Looking for the best BBC dramas to watch right now? We've got a great selection right here which our team has picked.
From period dramas like Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, The English, War and Peace, and Gentleman Jack to crime hits like Ludwig, The Jetty, Rebus, Blue Lights, Shetland, Vigil, Silent Witness and Line of Duty, there are all sorts of great dramas you can watch on BBC iPlayer. Also, don't miss the last series of Happy Valley or Death in Paradise spin-offs Return to Paradise and Beyond Paradise or Jamie Dornan in The Tourist. Plus, there are exciting dramas like The Following Events Are Based On A Pack of Lies and The Woman in the Wall. If you fancy something a bit different, then Tokyo Vice might suit. We want to ensure there's something for everyone in our selection.
So if you're trying to find another great show to watch, here's our guide to a string of the best BBC dramas you can enjoy and how many episodes there are, so hopefully this will make your search a little bit easier! We regularly update the article to highlight new dramas to enjoy and also to remove dramas that have now left BBC iPlayer. Yes, unfortunately, some dramas do leave iPlayer so it's worth catching these great shows while they're available...
What are the best BBC dramas to stream right now?
Return to Paradise
Return to Paradise really is a ray of sunshine. The Death in Paradise spin off set in Australia is made by a great performance by former Home and Away actress Anna Samson as London Metropolitan police officer DI Mackenzie Clarke. She's forced to return home to Dolphin Cove when she's accused of tampering with evidence in London. She's not exactly well loved having ditched local boy Glenn at the altar! To make it even more awkward her boss also happens to be Glenn's mum. It's fun, witty and doesn't take itself too seriously. We highly recommend giving it a watch even if you've never seen Death in Paradise.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Moonflower Murders
Moonflower Murders is a sequel to The Magpie Murders — which is also available to enjoy on BBC iPlayer. Based on Anthony Horowitz's hit novel, it sees Lesley Manville back as ex book editor Susan Ryeland.
She becomes drawn into a cold case murder that was committed in a British country hotel eight years earlier and was written about in another of author Alan Conway's (Conleth Hill) novels [Conway's murder is the subject of Magpie Murders].
What we get is two great murder mysteries — one in the present as Susan tries to find the hotel killer and the second in Conway's book, set in the 1950s, which sees his fictional creation Atticus Pünd also investigating a murder connected to a hotel. Can Susan discover the clues in Conway's book which will lead her to the killer? It's totally engrossing and a great watch.
Number of seasons: 2 [Magpie Murders season 1, Moonflower Murders season 2]
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light
If you want quality drama then look no further! Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which is based on the final novel in Hilary Mantel's multi-award-winning historical trilogy, is from the creative team behind 2015's BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning first series, which is available on iPlayer.
The original series, which was based on the first two novels of Mantel's Tudor trilogy, "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies", painted a vivid picture of court life during the 16th century and followed lawyer Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) as he rose to become one of Henry VIII's (Damian Lewis) most trusted advisors.
Now, The Mirror and the Light covers the period following the death of Anne Boleyn in 1536, Henry's marriage to Jane Seymour and the birth of a long-anticipated son, Prince Edward.
Some big names join the show, with Harriet Walter (Killing Eve, Succession) playing Lady Margaret Pole and Timothy Spall (Mr Turner, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) taking the role of the Duke of Norfolk.
Please note the episodes are being added weekly onto iPlayer as they're shown on Sundays.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Ludwig
If you want a light-hearted drama to put a smile on your face, then we can highly recommend this David Mitchell series. He stars as John "Ludwig" Taylor, a man who lives a quiet, lonely life setting puzzles. But then his identical twin cop brother James goes missing and his sister-in-law Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin) pleads with him to help find him. In order to locate James, John impersonates him at the police station and soon discovers he's rather good at solving murders! It's sort of Death in Paradise in Cambridge. There's also a great supporting cast including Dipo Ola and Sophie Willan. Ludwig season 2 is on the way...
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Nightsleeper
OK, we're not claiming this is the best BBC drama ever but it's certainly one of the most fun! Nightsleeper is a real-time thriller starring Joe Cole as Joe Roag, an off-duty cop who finds himself stuck on an overnight sleeper train that has been taken over by hackers. Yes, it's a mad plot! Joe calls up Abby Aysgarth, the Acting Technical Director at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, for help and the pair embark on a mission to stop the train. There's a load of twists and turns as you try to work out who the baddies are. If you are a fan of Red Eye, the Richard Armitage thriller set on a plane, this is likely one for you.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58 minutes
The Jetty
The Jetty is a wonderful new thriller starring Jenna Coleman as Ember Manning, a recently widowed detective who uncovers dark secrets in the sleepy town she's always called home. Teasing the plot, the BBC says: "A fire tears through a holiday home in a scenic Lancashire lake town. Detective Ember Manning must work out how it connects to a podcast journalist investigating a missing persons cold case and an illicit 'love' triangle between a man in his twenties and two underage girls.
"But as Ember gets close to the truth, it threatens to destroy her life — forcing her to re-evaluate everything she thought she knew about her past, present, and the town she's always called home."
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Average episode length: 59 minutes
Rebus
Based on the best-selling books by Ian Rankin, this hugely entertaining new version reimagines John Rebus (Richard Rankin) as a younger Detective Sergeant. The six-part series revolves around one case as Rebus's brother Michael gets drawn into Edinburgh's drug gang scene. Lurking in the shadows is Rebus's archenemy Ger Cafferty, a cunning villain familiar to anyone who's read the fantastic novels. Richard Rankin brings menace, charm and humour to the character of Rebus making this a must-watch for crime drama fans. We're hoping we get a Rebus season 2.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Blue Lights
Blue Lights follows Grace Ellis (Siân Brooke), who is a mum to a teenage boy. In her 40s, she decided to leave her stable job as a social worker to join the police force.
It’s the biggest gamble of her life, and she finds herself making countless mistakes in her first few weeks on the job. Joining her are fellow rookies Annie (Katherine Devlin) and Tommy (Nathan Braniff), who both have their own issues too.
The odds are at least one of them will fail the probation period and, to make matters worse, just being a cop in Belfast is a dangerous business. The hit drama recently returned for a second equally brilliant series.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 58 minutes
This Town
This Town, by Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight, is set in the 1980s when riots and ska music dominated the British Midlands.
It tells the story of a band's formation against a backdrop of violence, capturing how creative genius can emerge from a time of madness. It's both a thriller and a family saga, following four young people, and their extended families, as they turn to the burgeoning ska and two-tone scene for redemption.
It's a scene that helps fight the racism that was so prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s and we see the youngsters rail against the social tension and unrest of the time to carve out their own futures.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58 minutes
The Tourist
Jamie Dornan has now starred in two brilliant seasons of The Tourist, written by Harry and Jack Williams (The Missing and One of Us).
The twist-laden, action-packed first series started with "The Man" — whose name was revealed to be Elliot — waking up in Australia with total amnesia before he and Constable Helen Chambers (Danielle Macdonald) became embroiled in a cat-and-mouse game with mysterious figures chasing them across Australia.
The Tourist season 2 sees Helen accompanying Elliot back to Ireland as he tries to rediscover his roots, where they soon find themselves dragged into the dangerous whirlwind of his past life...
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Vigil
The first series of Vigil proved an enormous hit as Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones starred as DCI Amy Silva, who is called in when there appears to be a link between the mysterious disappearance of a fishing boat and a death on a nuclear submarine. Silva starts an investigation at sea, while back on land, Amy's old colleague and flame DS Kirsten Longacre (The Good Fight's Rose Leslie) hunts for more clues. There were twists galore and everyone was desperate for more... and now we have Vigil season 2 to enjoy.
And in late 2023 the second series hit our screens, swapping the sea for the skies. The sequel sees Amy and Kirsten looking into a dark conspiracy in the world of the British Air Force. Following a string of suspicious fatalities the pair must enter the secret world of drone warfare to catch a killer...
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 59 minutes
Shetland
Shetland is a simply fantastic crime series. Douglas Henshall is wonderful as DI Jimmy Perez who solves murder mysteries in Shetland. His aided by his deputy, Tosh (Alison O’Donnell).
Following Perez's departure in Shetland season 7, Tosh is joined by Met detective Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) who returns to Shetland to protect a witness to a London gangland killing. Can she find the witness in time? And can Ruth and Tosh manage to work with each other? Shetland season 8 has proved a monster hit and the drama is thriving.
Shetland season 9 has also been really enjoyable. The latest series sees Tosh and Calder back with a deeply "personal" case for Tosh...
Number of seasons: 9
Episodes: Over 40
Average episode length: 59 minutes
Tokyo Vice
Tokyo Vice is based on American journalist Jake Adelstein's non-fiction book Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat. Here's the official synopsis: "The crime drama series, filmed on location in Tokyo, captures Adelstein's daily descent into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in the late 1990s, where nothing and no one is truly what or who they seem." The first series was a fantastic watch and Tokyo Vice season 2 is equally as brilliant. This is easily one of the best BBC dramas available to watch right now and we suggest catching it before it leaves iPlayer.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 18
Average episode length: 56 minutes
Time
There are now two seasons of Time to enjoy. The first series sees Sean Bean play Mark Cobden, a guilt-ridden teacher whose life is destroyed when he accidentally kills an innocent man
Separated from his family, Mark is sentenced to four years in jail where he befriends prison officer Eric McNally (Stephen Graham), who does his best to protect the inmates from the dangers of life behind bars. But when one of the most dangerous prisoners identifies Eric's softer side as a weakness, Eric faces an impossible choice between his principles and protecting the ones he loves...
Time season 2 sees the action shift to a women's jail as we join inmates Kelsey (Bella Ramsey), Orla (Jodie Whittaker) and Abi (Tamara Lawrance) who arrive at Carlingford Prison on the same day.
The trio are assigned to share the same cell, leading to their individual stories to become intertwined as they fight to survive in a world of vengeance and violence.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 59 minutes
The Woman in the Wall
The Woman In The Wall follows the horrors experienced by Lorna Brady (Ruth Wilson), a woman from the small, fictional Irish town of Kilkinure, who wakes one morning to find a corpse in her house.
Lorna is chilled to the core as she has no idea who the dead woman is or if she could even be responsible for the apparent murder herself. This is a deadly possibility because Lorna suffers from extreme bouts of sleepwalking, which started around the time she was ripped from her life at the age of 15 and incarcerated in the Kilkinure Convent.
This awful place was home to one of Ireland’s infamous 'Magdalene Laundries'.
When the Kilkinure Convent finally closed its doors, a score of survivors were left suffering in its wake. Very few women were able to go on and lead relatively normal lives, and others, such as Lorna, were even less fortunate in their fate. One thing all survivors had in common, is that none of them would ever forget.
Unluckily it all unravels for Lorna, when the very ambitious Detective Colman Akande (Daryl McCormack) starts investigating her for a crime that is seemingly unrelated to the dead woman she's discovered in her house. But are the two linked?
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 56 minutes
The Following Events Are Based On A Pack of Lies
Set in Oxford, the story follows no-nonsense personal assistant, mum, and Madonna-obsessive Alice Newman (Rebekah Staton), whose world is upended when she spots her dastardly ex-husband (Alistair Petrie) on the streets of Oxford.
He disappeared 15 years ago after conning her and her parents out of everything they had, yet now he’s going by the name Dr Robert Chance, and is apparently on a mission to save the world as a climate scientist and ecopreneur affiliated with Oxford University.
But when Robert befriends wealthy fantasy-fiction writer Cheryl Harker (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), who's recently widowed and has only a pet poodle for company, Alice suspects he’s honed in on his next victim...
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 5
Average episode length: 59 minutes
The Sixth Commandment
The Sixth Commandment dramatizes the real-life murder of retired teacher, inspirational university lecturer and novelist Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall) and the death of his neighbor Ann Moore-Martin (Last Tango in Halifax star Anne Reid).
Both were deeply religious but fell in love with charismatic student Ben Field (Normal People star Éanna Hardwicke), who drugged and murdered Peter and preyed on Ann for her cash.
The drama explores how both victims were manipulated by Field and captures the extreme gaslighting he carried out on them both, as well as the police investigation into his crimes and the subsequent high-profile trial.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Happy Valley
Happy Valley has been one of the BBC's best dramas of recent times and Happy Valley season 3 didn't disappoint when it finally arrived becoming the most watched drama of 2023.
Sarah Lancashire returned as Sergeant Catherine Cawood for the final series. Her recovering sister Clare Cartwright (Siobhan Finneran) and nemesis Tommy Lee Royce (played by James Norton) were also back.
James Norton said: "To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting privilege and something I've been looking forward to since we wrapped the last series, six years ago. I'm so excited to be working with the insanely talented Sally and Sarah again. Thinking we should all go on one last barge holiday, for old times' sake."
Number of seasons: 3
Episodes: 18
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Better
Better follows DI Lou Slack (Leila Farzad) who is generally regarded as the best in the crime-solving business. However, Lou's success is built on corruption and it's a dark secret she's been holding onto for quite some time.
Nineteen years ago, when Lou was a young officer at her lowest ebb, her paths crossed with Col McHugh (Andrew Buchan), a low-ranking but ambitious and ruthless member of the Leeds underworld.
The pair struck a deal that changed their lives forever, allowing Col to become the rich and powerful head of a drug trafficking gang while masquerading as a charming businessman and property developer. This allowed Lou to fix her turbulent career - but it came with a huge price.
Throughout the series, a family crisis sees Lou’s conscience finally emerge and she sets out to right the wrongs she has committed.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 5
Average episode length: 60 minutes
The English
In The English, Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt) comes to the West in 1890 looking for revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son.
Whilst there, she meets ex-cavalry scout Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer) and a member of the Pawnee Nation by birth. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past.
Throughout the course of the series they must face increasingly terrifying obstacles that will test them to their cores, physically and psychologically. But as each obstacle is overcome it draws them closer to their ultimate destination, the new town of Hoxem, Wyoming.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 60 minutes
SAS Rogue Heroes
The World War Two drama follows the men who formed the SAS against the odds as they tried to come up with a way of outfoxing the Nazis. Opening in 1941, we're introduced to a young David Stirling (Connor Swindells), who's frustrated by the lack of action he's seeing in Egypt.
Stirling and his old pal Jock Lewes (Alfie Allen) form a crackpot plan to parachute troops into the desert behind enemy lines. Over six thrilling episodes we also meet Paddy Mayne (Jack O'Connell), a quite extraordinarily unpredictable man who's one-minute reading poetry and the next machine gunning German bases.
SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 is also on the way very soon!
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 60 minutes
Sherwood
Sherwood explores the controversial deployment of "spycops" in Britain, a form of undercover policing to seek information that has caused a big scandal across the country.
The BBC says: "Inspired in part by real events, and set in the Nottinghamshire mining village where Graham grew up, Sherwood is a contemporary drama at the heart of which lie two shocking and unexpected killings that shatter an already fractured community and spark a massive manhunt.
"As suspicion and antipathy build, between lifelong neighbours and towards the police forces who descend on the town, the tragic killings threaten to inflame historic divisions sparked during the Miners' Strike three decades before."
Sherwood season 2 further explores the themes of fractured communities and the political turmoil in today's Britain, introducing two new families to the town.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 56 mins
Conversations With Friends
In Conversations With Friends college student and aspiring writer Frances (Alison Oliver) has a special friendship with her former girlfriend Bobbi (Sasha Lane). The pair are inseparable and perform poetry together in Dublin. There, they are spotted by journalist Melissa (Jemima Kirke) who introduces them to her husband, actor Nick (Joe Alwyn). While Bobbi and Melissa openly flirt with one another, Frances finds herself unable to resist Nick and the pair begins a secret affair.
This intense passion soon tests the bonds between Frances and Bobbi and forces Frances to reevaluate everything she thinks she knows.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 30 mins
Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack is a BBC period drama based on the coded diaries of the lesbian landowner, Anne Lister. The first season followed Anne's blossoming relationship with Ann Walker (Peaky Blinders' Sophie Rundle) and ended with their marriage.
After a three-year wait, the second season has finally arrived. This season will see Anne and Ann's relationship evolve as the couple moves into Shibden Hall together and begin to try and combine their estates. As you might expect, their relationship continues to cause controversy in 1830s Yorkshire.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 16
Average episode length: 58 mins
The Split
In this dramatic divorce drama, we follow divorce lawyer Hannah Stern and her partner, Nathan (Stephen Mangan) as she navigates the complicated world of high-end divorce in London.
Hannah tackles plenty of complex cases in her day job, but her own relationship is also put to the test in Abi Morgan's show. Teasing the final installment, Nicola Walker said: "I don't think it's going to go where you might imagine it will... it's beautifully complicated and [creator and writer] Abi Morgan doesn't shy away from how messy this will get."
Number of seasons: 3
Episodes: 6 per season
Average episode length: 58 mins
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders season 6 has aired and it was the last installment of this massively popular drama series. If you've not caught it before, all the previous series are available right now to enjoy on iPlayer.
Cillian Murphy is engrossing as gangster Thomas Shelby, who runs his growing empire from Birmingham. The fantastic cast over the series included the likes of Jurassic Park star Sam Neill, Tom Hardy and the late Helen McCrory, who received a moving tribute in the opening episode of the latest series.
If you've not started watching, it's time to sign up... by order of the Peaky Blinders!
Number of seasons: 6
Episodes: 6 per season
Average episode length: 56 minutes
Life After Life
Life After Life is an adaptation of Kate Atkinson's bestselling novel of the same name. Set against the backdrop of the two World Wars, the show follows Ursula Todd (Thomasin McKenzie) who lives and dies in countless circumstances after passing away the night she is born.
From that point, she continues to be reborn throughout critical periods in recent history, and her journey sees her probing whether one person can ever truly live a perfect life.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Average episode length: 54 minutes
Noughts and Crosses
Noughts and Crosses is a BBC adaptation of Malorie Blackman's critically acclaimed series of YA novels. set in a dystopian London where Sephy (Masali Baduza) and Callum (Jack Rowan) fall in love despite the odds. Can they breach the divide between the black elite and white underclass?
There are two glorious seasons to watch right now on iPlayer, with Noughts and Crosses season 2 taking us back to the alternative version of present-day London and following the controversial, Romeo & Juliet-style love affair between Sephy, a member of the elite, black 'Cross' people and Callum, who is a white 'Nought'.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 10
Average episode length: 50 minutes
This Is Going To Hurt
This Is Going To Hurt is a seven-part comedy-drama adapted from Adam Kay's book of the same name.
Like Kay's memoir, the show reveals the kind of pressure that NHS workers find themselves under day in, day out. It stars Ben Whishaw (No Time To Die, Paddington) as Adam himself, and sees the young doctor getting to grips with the many challenges that come with working in obstetrics and gynaecology.
It's equal parts honest and heartbreaking and manages to blend humor in with very difficult scenes; newcomer Ambika Mod's turn as junior doctor Shruti is not to be missed, either.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 7
Average episode length: 45 minutes
The Responder
Martin Freeman leads the cast of The Responder, starring as Chris Carson, a police officer who is trying to save his marriage and keep his head above water. While juggling his own complicated life, Chris takes on a new rookie partner named Rachel which adds a new layer of stress to his routine — but they soon discover that their survival depends on them either helping or destroying each other. Written by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher, this is his first original story for television and is drawn from his own real-life experiences as an urgent response officer. It won widespread critical acclaim and The Responder season 2 has also been well received.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 10
Average episode length: 56 minutes
Four Lives
Four lives were taken in Barking, Essex, between June 2014 and September 2015, when serial killer Stephen Port (played by Stephen Merchant) drugged, raped and caused four innocent young men to die. Now the fight for justice by the families of Port's victims is being followed in the three-part drama Four Lives. It tells the story of four victims of Stephen Port — Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor — and how their families and friends have worked tirelessly to find out what happened to them. Four Lives also stars Sheridan Smith as Sarah Sak, the mother of Port's first victim Anthony.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 3
Average episode length: 59 minutes
A Very British Scandal
"Sex, secrets and shame," is how the BBC bills this drama based on a true story.
A Very British Scandal focuses on the life of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll (Claire Foy, The Crown) after her public divorce from the Duke (Paul Bettany, WandaVision).
Margaret was blamed for the breakdown in their marriage by the press and those around her, and the case against her involved wild accusations including theft, violence, and drug abuse. The series explores their high-profile divorce and the legal case that came from it, whilst also examining the social and political climate of post-war Britain.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 3
Average episode length: 59 minutes
Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days sees David Tennant taking up the role of globetrotting adventurer, Phileas Fogg, alongside his newly-employed French valet Passepartout (Ibrahim Koma) and journalist Abigail "Fix" Fortescue (Leonie Benesch).
Like every other adaptation of Jules Verne's classic tale of adventure, this BBC series follows the intrepid trio as they journey across the globe, hoping to win an outlandish bet.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Average episode length: 49 minutes
Showtrial
Showtrial, starring Celine Buckens and Tracy Ifeachor, is from the people behind Line of Duty and Bodyguard.
The legal drama sees Talitha, the daughter of a famous billionaire (played by Buckens), go on trial for the murder of a Bristol student.
Meanwhile, Ifeachor stars as lawyer Cleo, who’s tasked with defending Talitha. Is she simply a poor little rich girl who’s been used as a scapegoat? Or is Talitha a cold-blooded killer?
In Showtrial season 2, we see the high-profile climate activist Marcus Calderwood left for dead in a violent hit-and-run. But in his dying moments, he reveals his killer is a serving policeman.
It's up to a charismatic and cocky officer, an anxious defense solicitor, and a rigorous CPS lawyer to uncover the truth and reveal whether or not Marcus' death was an accident or a planned attack.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 10
Average episode length: 59 minutes
Silent Witness
Silent Witness season 27 has recently aired on the BBC and featured some great mysteries for Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and Jack Hodgson (David Caves) to get stuck into.
There are also some great guest names in the latest series, including Neil Pearson (in the picture above) as a cop in the final case of the run which saw them looking into a King's Cross serial killer. Other guest stars included John Hannah and John Thomson. If you've never seen it, there's a huge amount to catch up on! Good news as Silent Witness season 28 is on the way in early 2025!
Number of seasons: 27
Episodes: Over 200!
Average episode length: 59 minutes
War and Peace
"War and Peace" is regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time, but could the BBC do it justice? You bet they could in this fantastic adaptation starring Paul Dano, Lily James and James Norton. Tolstoy's epic story about three young people set against the backdrop of Russia's war with Napoleon is beautifully brought to life. It also boasts a magnificent supporting cast including Stephen Rea, Gillian Anderson and Jim Broadbent. Dano is especially magical as Pierre, the hero of the story. This we'd argue is the best BBC drama to watch right now.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 60 minutes
Line of Duty
Nearly 10 million tuned in for the first episode of Line of Duty Season 6, so if you’ve missed it, now’s the time to catch up! Penned again by Jed Mercurio, fan favorites Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) all return.
Fors the final season, Hastings has his eye on DCI Joanne Davidson, played by Trainspotting and Harry Potter star Kelly Macdonald. But is Joanne corrupt? And will we finally find out who H is? If H means nothing to you, the previous 5 seasons are available to watch on iPlayer, too!
Number of seasons: 6
Episodes: 38
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife season 13 was the most recent season of this long-running hit. Teasing the latest series, the BBC said: "Series 13 continues to explore complex medical and personal situations on the midwifery and district nursing rounds. It is now 1969 and more babies are being born in hospitals than ever before. Pressure on maternity beds remains extremely high across the country but Poplar is coping better than most due to the work of Nonnatus House and the popularity of home births under the auspices of the Sisters.
"This series will see stories from within the Sylheti and Nigerian communities and from around the docks. Poor housing continues to blight areas of Poplar presenting complex social and health challenges to the Nonnatus team. It will also explore issues surrounding Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Hip Dysplasia, Tetanus, Porphyria and TB."
If you've not watched them, why not go all the way back to the start? Call the Midwife season 14 is now on the way!
Number of seasons: 13
Episodes: Over 100!
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Bloodlands
James Nesbitt stars in this thriller. Set in Belfast, the six-part drama centers on DCI Tom Brannick (Nesbitt), a devoted dad to daughter Izzy and a detective of over 20 years.
As the series begins, Brannick and his trusty colleague DS Niamh McGovern (Ripper Street’s Charlene McKenna) are called to investigate when a car is pulled from the river at Strangford Lough.
The vehicle belongs to Pat Keenan — a man with links to the IRA — who’s nowhere to be found but Brannick is clearly rattled when a postcard boasting an image of Belfast’s iconic Samson and Goliath cranes is found hidden in the wing mirror.
Brannick tells senior officer Jackie Twomey (Fortitude’s Lorcan Cranitch) that he fears legendary serial killer — codenamed Goliath — who evaded capture during The Troubles, has returned. It’s then revealed that one of Goliath’s victims was Brannick’s own wife, Emma. Sadly, it's been revealed there won't be a third series.
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 10
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Death in Paradise
Death in Paradise season 13 is the latest series of this hugely popular drama, which has spawned spin-offs Beyond Paradise and the upcoming Return to Paradise.
The new series began with the show's 100th episode, in which Commissioner Selwyn Patterson celebrated fifty years of police service, before being left fighting for his life after being dramatically shot by a mysterious assassin!
We have a guide to the best Death in Paradise episodes and if you've never seen this great show, what are you waiting for?! Plus Death in Paradise season 14 is on the way!
Number of seasons: 13
Episodes: 8 per series, over 100 available to watch
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Beyond Paradise
Beyond Paradise is a Death in Paradise spin-off series revolving around DI Humphrey Goodman, starring Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton.
Speaking before the launch of Beyond Paradise, Kris said: "I had the best time playing Humphrey out in Guadeloupe and whilst I was delighted that he got his happy ending with Martha, I always wanted to know what happened next.
"So it’s a joy to be putting his crumpled jacket back on and seeing how life has panned out for him back in the UK. Working with Sally is a dream, and I can’t wait to continue Humphrey and Martha’s story and solve a few seemingly impossible mysteries along the way."
It was a big hit with audiences and Beyond Paradise season 2 is now showing on the BBC. Season 2 has seen Humphrey having to tackle his first murder in Shipton Abbott! There's even a Christmas special to enjoy!
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 13
Average episode length: 58 minutes
Baptiste season 2
Baptiste is back! Tchéky Karyo returns as retired French police investigator Julien Baptiste is at the heart of a brand new case. This time, he is helping British Ambassador Emma Chambers (played by Fiona Shaw) to track down her missing family, whilst also grappling with his own family tragedy.
Teasing what happens in the second series, Karyo said: “We have different time periods – the present day, then 14 months before. In the present day, we see Julien down and yelling at the world with his pain. His family’s a wreck. People love this character because you can rely on him but now he’s losing his temper and drinking. It’s a special journey for him this time. There are a lot of amazing surprises…”
Number of seasons: 2
Episodes: 6 per series [all episodes of Season 2 are available on iPlayer now]
Average episode length: 56 minutes
I May Destroy You
This drama, which is an uncomfortable watch at times, led to much wider discussions about issues around sexual assualt, consent and racial identity when it was shown on BBC1.
It is written, co-directed and executive produced by Michaela Coel, who previously wrote and starred in E4’s comedy, Chewing Gum.
Michaela plays novelist, Arabella who, through flashbacks, realises she was raped during a night out in London.
I May Destroy You follows Arabella and her friends, Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu), as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened and seeks justice for her and other victims of sexual assault.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 28-35 minutes
A Suitable Boy
This adaptation of the bestselling book by Vikram Seth is reportedly one of the most expensive BBC series ever made.
Filmed on location in Indian cities including Lucknow, Maheshwar and Kanpur, it’s a coming-of-age story about university student, Lata (Tanya Maniktala) who is expected to be the next in her family to marry.
But Lata’s traditional Hindu family may not approve when she meets and falls for Kabir, who comes from a Muslim family.
A Suitable Boy was adapted for TV by Andrew Davies, the writer behind such TV hits as Mr Selfridge and Bleak House.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 6
Average episode length: 58-59 minutes
Strike
After her worldwide success with the Harry Potter books, author J.K. Rowling wrote a series of novels featuring detective Cormoran Strike, under the pen name, Robert Galbraith.
It didn’t take long for the mystery to be solved who really wrote the books!
Tom Burke (from The Musketeers) plays the detective in the BBC adaptation series, alongside Holliday Grainger as Strike’s partner-in-crime, Robin Ellacott.
The first series includes adaptations of the books, The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm and Career Of Evil.
The guest cast includes Martin Shaw, Tara Fitzgerald, Sian Phillips and Kierston Wareing (who played Kirsty Branning on EastEnders).
A fourth adaptation, Strike: Lethal White is also available to watch on iPlayer. And we're about to get a fifth series called Strike: The Ink Black Heart.
Number of seasons: 4
Episodes: 11
Average episode length: 60 minutes
Normal People
First released on BBC Three followed by weekly airings on BBC1, Normal People was one of those "event" TV series that everybody seemed to be talking about at the time.
It's an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Sally Rooney, about the complicated bond between school friends, Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) as they become adults and find themselves both studying at Trinity College in Dublin.
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 12
Average episode length: 23-34 minutes
Small Axe
Small Axe was a series of films that was created and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Steve McQueen (Widows, 12 Years A Slave). The anthology was set within London’s West Indian community from the late 1960s to the early 80s, the BBC described Small Axe as “a celebration of Black joy, beauty, love, friendship, family, music and even food.”
The five films are Mangrove, Lovers Rock, Red, White and Blue, Alex Wheatle and Education, and featured some top-tier talent, including the likes of John Boyega, Letitia Wright, Shaun Parkes and Michael Ward, to name but a few.
Every single film was highly praised by critics (especially Lovers Rock) and received plenty of attention during awards season this year, including leading the 2021 BAFTA TV Awards.
Number of seasons: 1
Number of films: 5
Average Length: 60-80 minutes (Mangrove is 127 minutes long)
