From Peaky Blinders to The Crown, these BBC and ITV series prove BritBox is worth the subscription

BritBox has a problem: too many good shows. The streaming service has spent years building a reputation for British television, and its latest slate proves it has no intention of slowing down. From period dramas to crime procedurals, the platform has a fresh wave of originals arriving this year, plus a handful of classic favorites that deserve another look.

The flagship original is Tommy And Tuppence, a contemporary adaptation of Agatha Christie’s married detective duo. The series premieres this September, with David Tennant and Michael Sheen joining forces in a story that lets the characters age alongside the real world. It’s a charming update to Christie’s work, and it’s not the only reason to keep BritBox on your radar.

Ludwig And The Missing Twin Brother

David Mitchell stars as John, a socially awkward puzzle setter who becomes a reluctant detective when his twin brother disappears. The premise is simple: John’s love of logic and puzzles turns out to be uniquely suited to crime-solving. His sister-in-law, Philomena, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, provides the banter.

The show is inspired by Mary Lowell’s book The Sisters: The Saga Of The Mitford Family, but that’s not the plot here. Instead, John must assume his missing brother’s identity to help track him down. The result is a character study wrapped in a mystery, with Mitchell delivering the kind of awkward charm that made him a Peep Show icon.

Season two premieres on BritBox in October, followed by a Christmas special. The show has already been renewed for a third outing, so viewers have plenty of reasons to stick around.

The Mitford Family Drama

For fans of historical soap, The Sisters: The Saga Of The Mitford Family is the real event. The drama follows the lives of the six Mitford sisters, each with a nickname that defines her place in English society:

• Nancy The Novelist
• Diana The Fascist
• Jessica The Communist
• Unity The Hitler-lover
• Deborah The Duchess
• Pamela The Poultry Connoisseur

The Mitfords were the talk of 1930s English society for their polarizing politics, dramatic fashion sense, and endless scandals. Those scandals included Nancy’s books, Diana’s divorce, and Unity’s bizarre friendship with Adolf Hitler. The show promises to capture it all.

Staged Lockdown Comedy

Staged is a quarantine comedy that actually worked. Filmed during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the show stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen as fictionalized versions of themselves. They play actors rehearsing remotely while stuck at home.

The banter between the two is the draw. Tennant and Sheen are real-life friends, and that chemistry translates to the screen. The show also features cameos from Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench, Simon Pegg, Jim Parsons, Olivia Colman, Ken Jeong, and Ewan McGregor. It’s a star-studded affair that leans on the absurdity of remote collaboration.

The Other Bennet Sister

The Other Bennet Sister is a reimagining of Pride And Prejudice from the perspective of the most overlooked Bennet sibling: Mary. Janice Hadlow’s novel of the same name serves as the source material, and the adaptation leans into Mary’s bookish nature without turning her into a caricature.

Ella Bruccoleri plays the lead, and her performance leans into some of Mary’s most awkward moments. The story is ultimately about learning to fall in love with yourself, even as Mary meets two dreamy potential romantic interests, played by Dónal Finn and Laurie Davidson. A three-part holiday special airs this Christmas.

Death Valley And The Recluse Next Door

Death Valley is a crime drama with a twist: it’s surprisingly warm and funny. Don’t let the title fool you. The show follows DS Janie Mallowan, played by Gwyneth Keyworth, as she investigates the death of a local property developer.

The case takes a strange turn when Mallowan discovers her favorite actor, John Chapel, played by Timothy Spall, lives next door to the victim. Chapel is a recluse who hates most of his neighbors, but he puts his sleuthing skills to good use. He convinces Mallowan that the death was a murder and helps solve the case.

The show asks a question that’s central to its premise: can you be a real detective if you only played one on TV? In Death Valley, the answer is yes. Season two premieres in November.

Sherwood And The Miners’ Strike

Sherwood is a crime drama with a political backbone. The first season centers on a killer who slays his victims with a bow and arrow, but it also explores the lingering tension and community divisions left over from the 1984 miners’ strike.

The second season shifts to a quasi-anthology format, introducing two new central families to tell a story of gang violence. The show also touches on a controversial new coal mining proposal. Familiar characters like Detective Ian St. Clair, played by David Morrissey, and Julie Jackson, played by Lesley Manville, appear across both installments.

The series has been renewed for a third season, which will introduce a new central family and cold case for St. Clair to solve.

Code Of Silence And The Deaf Detective

Code Of Silence is a crime drama about a deaf police canteen worker named Rose Ayling Ellis. Her lip-reading skills become useful to the police when she’s drawn into a dangerous gang investigation. The show follows her journey as she navigates a world built around sound, while remaining a master of reading lips.

The cast includes Charlotte Ritchie, Andrew Buchan, and Kieron Moore. The show is a reminder that BritBox doesn’t just do historical drama. It can handle gritty crime procedurals with a social conscience.

What’s On The Schedule

The schedule is packed, and the quality is consistent. BritBox has spent years building a library of British television, and its originals are now among the best in the business. From Agatha Christie to the Mitford sisters, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re a fan of classic British television or looking for something new, BritBox has a show for you. The slate for this year is proof that the streamer is committed to keeping its library strong.

Source: avclub.com

BritBox · British TV · crime drama · period drama · Streaming