Anyone NOT a fan of uk dramas any more and prefer well made well written American shows?

[Graphista]

I keep trying uk stuff and every time I'm disappointed!

So I'm increasingly reluctant to try new stuff. I find this is particularly true of shows "everyone" raves about!

The main one I thought was utterly shit was dr foster.

I keep getting sucked in by them being touted on chat shows and online (both marketing stuff and family and friends and recommendations on forums like here)

So I get excited at the prospect and then try them - and they're crap!

I much prefer well made, good long series (24 episodes or thereabouts, several series at least 3) American shows

Lie to me, white collar, suits, bull, the rookie, prodigal son (really bummed that's been cancelled!), this is us, lucifer, castle, the mentalist, house, criminal minds, bones, desperate housewives, friends, the good wife, the good fight, charmed (original), elementary, greys anatomy, the practice. ER, ncis, Mrs maisel,

Very very few uk shows come close - not least I think because they aren't given the same investment! In terms of both money and time. Most are 6-8 episodes per series but that isn't the whole story I feel the quality of writing and production is lacking too. Lots of very predictable, non innovative ideas and storylines.

So this thread has 2 aims

1 I'm looking for a new quality show to watch I tend to end up watching old favourites on repeat as I struggle to find new shows I enjoy as much

2 I'm wondering if I'm the only person that feels this way?

I want uk tv and film to do well but it seems to be really struggling at the moment and I'd like to discuss why that may be.

I can't remember the last time there was a genuinely good new uk show that I enjoyed came out. I keep trying ones that get good reviews and good "public" response but when I try them they're shit!

I WANT to support uk tv and film making but I'm not finding this easy to do at all!

If you like "This Is Us" - you will like "Parenthood" and "Virgin River", bur I disagree about the long over-the-top drawn-out series. I think the British short series are often better. Have you seen "The Victim" (2019) for example? It's superb television! But my favourite crime TV series was the Swedish/Danish collaboration on the "The Bridge". Much better than anything that comes out of the US.

I haven't listed all the shows I like.

Watched and enjoyed parenthood virgin river on my to watch list

Unfortunately due to eyesight issues shows with loads of subtitles are no longer a good option for me. Needs to be English language stuff.

I really don't like short uk series - I also think uk shows are slow starters then rush to tie up all the loose ends in the last episode or 2 which I also find very annoying!

I agree, especially about Dr Foster. What a load of dross.

However I loved the Harlan Coben books but not sure they translated well.

I think part of it is that crap American acting is much easier to overlook than crap British acting. It seems so hammy and over the top in a very stage school way.

I watched the new one "stay close" yesterday I did watch it all but I figured out whodunnit fairly early on. I was v tired and having a lazy day hence watching it all. On a more alert day I'd have not bothered I don't think. Not exactly engaging/demanding and dreadful writing and acting in some places

I think part of it is that crap American acting is much easier to overlook than crap British acting. It seems so hammy and over the top in a very stage school way.

Agree with that!

But generally the shows I love at least the lead actors do a very good job. I dunno if it's the directing in uk shows that may be lacking? Perhaps a combo of poor writing directing and acting? As in none of the 3 are terrible but all are just not quite as good as they could be?

I'm genuinely shocked dr Foster got a 2nd series! It was awful!

I prefer the American stuff nowadays although I very rarely watch anything except a film once a week because most of that is dross too
(movie always rated 12 or under as I watch with a child of that age).

If it's a series of a book I have enjoyed I'll give it a go but they never seem to be British.

I get tired of what seem to be the compulsory tropes in British anything.

All the British made stuff just seems to be so drab & dreary - even the supposedly funny stuff.
I know of British scriptwriters who've made brilliant stuff but it's been made by US film companies.

The victim - just googled. Now I remember even the trailer annoyed me!

I found lately uk dramas are really depressing- about abuse, domestic violence or something else equally horrible. US series do tend to go on a bit though- breaking bad was one- entire episodes where nothing happened just to full the 24 episode quota.
Dexter was great, as is This Is Us. Vikings is another great one. Greys Anatomy was good until about season 7- it got stupid after that!

@Graphista

"The victim - just googled. Now I remember even the trailer annoyed me!"

It's amazing. I really really recommend it!!!

All the British made stuff just seems to be so drab & dreary - even the supposedly funny stuff.
I know of British scriptwriters who've made brilliant stuff but it's been made by US film companies.

Agree

It's just so depressing! Yes I want it to be drama but not unrelentingly dark and miserable!

Uk/American collaborations or like where it's uk people involved in some way but ultimately an American production seem to be the best.

Elementary and prodigal son are the ones that immediately come to mind.

Agree, but it's K-drama for me!

American show makers seem to understand there needs to be some kind of positivity or levity included too - uk show makers don't seem to either "get" that or not want to "waste" their ltd time on the that

If it's dark dark dark all the time it's very off putting

@XelaM without wishing to offend you seem also to not be "getting it" if I don't like the trailer it's extremely unlikely I'm going to like the show!

I appreciate people like different ways and they things, you clearly do like uk dramas. I really genuinely in most cases don't!

I have tried several that people have recommended that are raves about and often make "best tv shows ever" lists and I really didn't like them

@gukvguk a friend of mine has similar tastes to me and she likes k-drama too but again the issue for me is subtitles as I can no longer read them quickly or clearly enough to follow along.

Have you watched After Life? I love it, currently watching the 3rd season.

My understanding is that again k-dramas while still dramas genre wise also have some wit and levity about them at points which I think is what's missing from a lot of uk dramas.

The few uk shows I like/have liked over the years are ones with a bit of humour/levity/wit to them -

Death in paradise
Jonathan creek
New tricks
Scott and Bailey (great show so sad it wasn't continued)
Dalziel and pascoe
Sherlock
Morse/Lewis/endeavour
It's a sin
Downton abbey
No offence
Raised by wolves - the British one not the current USA one
Hustle
Spooks
The tudors
Cracker
Life on mars/ashes to ashes...

Where are the writers with wit and intelligence?

I've not tried after life yet not generally a fan of Ricky gervais I'm also one of the few people that's NEVER seen the office but I may try it after seeing/hearing him doing the rounds to promote the latest series and I've seen a few clips where the humour juxtaposes with the more sad elements so I'm thinking I may like it

Characters that aren't all doom and gloom and storylines that recognise that viewers aren't idiots and can understand that a drama/storylines about dark subjects can have lighter moments.

I think I may have identified the issue - a lack of wryness! A lack of subtle wit.

Yes I need 23 episodes because I binge watch and walk in and out of the room.
Then when rewatching it I will see things I missed.
I'm currently watching Superstore for the 8th time.

I’m very hard to please — in that anything involving violence or men talking to other men about crimes bores me rigid — but am currently enormously enjoying Succession. The script is funny and clever (and enormously foul-mouthed), excellent cast, complex (often monstrous) characters, well-paced.

Yes succession is on my mental "to watch" list - again British involvement but ultimately an American production.

I think actually I was wrong I think the problem with uk shows is they kinda take themselves too seriously?

I think the acting in US shows is far better, even from minor characters.

Had a similar revelation with Australian dramas a few years ago. The ones that make it over here are very impressive - the Slap, Top of the Lake, Seven Kinds of Ambiguity. Far better than UK or US dramas - more subtlety and unhammy acting.

@Graphista

I think I may have identified the issue - a lack of wryness! A lack of subtle wit.

In which case you may like Afterlife. Plus, it's very serious,poignant and heartbreaking. But bloody funny too.

I totally agree with you about Dr Foster OP, also the most recent Line of Duty was pants.

Not sure I’m with you on a lot of your face US programmes but, you’re right - the US is doing amazing stuff like Succession and Mare of Eastown, while we’re doing that shit thing set in the office or the 511st series of Call the Midwife.

Have you seen Inside Number Nine? Brilliantly written short dramas with usually a sting in the tail. Each is different in style to the others.

I need long seasons and at least 3 series because when I DO find something I like I want lots of it!

Then when I finish a binge watch I get a little bit of stress cos I struggle to find something to fill the gap left by the show I've just finished

Drives me nuts and I'm then doing that thing of Googling "if I loved x what else will I like?" Which is largely unsuccessful ime

So then I end up rewatching an old favourite for a while until I find the next "new" binge (may not be an actually new show but one I've not watched before)