Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

15 Apr 2016

Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

On BBC iPlayer or Netflix or illegally streamed. Either way.

The Night Manager: BBC 1 
Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

Just in case you missed the hype on this one; and it got a lot of hype. Okay, not as much as Making a Murderer but it should have done cos it is WAY better than Making a Murderer. Little secret, I gave up on that show after three episodes cos I don’t get the hype. Seriously guys, what was with that one?!

Anyway, a hotel night manager is recruited by a government agent to infiltrate the inner circle of Richard Roper, an arms dealer.

That makes it seem simple. It’s really not. So, soooo more complex than that. Think James Bond, but more intelligent, more thrilling and more addictive. 

In fact, I got so addicted to this that I watched the final four episodes all in one go. And I haven’t
done that since I started working full time cos no one will pay me to watch awesome TV shows.

Tom Hiddleston is sexy and mysterious and a little bit more sexy, Olivia Coleman kicks ass whilst  pregnant, Hugh Laurie is a particularly brilliant bad guy and the whole thing is pretty darn glamorous.

Happy Valley: BBC 1
Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

I find the northernness of this show very comforting. Which is strange, cos this is not what you’d call a relaxing viewing.

I mean, within the first episode of the first series, there’s been rape, unwanted pregnancies, suicide, kidnap, cancer... and don’t worry, brutal murder follows on shortly afterwards.

Anyhoo, series 2 recently aired and was just as gripping as series 1 so go catch up asap.

Based in the Calder Valley (nicknamed ‘Happy Valley’ because of the heavy drug use), the programme follows strong-willed police sergeant Catherine Cawood whose personal life becomes entwined with work life when the man she believes is responsible for the brutal rape of her daughter (leading to the birth of her grandson and eventual suicide of her daughter) is released from jail and immediately becomes involved in a kidnapping.

Gripping, slightly stressful viewing, with brilliant black humour in places. 

Oh and Sarah Lancashire is just incredible.

The People Vs OJ Simpson: American Crime Story: BBC 2
Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

Ten-part series based on the insanely famous trial of OJ Simpson. I’m just over half way through and it’s hotting up big time.

You do spend a lot of time wanting to shout at David Schwimmer “BUT YOU’RE ROSS FROM FRIENDS” but when you separate yourself from that (I know it’s hard), I think he’s putting in a pretty good performance as Robert Kardashian; favourite moment so far is when he’s telling his children that seeking out fame is shallow... Ahem.

Witty, sleek and with some great tunes.

Oh and you will be transfixed by John Travolta’s eyebrows. 

Thirteen: BBC 3 
Five BBC dramas you need to be catching up on

Not gonna lie, you’ll be singing the theme tune from this for daaaaays afterwards. Probably weeks. It’s just as addictive as the show.

The opening sequence of this starts with Ivy Moxam, who has been held captive for thirteen years, escaping the cellar she has been kept in since she was thirteen and phoning the police.

And then shit kicks off. Can’t say more cos you’ll be annoyed I gave you spoilers. So go watch
babes. This was an online-only programme so will be on BBC iPlayer for a while yet.

Undercover: BBC 1 

This is the latest Sunday night drama; 9pm. So far we’re two episodes in and I’m definitely hooked big time. There is A LOT going in. Like, blink and you’ll have missed something important. So don’t be getting up for chocolate biscuits half way through.

So a defence lawyer will go to any lengths to finally uncover the truth about a case she has been working on for twenty years which somehow involves a guy on death row in America (the botched death chamber scene is grim, FYI), whilst her husband seems to have a secret identity and may or may not be spying on her... I’ll say no more cos I’m confused. Guess we’ll have to keep watching!


**All programme pictures property of the BBC. 

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