Boys from the Blackstuff
A powerful drama series following five unemployed tarmac layers in Liverpool during the Thatcher era.
Yes Minister / Yes, Prime Minister
A satirical sitcom following the ministerial career of Jim Hacker and his battles with civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby.
Brideshead Revisited
An adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel exploring themes of love, religion, and the decline of the English aristocracy.
Edge of Darkness
A political thriller following a detective's investigation into his daughter's murder, uncovering a nuclear conspiracy.
Blackadder
A series of historical sitcoms following the cynical Edmund Blackadder and his dim-witted sidekick Baldrick through various eras.
The Singing Detective
A writer bedridden with psoriasis escapes into a noir fantasy world where he is a dance-band singer and detective.
The Jewel in the Crown
A sweeping drama set during the final years of the British Raj in India, exploring racial and political tensions.
Minder
The 1980s series 'Minder' is a classic British television show that blends crime and comedy, following the adventures of a lovable conman and his loyal minder.
An Englishman Abroad
A television play based on the true story of actress Coral Browne's meeting with spy Guy Burgess in Moscow.
Inspector Morse
A detective drama series featuring the intellectual and opera-loving Chief Inspector Morse in Oxford.
Only Fools and Horses
The misadventures of market trader Del Boy Trotter and his younger brother Rodney in Peckham, London.
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
A group of British construction workers travel to Germany to find work, dealing with culture clashes and personal drama.
Talking Heads
A series of dramatic monologues written by Alan Bennett, exploring the inner lives of ordinary people.
A Very British Coup
A political thriller about a radical left-wing Prime Minister whose government is undermined by the establishment.
The Snowman
A wordless animated television film about a young boy's magical adventure with a snowman that comes to life.
Blind Date
A popular dating game show where contestants choose a date from three hidden candidates.
Tutti Frutti
A comedy-drama following a Scottish rock and roll band, The Majestics, on their silver jubilee tour.
The Tube
An influential music television programme that showcased alternative and mainstream acts in the 1980s.
A Very Peculiar Practice
A surreal comedy-drama set in a university health centre, satirising the education system and medical profession.
Spitting Image
A satirical puppet show that mocked politicians, celebrities, and public figures of the era.
Brookside
A gritty soap opera set in a cul-de-sac in Liverpool, known for its realistic and controversial storylines.
EastEnders
The daily lives and dramas of the residents of Albert Square in the fictional London borough of Walford.
Casualty
The longest-running emergency medical drama series in the world, set in Holby City Hospital.
The Young Ones
A surreal and anarchic sitcom about four dysfunctional students sharing a house.
Red Dwarf
A sci-fi sitcom following the last human alive and his eccentric companions on a mining ship in deep space.
Press Gang
A children's comedy-drama following the activities of a youth newspaper, 'The Junior Gazette'.
Danger Mouse
An animated series about the world's greatest secret agent, a mouse, and his hamster sidekick Penfold.
Count Duckula
A spin-off from Danger Mouse, following the adventures of a vegetarian vampire duck.
Blockbusters
A popular student game show where contestants answer questions to complete a path across a hexagonal board.
Countdown
A game show involving word and number puzzles, the first programme aired on Channel 4.
The Bill
A long-running police procedural drama following the lives of officers at the fictional Sun Hill police station.
Bread
A sitcom about the Boswell family in Liverpool, struggling to make ends meet through various schemes.
Hi-de-Hi!
A sitcom set in a 1950s holiday camp, following the lives of the entertainment staff.
Allo Allo!
A sitcom set in occupied France during WWII, following café owner René Artois and his interactions with the Resistance and Germans.
Robin of Sherwood
A gritty and mystical retelling of the Robin Hood legend, featuring a memorable soundtrack by Clannad.
The Box of Delights
A magical children's fantasy series about a boy who is entrusted with a powerful box that allows him to travel through time.
Sherlock Holmes
The definitive adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories, starring Jeremy Brett as Holmes.
Miss Marple
Agatha Christie's elderly spinster detective solves crimes in the village of St. Mary Mead and beyond.
The Comic Strip Presents...
A series of self-contained comedy films featuring the 'alternative comedy' stars of the early 80s.
Grange Hill
A realistic and often controversial drama series following the lives of students at a London comprehensive school.
Doctor Who
The 1980s era featured the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Doctors in their time-traveling adventures.
Blue Peter
The world's longest-running children's programme, featuring a mix of activities, reports, and the famous 'Blue Peter Badge'.
The Old Grey Whistle Test
An influential music programme that focused on 'serious' rock and alternative music rather than chart hits.
Top of the Pops
The UK's flagship chart music show, featuring the week's best-selling artists performing in the studio.
Knight Rider (UK Airing)
While American, this show was a massive cultural phenomenon in the UK during the 80s.
The Adventure Game
A cult classic game show set on the planet Arg, where celebrities solved puzzles to return to Earth.
Jim'll Fix It
A long-running show where the host made children's wishes come true. (Historically significant for the 80s).
Bullseye
A popular darts-themed game show where contestants answered questions to win prizes.
The Krypton Factor
A challenging game show testing physical and mental attributes to find the 'UK's Superperson'.
Secret Army
A drama about the Belgian resistance during WWII, which heavily influenced 80s television.