15 Best British TV Shows Of The Decade

British TV has had a superb decade, with much of the most prestigious telly now coming from these shores. Where previously the UK may have been synonymous with period dramas and the odd dry half hour comedy, British creators can now turn their hand to all manner of genres, and they do them as well as anyone.

From far out sci fi to heartfelt romance, we’ve got all the bases covered, and UK TV has reestablished itself as some of the best in the world. Whereas our actors once flocked to America, mastering, say, a Baltimore accent for the top jobs, performers from the US are now watching us. They pay the big bucks to bring our TV across the pond, and queue up for roles in our top shows.

A great time to be working in British TV, then - but among all this quality, which shows stand out the most? This is a celebration of a decade’s outstanding telly, but as ever, not all series are created equally. Which show was the best of a truly great bunch? Let’s find out.

Following up Peep Show - a true classic of the 21st century - was always going to be a tall order, and it’s fair to say Back hasn’t yet reached the heights of its predecessor. But this Robert Webb and David Mitchell-starring sitcom was a great, underrated slice of black comedy. Mitchell and Webb fall into familiar roles as the put upon worker and the easy going layabout, but they’re able to lift their characters beyond Mark and Jez, and are aided by a great supporting cast.

Following the death of Stephen’s (Mitchell) father, he is left in charge of the family pub. He is joined by Andrew (Webb), a charming man of the world who claims to have briefly been fostered by the family.

Back plays its cards close, never letting on whether Andrew is a saintly figure or a sinister freeloader. Mitchell in particular impresses in his performance; he’s more personable, but more self destructive, than his Peep Show character, more beaten down and world weary than a smart arsed cynic. Matthew Holness, always welcome, pops up in flashbacks as Stephen’s late dad, but the scene stealer is Geoffrey McGivern as Uncle Geoff, who is occasionally left to run the boozer, which inevitably goes terribly.

Back is unlikely to gain a similar spot in the UK comedy pantheon as Peep Show - it’s darker and weirder, not nearly so instantly relatable. But if the basic aim of a sitcom is to deliver laughs, Back does so in spades. Given a chance to unfold, and focus on developing a story as well as producing the chuckles, it could end up being something pretty fantastic.