American television is currently in a Golden Age. Little-known fact, though: Many of the most beloved, critically acclaimed shows are actually overseas imports that have been redone for English-speaking audiences. Homeland, The Bridge, and The Killing are all examples of international phenomenons that were made over for our shores.
American TV creators are increasingly looking to foreign programming for inspiration. While the remakes are great, there's just no beating the originals. There's also a whole slew of foreign TV shows that have yet to receive the adaptation treatment — and are definitely worth watching.
If murder mysteries in sleepy towns and the eccentric detectives brought in to solve them are your dramatic sweet spot, for example, there's literally an entire world out there devoted to that genre. Somehow the shows all manage to be unique and completely engrossing, especially those from Scandinavia that now have their own classification of "Nordic noir."
There are so many brilliant foreign series out there, and the good news is that it's easier than ever to stream them in the U.S. Ahead, check out the best offerings from countries all around the world — and where to watch them.
Gavin & Stacey
Country: England
What’s that? You love James Corden? Well, technically this show is about a long-distance couple, Gavin and Stacey, but we’re really here for Corden, who plays their friend Smithy. This program is basically about the romantic relationship between the title characters, and all the milestones that come with it — engagement, looking for a house, maybe having a baby, that kind of thing. But since Corden co-created and wrote the show, you can expect his infectious brand of humor throughout.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Everett.
Fawlty Towers
Country: England
This 1970s British sitcom takes place in Fawlty Towers, a seaside hotel in England. The guests are wild! The hotel is falling apart! The owners aren’t the brightest and probably shouldn’t be running a hotel at all! What a treat. Requirement: Must enjoy dry British humor. And there are only 12 episodes, so you can binge it on the next rainy day.
Where to watch: Seeso
Photo: Courtesy of Seeso.
The Bletchley Circle
Country: England
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle site goop compares this miniseries about four women to The Imitation Game. And she’s right. The show takes place in the early ‘50s and centers on female code-breakers. Watching the show is a no-brainer. But can we talk about how random it is that goop has a foreign TV binge-watch section?
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: ITV/REX/Shutterstock.
Life’s Too Short, U.K.
I know Ricky Gervais can be polarizing. But his BBC series with Stephen Merchant is hilarious and features a lot of people you definitely love. If you want a taste of what you can expect from the observational comedy, check out this clip in which Liam Neeson wants to do more comedy and comes to Gervais and Merchant for help.
Where to watch: HBO Now.
Photo: Ray Burmiston/HBO.
Grand Hotel, Spain
If you’re into Downton Abbey, then you probably enjoy just about any glimpse into the lives of early-20th-century aristocracy. This one’s set in Spain and centers on Julio, who gets a job as a waiter at the titular hotel to further investigate the disappearance of his sister.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Hulu.
Father Ted, Ireland
Father Ted is a Catholic priest on Craggy Island, a fictional Irish isle. He lives with Father Dougal, a younger, oblivious priest, as well as the elderly and cranky Father Jack and their housekeeper Mrs. Doyle. This sitcom was on air for just a few years in the ‘90s, but it certainly stands the test of time.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Hulu.
Boys Over Flowers , South Korea
In a Gossip Girl -esque turn, a dry cleaner's daughter winds up at an exclusive private school.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of KBS.
Please Like Me, Australia
Earning comparisons to Lena Dunham and Girls, creator Josh Thomas also writes and stars in this show (a co-production between ABC Australia and Pivot in the U.S.), which follows his character realizing that he's gay in his early 20s, while also dealing with his mother's mental illness and his father's second marriage.
Where to watch: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Southcliffe, England
A gripping exploration of a town in the aftermath of a mass shooting.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Channel 4.
The Returned (Les Revenants), France
The dead start coming back to life in a sleepy French village, but this isn't your usual zombie fare. These resurrected folks just want to continue their lives right where they left off, but their loved ones have already mourned for them and seemingly moved on.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Canal+
The Straits, Australia
It’s been called an Australian Sons of Anarchy with a dash of King Lear and The Sopranos...plus, of course, meth kingpins. Get watching.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of ABC TV.
Srugim , Israel
Modern Orthodox Jews search for love and happiness in Jerusalem.
Where to watch: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of Yes TV.
Wallander , Sweden, England
Part of the “Nordic noir” wave, this series follows disillusioned detective Kurt Wallander as he solves grisly murders in a formerly peaceful province. The show's based on Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander novels, and has been adapted in both Sweden and England.
Where to watch: Both versions are on Netflix (Swedish, English)
Photo: Courtesy of TV4.
Borgen , Denmark
This political drama, which follows politician Birgitte Nyborg after she unexpectedly becomes the first female Prime Minster of Denmark, has been compared to House of Cards and The West Wing.
Where to watch: Link TV
Photo: Courtesy of DR1.
Love/Hate , Ireland
Cheeky Misfits star Robert Sheehan gets his brood on in this terrific dramatic series that’s been called Ireland’s answer to The Wire.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of RTÉ Television.
Las Aparicio , Mexico
Members of a mysterious family, in which only females seem to survive, have their lives disrupted when a man tries to investigate the "Curse of Las Aparicio."
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Cadena Tres.
Prisoners of War ( Hatufim), Israel
This Israeli thriller was the inspiration for Homeland.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Channel 2.
The Witnesses ( Les Témoins) , France
A detective investigates a string of murders and her partner's mysterious past.
Where to watch: Coming to Netflix in May
Photo: Courtesy of Cinétévé.
The Missing , England
This Golden Globe-nominated miniseries traces the psychological and emotional impact of a child's disappearance on his parents. A second season, which will feature new characters and a different case, is currently in production.
Where to watch: Google Play
Photo: Courtesy of Starz.
A Place to Call Home , Australia
In this show set in the 1950s, a woman returns to Australia to start over after 20 years abroad, and ends up at odds with a moneyed matriarch.
Where to watch: Acorn TV
Photo: Courtesy of Seven Network.
The Legacy ( Arvingerne) , Denmark
The latest in addictive Nordic noir is an inheritance drama centering on the adult children of a legendary artist, who discover a long-lost fourth sibling when they gather to sort out her estate.
Where to watch: Amazon
Photo: Courtesy of DR Fikiton.
Dance Academy , Australia
It's a little cheesy, sure, but it's also like Center Stage on television with Australian accents. For some of us, that's a total slam dunk — or, to use a more appropriate analogy, grand jeté.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Werner Film Production.
Vampire Prosecutor , South Korea
Much like iZombie, V ampire Prosecutor has an undead protagonist whose supernatural abilities, combined with an insatiable thirst for human blood, help him solve crimes.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Orion Cinema Network.
Grand Hotel ( Gran Hotel) , Spain
It's been called Spain's answer to Downton Abbey, which should tell you everything you need to know.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Antena 3 Televisión.
The Bridge , Sweden & Denmark
A dead body is discovered on the border between Sweden and Denmark, leading to an investigation by detectives from both countries. FX adapted the thriller for two seasons, setting it on the border of the U.S. and Mexico.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of SVT1.
Poldark , England
You may have already caught the Internet rumblings about how much of a babe Aidan Turner is, playing the titular Poldark. The show's also prompted many humorous critiques of modern-day actors’ scything techniques.
Where to watch: Coming to PBS in June
Photo: Courtesy of BBC One.
The Slap , Australia
The original is much better than the recent NBC remake.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of ABC1.
Los Caballeros Las Prefieren Brutas , Colombia
This relationship dramedy is about love, marriage, and machismo.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.
Broadchurch , England
Two detectives investigate the murder of a boy in a small town filled with secrets.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of ITV.
Spiral ( Engrenages ) , France
This gritty police thriller has been broadcast in over 70 countries, which is just one indication you should get on board.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Canal+.
The Only Way Is Essex , England
It's almost a crime how addictive this reality show, which fans affectionately know as TOWIE, is.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of ITV2.
Misfits , England
It's not quite the same since the original ASBO Five (so called for their "anti-social behaviour order") left the series, but this British teen show with a superpower twist is highly entertaining.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of E4.
Wentworth , Australia
It's like Orange Is the New Black down under.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of SoHo.
The Honorable Woman , England
Maggie Gyllenhaal won a Golden Globe for her role in this BBC miniseries (which also aired on Sundance) that follows a British-Israeli businesswoman as she tries to work toward peace in the Middle East.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of BBC Two.
Rita , Denmark
This Danish dramedy centers on teacher and single mother Rita Madsen. Its promotional image caused all sorts of problems with anti-smoking groups.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of TV 2.
Peaky Blinders , England
If you've been searching for a fix of early 20th-century gangster drama now that Boardwalk Empire is over, look no further than Birmingham's brutal Peaky Blinders gang.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of BBC Two.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries , Australia
P.I. Phryne Fisher solves murder mysteries in 1920s Melbourne.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Company.
Hostages ( Bnei Aruba) , Israel
CBS attempted to remake this hit Israeli thriller, but there was just no replicating the tense, compelling original.
Where to watch: Google Play
Photo: Courtesy of Channel 10.
Vicious , England
Ian McKellan and Derek Jacobi star as a constantly sparring couple whose lives are disrupted when a handsome young man named Ash ( Game of Thrones and Misfits star Iwan Rheon) moves into their building.
Where to watch: Google Play
Photo: Courtesy of ITV.
The Almighty Johnsons , New Zealand
This Kiwi series is about four brothers who just so happen to be descended from Norse gods. We assume it was inspired by Chris Hemsworth, Norse deity (yes, we know he's Australian, but go with it).
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of South Pacific Pictures Ltd.
Moone Boy , Ireland
Chris O'Dowd's whimsical sitcom (which is getting adapted by ABC) chronicles the adventures of a boy and his imaginary friend.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Sky 1.
Black Mirror , England
This anthology-style series is The Twilight Zone for the technology-obsessed age. It's absolutely terrifying.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of Channel 4.
Happy Valley , England
Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood investigates a kidnapping with a painful connection to her family.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of BBC One.
Underbelly , Australia
This series features dramatizations of Australia's most notorious true crime stories.
Where to watch: Hulu
Photo: Courtesy of Nine Network.
Hinterland ( y gwyll) , Wales
A police detective finds trouble afoot in the idyllic Welsh countryside.
Where to watch: Netflix
Photo: Courtesy of BBC One.
Fortitude , England
A violent crime rocks a peaceful, remote town on the edge of the Arctic Circle in this coproduction between Sky Atlantic and Pivot.
Where to watch: Amazon
Sidenote: If you're still craving additional British offerings after reading, head her e for more recommendations from our U.K. chums.
Photo: Courtesy of Sky Atlantic.
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