These Are The Best TV Shows Set In London You Must Watch

There is no greater joy than spotting your own city or hometown on the telly or big screen. I’m sure I’m not the only who gets quite excited when I spot Peckham on my screen. There are countless of TV shows and films set in London Town – from action packed thrillers to really relatable comedies – the city is home to countless stories and narratives that have found themselves on the big screen showcasing the city’s history, distinct architecture and most importantly its diverse community.

A story for everybody! So, here’s our roundup of the best TV shows set in London.

(Disclaimer: potential spoilers!)

1. One Day

I am almost positive that if you haven’t already binged the epic rom-com-trag One Day yet, by the end of this week you would have and so until we reconvene in a puddle of tears, here’s what you need to know. Adapted from One Day by David Nicholls, the story follows the lives of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew over the span of 20 years. It starts with Dexter and Emma spend the night together following their graduation from the University of Edinburgh, in 1988 before going their separate ways the next day. What follows is the journey of two individuals over the span of 20 years that revisits their lives, friendship and their relationship on 15 July, St Swithin’s Day every year for 20 years. Expect to see the sights of Primrose Hill, Clapton and more…

Warning: box of tissues highly recommended.

2. Bridgerton

Another binge-worthy Netflix special – the show is based on Julia Quinn’s fascinating romance novels set in the Regency era of London. With Shonda Rhimes a twist of course! The series follows the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family as they attempt to find love amongst London’s elite. While the story is set in the Regency era filled with grandiose palaces, ballrooms, country estates – most of the TV show was filmed in London’s Greenwich itself believe it or not!

3. Top Boy

Top Boy is a British television crime drama series created and written by Ronan Bennett. Set on the fictional Summerhouse estate in Hackney, it follows the story of two drug dealers, Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson), along with others involved with drug dealing and gang violence in London. While most of the filming took place in Hackney, other areas including Dalston, Haggerston and London Fields were featured.

4. Ted Lasso

Are you a football enthusiast who is obsessed with the Premier League? Then Apple TV’s Ted Lasso is for you. A hilarious American sports comedy-drama television series, the show follows Ted Lasso, an American college football coach who is hired to coach an English football team whose owner secretly hopes his inexperience will lead it to failure. Unfortunately for them, Lasso’s optimistic leadership proves unexpectedly successful. With Jason Sudeikis playing the lead and Hannah Waddingham as the owner – the show is absolutely brilliant!

5. Slow Horses

If I had to summarise the TV show in one sentence it would be: Gary Oldman’s band of MI5 misfits defend their country from threats and crime.

A British spy thriller based on the Slough House novels by Mick Herron – the story follows the “slow horses” – MI5 service rejects who have landed in Slough House due to career-ending mistakes. Expected to endure dull administrative tasks and zero espionage – Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) makes them miserable enough expecting them to quit at any given moment. Even while serving the punishment of their mistakes – the Slow Horses find themselves in investigating schemes that endanger Britain. You’ll recognise Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas as leading characters in the TV show.

6. Luther

If you love Idris Elba – that might double as he plays a brilliant homicide detective as John Luther. With a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his close ones. You can watch all the seasons on BBC iPlayer!

7. The Crown

8. Fleabag

There are no other words except that Fleabag is just so. damn. good. Based on Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s 2013 one-woman show of the same name, follows her character as she navigates life and love in London while trying to cope with tragedy with incredibly dry wit and no filter whatsoever. The angry, grief-riddled woman tries to heal while rejecting anyone who tries to help her keeping up her comical bravado through it all. It’s only but the best British comedy ever.

9. Killing Eve

Another absolutely stellar work Killing Eve written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and for those who don’t know the mastermind behind Saltburn – Emerald Fennell. The plot follows Eve who is recruited by an intelligence agency to investigate Villanelle, an assassin. One failing at stopping her and the other failing to kill Eve – the two women find themselves strangely drawn to each other. Although skipping between places – a lot of the filming was done in London.

10. I May Destroy You

Predominantly filmed in Hackney, the story follows the incredible Michaela Coen plays thew character of Arabella, a young woman who struggles to remember the events that took place during her night out with friends soon realising that she was drugged and taken advantage of.

Well here you have it – if you haven’t indulged in any of these London based TV shows, now’s your chance!