September 28th 2024.
Netflix has become a household name for streaming entertainment, but recent research has shown that some of their biggest and most successful hits are actually from the UK. From steamy period dramas to psychological thrillers and gripping crime shows, it seems that audiences worldwide can't get enough of what British TV has to offer.
With the streaming giant producing over 100 shows in the UK, it's no surprise that they have made stars out of actors like Nicola Coughlan and Richard Gadd. In fact, recent hits like Bridgerton and The Gentlemen have accumulated over 360 million views in just six months, according to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
Speaking at the Royal Television Society conference, Sarandos called Britain the "birthplace of prestige television" and emphasized the importance of storytelling that speaks to our times. But with so many British shows on Netflix, which ones are the biggest and best?
Bridgerton, which debuted in December 2020, quickly became a worldwide sensation and is currently the fourth most popular show in Netflix history. Set in Regency-era London, the series follows the members of the Bridgerton family and other high society residents as they navigate love, romance, and social norms. Its second and third seasons are also in the top 10 most popular Netflix seasons of all time.
Another breakout hit is Baby Reindeer, which was watched by 88 million people in its first six months on Netflix. Adapted from Richard Gadd's one-man show, the miniseries follows a fictionalized version of the Scottish actor and writer as he is stalked by a woman named Martha. With a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's no wonder Baby Reindeer became a worldwide sensation.
The Gentlemen, a spin-off of the 2019 film of the same name, has also been a hit with audiences, drawing in 76 million viewers in just six months. While the series received mixed reviews from critics, its 75% Rotten Tomatoes score is still impressive. The show follows a man who inherits a drugs empire and must navigate the criminal underworld.
Fool Me Once, a British thriller series led by Michelle Keegan, was watched by 37.1 million Netflix accounts in its first week after being released all at once. Set in and around Manchester, the series follows a woman who believes her husband was murdered and begins to investigate his death with the help of a nanny cam.
Heartstopper, an adaptation of Alice Osman's graphic novel series, has also been a huge hit on Netflix, with its first season becoming one of the top 10 British shows of all time in just two days. The series follows the developing romance between two high school students as they navigate their feelings for each other and their own sexuality.
Sex Education, which debuted in 2019, has also been a groundbreaking hit for Netflix in the teen sex genre. With a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series follows a group of high school students as they navigate their sexual experiences with the help of their peer who has no sexual experience himself.
One Day, adapted from the novel by David Nicholls, was a huge hit on Netflix this year, with a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The series follows two friends who meet on the same day every year for over a decade and explores the complexities of relationships and the passage of time.
With such a diverse and successful lineup of British shows, it's no wonder that Netflix continues to invest in producing content in the UK. So why not check out these hits and more on Netflix? Who knows, you might discover your new favorite show.
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