The Essential British TV Services
These are the services that serious British TV fans actually use. Each has a distinct library — knowing which one has your show saves a lot of time.
BritBox
The largest library of classic and contemporary British TV available in the US. Inspector Morse, Vera, Death in Paradise and thousands more. The first subscription any serious British TV fan should get.
Check current price →Acorn TV
Specialises in British and international mysteries. Home to Hinterland, Agatha Raisin, Doc Martin, Murdoch Mysteries, and many exclusive US premieres. An excellent complement to BritBox, especially for cosy mystery fans.
Check current price →PBS Passport
PBS Passport gives you extended access to PBS content including Masterpiece, where many BBC dramas air first in the US. If you watch Downton Abbey, Victoria, or Sherlock, this is worth having.
Check current price →Netflix & Amazon Prime Video
Both carry British content, though libraries change frequently. Netflix has Broadchurch, The Crown, and selected BBC titles. Amazon Prime Video carries PBS Masterpiece titles including Good Omens and Downton Abbey.
Check current price →Access BBC iPlayer & UK-Only Streams with a VPN
Some of the best British TV — BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 — isn't available in the US at all. A VPN connects you through a UK server so you can watch from anywhere in the world, just as if you were sitting in London.
Fast UK Servers
Thousands of UK servers optimised for HD and 4K streaming with no buffering.
Works With All UK Platforms
BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, BritBox UK, Sky Go — all unblocked.
All Your Devices
Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire Stick, and Smart TV. One account, six devices.
How to Watch in 3 Steps
- Sign up for NordVPN and download the app
- Connect to a UK server (search “United Kingdom” in the app)
- Open BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4 and start watching
💡 Tip: BBC iPlayer asks for a UK postcode during registration — any valid UK postcode works (e.g. SW1A 1AA). The VPN handles the rest.
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Watch British TV for Free in the US
You don't need a paid subscription to start. These free services carry a surprising amount of quality British content.
Tubi
Tubi offers a surprisingly large free library supported by ads, including older series of Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, and various classic British dramas. A great place to start.
Pluto TV
Has dedicated British TV channels running classic shows around the clock. Good for casual viewing and discovery — you can't choose specific episodes but it's always on.
Kanopy
Many public libraries offer Kanopy for free, which carries British films and some series. Check if your library card gives you access — it costs you nothing.
Where to Watch Specific Shows
The most common question we get — "where can I watch X?" Here are the most popular shows and exactly where to find them in the US.
Streaming availability current as of · Rights change frequently — always verify before subscribing
Shows marked UK only — VPN are not available in the US on any streaming service — a VPN is the only way to watch.
| Show | Where to Watch | Free Option? |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector Morse | BritBox | Tubi (older series) |
| Vera | BritBox | Tubi (some series) |
| Broadchurch | Netflix / Peacock | Pluto TV, Tubi (free) |
| Hinterland | Acorn TV | No |
| Miss Marple (1984) | BritBox | No |
| Happy Valley | BritBox | No |
| The Detectorists | Acorn TV | No |
| Hope Street | Acorn TV | No |
| The Bletchley Circle | BritBox | No |
| Downton Abbey | Prime Video / PBS Passport | Tubi (older series) |
| Midsomer Murders | Acorn TV | Tubi (some) |
| Doc Martin | Acorn TV | No |
| Agatha Raisin | Acorn TV | No |
| The Crown | Netflix | No |
| Endeavour | BritBox | PBS Passport |
| Line of Duty | BritBox | No |
| Shetland | BritBox | No |
| Peaky Blinders | Netflix | No |
| Luther | Netflix | No |
| Inside No. 9 | UK only — VPN Watch with NordVPN → | No |
| The Responder | UK only — VPN Watch with NordVPN → | No |
| This Is Going to Hurt | UK only — VPN Watch with NordVPN → | No |
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