The BFI TV 100 (2000)
by deadmonger | created - 11 Apr 2011 | updated - 12 Feb 2013 | PublicThe BFI TV 100 is a list compiled in 2000 by the British Film Institute (BFI), chosen by a poll of industry professionals, to determine what were the greatest British television programmes of any genre ever to have been screened. Initially, a 'big list' of 650 programmes was drawn up by BFI personnel, and this provisional list was then distributed to a range of television industry professionals in the UK, who were each given 30 votes. The listing was split into six categories: Single Dramas, Drama Series and Serials, Comedy and Variety, Factual, Children's / Youth, and Lifestyle & Light Entertainment. Each voter was required to cast a minimum of three votes in every category. News stories were mostly excluded—with exceptions such as the coverage of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales—on the basis that it would be impossible to determine whether it was the coverage or the news itself that made them important. Sport was excluded for similar reasons, and also because many events such as the 1966 World Cup, while important to those in England, would not matter to those in other areas of the United Kingdom. Some programmes are represented on the list by an entire series. For some series, such as the anthology The Wednesday Play and current affairs show This Week, individual episodes are listed. Television programmes no longer existing in the archives were excluded from consideration.
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1. Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Votes: 100,141
2.
The Wednesday Play (1964–1970)
Episode:
Cathy Come Home
(1966)
75 min | Drama
A wedding. Happy and promising. A young couple, new to the ways of life. The joys of parenthood: A dream comes true. Then the first incident in a long, spiraling chain of events, and down ... See full summary »
Director: Ken Loach | Stars: Carol White, Ray Brooks, Winifred Dennis, Wally Patch
Votes: 1,170
3. Doctor Who (1963–1989)
TV-PG | 25 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.
Stars: William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker
Votes: 39,519
This entry includes the 2005 series and the 1996 TV movie with Paul McGann
4. The Naked Civil Servant (1975 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 77 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
The life and times of Quentin Crisp, an outrageous and flamboyant homosexual, coming of age and growing into old age in conservative England.
Director: Jack Gold | Stars: John Hurt, Liz Gebhardt, Patricia Hodge, Stanley Lebor
Votes: 1,901
5. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
Votes: 78,785
6. Blue Peter (1958– )
25 min | Family
The British children's magazine program, which has been running since the late 1950s, targets children between the ages of 6 and 14.
Stars: John Noakes, Peter Purves, Valerie Singleton, Simon Groom
Votes: 617
7. Boys from the Blackstuff (1982)
50 min | Drama
Five unemployed men would do anything just to have a job in Thatcher's Britain.
Stars: Michael Angelis, Bernard Hill, Alan Igbon, Peter Kerrigan
Votes: 1,575
8. Parkinson (1971–2007)
50 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Journalist Michael Parkinson interviews a broad range of the most famous people in the world.
Stars: Michael Parkinson, Marian Montgomery, Billy Connolly, Barry Humphries
Votes: 803
9. Yes Minister (1980–1984)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The Right Honorable James Hacker has landed the plum job of Cabinet Minister to the Department of Administration. At last he is in a position of power and can carry out some long-needed reforms, or so he thinks.
Stars: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott
Votes: 16,545
This also includes Yes Prime Minister from 1986
10. Brideshead Revisited (1981)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The life, friendships and romances of the protagonist Charles Ryder-including his friendship with the Flytes, a family of wealthy English Catholics who live in a palatial mansion called Brideshead Castle.
Stars: Jeremy Irons, Diana Quick, Roger Milner, Phoebe Nicholls
Votes: 8,038
11.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
Abigail's Party
(1977)
102 min | Comedy, Drama
Arguably the most famous edition of Play For Today, and one of the most beloved, as Mike Leigh directs a comedy of manners. Middle-class suburbia gets to reveal its darker side over the course of an increasingly uncomfortable drinks party.
Director: Mike Leigh | Stars: Alison Steadman, Tim Stern, Janine Duvitski, John Salthouse
Votes: 2,336
12. I, Claudius (1976)
Not Rated | 50 min | Biography, Drama, History
The personal and governmental affairs of the Julio-Claudian dynasty at the beginning of the Roman Empire, as recalled by one of its rulers.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Siân Phillips, Brian Blessed
Votes: 19,362
13. Dad's Army (1968–1977)
30 min | Comedy, War
A ragtag group of Home Guard volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion during World War II.
Stars: Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie
Votes: 7,230
14. The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968–1977)
Comedy
The Morecambe & Wise Show was a long running and massively popular sketch series starring British comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, plus a string of top-name international celebrity guests (of a bygone age), like André Prévin.
Stars: Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise, Ann Hamilton, Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen
Votes: 1,057
There are also IMDb entries for a 1962 series and a 1978 series which all appear to be included by BFI in this position
15. Edge of Darkness (1985)
53 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When his daughter Emma is murdered, cop Craven discovers that she was in a GAIA group of activists occupied with exposing Northmoor nuclear waste storage facility for illegal activities.
Stars: Bob Peck, Joe Don Baker, Charles Kay, Ian McNeice
Votes: 4,165
16. Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)
TV-PG | 175 min | Comedy, War
Stuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
Votes: 56,859
17. Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy
The wild misadventures of Edina "Eddy" Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone, who live in a nearly constant haze of drugged, drunken selfishness.
Stars: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield
Votes: 21,523
This also includes the 2001 IMDb entry.
18. Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993)
TV-PG | 29 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Gromit butts heads with a mysterious penguin lodger, who hatches a sinister scheme involving the ex-NASA Techno Trousers that have been modified by Wallace for walkies.
Director: Nick Park | Stars: Peter Sallis, Peter Hawkins
Votes: 57,387
19. The World at War (1973–1974)
TV-PG | 50 min | Documentary, History, War
A groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.
Stars: Laurence Olivier, Averell Harriman, Anthony Eden, Albert Speer
Votes: 29,200
20. The Singing Detective (1986)
70 min | Drama, Musical, Mystery
Tormented and bedridden by a debilitating disease, a mystery writer relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations.
Stars: Michael Gambon, Patrick Malahide, Joanne Whalley, David Ryall
Votes: 4,807
21. Pennies from Heaven (1978–1979)
450 min | Drama, Musical, Romance
A travelling sheet music salesman with an uptight wife throws everything away for the love of an innocent school teacher in the romantic spirit of the music he loves, that bursts into his life in full song-and-dance numbers.
Stars: Cheryl Campbell, Bob Hoskins, Gemma Craven, Kenneth Colley
Votes: 1,208
22. The Jewel in the Crown (1984)
TV-14 | 56 min | Drama, History, Romance
The sweeping drama about the ruling and ruled classes of WWII India, trying amidst the turmoil to come to terms with the drastic changes taking place around them, knowing that their lives will never be the same again.
Stars: Tim Pigott-Smith, Geraldine James, Wendy Morgan, Judy Parfitt
Votes: 2,418
23. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1998– )
60 min | Game-Show
The original British version of the popular quiz show, that became a worldwide phenomenon.
Stars: Chris Tarrant, Jeremy Clarkson, Judith Keppel, Eamonn Holmes
Votes: 2,459
24. Hancock's Half Hour (1956–1960)
30 min | Comedy
TV version of the popular BBC radio show of the same name, with Tony Hancock as the modern man of the world (in his own eyes). Sid James is there to bring him back to earth.
Stars: Tony Hancock, Sidney James, Johnny Vyvyan, Alec Bregonzi
Votes: 591
25. Our Friends in the North (1996)
TV-MA | 69 min | Drama, History
Drama examining the politics and change across Britain from the Sixties to the Nineties seen through the varying fortunes of four friends.
Stars: Christopher Eccleston, Mark Strong, Gina McKee, Daniel Craig
Votes: 2,370
26. 28 Up (1984 TV Movie)
136 min | Documentary, Biography
This eye-opening episode uncovers human nature and the desire to survive and succeed in all its heart-breaking glory.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield
Votes: 3,095
27. The War Game (1966)
48 min | Drama, War
A docudrama depicting a hypothetical nuclear attack on Britain.
Director: Peter Watkins | Stars: Michael Aspel, Peter Graham, Dave Baldwin, Kathy Staff
Votes: 7,308
28. The Magic Roundabout (1964–1995)
5 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cult classic children's animated series about a group of human and animal characters that gather at the roundabout / carousel in the park. Although the original series is French there are multiple dubbed versions from other countries.
Stars: Eric Thompson, Patricia Danot, Micheline Dax, Bernard Haller
Votes: 433
29. That Was the Week That Was (1962–1963)
50 min | Comedy
Satirical sketch show. The first such show in the UK. It ran for two seasons before being pulled just before the 1964 general election.
Stars: David Frost, Millicent Martin, William Rushton, Roy Kinnear
Votes: 107
30. An Englishman Abroad (1983 TV Movie)
61 min | Drama
The actress Coral Browne travels to Moscow and meets a mysterious Englishman. It turns out that he's the notorious spy Guy Burgess.
Director: John Schlesinger | Stars: Alan Bates, Coral Browne, Charles Gray, Harold Innocent
Votes: 617
31. The Royle Family (1998–2012)
45 min | Comedy
A British sitcom about the everyday life of a working-class family in Northwest England: watching telly, smoking, drinking, and bickering.
Stars: Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson
Votes: 9,086
32. Life on Earth (1979)
54 min | Documentary
David Attenborough's groundbreaking study of the evolution of life on our planet.
Star: David Attenborough
Votes: 3,250
33. The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971–2018)
45 min | Music
Contemporary music show featuring live performances and interviews with an emphasis on album acts.
Stars: Bob Harris, Anne Nightingale, David Hepworth, Mark Ellen
Votes: 241
34. University Challenge (1962– )
30 min | Game-Show
Amol Rajan hosts this trivia quiz show where colleges from around the UK compete against each other. Originally presented by Bamber Gascoigne from 1962 to 1987, and Jeremy Paxman from 1994 to 2023.
Stars: Jeremy Paxman, Roger Tilling, Bamber Gascoigne, Jim Pope
Votes: 865
35. Porridge (1974–1977)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Crime
The prison life of Fletcher, a criminal serving a five-year sentence, as he strives to bide his time, keep his record clean, and refuses to be ground down by the prison system.
Stars: Ronnie Barker, Brian Wilde, Fulton Mackay, Richard Beckinsale
Votes: 6,837
36.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
Blue Remembered Hills
(1979)
72 min | Comedy, Drama
"When we dream of childhood," said Dennis Potter, "we take our present selves with us. It is not the adult world writ small; childhood is the adult world writ large." Since Potter viewed ... See full summary »
Director: Brian Gibson | Stars: Colin Welland, Michael Elphick, Robin Ellis, John Bird
Votes: 302
37. Mastermind (1972– )
30 min | Game-Show
A long-running series in which members of the public sit in a black chair to answer questions on a specialist subject and general knowledge.
Stars: Magnus Magnusson, Charles Key, Paul Ponder, Daniel Appleby
Votes: 705
38. I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A failed television presenter, now presenting a programme on local desperately tries to revive his broadcasting career.
Stars: Steve Coogan, Simon Greenall, Felicity Montagu, Phil Cornwell
Votes: 21,969
39. Cracker (1993–1996)
TV-MA | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Dr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a criminal psychologist. He is rather anti-social and obnoxious but he has a gift for solving crimes. Thus he is employed as a consultant by the Manchester Police.
Stars: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Kieran O'Brien, Barbara Flynn
Votes: 7,871
Also including a 2006 TV movie of Cracker
40. Coronation Street (1960– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Drama, Romance
The world's longest-running television soap, Coronation Street focuses on the everyday lives of working-class people in Manchester, England.
Stars: William Roache, Helen Worth, Barbara Knox, Sally Dynevor
Votes: 6,018
41. Top of the Pops (1964–2023)
60 min | Music, News, Talk-Show
A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.
Stars: The Ladybirds, Pan's People, Jimmy Savile, Legs & Co
Votes: 1,125
42. Inspector Morse (1987–2000)
TV-14 | 3,431 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.
Stars: John Thaw, Kevin Whately, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe
Votes: 14,350
43. Grange Hill (1978–2008)
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The long running television series of the Grange Hill Comprehensive School, and the children's everyday lives.
Stars: Stuart Organ, Gwyneth Powell, Lee Cornes, Sally Geoghegan
Votes: 1,659
44. Steptoe and Son (1962–1974)
TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy
British sitcom about a father-and-son rag-and-bone business in London. The intergenerational divide between the miserly Steptoe and his ambitious son results in comedy, drama, and tragedy.
Stars: Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H. Corbett, Frank Thornton, Tim Buckland
Votes: 3,422
45. Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)
TV-PG | 95 min | Comedy
Comedy that follows two brothers from London's rough Peckham estate as they wheel and deal through a number of dodgy deals and search for the big score that'll make them millionaires.
Stars: David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd Pack, Buster Merryfield
Votes: 56,703
46. Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–2004)
60 min | Comedy, Drama
Seven British construction workers escape Britain's ever-growing dole queues and travel to Germany to work on a site in Düsseldorf. Follow their trials and tribulations of working away from home and away from the women they left behind.
Stars: Timothy Spall, Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately
Votes: 4,006
This entry does not include the second incarnation of the show from 2002-2004.
47. Tiswas (1974–1982)
110 min | Animation, Family, Game-Show
Originally a Midlands-only "links" programme presented by Chris Tarrant and John Asher, Tiswas is chiefly remembered for evolving into a nationally broadcast comedy show with Chris joined by Sally James, Bob Carolgees and Lenny Henry.
Stars: Chris Tarrant, Sally James, John Asher, John Gorman
Votes: 218
48.
Monitor (1958–1965)
Episode:
Elgar: Portrait of a Composer
(1962)
55 min | Documentary, Talk-Show
A partly dramatised account of the life of Sir Edward Elgar classical composer. Huw Wheldon narrates the life story over backdrops of beautiful mountain scenery, especially memorable is the... See full summary »
Director: Ken Russell | Stars: Huw Wheldon, Peter Brett, Rowena Gregory, George McGrath
Votes: 278
49.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
'Nuts in May'
(1976)
81 min | Comedy, Drama
A middle-class couple go camping in Dorset, but peace and quiet elude them.
Director: Mike Leigh | Stars: Roger Sloman, Alison Steadman, Anthony O'Donnell, Sheila Kelley
Votes: 2,052
50. Father Ted (1995–1998)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Three misfit priests and their housekeeper live on Craggy Island, not the peaceful and quiet part of Ireland that it seems to be.
Stars: Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly, Pauline McLynn
Votes: 43,788
51. The Avengers (1961–1969)
TV-14 | 50 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson
Votes: 8,887
52. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.
Stars: Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Anthony Bate, George Sewell
Votes: 9,620
53. The Forsyte Saga (1967)
50 min | Drama, Romance
The extended Forsyte family lives a more-than-pleasant upper-middle-class life in Victorian and later Edwardian England. The two central characters are Soames Forsyte and his cousin Jolyon ... See full summary »
Stars: Eric Porter, Margaret Tyzack, Nyree Dawn Porter, Kenneth More
Votes: 1,116
54. Hillsborough (1996 TV Movie)
100 min | Drama, History, Sport
A number of grieving families in the UK struggle to come to terms with the unexpected and tragic 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, in which 95 football fans were crushed to death.
Director: Charles McDougall | Stars: Tracey Wilkinson, Kevin Knapman, Mark Womack, Sarah Graham
Votes: 924
55. An Interview with Dennis Potter (1994 TV Movie)
70 min | Documentary
Director: Tom Poole | Stars: Dennis Potter, Melvyn Bragg, Judy Daish
Votes: 103
56.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
Bar Mitzvah Boy
(1976)
75 min | Comedy, Drama
On the eve of his Bar Mitzvah, young Elliot finds that all the grown men in his life are somewhat wanting.
Director: Michael Tuchner | Stars: Jeremy Steyn, Maria Charles, Bernard Spear, Adrienne Posta
Votes: 98
57.
Play for Today (1970–1984)
Episode:
Edna The Inebriate Woman
(1971)
90 min | Comedy, Drama
Edna is a drunk, and a homeless one. The play follows her through the streets, the police station, the psychiatric ward and a hostel, which for a while looks like it may become somewhere she can stay.
Director: Ted Kotcheff | Stars: Patricia Hayes, Barbara Jefford, Geraldine Sherman, Cheryl Hall
Votes: 165
58. Live Aid (1985 TV Special)
960 min | Documentary, Music
The broadcast of the biggest benefit concert in history, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.
Directors: Vincent Scarza, Kenneth Shapiro | Stars: Bob Geldof, Bryan Adams, Stuart Adamson, Mo Amin
Votes: 2,322
59. World in Action (1963–1998)
30 min | Documentary
A documentary series focusing on current affairs.
Stars: Brian Armstrong, Chris Kelly, Derek Cooper, Wilfrid Thomas
Votes: 98
60. Thunderbirds (1965–1966)
TV-G | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Family
In the year 2065, the Tracy family run International Rescue - a top-secret organization whose ongoing mission is to rescue people trapped in extraordinarily dangerous situations using their advanced Thunderbirds machines.
Stars: Sylvia Anderson, Peter Dyneley, David Graham, Shane Rimmer
Votes: 5,112
61. Talking Heads (1988)
Comedy, Drama
Six monologues tell the stories of six different repressed souls: a man dominated by his mother, a vicar's wife, an inveterate letter writer, a hopeful actress, a recently widowed woman, and an elderly shut-in.
Stars: Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Patricia Routledge, Stephanie Cole
Votes: 375
This also includes Talking Heads 2 from 1998.
62. Ready, Steady, Go! (1963–1966)
50 min | Music
London based British Rock/Pop tv show broadcast every Friday night during its run until 23/12/1966. Presented by Keith Fordyce & Cathy McGowan. Featuring many performances by The Beatles,Rolling Stones & The Who amongst other 60's greats.
Stars: Sandy Sarjeant, Cathy McGowan, Mick Jagger, Dusty Springfield
Votes: 79
63. A Very British Coup (1988)
Not Rated | 148 min | Drama
Disaster befalls the UK under a seemingly corrupt Conservative government. The Labour Party is elected - but committed to radical change, under a firmly left-wing leader. That's not supposed to happen. Who will save the traditional rulers?
Stars: Ray McAnally, Marjorie Yates, Geoffrey Beevers, Keith Allen
Votes: 1,021
64. Z Cars (1962–1978)
TV-14 | Crime, Drama
A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.
Stars: James Ellis, John Slater, Douglas Fielding, Bernard Holley
Votes: 381
65. Culloden (1964 TV Movie)
69 min | Drama, History, War
The 1746 Battle of Culloden, the last land battle fought in the British Isles and the battle that ensured that Scotland was controlled by England.
Director: Peter Watkins | Stars: Tony Cosgrove, Olivier Espitalier-Noel, Don Fairservice, George McBean
Votes: 1,729
66. The Ascent of Man (1973)
50 min | Documentary, History
An account of man's development through his scientific and technological achievements.
Stars: Jacob Bronowski, Joss Ackland, Roy Dotrice, Stefan Bor-Grajewicz
Votes: 898
67. Civilisation (1969–1970)
TV-G | 698 min | Documentary, History, Music
Sir Kenneth Clarke walks through the ages exploring the glorious rise of civilization in Western man.
Stars: Kenneth Clark, Ian Richardson, Ronald Lacey, Patrick Stewart
Votes: 1,066
68. Prime Suspect (1991)
TV-14 | 104 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A female police detective investigates a series of serial murders while dealing with sexist hostility from her male comrades.
Stars: Helen Mirren, John Benfield, Tom Bell, Craig Fairbrass
Votes: 9,222
This entry is to include all the Prime Suspect TV movies which spanned from this one in 1991 to the final one in 2006.
69. The Likely Lads (1964–1966)
30 min | Comedy
Terry and Bob have been friends since childhood. Bob is the sensible one, trying hard to get on with his job and life. Terry is the wild one, always ready to lead Bob astray.
Stars: James Bolam, Rodney Bewes, Don McKillop, Bartlett Mullins
Votes: 768
This entry includes the sequel show Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads from 1973.
70. Have I Got News for You (1990– )
29 min | Comedy, Game-Show, News
Long-running satirical news quiz featuring regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Originally chaired by Angus Deayton, the series has adopted "guest hosts" since 2002.
Stars: Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, Angus Deayton, Alexander Armstrong
Votes: 5,478
71. The Snowman (1982 TV Movie)
G | 26 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
On Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.
Directors: Jimmy T. Murakami, Dianne Jackson | Stars: David Bowie, Raymond Briggs, Mel Smith
Votes: 16,836
72. Walking with Dinosaurs (1999)
TV-14 | 30 min | Documentary, Animation, History
Documentary-style series about the era of the dinosaurs, mixing real locations and CGI.
Stars: Nikolay Drozdov, Kenneth Branagh, Avery Brooks, Craig Sechler
Votes: 6,882
73.
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950–1959)
Episode:
Nineteen Eighty-Four
(1954)
114 min | Drama
In a totalitarian future society, Winston Smith, whose daily work is re-writing history, tries to rebel by falling in love.
Director: Rudolph Cartier | Stars: Peter Cushing, André Morell, Yvonne Mitchell, Donald Pleasence
Votes: 680
74. The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976–1979)
30 min | Comedy
He story concerns a middle-aged middle manager, Reginald "Reggie" Perrin, and is driven to bizarre behaviour by the pointlessness of his job at Sunshine Desserts.
Stars: Leonard Rossiter, Pauline Yates, John Barron, Sue Nicholls
Votes: 2,176
75. Quatermass and the Pit (1958–1959)
30 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror
A team of scientists search for the origin and purpose of a mysterious capsule found on a building site.
Stars: André Morell, Cec Linder, Anthony Bushell, John Stratton
Votes: 1,204
76. Between the Lines (1992–1994)
50 min | Crime, Drama
British police drama following the team at the Complaints Investigation Bureau - the unit that polices the police.
Stars: Neil Pearson, Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond, Tony Doyle
Votes: 632
77. Blind Date (1985–2019)
60 min | Game-Show, Romance
British dating show in which a member of the public chooses who to date from a selection of three suitors, based solely on their answers to questions.
Stars: Cilla Black, Graham Skidmore, Paul O'Grady, Melanie Sykes
Votes: 184
78.
Theatre 625 (1964–1968)
Episode:
Talking to a Stranger
(1966)
90 min | Drama
A grown-up brother and sister's visit to their parents home culminates in a shocking tragedy. The events of the weekend are told over four episodes, each focusing on the point of view of ... See full summary »
Director: Christopher Morahan | Stars: Windsor Davies, Gaynor Jones, Keith Kent, Terry Leigh
Votes: 76
79. The Borrowers (1992)
164 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Family
The Borrowers, a family of tiny people, are forced to find a new home after being displaced. They get help from a human boy as they try to survive by borrowing what they need.
Stars: Ian Holm, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Callard, Paul Cross
Votes: 804
80. One Foot in the Grave (1990–2001)
TV-PG | 90 min | Comedy, Drama
Victor Meldrew is a retiree who attracts bad luck. If he's not driving his long suffering wife Margaret crazy with his constant moaning, he's fighting with neighbours.
Stars: Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie, Doreen Mantle, Owen Brenman
Votes: 7,319
81. Later... With Jools Holland (1992– )
60 min | Music, Talk-Show
Late-night music and chat show with celebrity guests.
Stars: Jools Holland, Paul Weller, PJ Harvey, Robert Plant
Votes: 567
82. Tutti Frutti (1987)
69 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
Trouble ensues for the Majestics, Scotland's "Kings of Rock", when a good-looking redhead joins the band on tour.
Stars: Robbie Coltrane, Maurice Roëves, Emma Thompson, Stuart McGugan
Votes: 455
83. The Knowledge (1979 TV Movie)
89 min | Comedy, Drama
Four men attempt "The Knowledge" examination to qualify as London taxi drivers.
Director: Bob Brooks | Stars: Nigel Hawthorne, Mick Ford, Kim Taylforth, Jonathan Lynn
Votes: 270
84. House of Cards (1990)
TV-14 | 57 min | Drama
The schemes of a ruthlessly ambitious British politician who will stop at nothing to get to the top.
Stars: Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Alphonsia Emmanuel
Votes: 15,071
This also includes the follow-up shows To Play the King from 1993 and The Final Cut from 1995.
85. This Is Your Life (1955–2003)
30 min | Documentary, Biography
The UK version of the popular US show. Eamonn Andrews (later Michael Aspel) surprises celebrities by presenting them with the Big Red Book before taking them into the studio to tell viewers... See full summary »
Stars: Eamonn Andrews, Michael Aspel, Elizabeth Dawn, June Whitfield
Votes: 323
86. The Tube (1982–1987)
90 min | Music
Seminal Channel 4 live music series, famed for having the biggest music acts of the day performing live.
Stars: Jools Holland, Paula Yates, Leslie Ash, Muriel Gray
Votes: 124
87. The Death of Yugoslavia (1995–1996)
50 min | Documentary, History
This captivate documentary covers the struggles of the Yugoslavian people during the collapse of their country, and the subsequent wars to finally find hope with the signing of the Final Peace Accords.
Stars: Robin Ellis, Slobodan Milosevic, Franjo Tudjman, Borisav Jovic
Votes: 1,288
88. Till Death Us Do Part (1965–1975)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A working-class Cockney bigot with a biased and experienced opinion of everything shares them bluntly and carelessly.
Stars: Warren Mitchell, Anthony Booth, Una Stubbs, Dandy Nichols
Votes: 1,013
89. A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–1988)
50 min | Comedy, Drama
The various misadventures of Stephen Daker, a young doctor who works for the health centre of a modern British university.
Stars: Peter Davison, Graham Crowden, Barbara Flynn, David Troughton
Votes: 552
90. TV Nation (1994–1995)
60 min | Documentary, Comedy, News
Michael Moore presents a humorous news-magazine that focuses primarily on wrongdoing by big business, privileged society and right-wing politicians.
Stars: Michael Moore, Bruce Brown, Louis Theroux, Karen Duffy
Votes: 641
91. This Life (1996–1997)
TV-MA | 45 min | Drama
A series following the lives of Miles, Milly, Warren, Egg and Anna, five young legal professionals.
Stars: Jack Davenport, Amita Dhiri, Andrew Lincoln, Daniela Nardini
Votes: 2,583
92.
This Week (1956–1992)
Episode:
Death on the Rock
(1988)
News
SAS execute 3 unarmed IRA Volunteers in Gibraltar. Witnesses discuss the British Military cover up.
Stars: George Carman, Julian Manyon
Votes: 16
93. The Nazis: A Warning from History (1997)
292 min | Documentary, History, War
An examination of how a cultured people could have allowed Adolf Hitler's rise to power.
Stars: Samuel West, Adolf Buchner, Jutta Rüdiger, Günther Ruschin
Votes: 1,722
94. Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1998)
Comedy
Political satire about television news company Globe Link and its team of workers such as anchors Henry and Sally, reporter Damien, editor Dave, execs George and Helen, assistant Joy and manager Gus Hedges.
Stars: Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, David Swift, Stephen Tompkinson
Votes: 1,617
95. Arena (1975– )
60 min | Documentary
Wide-ranging arts program.
Stars: Gavin Millar, Kenneth Tynan, John Walters, Jonathan Miller
Votes: 320
96. The Railway Children (1968)
25 min | Family
1968 BBC adaptation of the evergreen E. Nesbit story.
Stars: Ann Castle, Jenny Agutter, Neil McDermott, Gillian Bailey
Votes: 122
97. Teletubbies (1997–2001)
TV-Y | 28 min | Family, Fantasy, Musical
Four creatures with televisions in their stomachs have fun in their magical world.
Stars: Rolf Saxon, Jessica Smith, John Simmit, Nikky Smedley
Votes: 8,747
98. Spitting Image (1984–1996)
25 min | Comedy
A satire show using puppets that are caricatures of major public figures.
Stars: Steve Nallon, Kate Robbins, Chris Barrie, Jon Glover
Votes: 2,480
99. Pride and Prejudice (1995)
TV-PG | 55 min | Drama, Romance
While the arrival of wealthy gentlemen sends her marriage-minded mother into a frenzy, willful and opinionated Elizabeth Bennet matches wits with haughty Mr. Darcy.
Stars: Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, Susannah Harker, Julia Sawalha
Votes: 92,292
100. Made in Britain (1982 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 76 min | Crime, Drama
After being sent to a detention center, a teenage skinhead clashes with the social workers, who want to conform him to the status quo.
Director: Alan Clarke | Stars: Tim Roth, Terry Richards, Bill Stewart, Eric Richard
Votes: 7,618
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