As 2025 begins, multiple new TV dramas have been released, leading audiences all over the UK to witness recent history in vivid detail. 44 of them are shows you may have seen, like “Poker Face,” “Severance,” “The Change,” “Mo,” “Miss Austen,” “Big Boys,” and “Dying for Sex.” Each production brings different narratives and production values, making for a varied, thoughtful viewing experience. In fact, critics have unanimously praised many of these series, hailing their lasting impact on an evolving television landscape.
Poker Face, streaming on Peacock, stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a serial crime-solver whose misadventures invite viewers to play along with smart writing and colorful characters. The series has received critical praise, including from one critic who claimed that it redefined the benchmark for British drama.
Severance returns for its second season on Apple TV+. Critics have hailed it as “impossibly mesmerising TV.” The show perfectly balances tension with heart. This implausible yet mesmerizing duo is what has struck a chord with audiences and turned it into one of television’s hottest titles of this current golden age.
Highlights from the Current TV Landscape
The Change, which airs on Sky Max/Now, has just finished its second season to great acclaim. Critics are split down the middle on this latest entry, with some even going so far as to call it the franchise’s weakest showing thus far. Even with such an exclusion, the show is still earning headlines for its unusual premise and complex character arc.
As a new release on the critically-acclaimed streaming service, Mo is definitely worth a watch. In the second season, he ends up getting stuck in Mexico. Through smart humor and touching moments, the series not only serves to address deeper issues, but stays at the front of viewer conversations.
“Miss Austen,” with Keeley Hawes on BBC Two/iPlayer, explores the life of the world-famous novelist Jane Austen. The show has been widely praised for its dense narrative and performances, especially from Hawes. Critics have praised its capacity to distill everything that makes Austen’s world so masterfully realized while still delivering provocative new findings.
“This is some of the warmest telly you’ll see this year … even when Danny Dyer starts dropping f-bombs left, right and centre.” – The Guardian
The Impact of Comedy and Drama
Humour has an important role to play in the times we live, as seen in recent iterations like Channel 4’s “Big Boys”. Kaitlin Olson plays the lead role of a brilliant, I.Q. 160 lovable genius. With madcap shenanigans paired with tear-jerking narrative arcs, the series has viewers laughing and crying every episode. Critics have praised the show for its depth and meaningful narratives, stating that “sitcoms don’t get much more deep and meaningful than this.”
Dying for Sex, which features I Think You Should Leave actress Michelle Buteau as narrator, takes a unique approach to love and loss with comic flair. Its captivating story and familiar characters have captivated young audiences and critics, making it a popular standard. The show’s knack for developing relevant, complex subject matter into important stories without losing its playful spirit has garnered the show a passionate fanbase.
“A gorgeous, gleeful romp that allows not just Aduba but all of the many players in the cast to shine.” – The Guardian
Critical Reception and Viewership Trends
The critical response to these shows shows an increasing taste for sophisticated, high-quality screen drama in the UK. The biggest surprise to us all—a great surprise, at that—was an unnamed series. It is now the second largest English language Netflix series of all time. This milestone reflects the growing dominance of streaming services and their impact on the future of entertainment.
Each day, viewers are immersing themselves in original stories. Portrayals of technology, privacy, and data shows like “Black Mirror” have already changed considerably to match their audience’s increasing standards. Critics note that what was once a hard-edged series has transformed into a more human-centric narrative that resonates deeply with viewers.
“What was once a hard-edged, occasionally malfunctioning cyborg of a show has slowly evolved: Black Mirror 7.0 has a lot of soft tissue around the metal … a warmer, more convincingly human show.” – The Guardian