Best BBC shows: all the best dramas on BBC iPlayer right now

To put it simply, Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You is astonishing. In just six hours (split across 12 30-minute episodes), the show covers a staggering amount of ground, providing a detailed and insightful examination of sexual consent and assault in numerous forms. The show certainly doesn’t shy away from its sensitive subject matter – Coel told Radio Times that the BBC “let [her] do anything” and didn’t restrict or hamper the show’s content – but its razor-sharp wit and beautifully written characters go a long way to keeping the conversation accessible.

Her portrayal of Arabella was one of the best performances of 2020 without any doubt, but co-stars Paapa Essiedu and Weruche Opia are also phenomenal, each of them excelling in both comedic and heart-wrenching scenes. Scoring eight BAFTA nominations in 2021, and winning 5, I May Destroy You is not only hugely compelling television, it’s important, educational, and impossible to forget. – David Craig

Strike is adapted from JK Rowling’s Cormoran Strike series which she penned under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym. It follows an army veteran as he picks up a career as a private detective in London, with Tom Burke playing the eponymous investigator. Strike uses the skills that he picked up when working for the Special Investigation Branch to solve cases for the police. The series is largely carried by Burke’s effortless chemistry with Holliday Grainger, who appears alongside him as Strike’s assistant, Robin Ellacott.

It isn’t quite as frantic or chaotic like Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, but its unique crimes and mysteries push both the actors and the audience to approach the story in new ways. Since 2017 the series has adapted the first four books; The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm, Career of Evil and Lethal White, and an adaptation of the fifth, Troubled Blood is has just arrived. And no, before you ask, there’s not a wand in sight. – Eammon Jacobs

Undoubtedly one of the biggest crime dramas of the 21st century, Peaky Blinders was the little show that could, coming from humble beginnings on BBC Two to become a global success story. All six seasons are now available to stream on iPlayer, meaning you can chart Tommy Shelby’s entire journey, from small-time gang boss to a moneyed Member of Parliament.

The series was always hyper-stylish, helping to influence trends itself, but it was more than the style that grabbed people – it was the characters, whether it was Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons, the late great Helen McCrory’s Polly Shelby or Sam Claflin’s insidious Oswald Mosley.

But of course, everything really came down to Cillian Murphy and his transformative, electric performance as Tommy. A complex, sometimes loveable yet highly flawed character right to the end, his was a journey to rival Breaking Bad’s Walter White. There’s now talk of a film sequel to the series and let’s just say, after the explosive series finale, we’re definitely on board. – James Hibbs

Over the years we’ve seen countless medical dramas hit our screens, but it’s only now that we realise what so many of them were missing – they haven’t felt real. That’s not a problem for This is Going to Hurt, the perfectly crafted adaptation of Adam Kay’s autobiographical medical book This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor. With Kay also on writing duties here, he brings his own wealth of insights to create a series that is at once a loving tribute to the NHS, while also being a searing indictment of the budget cuts and entrenched systems which allow our medical practitioners to go drastically under-supported.

With a never-better Ben Whishaw leading a stellar cast, including Alex Jennings, Harriet Walter and breakout star Ambika Mod, who shines in her first ever TV role, This is Going to Hurt might not be one for the squeamish, but it certainly packs a powerful dramatic punch. – James Hibbs

If you’re aching for a new crime drama to grip you while you’re waiting for Line of Duty series seven to be confirmed, then Mother of God, you need to watch Bloodlands. The James Nesbitt-fronted series comes from Line of Duty and Bodyguard executive producer Jed Mercurio, so just prepare yourself for some shocking twists. The four-part series follows DCI Tom Brannick (Nesbitt) as he connects the kidnapping of a former-IRA member to a mysterious assassin known only as Goliath. It’s very easy to become quickly invested in Bloodlands as the conspiracy presents more layers for audiences to peel back with each new episode.

It’ll definitely keep your eyes glued to the screen – especially when certain revelations come to light. Needless to say, James Nesbitt commands everyone’s attention with this one. This Northern Irish noir (Noirthern Irish, anybody?) also features some of the most intense interrogation scenes to rival the ones seen in the AC-12 offices. There’s only four episodes in the first season, so it’s an easy binge-watch. And yes, season two has already been greenlit, not that we’re excited or anything. – Eammon Jacobs

The premise for Martin Freeman’s latest drama doesn’t sound like much. It’s the story of a police officer in Liverpool who struggles with the pressures of the job and has shady relationships with people on the wrong side of the law. Pitch that to a TV executive and you might get short shrift. But in practice it’s powerful stuff, an unsettling tale written by Tony Shumacher – himself a former policeman – with such a pained performance by Freeman that it makes you want to hug the next copper you see and tell them everything will be OK…

This six-part psychological thriller from writer and director Alice Seabright stars The Crown’s Erin Doherty as outsider Becky, whose obsession with social media star Chloe takes a Machiavellian turn after Chloe takes her own life. She decides fake her identity and ingratiate herself within Chloe’s friendship group, and from there the schemes and social climbing begins, in this timely, shocking and compelling drama. – James Hibbs

The latest new drama from The Missing’s Harry and Jack Williams, this six-parter stars Jamie Dornan as a man who wakes up in a hospital in a very unenviable position: he has no idea of the circumstances which led to his hospitalisation, suffering from a severe case of memory loss. Referred to only as The Man, Dornan’s character slowly tries to piece his life together across the six-episode run, with the series taking plenty of twists and turns along the way.

In addition to the mystery elements, there is also plenty of offbeat comedy to enjoy – with a slew of eccentric supporting characters regularly popping up as The Man attempts to rediscover his identity and recall the events that caused his memory loss. Set against a barren Australian backdrop, it’s a series that at times feels like it’s borrowing elements from various other films and TV shows, but it nonetheless remains very much its own thing – a little overstuffed and tonally muddled perhaps, but extremely enjoyable all the same. – Patrick Cremona

A young, unfamiliar cast bring an unstable energy to an edgy drama, set in the London investment banking sector. The new intake of hopefuls trying to make it in high finance ought to be some of that generation’s brightest and best, but they are still young adults who make mistakes – and often, their high opinion of their own abilities is their downfall. That’s as true in their personal lives as it is in an office environment where extreme pressure is the norm. – Jack Seale

Doctor Who has always been renowned for its scary sci-fi (who can forget the terror of the Weeping Angels, eh?) but Russell T Davies’ Torchwood was given the opportunity to really get gritty. The show plunged its hands into the filth of how the existence of aliens would affect the planet as a time-rift in Cardiff (of all places) kept Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and his team plenty busy. Torchwood was sexy, bloody and a lot of fun. If you haven’t seen it before, think of it like a very British take on The X-Files or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with each episode featuring a monster-of-the-week before tying into an overarching storyline. As the Doctor Who revival of the early 2000s continued to be popular it was no surprise that Torchwood struck a chord with fans as it introduced hordes of new characters and monsters, offering a gory outlet for those who imagined what an adult version of the time-travel show could look like. After an impressive two seasons, it later returned in 2009 and 2011 with two miniseries, Children of Earth and Miracle Day – focusing on two sprawling storylines, with the latter taking the team to America. Many fans still hope for a fifth outing for Torchwood, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet. – Eammon Jacobs

This three-part true-crime drama tells the harrowing story of the four young men who were murdered by convicted serial killer Stephen Port in 2014 and 2015. Written and created by Jeff Pope and Neil McKay, the series shines a light on all four victims and their loved ones whilst also highlighting the missteps made by authorities when investigating the cases.

Stephen Merchant gives a memorably chilling performance as Port, while there are also great turns from the likes of Sheridan Smith, Tim Preston, Jakub Svec, Leo Flanagan and Paddy Rowan. It’s a heartbreaking programme, but very much one worth watching. – Patrick Cremona

Hugh Laurie is no stranger to political TV having memorably played Senator Tom James in Veep, though Roadkill is a far more serious affair. Laurie is a great choice as charismatic government minister Peter Laurence, who shows no guilt or remorse as his private life begins to fall apart. Under increasing criticisms from his enemies and facing a strained relationship a home, Peter still attempts a bid for No.10 – will his Machiavellian schemes get him the prize?

There’s a refreshing lack of Brexit or COVID-19 in this Downing Street drama, which instead examines political ambition and the greed and corruption that all too often get entwined with it. The show comes from impressive pedigree with The Hours screenwriter David Hare and Line of Duty director Michael Keillor, but it’s the on-screen talent that had critics raving.

Best known for his bumbling comedy characters, it’s always refreshing when Hugh Laurie showcases his dramatic chops, and his performance here is up there with his sombre work in The Night Manager and House M.D. His charisma and likability is expertly channelled into Laurence’s charming façade that just about covers the amoral muck bubbling underneath, and the show truly shines in his scenes with the late, great Helen McCrory, whose final performance as ice cold Prime Minister Dawn Ellison is one to remember. – Daniel Furn

Many were sceptical at the idea of a 21^st -century version of Conan Doyle’s detective – but Sherlock is far better than it has any right to be. This fresh, modern and mind-bending reimagining from Doctor Who scribes Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss takes several of Conan Doyle’s famous stories and not only updates them for the modern audience, but adds a truly unique spin with humorous and highly quotable one-liners, a complex and evolving friendship and, of course, some of the best twists and turns to ever grace our televisions.

It’s no wonder that this show helped launch Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman to Hollyood stardom – Cumberbatch excels as the ‘high-functioning sociopath’ with a genius mind but a lack of social skills, and Freeman excellently anchors him as a loyal partner both professionally and more importantly, personally. As well as great turns form the likes of Una Stubbs and Rupert Graves, particular mention has to go to Andrew Scott – before he was Fleabag’s ‘hot priest’, he very nearly stole the show with only a few episodes of screen time as the delightfully malicious mastermind Moriarty.

Sherlock is impressively faithful to Doyle’s original works in many ways, makes some interesting new additions in others but mostly updates to his iconic stories in some seriously clever and creative ways – just wait until you see how the show’s take on The Reichenbach Fall perplexed the internet for years. Its episodic nature means there’s been a few hiccups down the road – but Sherlock at the height of its powers is some of the finest crime drama on British TV. – Daniel Furn

Class politics, pregnancy and the power of reputation collide in this Sydney-set psychological thriller imported from Down Under. The Secrets She Keeps follows forlorn shelf-stacker Agatha who idolises the seemingly perfect life of influencer Meghan, who just so happens to be at the same stage of pregnancy as Agatha. However babies are not all the two are carrying – and after a chance meeting at the supermarket, the explosive secrets weighing down on both expectant mothers will culminate in an unforgivable act.

The plot twists in this may not be all that unpredictable – especially if you’re aware of the true story the show is based on – but that’s not the point. Instead, the show’s charm comes from slow-burn tension and dark humour as well as the expected soapy elements, making for a unique noirish exploration of femininity, motherhood and image.

The true strength in The Secrets She Keeps, however, is the performances from the two leads, namely Arrow’s Jessica De Gouw as Meghan, but Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael as Agatha in particular. Worlds away from Lady Edith Crawley, Carmichael plays grippingly against type as the delicate but disturbing supermarket employee determined to have the life she wants – even if belongs to someone else. – Daniel Furn

This heartbreaking drama follows two young students Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal) and Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar Jones) who begin an intense affair at school before their own insecurities get the better of them, causing a rift in their unique relationship. Based on the novel by critically acclaimed author Sally Rooney, the series follows their lives as they grapple with their own emotions while still trying to desperately cling on to one another. At times, Normal People is heartfelt and poignant, and at others it’s emotionally devastating. What’s even more impressive is this was Paul Mescal’s first major television role, and he’s made a sublime impression on audiences with his truly gut-wrenching performance.

Because Sally Rooney wrote the series (alongside Alice Birch and Alice O’Rowe) those who read the 2018 book will recognise just how faithful to the original story Normal People is. And with a brilliant direction from Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald, it’s unsurprising that the series was nominated for, and won a collection of awards. – Eammon Jacobs

Can you really make a list of BBC dramas without this national icon? A British institution at this point, the revival of the long-running sci-fi series seemingly did the impossible by not only successfully reinventing the classic show for the 21st Century, but possibly making the show even more popular than it was before. The show’s premise, however, is just the same as it was in the ‘60s: an eccentric alien time lord travels through space and time with their companions in a police box, fighting Daleks, Cybermen and all sorts of monsters and injustices along the way.

We’re now on our fifth(!) Doctor and third showrunner since Doctor Who returned in 2005, and while the show has undergone some changes in terms of episode count, Christmas specials and, of course, cast, the show retains its unique mix of high-concept sci-fi, humour, action and surprisingly human drama.

Jodie Whittaker is the current incarnation of the Time Lord, with Mandip Gill (Hollyoaks) and John Bishop as her companions Yaz and Dan. However, BBC iPlayer has all 13 instalments of the revival, meaning you can relive – or experience for the very first time – the adventures of Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. With the show nearing its 60th anniversary, we look forward to a few of them potentially returning for a special – here’s to another 60 years. – Daniel Furn

What would really happen if your syndicate won the lottery? That’s the question posed by this heart-warming drama from BAFTA award winning scriptwriter Kay Mellor, which shows that big money wins can often result in even bigger problems. An anthology series, each instalment shows a different group winning big, at first focusing on employees in a Leeds supermarket and eventually syndicates at a Bradford hospital, a Scarborough stately home and a Yorkshire dog kennel.

While the premise has the potential to become a rather dark affair, in true Kay Mellor fashion the series consistently remains warm and fuzzy, with family usually remaining at the heart of the drama and any criminal activity usually an excuse for light-hearted jaunts. However, amidst the flashy and breezy main plot, The Syndicate possibly excels best with the smaller, more personal subplots, which manage to emotionally and realistically explore issues such as zero hour contracts, gambling addiction and truly stretching your money to survive on the breadline.

The anthology nature of The Syndicate means a big new guest star every season, with Timothy Spall, Alison Steadman, Lenny Henry and Neil Morrissey all featuring as struggling syndicate members who hit the big one. They’re joined by a revolving door of British talent also, including the likes of Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter), Joanna Page (Gavin & Stacey), Mark Addy (Game of Thrones), Siobhan Finneran (Benidorm) and Lorraine Bruce (White Gold) as the only actor to appear in all four seasons. Season 4 is available on iPlayer now. – Daniel Furn

Always one of iPlayer’s most streamed shows of the year, Killing Eve has become a pop culture smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s easy to see why with its fresh, subversive take on the espionage thriller – being an international assassin has never looked like so much fun.

Bored British Intelligence officer Eve is thrilled to be tasked with tracking down psychopathic assassin Villanelle – but what starts out as your usual cat-and-mouse thriller goes into much more interesting territory when the two develop a mutual obsession for each other.

Stylish, funny, and at times very, very, gory, Killing Eve’s feminist take on the usually male-dominated spy genre provides some very witty and surprising results. This is no small part due to the writers – Phoebe Waller-Bridge was head writer of season one just before Fleabag made her an international star, while Promising Young Woman writer-director Emerald Fennell took over the reins for the similarly critically acclaimed season two.

While Sandra Oh was already known for Grey’s Anatomy, Killing Eve would make stars out of both leads – Jodie Comer has rightfully won an Emmy and a British Television Award for her portrayal of the chameleon-esque Villanelle, while Oh snagged a Golden Globe for her work as titular spy Eve. Though very deserving of their Best Actress awards, the two should really be nominated together rather than against each other – their electric chemistry lifts the whole show. – Daniel Furn

Based on the 1993 novel of the same name, A Suitable Boy is a vast, sweeping period drama following four linked families in post-independence India, with the focus on young university student Lata Rupa. Her mother is determined to pick Lata’s husband for her – so as the entire country goes through a pivotal cultural and political change, will Lata remain loyal to her mother’s wishes or choose her own suitable boy?

Vikram Seth’s towering 1,300 page novel is condensed into a bite-size six-episode series, yet still manages to cover a sizeable amount of ground, with four large families featured (and over 110 characters), as well the historical context, a background general election, a showcase of Indian music and dancing, and, of course, Lata’s central story. Director Mira Nair ensures that not a minute is wasted, however, with stunning set pieces and an overabundance of colour making sure the visuals are just as busy and exciting as the plot.

A Suitable Boy is also notable for being the first BBC period drama to have a non-Caucasian cast – with the actors and actresses involved often highlighted by critics as the best part of the show. Tanya Maniktala delights in only her second on-screen appearance as protagonist Lata, with Indian actor Ishaan Khatter as the wayward Maan Kapoor. Bollywood star Tabu plays his courtesan love interest Saeeda Bai, while Manifest’s Mahira Kakkar portrays Lata’s domineering mother. – Daniel Furn

The BBC often excels at cat-and-mouse crime dramas – with The Fall dominating the genre before Killing Eve came along. Gillian Anderson follows Stella Gibson, a tortured Detective Superintendent who is no stranger to catching serial killers. This particular serial killer, however, is revealed at the outset to be family man Paul Spector, hiding in plain set as he attacks young women in Belfast. Which of these tormented but brilliant minds will come out on top?

Unrelentingly dark, The Fall has proved itself to be a mastermind at building tension and drawing complex characters. It threw the crime drama rulebook out the window by revealing the killer immediately, replacing any whodunit elements with a slow-burn will-they-won’t they between the police’s efforts to catch Paul and his efforts to get away, as well as a psychological study of the killer and what could prompt a seemingly normal and functioning human to kill.

Such a two-hander would of course require two strong leads – and they found movie star choices in Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson. Dornan was winning rave reviews as cold serial killer Paul Spector before the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise made him a household name, while the always excellent Gillian Anderson began her recent television resurgence began here with her portrayal of the seemingly cold but passionate Stella Gibson. – Daniel Furn

Small Axe is an anthology series from the critically acclaimed filmmaker Steve McQueen and follows a number of different stories about West Indian immigrants living in London during the 1960s up to the 1980s. The director helmed all five episodes of the series, but worked with Alastair Siddons and Courttia Newland on the stories for each chapter. Each chapter is a stunning illustration of how institutional racism has affected Black communities in the United Kingdom for decades., although Lovers Rock was seen as both a cultural celebration and a transfixing period tale of romance. The series starred an impressive array of actors, with performances from Letitia Wright and John Boyega being praised by critics across the globe for their roles in the episodes Mangrove and Red, White, and Blue respectively. John Boyega won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor, and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Leroy Logan, the founder of the Black Police Association. – Eammon Jacobs

All aboard The Sacramentum, ship of nightmares – and prepare for fowl play. This high seas horror drama slipped under many viewers’ radars when it launched in the autumn, but it rewards seeking out if you’re a fan of black comedy, conspiracy thrillers or slasher flicks. Searching for answers about his sister Pippa, who disappeared three months earlier, 19-year-old Jamie (Ladhood’s Oscar Kennedy) joins the crew of the vast and mysterious cruise liner where she worked. Pippa was said to have committed suicide but Jamie suspects murder. He soon uncovers an on-board subculture of drug-dealing, debauchery, tribal rivalries and elaborate hazing rituals. Six exuberant episodes of intrigue and jump-scares ensue and unforgettably features the most sinister TV duck since Orville.

Michael Hogan

If you love a good murder mystery with a slice of comedy, then look no further than Death in Paradise. The series is set on a fictional island in the Caribbean called Saint Marie and at first follows Ben Miller’s Detective Richard Poole who’s investigating the murder of a British police officer on the island. Once he solves the bizarrely complicated case, Poole is ordered to stay on the island as the go-to Detective Inspector. The format has worked particularly well with audiences since 2011, as Death in Paradise often rotates detectives in and out to keep the story going, much like in Doctor Who.

So far, Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and most recently Ralf Little have all played the various detectives who are put in charge in Saint Marie, each with their own compelling reasons for staying abroad rather than living in England. Created by Richard Thurgood in 2011, this entertaining comedy-drama has proved that it’s got the legs to keep on going. In fact the BBC has been so impressed with it, that it’s already been commissioned for season 12. To be honest, with that many murders, we’re surprised there’s anyone still alive in Saint Marie… – Eammon Jacobs