Why Do Americans Love British/U.K. TV So Much?!

Have you ever found yourself binge-ing a TV show from across the Pond? Well, if you have, you are not alone! Many Americans have been obsessed in recent years with British/U.K. television! Whether it is "Derry Girls", "AbFab", or "Doctor Who", we can't get enough! This piece will answer some of the questions of why Americans love British/U.K. television so much!

Well, it is obvious, but historically the U.S. and U.K. have been tied to each other. After all, England was our mother country at one point. Although we do not answer to the monarchy, British popular culture has always influenced American media. Whether it was music like The Beatles, drama with the Royal Family, or famous filmmakers, Britain has always influenced American culture.

In recent years, many Americans have liked British TV because of a genuine interest in U.K. culture. Americans love the British settings, whether urban or countryside. The aesthetics of their television shows can be very escapist for Americans who get used to their homogeneous lifestyles. A lot of Americans enjoy the different aesthetics rooted in British culture, whether it is Neo-Victorianism like in "The Great British Baking Show", or dark academia like in "A Series Of Unfortunate Events". Alright, let's get one thing out of the way: Americans love a British accent! Whether we are mimicking it or listening to it, we love the accent! Watching British TV helps feed our obsession! 

Americans also love British television shows because the shows feel foreign yet familiar. Although we aren't British, we speak the same language and have a lot of connections to the country. Besides driving on the other side of the road, Americans have a lot in common with the English. Watching British TV feels refreshing, but it's also familiar to many of us. A language barrier is a large reason why many Americans can't get into other international shows.

Lastly, British television tends to be quality media. While in America, we love our reality shows and soap operas, by the time British television makes its way to the U.S., it has to be good quality. In the U.S., when British TV breaks through, it is stellar! I mean, the biggest shows from England have been cultural phenomena like "Bridgerton", "Downton Abbey", "Sex Education", "Peaky Blinders", and more. Hopefully, this answered some of the reasons why we all love U.K./British TV so much! Loving British television isn’t going away anytime soon, and I hope we will see many more great shows from the U.K.!