Channel 4 may not have as many must watch dramas as BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Sky Atlantic, but there are still a handful of award winning series you should add to your watchlist. I personally recommend The West Wing, Derry Girls and Bones. From the 362 dramas available to watch on Channel 4, I’ve narrowed the list down to 59 which scored 7 or higher on IMDb.
More best dramas to stream:
Dramas On ITVX ~ Dramas On BBC iPlayer ~ Dramas On Sky And Now TV ~ Apple TV+ Dramas ~ Dramas On Disney+
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
The West Wing (1999–2006) – Political/Ensemble
For fans of: Madam Secretary, Borgen, The Newsroom
Aaron Sorkin’s White House drama follows President Bartlet and his senior staff through policy crises, personal dilemmas, and moral reckonings. With rapid-fire dialogue and idealistic tension, it shaped a generation of political television. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
It’s a Sin (2021) – Historical/Coming-of-Age
For fans of: Angels in America, Pose, Queer as Folk (UK)
Russell T Davies chronicles the lives of young gay men during the 1980s AIDS crisis in London. With vibrant energy and devastating loss, the series captures joy, shame, and the urgency of friendship.
This Is Us (2016–2022) – Family/Emotional
For fans of: Parenthood, A Million Little Things, Brothers & Sisters
Three siblings navigate love, grief, and identity across decades, anchored by flashbacks and interwoven timelines. The show builds emotional resonance through small moments and generational echoes.
Samurai Jack (2001–2017) – Animated/Action
For fans of: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Primal, Batman: The Animated Series
A lone warrior battles a shape-shifting demon across time in this stylised, dialogue-light epic. With cinematic visuals and philosophical undertones, it blends mythic storytelling with minimalist design.
Boston Legal (2004–2008) – Legal/Character
For fans of: The Practice, Suits, The Good Wife
James Spader and William Shatner lead a law firm where eccentricity meets courtroom drama. The show mixes sharp legal arguments with surreal humour and unexpected tenderness.
My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015) – Teen/Mental Health
For fans of: Skins, Big Boys, Sex Education
Set in 90s Lincolnshire, this drama follows Rae, a teenager recovering from a breakdown while navigating body image, friendship, and first love. With diary narration and Britpop nostalgia, it’s raw and deeply personal.
This Is England 86/88/90 (2010–2015) – Historical/Working-Class
For fans of: Top Boy, Shameless (UK), The Virtues
Shane Meadows continues the story of a skinhead gang as they grow into adulthood across Thatcher-era Britain. With brutal realism and emotional depth, the trilogy explores trauma, loyalty, and survival.
Derry Girls (2018–2022) – Coming-of-Age/Comedy-Drama
For fans of: My Mad Fat Diary, Raised by Wolves (UK), The Inbetweeners
Set during the Troubles, this BAFTA-winning series follows five teens navigating school, politics, and Catholic guilt. The humour is fast, the stakes are real, and the friendships feel unbreakable. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Person of Interest (2011–2016) – Sci-Fi/Procedural
For fans of: Black Mirror, Mr. Robot, 24
A reclusive billionaire and an ex-CIA operative use AI surveillance to prevent crimes before they happen. With philosophical undertones and shifting alliances, the show evolves from procedural to paranoid thriller.
Homeland (2011–2020) – Espionage/Psychological
For fans of: The Americans, Bodyguard, Fauda
Claire Danes plays a bipolar CIA agent tracking threats both foreign and domestic. The series explores loyalty, trauma, and the blurred lines between patriotism and obsession.
The Killing (US, 2011–2014) – Crime/Atmospheric
For fans of: Broadchurch, Top of the Lake, True Detective
Set in a rain-soaked Seattle, this slow-burn mystery follows two detectives unraveling a murder that spirals into political and personal fallout. The pacing is deliberate, the mood relentless, and the performances quietly devastating.
Hill Street Blues (1981–1987) – Police/Ensemble
For fans of: The Wire, NYPD Blue, ER
This groundbreaking series blended procedural grit with character-driven arcs inside a chaotic urban precinct. With overlapping storylines and moral ambiguity, it redefined American television drama.
Deutschland 83 / 86 / 89 (2015–2020) – Espionage/Period
For fans of: The Americans, Le Bureau, Spy/Master
A young East German soldier is sent undercover to the West during the Cold War, triggering ideological conflict and personal transformation. The trilogy spans shifting alliances, pop culture, and political paranoia.
Skins (2007–2013) – Teen/Raw
For fans of: Euphoria, My Mad Fat Diary, Misfits
Each generation of Bristol teens faces sex, drugs, and emotional fallout in this gritty, era-defining series. With rotating casts and bold storytelling, it launched careers and sparked controversy.
The Great (2020– ) – Historical/Satire
For fans of: The Favourite, Bridgerton, Dickinson
Elle Fanning plays Catherine the Great in a revisionist comedy-drama full of palace intrigue, betrayal, and modern irreverence. The tone is sharp, the visuals lavish, and the dialogue gleefully anachronistic.
The Virtues (2019) – Trauma/Redemption
For fans of: This Is England, Happy Valley, The Responder
Stephen Graham stars as a man confronting buried trauma after returning to his hometown. Shane Meadows directs with raw intensity, blending silence, rage, and fragile hope.
GBH (1991) – Political/Psychological
For fans of: House of Cards (UK), Edge of Darkness, National Treasure
Alan Bleasdale’s miniseries pits a corrupt Labour councillor against a nervous headmaster in a tale of manipulation and mental collapse. It’s dense, theatrical, and politically charged.
How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020) – Legal/Thriller
For fans of: Scandal, Big Little Lies, Damages
Viola Davis leads a group of law students entangled in murder, secrets, and courtroom drama. With flash-forwards and cliffhangers, the show thrives on twists and moral ambiguity.
Shameless (UK, 2004–2013) – Working-Class/Ensemble
For fans of: Skint, The Gallows Pole, This Is England
Set on a Manchester estate, this long-running series follows the dysfunctional Gallagher family through scams, love, and survival. It’s brash, heartfelt, and unapologetically chaotic.
The Tudors (2007–2010) – Historical/Romance
For fans of: Wolf Hall, Versailles, The Borgias
Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays Henry VIII in this lavish retelling of royal marriages, religious upheaval, and political ambition. With opulent sets and steamy drama, it reimagines history with flair.
Frasier (1993–2004) – Sophisticated/Family
For fans of: The West Wing, Modern Family, The Good Fight
Kelsey Grammer plays a radio psychiatrist navigating sibling rivalry, romantic misfires, and generational tension in Seattle. With layered dialogue and theatrical farce, the show balances intellect with emotional vulnerability. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Misfits (2009–2013) – Supernatural/Youth
For fans of: Skins, The Umbrella Academy, Crazyhead
Five young offenders gain superpowers after a freak storm, leading to murder cover-ups, time travel, and moral collapse. The tone shifts from irreverent to tragic without losing its punk energy.
Queer as Folk (UK, 1999–2000) – LGBTQ+/Urban
For fans of: It’s a Sin, Looking, Banana
Russell T Davies’s Manchester-set drama follows three gay men navigating sex, love, and identity at the turn of the millennium. With club culture and emotional candour, it broke ground for queer representation.
Somewhere Boy (2022– ) – Psychological/Coming-of-Age
For fans of: The Virtues, Big Boys, The End of the F**ing World*
A teenager raised in isolation discovers the outside world after a family tragedy. With surreal touches and emotional restraint, the series explores grief, innocence, and the fragility of truth.
Jonathan Creek (1997–2016) – Mystery/Character
For fans of: Sherlock, Death in Paradise, Inside No. 9
A magician’s assistant solves locked-room murders using logic and misdirection. With quirky setups and dry humour, the show blends cosy mystery with eccentric charm.
Derek (2012–2014) – Care/Home
For fans of: After Life, The A Word, Call the Midwife (comedy bits)
Ricky Gervais plays a gentle care home worker whose kindness clashes with bureaucracy and cruelty. The series mixes sentimentality with awkward realism, focusing on dignity and compassion.
The Blacklist (2013–2024) – Crime/Conspiracy
For fans of: Person of Interest, Homeland, Luther
James Spader’s criminal mastermind helps the FBI hunt dangerous fugitives while hiding his own agenda. With shifting loyalties and global stakes, the show builds tension through layered intrigue.
The Good Doctor (2017– ) – Medical/Character
For fans of: House, New Amsterdam, Atypical
A young autistic surgeon joins a prestigious hospital, facing prejudice, ethical dilemmas, and personal growth. The series balances procedural cases with emotional arcs and social commentary.
Traffik (1989) – Political/Global
For fans of: Narcos, The Honourable Woman, McMafia
This BAFTA-winning miniseries traces the heroin trade from Pakistan to Europe, weaving together farmers, smugglers, and politicians. With documentary realism and moral complexity, it inspired the Oscar-winning film Traffic.
Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020) – Family/Comedy-Drama
For fans of: Derry Girls, The Royle Family, Here We Go
Two adult sons return home for chaotic Shabbat dinners with their eccentric parents and intrusive neighbour. The show thrives on repetition, escalation, and affectionate dysfunction.
Humans (2015–2018) – Sci-Fi/Social
For fans of: Black Mirror, Westworld, Ex Machina
Set in a near-future Britain where synthetic humans serve households, this Channel 4 drama explores identity, ethics, and rebellion. With sleek visuals and emotional nuance, it questions what makes us truly sentient.
Bones (2005–2017) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of: Castle, The Mentalist, NCIS
A forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent solve murders using skeletal remains and clashing worldviews. The show blends science, banter, and romantic tension across a long-running partnership. WYALAN Rating – 3.5/5
Fresh Meat (2011–2016) – University/Ensemble
For fans of: Skins, Big Boys, The Inbetweeners
Six students share a house and stumble through first-year chaos, emotional breakdowns, and existential dread. With sharp writing and character arcs, it captures the awkward intensity of early adulthood.
Little Fires Everywhere (2020) – Family/Social
For fans of: Big Little Lies, The Affair, This Is Us
Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington clash over motherhood, race, and privilege in 90s suburban Ohio. The series unpacks secrets and simmering tensions through flashbacks and slow-burn revelations.
National Treasure (2016) – Legal/Psychological
For fans of: The Virtues, Criminal: UK, Apple Tree Yard
Robbie Coltrane plays a beloved comedian accused of historic sexual assault, triggering media frenzy and family collapse. The show interrogates memory, fame, and moral ambiguity with quiet devastation.
No Offence (2015–2018) – Police/Ensemble
For fans of: Line of Duty, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey
A team of Manchester detectives tackle gang crime, corruption, and personal chaos with dark humour and relentless energy. With strong female leads and unpredictable cases, it’s both gritty and irreverent.
Deadwater Fell (2020) – Psychological/Crime
For fans of: Broadchurch, The Missing, The Responder
David Tennant stars in a small-town tragedy where a house fire reveals deeper secrets. The show dissects grief, suspicion, and emotional manipulation with quiet intensity.
North Square (2000) – Legal/Ensemble
For fans of: Silk, Boston Legal, The Split
Set in a Leeds barristers’ chambers, this early-2000s drama explores ambition, ethics, and power dynamics. With Phil Davis and Rupert Penry-Jones, it’s a sharp, character-driven legal series.
Unicorn: Warriors Eternal (2023– ) – Animated/Fantasy
For fans of: Samurai Jack, Primal, Castlevania
Ancient heroes awaken in modern bodies to battle supernatural forces in this steampunk-inspired epic. With Genndy Tartakovsky’s signature style, the series blends myth, action, and emotional depth.
Elizabeth I (2005) – Historical/Political
For fans of: The Crown, Wolf Hall, The Virgin Queen
Helen Mirren portrays the ageing monarch navigating war, succession, and forbidden love. With regal gravitas and political tension, the miniseries offers a portrait of power and vulnerability.
Hierro (2019–2022) – Crime/Island
For fans of: Broadchurch, The Mallorca Files, The Bridge
A judge investigates a suspicious death on a remote Canary Island, uncovering secrets in a tight-knit community. With volcanic landscapes and moral ambiguity, the series blends isolation with slow-burn tension.
Dreamers (2023) – Youth/Contemporary
For fans of: Skins, Big Boys, Mood
A group of young creatives chase ambition and connection in a post-pandemic Britain. With music, romance, and social commentary, the show captures the uncertainty and urgency of modern adulthood.
Crazyhead (2016) – Supernatural/Comedy-Drama
For fans of: Misfits, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chewing Gum
Two women battle demons—literal and emotional—while navigating friendship, trauma, and mental health. With genre twists and irreverent humour, it’s a cult favourite with heart and bite.
Teachers (UK, 2001–2004) – Workplace/Youth
For fans of: Fresh Meat, The Inbetweeners, Waterloo Road
Andrew Lincoln stars as a disillusioned teacher surrounded by immature colleagues and chaotic students. The show mixes surreal cutaways with sharp dialogue and generational angst. WYALAN Rating – 3.5/5
Ultraviolet (1998) – Sci-Fi/Horror
For fans of: Torchwood, Being Human, The X-Files
A secret government unit battles vampires in modern London, blending gothic lore with clinical realism. With Jack Davenport and Idris Elba, the series explores faith, infection, and conspiracy.
Glue (2014) – Rural/Mystery
For fans of: Top of the Lake, Broadchurch, The Bay
A teenager’s death exposes secrets among young friends in the Berkshire countryside. With slow-burn pacing and emotional depth, the show explores class, grief, and hidden violence.
Indian Summers (2015–2016) – Historical/Colonial
For fans of: The Jewel in the Crown, The Crown, A Suitable Boy
Set in 1930s India, this Channel 4 drama follows British officials and Indian revolutionaries during the final years of Empire. With lush visuals and political tension, it examines privilege and resistance.
Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama (2022) – Legal/Reconstruction
For fans of: National Treasure, Anatomy of a Scandal, The Thick of It (if serious)
This Channel 4 dramatisation replays the infamous “Wagatha Christie” libel trial using real transcripts. With deadpan delivery and social media satire, it turns tabloid spectacle into legal theatre.
Cold Lazarus (1996) – Sci-Fi/Philosophical
For fans of: Black Mirror, The Prisoner, Threads
Dennis Potter’s posthumous drama imagines a future where a cryogenically preserved brain reveals memories of 20th-century Britain. With dystopian visuals and existential themes, it’s cerebral and haunting.
Pleasureland (2003) – Teen/Controversial
For fans of: Skins, Thirteen, My Mad Fat Diary
A Liverpool teenager explores sex and identity in this Channel 4 one-off drama. With raw performances and social critique, it sparked debate over youth representation and consent.
Vanished by the Lake (2015) – Crime/French
For fans of: The Returned, The Killing (US), Hierro
A detective returns to her hometown to investigate a teenager’s disappearance, echoing a similar case from years before. With lakeside melancholy and slow-burn suspense, the series blends personal history with procedural tension.
Truelove (2023– ) – Romantic/End-of-Life
For fans of: Last Tango in Halifax, The Split, The Responder (emotional arcs)
Julie Walters and Clarke Peters star as old friends reconnecting through a pact to control their own deaths. The show explores autonomy, ageing, and intimacy with tenderness and moral complexity.
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