1. Life On Mars
Channel BBC1 Starring John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster. What else could occupy the #1 spot bar Life On Mars? Although its premise is ludicrous on paper, focusing on a modern police officer, Sam Tyler (John Simm) who bizarrely finds himself in 1973 following an accident, its two series are amongst the finest pieces of television that the UK, and indeed the world, has ever seen. The series features both procedural and serial storytelling, as Sam works on cases in 1973 whilst coming to terms with the strange new world that he finds himself within and trying to find his way home. His modern policing techniques strongly contrast with the politically incorrect methods utilised by his seventies counterparts, and it is this that provides the cornerstone of one of modern televisions most interesting relationships. Gene Hunt, portrayed by Philip Glenister, is one of the most politically incorrect characters ever seen on television, yet comes across as a loveable rogue (securing 25% of the vote in a poll for Britains favourite television hero in 2008), dedicated to the pursuit of justice and often serving as a source of comic relief in the process. He and Sam have a dynamic love-hate relationship, but develop a grudging respect towards each other as the series progresses and Sam begins to adapts to his situation, though apparent communications from the future, strange coincidences and bizarre communications continuously give him hope of returning home. The shows success spawned a spin-off, Ashes To Ashes, which partnered Hunt with another present day police officer, Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes), in 1980s London after she is inexplicably transferred there upon being shot. It served as a more than adequate follow-on, though it lacked the impact of the original, with a half-hearted ending to boot. And there you have it, the 25 greatest modern British television shows. Sure, it may be a little light on sitcoms, which has resulted in the omission of shows like Outnumbered, but the listed dramas are second to none, with the top three entries on the list comparable in quality to some of the greatest American shows of all time.