I have something to admit. I might be born and bred in the UK, but I have always found myself drawn to US television instead. Maybe it's because 'traditionally', they have appeared to have the bigger budgets. Or perhaps it's because in the last two decades, many of the big shows I have watched had followed that traditional 22-episode format, meaning I get more for my money, so to speak. That's not to say I have shunned homegrown talent. In the 1990's we had the phenomenal gritty detective shows like Cracker and Prime Suspect, cult sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf and geekfest Spaced, thrilling spy series Spooks, and in recent years we've had Being Human, Torchwood, Luther, Sherlock and of course the biggie of them all, Doctor Who. Some of these shows (Luther, Spooks) I actually got into a little late, but as someone who's long term goal is to write for British TV, it is a joy to find so much good stuff on our screens. Shows that are also getting recognition in the US too, with amazing scripts and gripping performances. Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Idris Elbas' Luther are some of the most fascinating characters on TV today and while I still watch plenty of great US shows, (Hannibal is my current clear favourite) there's still plenty of gems here in the UK. My renewed appreciation of UK television has got me thinking about the great British shows past and present that I have enjoyed, but that haven't necessarily had the interest that bigger shows I mentioned above have. Some shows have stuck with me, performances and images that I remember clearly to this very day. Other shows with early performances by current renowned actors or current big name writers. Some may have done well here in the UK but are deserving of equal attention over in the US. So let me take you back across the last 22 years at the shows that I consider hidden gems of British TV. Some you may not know of but should absolutely see...