Diksia.com - British dramas have always been a source of quality entertainment, with their captivating stories, complex characters, and superb performances. Whether you are looking for a historical romance, a crime thriller, a comedy satire, or a sci-fi adventure, there is a British drama for you. In this article, we will review some of the best British dramas of 2023 that you should not miss.
Love & Death
Love & Death is a true-crime miniseries that follows the sensational case of Candy Montgomery, a suburban housewife who killed her lover’s wife with an axe in 1980s Texas. Elizabeth Olsen stars as Candy, who had an affair with a married man from her church group, played by Jesse Plemons.
The show is created by David E Kelley, the mastermind behind Big Little Lies and The Undoing, so you can expect a gripping and twisty story that explores the dark side of human nature. Love & Death is based on the book Evidence of Love by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, and it premiered on ITVX on 7 September1.
The Lovers
The Lovers is a romantic comedy set in Belfast, created by acclaimed playwright David Ireland. Johnny Flynn and Roisin Gallagher star as an unlikely pair who decide to have an affair, but with one rule: they can’t fall in love. He is a posh political TV presenter with a celebrity girlfriend, and she is a potty-mouthed supermarket worker with no interest in anything.
When they meet in a surprising situation, sparks fly and hilarity ensues. The Lovers is a witty and rude romcom that will make you laugh and swoon. The show is produced by the same team behind Doctor Foster and The English, and it aired on Sky Atlantic and Now on 7 September1.
Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry is a period comedy that stars Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott, a pregnant scientist who is fired from her lab job by sexist colleagues in the 1950s. She then becomes the host of a popular TV cooking show, where she teaches a nation of downtrodden housewives more than just recipes.
She also has a talking dog as her sidekick. Lessons in Chemistry is based on the novel by Bonnie Garmus, which was praised by Stephen King as “the Catch-22 of early feminism”. The show is executive produced by Larson and Jason Bateman, and it debuted on Apple TV+ on 13 October2.
Boiling Point
Boiling Point is a spin-off of the 2021 Bafta-nominated film of the same name, which starred Stephen Graham as an alcoholic chef on the edge. The film was shot in one take and captured the intense and chaotic atmosphere of a restaurant kitchen. The spin-off series shifts the focus to Carly, the no-nonsense sous chef played by Vinette Robinson, who is now running her own restaurant in London.
The show is directed by Philip Barantini and written by James Cummings, and it features the same cast from the film, including Hannah Walters and Ray Panthaki. Boiling Point is a realistic and riveting drama that will make you sweat. The show premiered on BBC One in October3.
Three Little Birds
Three Little Birds is a post-Windrush drama that is inspired by the personal story of Lenny Henry, who also wrote the show. The show follows three women who arrive from Jamaica in 1957, and their struggles to make a new life in Dudley, England.
They face racism, sexism, poverty, and the British weather, but they also find friendship, love, and joy. Three Little Birds is a heartfelt and humorous tribute to the Windrush generation and their contribution to British society. The show stars Tamara Lawrance, Rochenda Sandall, and Danielle Vitalis, and it aired on ITV in October4.
Here are some more British dramas of 2023 that you might enjoy:
The Tower
The Tower is a crime drama that is based on the novel by Kate London, a former Metropolitan Police officer. The show follows a rookie cop who witnesses a shocking incident that leads to a complex investigation involving corruption, gangs, and terrorism.
The show stars Gemma Whelan, Tahirah Sharif, and Jimmy Akingbola, and it is written by Patrick Harbinson, who also worked on Homeland and 24. The Tower is a gritty and gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The show launched on ITV in November.
The English
The English is a western drama that is set in 1890s Arizona, where a group of British settlers clash with the Apache tribe. The show is created by Tom Bidwell, who also wrote Watership Down and My Mad Fat Diary, and it stars Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, Rafe Spall, and Tom Hughes.
The show is a co-production between BBC One and Amazon Prime Video, and it is described as a “sweeping, epic saga about love, hate, and identity”. The English is a stunning and ambitious drama that will transport you to a different time and place. The show premiered on BBC One in November.
The Pursuit of Love
The Pursuit of Love is a comedy drama that is based on the classic novel by Nancy Mitford. The show follows the adventures of Linda Radlett, a free-spirited aristocrat who is determined to find love in the interwar period. Lily James stars as Linda, who is joined by a stellar cast that includes Dominic West, Andrew Scott, Emily Beecham, and Freddie Fox.
The show is written and directed by Emily Mortimer, who also plays Linda’s cousin and confidante Fanny Logan. The Pursuit of Love is a witty and whimsical adaptation that will charm and delight you. The show aired on BBC One in December.
