fucking love that show and no one over here has seen it.

Also Sugar Rush is a teen lesbian show that's pretty cutesy.

 

[Crumb]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I'm going to throw Real Humans into the ring. A Swedish series that just aired in Canada on Space Channel.
I caught onto it a bit late and would like to see if from the beginning hopefully Space airs it again with the subtitles (cause I can only seem to find the torrents in the original Swedish lang. )

 

[Misono]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

The UK version of The IT Crowd is very good in my opinion.

Spooks has already been mentioned, and I've really enjoyed The Thick of It, which is a political satire.

 

[MissHannelore]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Please don't tell me that there's a remake of the OT crowd?!!! :naughty:

Edit: just googled and saw that our Richard is still in the US version. But without Dave Berry I just can't give it the time of day! The IT Crowd is my fave show atm I just CAN'T watch the new one.. nooooo!

 

[EdgarAllenWhoa]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

mynameisbob mentioned Peaky Blinders...I am heavily into that on, very well written and a little surreal with the amazing sound track.

"The Inbetweeners" is a complete scream its the only show I have seen that really covers what horrible, horny, little beasts teenage boys are like. Aka I remember what I was like ...ugh.

not sure if it is really American or not because it has Weinstein all over it but "Marco Polo" on Netflix is ALOT of fun. I guess you could say it's a little Game of Thrones meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon kind of sort of thingy

that's right "kid of sort of thingy"...

but I am still binge watching it hard.

 

[MissHannelore]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

I meant Matt Berry for the post above... teehee!

Shows I love from days gone by and have watched them all recently:

Bottom


Men Behaving Badly


The Young Ones


Gimme Gimme Gimme


They are all very vulgar and/or slapstick! AND I LOVE 'EM!

 

[Misono]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Please don't tell me that there's a remake of the OT crowd?!!! :naughty:

Edit: just googled and saw that our Richard is still in the US version. But without Dave Berry I just can't give it the time of day! The IT Crowd is my fave show atm I just CAN'T watch the new one.. nooooo!

Do you mean Matt Berry? If so, tried Toast of London?

 

[MissHannelore]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Jaa I corrected myself in my last post. Yes and for some reason I really don't like Toast of London :?

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Black Mirror is really good. I need to watch Utopia before the HBO redo, especially since the original's been cancelled, now, I believe.

I just watched the Christmas episode of Black Mirror, starring Jon Hamm. (I am so use to see him as Don Draper its cool to see him in another role.)
It's probably my favorite episode so far and its especially apropos for camming as it takes the concept of ignore from a chat room and extends it to real life.

 

[gonegirl4]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

'the returned' is a french series that's probably the best thing I've watched this year http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2521668/

also 'the fall' is by the BBC and set in Ireland, if you're into psychological/serial killer stuff it's amazing. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294189/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3

and I'm not sure if everyone's already all over this, but 'Lost Girl' is a Canadian show that I can not speak more highly of! I either want to be or bang pretty much all of the characters, and it satisfies my fantasy addiction so so well. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1429449/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

[zippypinhead]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

No talk about American shows so far, but it occurs to me that there's probably a whole lot of stuff produced in the U.S. that just doesn't really make it abroad. By way of anecdotal evidence, I have a friend from Singapore who has come to spend Christmas with me, and I just happened to put on @Midnight to pass a few minutes today, to which she responded, "American shows are so strange!" And tonight my family and I introduced her to Drunk History, which she really seemed to love. We take for granted that so much of our pop culture is exported, but I can imagine that lots of what fills up our endless arrays of cable channels -- including the good, weird, stuff with lots of personality -- doesn't actually make it too far beyond our borders, while all the really popular, high-budget, acclaimed stuff that rises to a more visible status does.

For my part in the UK love fest, panel shows are my jam -- QI, Would I Lie To You?, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Nevermind the Buzzcocks. I hear Mel B was a shit show on last night's Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and I can't wait to see it! I also really like anything that Noel Fielding has done. Mighty Boosh got a brief run on Adult Swim here in the U.S., which was great, and I honestly believe that the first season of Luxury Comedy is the best piece of artistic expression produced so far this century.

 

[Misono]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

Going to add Garth Marenghi's Darkplace on here, a spoof 80's show, complete with bad scripts, bad acting and bad production all around.

 

[Doc_Mercy]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

One of my favourite TV series was the magnificent 'Red Dwarf' basically I spent my teenage years watching this. One of my personal favs was the episode 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' from season 6, episode 3.

This is just a small vid to show the madness from the Mechanoid 'Kryten'


Another one is 'Blackadder' there were four 'seasons' including a wonderful 4th season from the trenches of World War 1. The show was written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, yes that Richard Curtis who wrote Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill, and Love Actually. The show also included Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Tim McInnerny.

This is one of my favourite scenes from the show, featuring the late Rik Mayall.

 

[MissHannelore]

Re: Amazing TV series that others might not see internationa

This has to be my favourite thread at the moment!

I also can't wait to watch Mel B on the Quiz. I heard so much about it!