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Last Updated on November 29, 2024 by Stefanie Hutson

Max (formerly HBO Max) is a great value for the money – but if you're a British TV fan, you might be wondering if they have enough British content to keep you busy. Below, we take a look at the British shows on the platform, along with a handful of British-adjacent shows that might also be of interest. 

You can also expect to find quite a few British movies at any given time, though the movies rotate much more quickly than the TV shows.

British TV Shows on Max (Previously HBO Max)

90 Day Fiance UK – 2022 to present – A group of British people will have 90 days after their long-distance partner lands in the UK to decide if they should get married. Season 3 premiered May 27th.

Adult Material – 2020 – Hayley Squires stars as Jolene Dollar, a mother of three and proud breadwinner in spite of her unusual career as a famous porn star. Her life is basically good, and she’s come to act as a mother figure for other young women in the industry – until she meets 19-year-old Amy. Though she tries to look after Amy like the others, the relationship soon causes all sorts of problems in both her work and home life.

Africa – 2013 – Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this nature docuseries focuses on the wildlife and habitats of Africa.

The Alienist – United States – 2018 – Though American, this series stars Welshman Luke Evans. It’s a period crime drama set in late 1800s New York City, with the first season focusing on finding someone who’s killing boy prostitutes. The second season sees some of the characters working as private detectives to find a kidnapped infant.

Avenue 5 – United States – 2020 – Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad star in this science fiction comedy about a space cruise ship. They’ve been thrown off course, and it’s estimated that it will take them three years to get back to Earth – but they only have enough supplies for eight weeks. Along with Hugh Laurie, you’ll spot a number of popular British actors including Daisy May Cooper (This Country) and Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood).

Blue Planet II – 2017 – Sir David Attenborough narrates this visually stunning documentary series, exploring the mysteries and wildlife of Earth’s oceans. Using advanced technology, the series provides a fresh look at marine ecosystems and their inhabitants, from the deepest trenches to coastal waters.

The Bridge (2020) – 2020 – James MacAvoy narrates this reality series about British people who are thrown into the wild and asked to build an 850-foot bridge with only their hands and limited supplies.

Call Me Kat – United States – 2021 – Mayim Bialik stars as a single woman who runs a cat café in this American remake of the British sitcom Miranda. The series follows her quirky interactions with friends, family, and customers as she navigates life and love with humor and awkwardness.

The Casual Vacancy – 2015 – Based on JK Rowling’s novel, this miniseries begins with the unexpected death of a local man, which sets off a chain of events that reveals the conflicts and secrets within a small town. The drama explores the ripple effects of his death on the community’s residents.

Catherine the Great – 2019 – Helen Mirren stars as Catherine the Great in this four-part miniseries. The series covers the later portion of her life, from 1764 until her death in 1796. Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful), Richard Roxburgh (Rake), and Paul Ritter (No Offence) also appear.

C.B. Strike (aka Strike) – 2017 to present – This detective series follows war veteran Cormoran Strike and his capable assistant, Robin Ellacott, as they tackle a variety of interesting cases and rebuild his struggling private investigation business. It's based on JK Rowling’s Cormoran Strike novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Chernobyl – 2019 – Screenwriter Craig Mazin created this moving five-part historical adaptation of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The series includes a number of actors likely to be familiar to British TV fans, including Jared Harris (The Crown), Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates of the Caribbean), Paul Ritter (No Offence, Friday Night Dinner), and Emily Watson (Miss Potter).

Chewing Gum – 2015 to 2017 – A young woman from a poor religious family is ready to grow up – and as she sees it, the first step is to have sex.

David Bowie: The Last Five Years – 2018 – This documentary takes a look at the final years of English singer-songwriter David Bowie’s life.

David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived – 2023 – When the Harry Potter films began, a teenage gymnast from Essex was selected to act as Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double. Over the course of ten years on the set, the two became firm friends. Unfortunately, a tragic accident during the filming of the penultimate movie left David paralyzed. Today, he makes the most of what life has dealt him.

Deadliest Mums & Dads – 2021 to present – Criminologists take a look at some of Britain’s worst parents.

Diana – 2021- Using rarely seen footage and new interviews, this series takes a look back at Lady Diana Spencer.

The Diana Investigations – 2022 – This series takes a closer look at what happened the night of Diana’s death.

Diana, Our Mother: Her Life & Legacy – 2017 – Roughly twenty years after her death, Diana’s sons look back at her life and legacy.

Doctor Who (Modern) – 1963 to present – A mysterious Time Lord travels through time and space, exploring and saving the world in equal measure.

The Dog House UK – 2019 – This series follows the dedicated animal heroes at Wood Green animal charity in Godmanchester as they help homeless dogs find new humans. Season 5 is now available.

Dynasties – 2018 – Sir David Attenborough takes a look at five species known to establish enduring populations within their environment.

Elizabeth I – 2005 – Dame Helen Mirren stars alongside Jeremy Irons in this two-part British-American historical drama about the reign of Elizabeth I.

Five Days – 2007 to 2010 – Each series covers five non-consecutive days in a major police investigation.

The Franchise – 2024 – Set within the chaotic world of a struggling superhero film production, this satirical comedy follows a dysfunctional team of filmmakers as they navigate studio pressures, creative conflicts, and absurd challenges to bring their blockbuster to life. Premiered October 6th.

Frayed – 2019 – In this period comedy-drama, a wealthy London housewife faces serious chances of circumstance after her husband dies. It’s 1988, and she’s forced to move herself and her two children back to her hometown of Newcastle in Australia, only to find that no one there likes her. Star Sarah Kendall was also the creator and writer of the six-episode series.

Frozen Planet – 2011 – This time, Sir David Attenborough takes us to the coldest parts of the world.

Game of Thrones – 2011 to 2019 – In a mythical world, families fight for control of the Iron Throne. The series is based on the novels of George R.R. Martin, and the show is estimated to have had the largest cast on television.

Gentleman Jack – 2019 to present – Suranne Jones stars as Anne Lister, a 19th-century Yorkshire landowner, industrialist, and semi-openly lesbian woman navigating a man's world. Sophie Rundle plays her partner Ann Walker in this historical drama written by Sally Wainwright, with supporting roles by Timothy West and Stephanie Cole.

Get Millie Black – 2024 – Tamara Lawrance stars as Millie-Jean Black, a detective navigating her British and Jamaican identities. After leaving Scotland Yard, she returns to Kingston to solve missing persons cases and confront a mystery tied to her estranged sister. Premiered November 25th.

Getting On (US) – United States – 2013 to 2015 – This American adaptation of the the British original is a dark comedy that follows the residents and staff in a geriatric care facility.

The Gilded Age – United States – 2022 – Set in 1880s New York City, this period drama by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) follows the lives of the old-money aristocracy and the newly wealthy industrialists. The show explores the social clashes, ambitions, and romances of its characters as they navigate a rapidly changing society.

The Girl Before – 2021 – Based on JP Delaney’s 2016 novel of the same name, this series follows a young woman who moves into a beautiful minimalist house with many rules. Soon, she finds out that the previous inhabitant died under mysterious circumstances.

Good Behavior – United States – 2016 – Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery stars as Letty Dobesh, a con artist who’s just been released from prison. Though her intentions are good, she struggles to follow through.

The Great Pottery Throwdown – 2015 to present – This competition series follows a group of amateur potters as they compete to see who’s best.

Gunpowder – 2017 – Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) stars in this three-part period drama about the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Harry Potter – 2001 to present – Though not a television series, HBO Max is the streaming home for the series of films about the boy wizard and his training at Hogwarts. This includes the recent cast reunion and the Fantastic Beasts films that also take place in the Harry Potter world.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking – 2024 – Hosted by Oliver and James Phelps, famous for their roles as the Weasley twins, this new competition series spotlights skilled cake artists crafting enchanting Harry Potter-inspired desserts. Premiered November 14th.

Haunted Ireland – 2023 – Chris Fleming and Vogue Williams explore haunted locations around Ireland.

Hello Ladies – United States – 2013 – While not technically British, this series comes from Stephen Merchant, a British actor and writer who has partnered with Ricky Gervais. It sees him playing an awkward Englishman looking for love in LA.

His Dark Materials – 2019 – Based on the trilogy by Oxford novelist Philip Pullman, this eight-episode fantasy series takes place in an alternate world where each human has an animal companion called a daemon. A young orphan girl living at Jordan College, Oxford, is drawn into a dangerous puzzle when her friend, a fellow orphan, is kidnapped. Among the stars are Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Ruth Wilson (Luther), James McAvoy (Shameless), David Suchet (Poirot), and Andrew Scott (Fleabag). Dafne Keen (The Refugees) plays Lyra.

House of the Dragon – 2022 – This Game of Thrones prequel is set 200 years prior to the original series, and it deals with who will take over the Iron Throne after King Viserys I (played by English actor Paddy Considine). Season 2 premiered June 16th.

I Hate Suzie – 2020 – Billie Piper (Doctor Who) stars in this eight-part original drama about a young woman whose life is upended when her phone is hacked and a compromising photo of her goes public. Lucy Prebble (Secret Diary of a Call Girl) was Piper’s co-creator on the series.

I May Destroy You – 2020 – This sexual consent drama consists of twelve half-hour episodes in which Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum) plays a care-free Londoner whose existence is turned upside-down after her drink is spiked with a date-rape drug.

Industry – 2020 – Set in London’s high-stakes finance world, this series follows a group of young graduates navigating ambition, power struggles, and personal drama as they compete for permanent positions at a top investment bank.  As a note, this series has some fairly extreme adult content involving sex and drug use. It is most definitely not family-friendly. Season 3 premiered August 11th.

I Survived Bear Grylls – 2023 – Welsh adventurer Bear Grylls hosts this series that puts contestants through brutal challenges.

It’s a Sin – 2021 – This Russell T Davies series follows a group of gay men in London during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Olly Alexander stars as Ritchie Tozer, and the cast includes a number of well-known actors including Keeley Hawes, Neil Patrick Harris, and Stephen Fry.

Julia – 2022 – Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) stars as famed chef Julia Child in this series inspired by her life and work.

Landscapers – 2021 – Olivia Colman stars in this miniseries about a mild-mannered woman and her husband…and the body found in the back garden of their Nottinghamshire home. 

Life Story – 2014 – Sir David Attenborough narrates this six-part series focusing on the challenges animals face at different stages of life.

Man vs. Wild – 2006 to 2011 – Welsh adventurer Bear Grylls deliberately strands himself in harsh, remote locations and then works his way back while offering advice to others in similar situations.

Mare of Easttown – United States – 2021 – English actress Kate Winslet stars in this American series about a Pennsylvania detective investigating the murder of a teenage mother. She’s haunted by another unsolved case, and her town is losing faith in her.

The Mating Game – 2021 – Sir David Attenborough narrates this peek into the mating rituals of animals around the world.

Miss S – China – 2020 – This series is a Chinese adaptation of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

Miss Sherlock – Japan – 2018 – This Japanese adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story sees a young “Miss Sherlock” working alongside the Tokyo police.

The Murders at White House Farm – 2020 – This crime drama series is an adaptation of real-life events that took place in August 1985, when Jeremy Bamber murdered his entire family. Freddie Fox (Cucumber) plays Jeremy Bamber, Mark Addy (Game of Thrones) plays Stan Jones, a detective convinced of his guilt, and Cressida Bonas (Prince Harry’s ex) fills the role of Bamber’s sister Sheila.

Naked Attraction – 2016 to present – This dating series works off the strange premise that people might find suitable partners if they could just see each other naked in the beginning. As one might expect, it’s not suitable for all audiences – but if you can stomach it, it’s a good laugh.

Nature's Great Events – 2009 – Nature documentarians can spend years trying to get the perfect shot of a whale breaching or a lion chasing prey. This series gathers together the best of those moments.

The New Pope – 2020 – Jude Law returns as a comatose Pope Pius XIII in this follow-up to The Young Pope. John Malkovich joins the cast as Pope John Paul III.

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – 2009 – Based on the novels of Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith, this series follows a young woman in Botswana as she opens her country’s first female-owned detective agency.

Old World Homes – 2022 – This series goes inside historic homes in England and Scotland.

Our Flag Means Death – 2022 – This period comedy follows along as an aristocrat abandons his easy life to become a “gentleman pirate” on the high seas.

The Outsider – United States – 2020 – Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this miniseries includes British stars Paddy Considine (Peaky Blinders) and Cynthia Erivo (Mr. Selfridge). The series follows a particularly confounding investigation into the murder of a young boy.

Parade’s End – 2013 – Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) stars in this series adapted from Ford Madox Ford’s tetralogy of novels. It focuses on the lives and relations of three Brits just before and at the outset of World War I.

Paranormal Lockdown UK – 2016 – This series sees ghost hunters exploring notoriously haunted British locations like the abandoned Park  Hotel, the Royal Oak Pub, the Drakelow Tunnels, and Margam Castle.

Pennyworth – United States – 2019 to present – Jack Bannon (Endeavour) stars as Alfred Pennyworth, a former British SAS soldier who will ultimately become Batman’s butler.

Perry Mason – United States – 2020 – Welshman Matthew Rhys stars in this prequel to the original Perry Mason. It’s set in 1932 Los Angeles, when Mason is struggling to get back on track after a divorce and his war trauma.

Planet Earth – 2006 – David Attenborough stars in this groundbreaking nature masterpiece, filmed over the course of 5 years.

Planet Earth II – 2017 – David Attenborough returns with a second incredible documentary – and a warning.

The Prince – 2021 – Based on Gary Janetti’s snarky Instagram posts about the young Prince George, this cartoon offers a satirical look at what his life is like behind closed doors. The series has proven controversial for its decision to mock a real, living young child.

The Princess – 2022 – This feature-length documentary takes a look at the short, scandalous life of Diana.

Pure – 2019 – This quirky sitcom focuses on a young woman who is plagued by constant, irrepressible sexual thoughts. She doesn’t know what’s wrong with her, but it’s intruding on her ability to function normally. As she attempts to get a handle on her problem, she’s also embarking on a journey of personal growth and exploration in the city of London. The series is an adaptation of Rose Cartwright’s book of the same name.

Rain Dogs – 2023 – This dark dramedy follows a dysfunctional family trying to “go straight in a crooked world”. It's an unconventional love story between a working class mum (Daisy May Cooper, This Country), her 10-year-old daughter (Fleur Tashjian), and a well-off gay man (Jack Farthing, Poldark).

The Regime – 2024 – The series follows a year inside the palace of a crumbling European regime, with Kate Winslet taking on the role of the increasingly paranoid Chancellor Elena Vernham. As she becomes increasingly isolated, she begins to trust a disgraced soldier, and he quickly becomes her top confidant and advisor. Premiered March 3rd.

Rome – 2005 to 2007 – This epic series follows the lives of both upper class and ordinary Romans during the final days of the Roman Republic.

Sarah Jane Adventures – 2007 to 2011 – This children’s show is a Doctor Who spin-off that follows former companion Sarah Jane Smith, now an investigative journalist.

Secrets of the Celtic Grave – 2021 – This documentary follows a forensic excavation as experts attempt to unearth the secrets of an ancient Welsh burial site.

Serengeti III – 2024 – Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh narrates this wildlife docuseries as it follows different species of animals who call the Serengeti home.

Singletown – 2019 – This British reality series follows a group of young people who’ve agreed to pause their current relationships and spend a month going on dates with other people.

Spooked Scotland – 2022 – Paranormal experts head to Scotland to investigate supposedly haunted locations. Even if you don’t like night vision footage, you may enjoy the “Stirling Old Town Jail” episode in which one of the hosts claims a ghost entered his bottom.

The Staircase – 2022 – Colin Firth (Pride & Prejudice) stars as Michael Peterson, a man who was investigated for the suspicious death of his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette).

Starstruck – 2021 – Jessie is a young woman from New Zealand who’s struggling to get by in London, and her life is flipped upside-down when she realises she slept with a famous actor on New Year’s Eve.

Succession – United States – 2018 to 2023 – Scottish actor Brian Cox stars as patriarch Logan Roy in this drama about the battle for control of one family’s media empire. Brit Matthew Macfadyen (Pride & Prejudice) also stars as Roy’s son-in-law, Tom Wambsgan.

The Third Day – 2020 – This drama follows the individual journeys of a man (Jude Law, Sherlock Holmes) and woman (Naomie Harris, Skyfall) who are drawn to a mysterious island off the British coast.

Torchwood – 2006 to 2011 – A secret agency called Torchwood fights off threats from aliens and the supernatural. The series is a spin-off of Doctor Who.

The Trial of Christine Keeler – 2019 – This miniseries is based on the events surrounding the Profumo affair of the 1960s, when Secretary of State for War John Profumo was found to be having a sexual relationship with Christine Keeler, a 19-year-old aspiring model. Sophie Cookson (Red Joan), James Norton (Grantchester), and Emilia Fox (Silent Witness) are among the stars of the upcoming series.

The Undoing – United States – 2020 – A successful New York therapist sees her life start falling apart when she publishes her first book. Though American, Hugh Grant is among the stars.

Wellington Paranormal – New Zealand – 2018 to present – This mockumentary-style series follows a group of police officers who track and investigate paranormal occurrences in New Zealand.

Years and Years – 2019 – This series follows the Manchester-based Lyons family as they their lives progress through 15 years of politics, technology, and human events. Emma Thompson, Rory Kinnear, and Anne Reid are among the cast.

The Yorkshire Exorcist – 2023 – This series follows ordained exorcist Ian Lawman as he prepares for his most challenging case yet.

The Young Pope – 2016 – This series stars Jude Law as the controversial Pope Pius XIII, along with Diane Keaton as his confidante, Sister Mary.

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