Five Hard-Hitting Acclaimed UK Dramas You Might Never Have Heard Of

When it comes to television, British drama has long been a benchmark for emotionally powerful, character-driven storytelling. While hits like Broadchurch, Happy Valley, and Line of Duty have dominated the spotlight in recent years, there are lesser-known series that pack just as much emotional punch—sometimes even more.

Here are five hard-hitting, critically acclaimed UK dramas that might have slipped under your radar but are absolutely worth your time:

🎭 1. Southcliffe (2013) – Channel 4

Starring: Sean Harris, Rory Kinnear

Episodes: 4

Set in a fictional English town rocked by a spree shooting, Southcliffe is a haunting, non-linear meditation on grief, guilt, and the silent pain of a community unravelling. It refuses to sensationalize the violence, instead focusing on the emotional aftermath with raw realism. Sean Harris’s devastating performance as the broken-hearted Stephen Morton is unforgettable.

Why it's worth watching:

It’s a slow burn, deeply atmospheric, and emotionally bruising—TV drama at its most human and haunting.

🎭 2. The Accident (2019) – Channel 4

Starring: Sarah Lancashire, Sidse Babett Knudsen

Episodes: 4

When a construction disaster devastates a Welsh community and kills several teenagers, the search for justice exposes corruption, betrayal, and cover-ups. Created by Jack Thorne (This Is England, National Treasure), this mini-series explores power, corporate greed, and how small towns are often sacrificed for profit.

Why it’s worth watching:

Lancashire leads a gut-wrenching, nuanced portrayal of a mother desperate for answers. It’s topical, unflinching, and rooted in real-world resonance.

🎭 3. Criminal: UK (2019–2020) – Netflix

Starring: David Tennant, Hayley Atwell, Katherine Kelly

Episodes: 7 (over two seasons)

Set entirely within the confines of a police interrogation room, Criminal: UK strips drama down to its essentials—acting, writing, and tension. Each episode is a stand-alone story where detectives interrogate a suspect. Despite its minimal setting, it’s gripping, psychological, and unpredictable.

Why it’s worth watching:

It showcases masterclass performances from actors like Tennant and Atwell, each portraying characters with moral ambiguity and hidden depths.

🎭 4. The Virtues (2019) – Channel 4

Starring: Stephen Graham

Episodes: 4

Any list about acclaimed dramas very likely has Stephen Graham on it these days! Directed by Shane Meadows (This Is England), The Virtues follows Joseph, a man battling alcoholism and childhood trauma, who returns to Ireland to confront buried memories. Graham delivers a staggering, soul-baring performance in what is arguably one of the finest British dramas of the last decade.

Why it’s worth watching:

It’s brutally honest, poetically shot, and deeply empathetic. A raw, emotional gut punch that lingers long after the credits roll.

🎭 5. Three Girls (2017) – BBC One

Starring: Maxine Peake, Lesley Sharp

Episodes: 3

Based on real events, Three Girls tells the harrowing story of the Rochdale grooming scandal and the authorities' initial failure to act. It centres the victims’ voices while exposing systemic neglect, prejudice, and institutional failure in chilling detail.

Why it’s worth watching:

This is more than just a drama—it’s a call for accountability. Brave, heart-breaking, and absolutely essential viewing.