Peacock has a surprising number of high quality TV shows available to stream, including some of my all-time favourites. Here are the best award winners, critically acclaimed, cult favourites and notable mentions.
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)
Award-Winning Peacock Shows
30 Rock (2006) – Comedy/Workplace
For fans of Veep, The Larry Sanders Show, and Arrested Development
Winner of multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, this razor-sharp satire follows the behind-the-scenes chaos of a sketch comedy show. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin lead a cast of eccentrics in one of TV’s most decorated comedies. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Broadchurch (2013) – Crime/Drama
For fans of Happy Valley, The Missing, and The Fall
A small coastal town is torn apart by the murder of a young boy in this gripping British mystery. It won BAFTAs for Best Drama Series and Best Leading Actor. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
The Closer (2005) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of Major Crimes, Law & Order: SVU, and Cold Case
Kyra Sedgwick stars as a tough but empathetic interrogator solving high-stakes cases in Los Angeles. She earned both Emmy and Golden Globe wins for her performance.
Columbo (1971) – Mystery/Detective
For fans of Poirot, Monk, and Murder, She Wrote
Peter Falk’s dishevelled detective outwits killers with charm and cunning in this inverted whodunnit classic. It won multiple Emmys including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor.
Downton Abbey (2010) – Drama/Period
For fans of Upstairs Downstairs, The Gilded Age, and Victoria
This sweeping saga of aristocrats and servants in post-Edwardian England became a global phenomenon. It won both Golden Globes and Emmys for Best Miniseries.
Father Ted (1995) – Comedy/Satire
For fans of Black Books, The IT Crowd, and The Vicar of Dibley
Three misfit priests cause chaos on a remote Irish island in this irreverent cult comedy. It won BAFTAs for Best Comedy Series and Best Actor. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Fresh Meat (2011) – Comedy/Coming-of-Age
For fans of Derry Girls, Skins, and Sex Education
Six university housemates navigate adulthood, awkwardness, and identity in this sharply observed student comedy. Zawe Ashton won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) – Crime/Drama
For fans of The Wire, NYPD Blue, and Bosch
This gritty Baltimore-set series redefined the police procedural with its realism and moral complexity. Andre Braugher won an Emmy for his commanding lead performance.
House (2004) – Drama/Medical
For fans of Sherlock, The Good Doctor, and The Resident
Hugh Laurie plays a brilliant but abrasive diagnostician solving medical mysteries with biting wit. The show won a Golden Globe for Best TV Series, Drama. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Lady Parts (2021) – Comedy/Music
For fans of We Are Lady Parts, Fleabag, and Chewing Gum
A shy PhD student joins an all-female Muslim punk band in this bold and joyful British comedy. It won a BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy.
Lonesome Dove (1989) – Western/Miniseries
For fans of Deadwood, Hell on Wheels, and Godless
Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones star as retired Texas Rangers on a perilous cattle drive. It won both Emmys and Golden Globes for Outstanding Miniseries and Lead Actor.
Modern Family (2009) – Comedy/Family
For fans of The Middle, Schitt’s Creek, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine
This mockumentary-style sitcom follows three interconnected families navigating love, chaos, and parenting. It won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes including Outstanding Comedy Series. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969) – Comedy/Sketch
For fans of The Young Ones, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and That Mitchell and Webb Look
This surreal, anarchic sketch show revolutionised British comedy with its absurdist humour and cultural satire. It won a BAFTA and remains a landmark in television history.
The Office (2005) – Comedy/Workplace
For fans of Parks and Recreation, Superstore, and Abbott Elementary
Steve Carell leads the American remake of the British classic, blending cringe comedy with unexpected heart. It won both Emmys and Golden Globes for Outstanding Comedy Series and Best Actor. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Parks and Recreation (2009) – Comedy/Workplace
For fans of The Office, Community, and Ted Lasso
Amy Poehler stars as an optimistic civil servant in a small-town parks department. She won a Golden Globe for her performance as Leslie Knope. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Pride and Prejudice (1995) – Drama/Period
For fans of Sense and Sensibility, North & South, and Emma
Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle bring Jane Austen’s beloved romance to life in this definitive BBC adaptation. Ehle won a BAFTA for Best Leading Actress.
Prime Suspect (1991) – Crime/Drama
For fans of Line of Duty, Happy Valley, and Unforgotten
Helen Mirren plays DCI Jane Tennison, a trailblazing detective battling sexism and solving brutal crimes. The series won multiple Emmys and BAFTAs for Outstanding Miniseries.
Roseanne (1988) – Comedy/Family
For fans of Malcolm in the Middle, Married with Children, and The Conners
This groundbreaking sitcom portrayed working-class life with honesty, humour, and heart. It won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes for Best Actress and Supporting Actress.
More best shows to stream: Best TV Shows on Paramount ~ Best Shows on HBO ~ Best Hulu Originals ~ Best Action TV Shows on Disney ~ Best Sky Atlantic Series ~ Best A24 Shows
Critically Acclaimed
Absolutely Fabulous (1992) – Comedy/Satire
For fans of French and Saunders, Kath & Kim, and The Comeback
Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley play fashion-obsessed eccentrics in this outrageous cult comedy. It was nominated for BAFTAs including Best Comedy Series and remains a cornerstone of British television.
Being Human (UK) (2008) – Supernatural/Drama
For fans of Misfits, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Fades
A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost share a flat in Bristol while struggling to live normal lives. The series earned BAFTA nominations and built a loyal fanbase for its genre-blending heart.
The Capture (2019) – Thriller/Crime
For fans of Bodyguard, Line of Duty, and The Undeclared War
A soldier is accused of murder based on manipulated CCTV footage in this tense surveillance thriller. It was nominated for Best Miniseries at the BAFTAs.
Community (2009) – Comedy/Satire
For fans of Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreation
A group of misfits form unlikely bonds at a community college in this meta, genre-hopping sitcom. It received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing and became a cult favourite. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Emma (2009) – Drama/Period
For fans of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Northanger Abbey
Romola Garai stars as Jane Austen’s meddling heroine in this warm and witty BBC adaptation. It was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries.
The Fall (2013) – Crime/Drama
For fans of Luther, Top of the Lake, and Marcella
Gillian Anderson plays a detective hunting a serial killer in Belfast while confronting her own moral boundaries. It earned BAFTA nominations for Best Miniseries and Lead Actress.
Gavin and Stacey (2007) – Comedy/Romance
For fans of The Royle Family, Outnumbered, and Mum
A long-distance couple navigate love, family, and awkward in-laws in this beloved British sitcom. It was nominated for BAFTAs including Best Comedy.
In the Know (2024) – Comedy/Mockumentary
For fans of The Office, What We Do in the Shadows, and The Rehearsal
A puppet news anchor interviews real guests in this surreal Peacock original. It received high critical acclaim for its inventive format and deadpan humour.
Little Dorrit (2008) – Drama/Period
For fans of Bleak House, The Way We Live Now, and Vanity Fair
Claire Foy stars in this Dickens adaptation about debt, dignity, and hidden secrets. It was nominated for both Golden Globes and Emmys.
Mrs. Davis (2023) – Sci-Fi/Comedy
For fans of Upload, The Good Place, and Devs
A nun battles an all-powerful algorithm in this genre-defying Peacock original. It earned high critical acclaim for its bold storytelling and philosophical edge.
Poker Face (2023) – Mystery/Crime
For fans of Columbo, Russian Doll, and Only Murders in the Building
Natasha Lyonne plays a drifter with a gift for spotting lies in this case-of-the-week mystery. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Lead Actress. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Rake (2010) – Comedy/Legal
For fans of House, Better Call Saul, and The Thick of It
A brilliant but self-destructive barrister defends the indefensible in this Australian cult hit. It won major AFI and AACTA awards and was praised for its biting wit.
Ridley Road (2021) – Drama/Historical
For fans of A Very English Scandal, The Man in the High Castle, and The Hour
A young Jewish woman infiltrates a neo-Nazi group in 1960s London in this tense political thriller. It was nominated for BAFTAs and praised for its timely themes.
River (2015) – Crime/Psychological
For fans of The Bridge, Mindhunter, and Hannibal
Stellan Skarsgård plays a haunted detective who sees the ghosts of his victims. It earned BAFTA nominations for Best Miniseries and Lead Actor.
Wallander (2008) – Crime/Drama
For fans of Shetland, Broadchurch, and Rebecka Martinsson
Kenneth Branagh stars as the melancholic Swedish detective solving bleak cases in a coastal town. He received Emmy nominations for Lead Actor.
War and Peace (2016) – Drama/Period
For fans of The Crown, Poldark, and Victoria
This lavish BBC adaptation of Tolstoy’s epic follows love, war, and destiny across aristocratic Russia. It was nominated for Outstanding Miniseries at the Emmys.
Yellowstone (2018) – Drama/Western
For fans of Sons of Anarchy, Longmire, and Succession
Kevin Costner leads a ranching dynasty battling land developers, politics, and family betrayal. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (2020) – Comedy/Musical
For fans of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Glee, and Schmigadoon!
A young woman hears people’s thoughts as musical numbers in this heartfelt dramedy. It won an Emmy for choreography but was most praised for its emotional resonance.
Cult Favourites
Brassic (2019) – Comedy/Crime
For fans of Shameless, This Is England, and The Outlaws
A gang of working-class mates hustle their way through northern England in this anarchic, heartfelt comedy led by Joe Gilgun.
Caprica (2010) – Sci-Fi/Drama
For fans of Battlestar Galactica, Foundation, and Raised by Wolves
This cerebral prequel explores the origins of artificial intelligence and the moral collapse that precedes the Cylon uprising.
Chucky (2021) – Horror/Thriller
For fans of Scream: The Series, American Horror Story, and Ash vs Evil Dead
The killer doll returns to wreak havoc in suburbia, blending slasher mayhem with dark humour and franchise lore.
Death Note (2006) – Anime/Thriller
For fans of Code Geass, Monster, and Psycho-Pass
A gifted student discovers a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, triggering a cat-and-mouse game with a genius detective.
Farscape (1999) – Sci-Fi/Adventure
For fans of Firefly, Lexx, and Doctor Who
An astronaut is flung across the galaxy and joins a crew of fugitives aboard a living ship in this wildly inventive space opera.
Hunter x Hunter (2011) – Anime/Fantasy
For fans of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Naruto, and One Piece
A boy sets out to find his legendary father by becoming a Hunter in this emotionally rich and genre-defying anime.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974) – Horror/Mystery
For fans of The X-Files, Twin Peaks, and Millennium
A dogged reporter investigates supernatural crimes in this cult classic that laid the groundwork for modern paranormal TV.
Line of Duty (2012) – Crime/Thriller
For fans of Bodyguard, Happy Valley, and Broadchurch
AC-12 investigates police corruption in this twist-laden British drama known for its explosive interrogations and moral ambiguity. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Misfits (2009) – Sci-Fi/Comedy
For fans of The Boys, Skins, and Umbrella Academy
Five young offenders gain bizarre superpowers after a freak storm in this irreverent British cult hit. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) – Comedy/Sci-Fi
For fans of RiffTrax, The Twilight Zone, and The Orville
A janitor and his robot pals mock B-movies from space in this long-running cult comedy phenomenon.
Resident Alien (2021) – Sci-Fi/Comedy
For fans of Eureka, The Middleman, and People of Earth
Alan Tudyk plays an alien posing as a small-town doctor who slowly develops a conscience in this offbeat genre mash-up.
Suits (2011) – Drama/Legal
For fans of The Good Wife, Boston Legal, and White Collar
A college dropout with a photographic memory bluffs his way into a top law firm in this slick legal dramedy.
The Vampire Diaries (2009) – Drama/Supernatural
For fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Teen Wolf, and True Blood
Two vampire brothers return to their hometown and reignite a centuries-old love triangle in this teen gothic saga.
Thunderbirds (1965) – Sci-Fi/Adventure
For fans of Captain Scarlet, Doctor Who, and Lost in Space
International Rescue deploys futuristic vehicles and puppet heroes to save the world in this iconic British series.
The Weird Al Show (1997) – Comedy/Variety
For fans of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Animaniacs, and The Mighty Boosh
“Weird Al” Yankovic hosts a surreal mix of sketches, music, and moral lessons in this short-lived but beloved oddity.
Notable Mentions
A.P. Bio (2018) – Comedy/Education
For fans of Community, Vice Principals, and The Mick
A disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar returns to his hometown to teach biology and plot petty revenge.
About a Boy (2014) – Comedy/Family
For fans of Parenthood, The Mindy Project, and Suburgatory
A carefree bachelor’s life is upended when a quirky single mum and her son move in next door.
The Bletchley Circle (2012) – Drama/Mystery
For fans of Foyle’s War, Call the Midwife, and Home Fires
Former WWII codebreakers reunite to solve crimes in post-war London using their analytical brilliance.
Bones (2005) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of Castle, The Mentalist, and NCIS
A forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent team up to solve murders using science, sarcasm, and chemistry. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) – Comedy/Workplace
For fans of Parks and Recreation, Superstore, and The Office
A team of oddball detectives solve crimes and crack jokes in a Brooklyn precinct led by a deadpan captain. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Bupkis (2023) – Comedy/Autobiographical
For fans of Dave, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Louie
Pete Davidson plays a chaotic version of himself in this surreal, semi-fictionalised take on fame and family.
Chewing Gum (2015) – Comedy/Coming-of-Age
For fans of Fleabag, Derry Girls, and I May Destroy You
Michaela Coel stars as a sheltered young woman navigating sex, faith, and freedom in East London.
Colony (2016) – Sci-Fi/Thriller
For fans of The Man in the High Castle, Falling Skies, and V
A family struggles to survive in a near-future Los Angeles occupied by mysterious alien overlords.
Continuum (2012) – Sci-Fi/Crime
For fans of Orphan Black, Travelers, and Fringe
A time-travelling cop from 2077 hunts terrorists in present-day Vancouver while questioning her mission.
Covert Affairs (2010) – Thriller/Spy
For fans of Alias, Chuck, and The Blacklist
A young CIA trainee is thrust into fieldwork and international intrigue in this sleek espionage drama.
Defiance (2013) – Sci-Fi/Western
For fans of Firefly, The Expanse, and Revolution
Humans and aliens coexist in a post-apocalyptic frontier town where survival depends on uneasy alliances.
Everybody Hates Chris (2005) – Comedy/Coming-of-Age
For fans of The Wonder Years, Black-ish, and Malcolm in the Middle
Chris Rock narrates his teenage years growing up in 1980s Brooklyn with wit, warmth, and plenty of humiliation. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
The Fades (2011) – Horror/Supernatural
For fans of In the Flesh, Being Human, and The Enfield Haunting
A teenager who sees the dead becomes humanity’s last hope in this eerie, short-lived British cult gem.
Girls5eva (2021) – Comedy/Music
For fans of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, GLOW, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
A one-hit-wonder girl group reunites decades later to reclaim their pop dreams and rewrite their legacy. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Grimm (2011) – Fantasy/Crime
For fans of Supernatural, Sleepy Hollow, and The Dresden Files
A homicide detective discovers he’s a Grimm, tasked with keeping mythical creatures in check.
Humans (2015) – Sci-Fi/Drama
For fans of Black Mirror, Westworld, and Orphan Black
In a parallel present, synthetic humans blur the line between servant and sentient in this British techno-thriller.
In the Flesh (2013) – Drama/Supernatural
For fans of The Returned, The Leftovers, and Being Human
A reanimated teen returns to his village after zombie rehabilitation in this poignant twist on the undead.
Killing It (2022) – Comedy/Crime
For fans of Barry, Atlanta, and The Righteous Gemstones
Craig Robinson stars as a down-on-his-luck dad who enters a python-hunting contest to chase the American dream.
Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2001) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of Law and Order, Elementary, and Luther
Detectives probe the minds of high-profile criminals in this cerebral spin-off of the iconic franchise.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of Chicago P.D., Cold Case, and Blue Bloods
Olivia Benson leads a dedicated team investigating sex crimes in this long-running, emotionally charged series.
The Middle (2009) – Comedy/Family
For fans of Modern Family, Malcolm in the Middle, and Young Sheldon
A working-class mum tries to hold her quirky family together in small-town Indiana with grit and humour.
Mr. Mercedes (2017) – Thriller/Crime
For fans of Mindhunter, Hannibal, and The Outsider
A retired detective is taunted by a mass murderer in this chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy.
The Munsters (1964) – Comedy/Horror
For fans of The Addams Family, Bewitched, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch
A lovable family of monsters tries to live a normal suburban life in this spooky sitcom classic.
New Girl (2011) – Comedy/Romance
For fans of How I Met Your Mother, Happy Endings, and Cougar Town
Zooey Deschanel plays a quirky teacher who moves in with three bachelors after a bad breakup. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
The Paradise (2012) – Drama/Period
For fans of Mr Selfridge, Call the Midwife, and Cranford
A young woman rises through the ranks of a glamorous department store in this Victorian-era drama.
Press (2018) – Drama/Media
For fans of The Hour, Industry, and State of Play
Rival newspapers clash over ethics, ambition, and influence in this sharp British newsroom drama.
Psych (2006) – Comedy/Mystery
For fans of Monk, Chuck, and Castle
A hyper-observant slacker pretends to be psychic to solve crimes with his best friend and a pineapple.
Ripper Street (2012) – Crime/Period
For fans of Peaky Blinders, Penny Dreadful, and Copper
Detectives patrol Whitechapel in the aftermath of Jack the Ripper in this gritty Victorian crime drama.
Sliders (1995) – Sci-Fi/Adventure
For fans of Quantum Leap, Stargate SG-1, and Fringe
A group of travellers “slide” between parallel Earths, encountering alternate histories and strange new worlds.
Superstore (2015) – Comedy/Workplace
For fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Office, and Abbott Elementary
Employees at a big-box store navigate love, labour, and absurdity in this sharp ensemble sitcom.
Taboo (2017) – Drama/Historical
For fans of Peaky Blinders, The Terror, and Ripper Street
Tom Hardy plays a vengeful adventurer returning to 19th-century London to claim his inheritance and defy empire.
Ted (2024) – Comedy/Coming-of-Age
For fans of Family Guy, American Dad, and The Orville
A foul-mouthed teddy bear helps his teenage best friend survive high school in this prequel to the hit film.
Thirteen (2016) – Drama/Thriller
For fans of The Missing, Safe, and Marcella
A young woman escapes captivity after thirteen years, but her return raises more questions than answers.
The Traitors (2023) – Reality/Thriller
For fans of The Mole, Survivor, and The Circle
Contestants must root out hidden saboteurs in this psychological reality game of trust and betrayal.
Twisted Metal (2023) – Action/Comedy
For fans of Zombieland, Mad Max, and Doom Patrol
A motor-mouthed courier battles marauders in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in this adaptation of the video game.
Vigil (2021) – Thriller/Crime
For fans of Bodyguard, The Capture, and Line of Duty
A detective investigates a suspicious death aboard a nuclear submarine in this claustrophobic British thriller.
Whitechapel (2009) – Crime/Procedural
For fans of Luther, Ripper Street, and The Frankenstein Chronicles
Modern detectives face copycat killers inspired by Victorian crimes in this stylish London-set mystery.
Wolf Like Me (2022) – Drama/Supernatural
For fans of Being Human, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and The OA
A widower and a mysterious woman form a fragile bond—until her secret threatens everything.
A Young Doctor’s Notebook (2012) – Drama/Black Comedy
For fans of The Knick, Inside No. 9, and The End of the F**ing World*
Daniel Radcliffe and Jon Hamm play younger and older versions of a morphine-addicted doctor in this surreal Russian-set adaptation.