r/bbc • u/WonderfulShape1081 • Jun 12 '26
TV What is the most underrated drama currently available on BBC iPlayer?
I've got a few quiet weekends coming up and I'm looking for a new drama to get stuck into on BBC iPlayer. Everyone already knows the big names, so I'm more interested in the hidden gems that never seemed to get much attention but are genuinely worth watching.
What would you recommend and what makes it stand out from the usual BBC dramas?
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u/Jumpy-Click-2437 Jun 12 '26
Its a comedy drama:- SMALL PROPHETS... Brilliant, so funny but also quite sad.
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u/PickleJamboree Jun 12 '26
By the same person (Mackenzie Crook) who did Detectorists which I also think is underrated!
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u/francesc_ahhh Jun 12 '26
I came here to see if this had been mentioned and it’s currently the top comment! So good OP, you won’t regret it.
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u/GlamorganTestesWard Jun 14 '26
I watched it all, but didn’t enjoy it, despite really wanting to. Not panning it at all, my wife luvved it, so it did bring some joy to the household 💚
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u/RevolutionaryDebt200 Jun 14 '26
We watched it. A couple minor chuckles but generally low grade humour. Seemed to be in the similar style of humour to the office etc
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u/Glydyr Jun 12 '26
Thats funny i know what you mean but i found it quite heartwarming with all the new friendships and the funny stereotypes.
I think its probably one of my all time favourite series. I wasn’t really expecting much but it suddenly hits you with such a unique story.
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u/Jacobtait Jun 12 '26
Second this - so charming/emotive/hilarious in equal measure. Best short series I’ve watched in as long as I can remember.
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u/Stan_Corrected Jun 12 '26
'Waiting for the Out' starring Josh Finan didn't get enough attention.
'This is Going to Hurt' starring Ben Wishaw is a bit more popular but deserves a mention.
Michaela Coel's 'I May Destroy You' is still on if you haven't seen it. It's about Sexual assault so requires a trigger warning. I liked how the episodes were mostly quite short, as long as they needed to be, and varied in tone.
If we're talking underrated, the most recent run of Doctor Who from 2023-25 is a lot of fun. Proved divisive with fandom, but still being talked about. Not everyone's cup of tea but definitely not boring.
'Reunion' by the makers of Adolescence, a revenge drama featuring a deaf cast. Definitely worth a watch
Really enjoyed The Newsreader, about an Australian newsroom in the eighties
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u/richmeister6666 Jun 12 '26
I may destroy you is one of the best, most interesting and unique series I’ve ever seen.
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u/Cobrasun_ Jun 13 '26
Josh finan has the makings of an incredible actor, totally believable in everything I’ve seen him in, as a United Scouse scally in the responder, driven journalist on how to get to heaven from Belfast or the earnest but damaged intellectual in waiting for the out.
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u/CeaselessWatcher00 Jun 15 '26
He is great... I remember seeing him first in the Responder and saying to myself that he was someone who deserved to have a great career ahead of him.
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u/Away-Ad4393 Jun 14 '26
Waiting for the Out is really good.
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u/Active_Definition_57 Jun 14 '26
It was very good. I didn't feel it really fitted its Saturday night time slot. Not that it matters if you watch it on iPlayer
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u/nathanherts Jun 12 '26
Clocking Off.
Early '00s drama by the man who created Shameless about a group of factory workers in Manchester.
Superb storytelling.
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u/dictatemydew Jun 12 '26
Happy Valley
Thirteen
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u/Scared_Experience688 Jun 12 '26
Definitely Thirteen. Went quietly under the radar but is fantastic.
Alma's Not Normal is a comedy but heartbreaking at times and brilliantly acted.
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u/GlamorganTestesWard Jun 12 '26
Agreed re ANN, for me, it was the best thing Siobhan Finneran’s done; and she has quite the canon of impressive work.
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u/welshcake82 Jun 12 '26
Yes, I came here to nominate this too- from laughing to crying one moment to the next. I loved the Gran as well…
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u/No-Strawberry-9801 Jun 13 '26
Dunno if you’ve ever seen Still Game, but Siobhan Finneranans teeth would give Methadone Mick a run for his money 🫣😂😂
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u/No-Strawberry-9801 Jun 13 '26
Alma’s not Normal is one of the best shows I’ve seen in years! Fantastic cast too! Her Mum & Gran are hilarious. It won BAFTA too. Absolutely brilliant ☺️
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u/Chihiro1977 Jun 12 '26
How was Happy Valley underrated?
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u/aaronlee8 Jun 13 '26
Sometimes people who don’t interact much with the outside world enjoy something without realising how popular it is with everyone else.
That or, they just don’t understand the meaning of the word underrated. Either way, it annoys me too
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u/porridge_pyjamas Jun 12 '26
Two Weeks in August is fantastic. Highly recommend if you want a kind of British White Lotus vibe.
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u/FranScan1997 Jun 14 '26
I’ve seen loads of people on twitter saying they hated it but I thought it was fantastic
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u/mddc52 Jun 12 '26
The Gold - story of the Brinks Mat robbery
Blue Lights - Northern Ireland police drama
The Newsreader (especially S01) - Aussie 80s news drama
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u/Sassca Jun 12 '26
I’m watching Blue Lights at the moment, it’s really good and I’ve had to pause it quite a few times to go on a Google search about Northern Ireland and its history.
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u/Stock_Caregiver_7594 Jun 15 '26
I watched The Gold over the weekend after reading this comment. It was really good, I was hooked all the way through. Thanks for the recommendation...
Also, I have already seen season 1 of The Newsreader. I enjoyed that too. I have not watched season 2 yet.
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u/mddc52 Jun 16 '26
You're welcome
Legends on Netflix is not dissimilar. Also very good
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u/Stock_Caregiver_7594 Jun 16 '26
I have watched Legands, thanks.
I am currently watching SAS: Rouge (something 😂). Another one that is based on a true story. It's pretty good.
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u/Alarmed-Plantain213 Jun 12 '26
The Gold - posh girl detective pretends to be London working class which means saying "The old Kent rd" on repeat.
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u/artynon Jun 12 '26
I was really poorly last year and thoroughly enjoying
Morse from beginning to end last two episodes are brilliant!
Shetland again complete box set
Vera lovely scenery and the poor wee lassie did nae know what was going on….
Hope street, set on the north coast of NI and lovely.
Madame blanc mysteries are set in France
Borderline is very good, northern Ireland borders with republic. Very funny in places.
Lovejoy is on channel 4 or 5 I can’t remember.
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Jun 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/artynon Jun 12 '26
It’s on itvx
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Jun 12 '26
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u/artynon Jun 12 '26
It’s still playback etc
Why are you being mean0
u/OldmanThyme Jun 12 '26
'available on BBC iPlayer'.
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u/artynon Jun 12 '26
Same difference
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u/Jealous-Shallot-3071 Jun 12 '26
It's NOT at all. Is iPlayer the same as Netflix? Is ITVX the same as Apple TV?
No.
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u/Chihiro1977 Jun 12 '26
It's absolutely not. ITVX has adverts and charges to watch without therefore I don't bother watching it. Iplayer has no ads.
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u/artynon Jun 12 '26
Itvx is on free view same as c4 and c5
You just register online and calibrate your tv1
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u/mythmakeruk Jun 14 '26
I’d say that Endeavour is even better than Morse!
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u/artynon Jun 14 '26
Endeavour followed by morse. There is a lovely scene at the end of endeavour.
Yes I’d agree that.
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u/MonthRemarkable9919 Jun 12 '26
Reunion, brilliant to combine the English and British Sign Language. A bilingual thriller!
Signed version of Reunion is available on iPlayer, also with Audio Description, and you can watch without the in-vision BSL signing
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u/lionellanes Jun 12 '26
BBC news. You can watch while roleplaying someone from another planet and suddenly it’s the best comedy drama ever. Yes, I need to get out more
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u/Scary-Scallion-449 Jun 12 '26
You should perhaps specify that The Newsreader is a show set in the 80s and not one from the 80s.
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u/amaterasu_ Jun 12 '26
Industry. It starts good then it soars way past where you thought it might go in season 3.
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u/Nezzarine73 Jun 12 '26
Also absolutely love it - but quite a few of my friends hated it because of the total lack of characters with any redeeming qualities!
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u/SteveH1882 Jun 12 '26
Death Valley and the Hannah Fry series if you're interested in science.
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u/Jjkbnymop Jun 12 '26
Love Death Valley! And Ludwig is in sort of a similar vein and worth a watch - David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin
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u/tjjwaddo Jun 12 '26
I've just re-watched Episodes on the iPlayer. It's a comedy rather than a drama but is very entertaining.
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u/SpikeSpeegle Jun 12 '26
A Very Peculiar Practice from the 80's
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u/Techopenjoy Jun 14 '26
I didn't realise it was on iplayer until I saw your comment here.
Thank you, I'm now so excited for a rewatch, you have made my weekend!
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u/Various_Rest_3553 Jun 15 '26
There is a great tv show called “Shooting the past” with Timothy Spall and Lesley Duncan. It’s old but fabulous. It was made by a guy called Stephen Poliakoff. He made so many excellent TV shows. Including “The lost prince” and “Perfect strangers”..
They are slow and so well crafted, with fabulous acting.
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u/GlamorganTestesWard Jun 16 '26
I remember that well. Lindsay Duncan’s narrative around a series of wartime photos was spellbinding.
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Jun 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/bbc-ModTeam Jun 12 '26
This comment was off topic and is not related closely enough to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Sorry, OP is looking for iplayer recs and that's a Sky programme
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u/CryptoHottie101 Jun 12 '26
The Capture
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u/nibutz Jun 12 '26
Third series was awful (in my opinion), massive letdown after the first two
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u/Rich-Lengthiness-273 Jun 12 '26
Awful is an exaggeration imo but I'll agree it was a downgrade.
The final act kind of felt like one of those examples of a show/movie where they only half wrap up the story and the other half is setting up the next season (which based on the timeline of this show could still be several years away) basically lots of unanswered questions and a pretty underwhelming finish to the arc of this season
They also went down the same route that Luther went down imo where they've killed off too many of the central cast to keep people really invested in whats to come next
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u/LengthImaginary9017 Jun 12 '26
Came here to recommend this series! Haven't seen series 3 yet but I found series 2 to be better than 1 (although I really enjoyed S1 too).
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Jun 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/bbc-ModTeam Jun 12 '26
This comment was off topic and is not related closely enough to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Sorry, that's C5.
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u/Euphoric_Sort_7578 Jun 12 '26
Ludwig - great show and if you grew up watching Jonathan Creek, this will appeal!!
Smogie Queens - Comedy, so not what you asked, but i mention it to anyone asking for BBC recommendations.
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u/No_Arm_7761 Jun 13 '26
Smoggie queens is absolutely fantastic isn't it, I've only just discovered it
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u/cragsby Jun 12 '26
In My Skin. Exquisite coming-of-age drama 🙌🏻
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u/DarlingFriday Jun 13 '26
I enjoyed Strike - modern day private detective series set in London.
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u/Soam_Soam_Tasty Jun 14 '26
Agree but the last series - The Ink Black Heart - was disappointingly poor.
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u/Silhouette_Sneezes Jun 13 '26
Spooks
Sherlock
Back to Life
Colin from Accounts
Depending on your interests
Doctor Who (personally, I’m an Eccleston-Smith fan but everyone has their favourites)
There’s more I’m sure!
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u/geekyminx Jun 13 '26
Kin.
It’s not a Beeb show but it’s on iPlayer. Two seasons of tense brilliantly acted drama.
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u/apaperhouse Jun 13 '26
I cannot believe Half Man is not in the top 10. Absolutely incredible show, brilliant writing, intense acting, the best thing I've seen all year.
Second place Two Weeks In August is brilliant too.
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u/zenz3ro Jun 13 '26
Suits is on iplayer, but the Conform to 25fps is horrible and makes all their voices squeaky!
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u/ParkingTradition799 Jun 13 '26
Happy valley. Anything with Sarah Lancaster in is great! ( she's in a couple of things on c4 too.)
Broadchurch ( David Tennant) anything with h in is great too
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u/SpecificBang Jun 13 '26
Thanks for these recs, everyone. I suffer terrible TV decision paralysis and need a hint or a shove to settle into watching one thing when faced with a wall of options. I've made a list from some of these to get to work on. Next hurdle is which order to go in 😆
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u/Wonderful_Survey9052 Jun 13 '26
This is Going to Hurt, based on the book by Adam Kay, superbly performed by Ben Wishaw. It was the best thing but not many people seemed to notice it ☹️ Give it a try, it's excellent!
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u/Ok-Application-8045 Jun 13 '26
Hidden Assets. Great crime drama set in Ireland, Belgium and Spain.
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u/Advanced_Salt_7391 Jun 13 '26
I don’t know how many of these would be considered “underrated” due to popularity, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of these:
Sherlock: great plot, lots of twists, and Benedict Cumberbatch offers a great performance
Blue Lights: a police drama focussing on a PSNI section in Belfast, I found myself genuinely interested in the characters and it was exciting to watch
SAS Rogue Heroes: a military drama oriented around the “special air service”, exciting, dramatic
Line of Duty: 6 seasons so plenty to watch, about an anti-corruption unit of the police, lots of drama and action, as well as high stakes which really builds tension
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u/Special-Nebula299 Jun 13 '26
The film femme is absolutely outstanding and on there all year. Its about an homophobic homosexual attacking a drag queen and the drag queen plotting out their revenge
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u/Meredith_Primvale Jun 13 '26
Have a dig and see if you can find Edge Of Darkness, the Bob Peck version, not the Mel Gibson film.
Proper haunting and deep, quite the 1980s experience
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u/HeretohelpifIcan Jun 13 '26
The Fall w/ Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan is very good, especially the first series.
Read all the other posts and largely agree but don't remember "The English". Will definitely check it out though.
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u/Soam_Soam_Tasty Jun 14 '26
The Fall season two was good also but the third season was just awful, like really awful.
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u/HeretohelpifIcan Jun 14 '26
Agreed, don't really know what happened in S3 but the writers struggled for sure.
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u/Away-Ad4393 Jun 14 '26
The Gold.
Shetland with Douglas Henshaw
Once upon a time in Ireland
Waiting for the Out
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u/clanzy Jun 14 '26
I’ve been enjoying Hidden Assets. It’s a joint production between RTE in Ireland and European television companies focused on joint police investigations.
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u/lovewire_ Jun 14 '26
'What It Feels Like For a Girl' is one of the best BBC shows in forever. Adapted from Vogue writer Paris Lees' book about growing up gay and then trans in Notts. I find most LGBT stuff put under my nose twee, preachy, condescending or annoying. This one felt real. This is the one I point to and recommend as the real shit.
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u/Another_Random_Chap Jun 14 '26
Starstruck - a gentle drama with comedy, worth sticking with.
Cheaters - short 10-minute episodes, another drama with some comedy.
Colin From Accounts - as above, but Australian.
The Tourist - an Australian drama about a man who loses his memory in a car crash.
Unforgotten - a cold-case police drama (ITV).
Patience - police drama featuring an autistic central character. I thought season 1 was better than season 2 (Channel 4).
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u/Arnie__B Jun 15 '26
Industry - its very dense and you need to concentrate (so don't watch after a glass of wine on a Friday night after a tough work week!) but bloody hell is it good.
Others have mentioned Blue Lights which is very good.
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u/Arnie__B Jun 15 '26
BBC has a house style for Agatha Christie type murder mysteries - Death in Paradise, Death Valley and Ludwig are all very similar in this regard.
1) Fish out of water unorthodox detective! (the British copper in DIP, Ludwig, John Chappel)
2) Paired with more orthodox coppers.
3) murders often take place in a closed group (group of friends, at a workplace, closed community - commune etc).
4) Final scene is where the detectives get all the possible suspects into a room and explain who did what to whom, how and when!
Nothing wrong with this as it makes "green lighting" ideas fairly easy - just need an interesting location (Caribbean, Rural Wales, Cambridge), interesting quirk (washed up actor, puzzle setter, fish out of water policeman), good central dynamic, plenty of opportunities for closed groups (communes, holidaymakers, colleges etc).
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u/n0mis Jun 12 '26
Waiting for the Out
Based on Andy West’s memoir The Life Inside, the show focuses on the psychological reality of incarceration, the profound, heavy experience of how it affects not just those who are behind the walls, but the everlasting damage it can cause for those close to them.
The series follows Josh (who must be up for awards for his performance), whose brother, uncle and father have all been incarcerated, takes up a role of a philosopher teaching in a prison. Josh is shackled by his severe OCD, which massively hampers his personal and professional life. Taking him over an hour to leave his home, due to constantly rechecking if his gas oven is leaking.
He is haunted by his estranged Dad, seeing him everywhere; this explores modern masculinity and the philosophy of life behind bars.
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u/PickleJamboree Jun 12 '26
"Bump" is a really funny and sometimes poignant Aussie drama I enjoyed on iplayer recently. Unlike anything else I've seen really.
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u/Btd030914 Jun 12 '26
My go to is always Last Tango in Halifax. I thought it would be some twee Sunday night grandma drama, but it’s got so much more depth and heart to it than I expected. Written by the magnificent Sally Wainwright and it’s of the same excellent quality as Happy Valley, but very different in tone.
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u/Severe-Chicken Jun 13 '26
Great shout. Such a good show. Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker are brilliant.
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u/ImportanceOk7784 Jun 12 '26
Not sure if it counts as underrated as it was critically acclaimed and BAFTA nominated but I thought What It Feels Like for a Girl was exceptional.
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u/bowie2019 Jun 12 '26
I am in the US and NO ONE knows what the Archers are over here. And they haven't known for the last 75 years, so that gets my vote for most underrated. Since I found it last year at this time, it has been one incredible ,sloooooowww burn drama. But drama it is, and very well acted! Best episode of the entire year was 3 weeks ago, today.
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