The best British psychological dramas you'll find on streaming.

Over the past 12 months, I think I've binge-watched every British psychological drama/thriller there is to watch on both streaming and commercial television.

There's something gritty and raw about the way the Brits do drama, and the psychological element is always portrayed in a way that feels like it could happen to you. As twisted and wild as the plots may be, British drama feels real, unlike its American counterpart, which can feel a bit too... polished.

Turns out, the rest of the Mamamia team are on the British drama train too, and so we bring you a selection of the best series you'll want to watch in one sitting.

Dept. Q.

Image: Netflix

If you're craving a fresh take on the cold case genre, Dept. Q is absolutely brilliant. Dept. Q is the kind of crime thriller that gets under your skin and stays there. The premise is simple: damaged detective Carl Morck gets stuck in a basement solving cold cases with a ragtag team of misfits.

Trust me — once you start following Carl and his team down those rabbit holes, you won't want to climb back out. It's psychological drama at its finest — dark, complex, and utterly addictive.

You can stream Dept. Q on Netflix.

Slow Horses.

Image: Apple TV+

If you love a good spy thriller with a hefty dose of British cynicism, Slow Horses is absolutely unmissable. Gary Oldman is phenomenal as Jackson Lamb, the slovenly head of Slough House — MI5's dumping ground for agents who've screwed up.

What starts as a seemingly straightforward story about washed-up spies quickly becomes a complex web of betrayal, corruption and surprisingly brilliant detective work. Plus, watching these 'failed' agents prove they're anything but failures is deeply satisfying.

You can stream Slow Horses on Apple TV+.

Adolescence.

Image: Netflix

If you're looking for television that will genuinely change how you see the world, Adolescence is essential viewing. This four-part British limited series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller after he's accused of murdering a female classmate, but what makes it extraordinary isn't just the crime — it's how it exposes the terrifying pipeline from everyday social media to violent incel ideology.

Each episode is filmed in one continuous take, creating an almost unbearable intimacy as we watch a family grapple with an unthinkable act.

Fair warning: this isn't easy viewing, but it's the most important show you'll watch this year.

You can stream Adolescence on Netflix.

Apple Tree Yard.

Image: Apple TV.

When I first started watching Apple Tree Yard, I didn't realise it was based on a book of the same name (which I will intend to find and read) and had no idea what it was about. Within ten minutes, I was hooked. It's an erotically charged psychological thriller that sees a respected female scientist, played by Emily Watson, make a big mistake, leading to shocking consequences.

It's Brilliant. I've watched it twice, and you should too.

You can stream Apple Tree Yard on Apple TV+

Trauma.

Image: Stan.

An obsession/stalker series with a twist. Trauma sees two fathers from very different backgrounds go head to head, after one man’s son dies under the care of the other man — a surgeon.

The first man blames the second man and becomes obsessed with destroying his life. It's a classic tale, and one that is superbly done.

You can stream Trauma on ITV.

Poldark.

Image: Amazon Prime.

Poldark is the kind of period drama that turns casual viewers into complete obsessives within episodes. This sweeping saga has everything you could want — romance that'll make your heart race, betrayal that'll leave you gasping, and enough drama to keep you glued to your screen for hours on end.

Plus, let's be honest, Aidan Turner as the brooding Ross Poldark is absolutely chef's kiss gorgeous and reason enough to start watching.

You can stream Poldark on Prime Video.

Doctor Foster.

Image: Stan.

This is British psychological drama at its best. Characters you can relate to with a storyline that's also true to life, despite the secrets, lies and revelations.

This one takes you deep into the mind of Dr Foster who you'll simultaneously cheer for and grimace at. Devoured it. Twice.

You can stream Doctor Foster on Stan.

Obsession.

Image: Netflix

Obsession is a twisted story of... obsession, leading to shocking consequences. You will have to suspend a bit of disbelief to get into it, but once you do, you'll be hooked. Full of sexy scenes (that you'll have mixed feelings about for reasons that'll become clear when you watch it),

Obsession's appeal is certainly in its sordidness.

You can stream Obsession on Netflix.

The Stranger.

Image: Netflix.

A true psychological thriller, The Stranger is not for background viewing. You'll need to focus to keep up with the twists, turns and multiple subplots, but you'll be glad you did. This one keeps you guessing while making you think about the nuisances of the human psyche as you do.

You can stream The Stranger on Netflix.

Angela Black.

Image: Stan

Angela Black presents a clever and nuanced take on domestic abuse and coercive control, and combines that with a very British psychological narrative of secrets and lies and not knowing who to trust.

The lead character is played by Joanne Froggatt, who also starred in Liar — another British psychological drama that centres around a potential date rape.

You can stream Angela Black on Stan.

Happy Valley.

Image: Stan

Happy Valley is a complex crime/drama hybrid based on a no-nonsense police sergeant (also a grandmother), whose past trauma informs her current police work. There is so much depth to the characters and stories.

The female lead in Happy Valley is brilliant. Gritty UK police drama, the human condition in all its flawed glory.

You can stream Happy Valley on Stan.

Behind Her Eyes.

Image: Netflix

All I can say about Behind Her Eyes is that you WILL NOT see the ending coming. Even if you think you have it nailed, trust me, you don't. This one is also based on a book of the same name, and it is wild.

You can stream Behind Her Eyes on Netflix.

Dark Money.

Image: Amazing Prime

Dark Money explores the fallout after a young up-and-coming actor is sexually abused by a filmmaker, and the ripple effect when his parents accept a large sum of money to keep quiet.

It's hard to imagine yourself making a similar decision, but Dark Money opens your eyes to devastating consequences, not only of child sexual abuse, but the abuse of power generally, and where money fits into it all.

You can stream Dark Money on Prime Video.

This article was originally published in November 2023 and has since been updated.

Feature Image: Netflix.