What are the Best TV Series to Improve your English?

Finding engaging television series to watch is a fantastic way to practice your English listening comprehension while relaxing. I have put together a list of television series you could watch to help you improve your English. If you prefer films, I recommend you take a look at my list of British films and American films. And if you prefer watching movies as a family, I have a list of family-friendly films as well.

If you would like to see my list of recommended American Films, click here.

If you would like to see my list of recommended British films, click here.

If you prefer to watch family-friendly films, click here.

Enjoy watching!

The Crown*

A Netflix show following the political rivalries and romances of England’s Queen Elizabeth II and the historical events during her reign. 

Line of Duty

Line of Duty is a BBC mystery series where Detectives Arnott and Fleming work together in AC-12, a unit whose sole task is to uncover corruption in other police units. After several seemingly unrelated cases, the detectives uncover a larger ring of corruption.

This Television series features both the Midlands and the Northern Irish accents 

The Night Manager*

Johnathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) is an Englishman who works as the night manager of a Cairo hotel. He gets involved with a woman who the girlfriend of a local gangster. From her relationship she learns about an illegal international arms sales with Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), an English billionaire. Johnathan eventually finds the woman dead and he flees to work in a hotel in Switzerland, fearing for his life. But when Roper visits his hotel 4 years later, Jonathan wants revenge. Enlisted by British Intelligence, Jonathan must carefully spy on Roper in a dangerous game of intrigue and deception. 

Bodyguard 

Bodyguard is a BBC drama that tells the fictional story of David Budd, an easy to anger but heroic war veteran. Budd works as Special Protections Officer for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. After being reassigned to protect a politician he disagrees with, he finds himself torn between his duty and his beliefs. 

Poldark 

Poldark is the story of English Soldier, Ross Poldark, who returns home to England after the American Revolutionary war. Poldark finds his home not how he left it. His father has passed on, the woman he had hoped to marry had married another, and his family estate has been left derelict. Set in the late 1700’s in Cornwall, England, Poldark is a fascinating period drama that follows Poldark as he traverses through his many social dilemmas.

This television series features the Cornish accent 

Outlander 

Claire Randall, an English combat nurse from 1945 suddenly gets mysteriously swept back to the year 1743. In order to survive, she is forced to marry Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser. Over time she finds herself in a passionate romance but is torn between her love of her new Scottish husband and her husband in 1945.  

Downton Abbey 

When Lord Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, loses his heir to the Crawley estate he invites his distant cousin Matthew Crawley, a Manchester lawyer to his vast estate, Downton Abbey. This television series follows the Crawley family in the early 20th century.

Lost in Space 

A Netflix Sci-fi set 30 years in the future. In this show, the Robinson family is one of many families who have volunteered to be part of a colony in space. However, when their space shuttle goes off route and they wind up lightyears away from their intended destination, the Robinson family must band together to survive in a hostile environment with dangerous alien inhabitants.

Raising Dion 

Raising Dion is the story of a widowed mother who discovers her son Dion has superpowers. Wanting to raise him safely and responsibly, Raising Dion is a lighthearted story about the bond between a son and mother.

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Self Made is based on the inspiring story of African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker. The TV series follows her journey in building her Haircare empire, leading to her becoming America’s first self-made female millionaire. This TV series is based on a true story.

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo 

This Netflix series follows the author Marie Kondo, who offers tips and pointers on how to keep your home and workspace tidy. 

 Interior Design Masters 

Interior Design Masters is an American Reality series where interior designers come together to compete for the grand prize of a life-changing design contract and the opportunity to work with a prestigious commercial client.

 * My personal favourites

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