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Amongst the many things that the British do spectacularly is the way they tell stories. And British television has been doing a remarkable job at that!
Brilliant actors breathing life into sharp screenplays, clever plot lines and crisp dialogues—the British do it so very well. Add to that the larger-than-life visuals and sets, the attention to detail in their costumes and make up, and background scores that compliment every scene, and you’ve got yourself a masterpiece!
Well, guess what? Zee Café has brought a few of these masterpieces to your TV screens as part of its tie-up with BBC First. And believe me, this is one television event you shouldn’t be missing!
After a phenomenal first run of this content partnership, Zee Café x BBC First has returned with some disruptive British television that has thrilled audience the world over. The line up boasts of some of BBC’s finest that have won awards and hearts alike!
Let’s take a glimpse of what’s in store, shall we?
Maigret (Series 2)
It’s difficult to imagine Rowan Atkinson as anyone other than the outrageously comic Mr. Bean. But here he is, stunning as again with his brilliant portrayal of fictional French detective Jules Maigret.
Compared to your Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, Maigret feels more real, as he relies not on his intellect or genius but on his interactions with humanity to crack a case wide open.
Based off numerous novels and short stories by Georges Simenon, the made-for-TV film returns with a Series 2. Watch this two-part series to embark on a thrilling journey through post-war Paris of 1950s, where a pipe-smoking, philosophy sprouting detective navigates the French streets to solve murders. With an IMDB rating of 8.6/10, this one sure looks promising!
Wolf Hall
If you’re a sucker for period dramas, history and impressive ensemble casts, Wolf Hall is right up your alley. The Golden-Globe-winning six part series set in the 16th century chronicles the rise to power and subsequent downfall of Thomas Cromwell, Chief Minister to Henry VIII, King of England.
The series stars Academy and BAFTA Award Winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) as Thomas Cromwell, The Crown‘s Queen, Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn, and Damien Lewis as King Henry VIII, a role that earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Fans of Game of Thrones will love watching show alumni Anton Lesser (Maester Qyburn) Jonathan Pryce (High Sparrow) Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targaryen), and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed) alongside Sherlock‘s Mark Gatiss and a pre-Spider-man Tom Holland in the show too!
Expect elaborate costumes and make up and extravagant glimpses of some of the finest British medieval and Tudor houses and buildings, where the series has been shot. But IMO, it is the impressive cast that might just convince you to watch it!
Broken
Speaking of Game of Thrones, don’t we all miss watching Sean Bean on TV? Can’t there be like one scenario where Bean manages to come out alive? And that there is your Reason #1 to watch Broken!
Broken is a British drama series featuring Sean Bean as a Roman Catholic priest, Father Michael Kerrigan, who tries to help his parishioners through their troubled lives while trying to fight his own demons.
Bean’s portrayal of the harrowed priest just won him the 2018 Best Leading Actor BAFTA! And considering his history of dying on screen, it’s only fitting he got an award for staying alive, of course! Actress Anna Friel, who plays Christina Fitzsimmons, also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Forget Reasons #2, 3, 4, 5… because I’m sure you’re already sold!
Born To Kill
For those who enjoy tiptoeing into the dark and twisted minds of serial killers and psychopaths, British miniseries Born To Kill is THE show to watch right now. Folks, it is as dark as dark can get.
Sam Woodford might seem like a usual teenager facing his first tryst with love. But underneath that schoolboy exterior, he harbours deeply disturbing psychopathic tendencies. Jack Rowan’s chilling portrayal of Sam sends shivers down your spine while keeping you too hooked to look away from the screen. He’s supported by the equally praiseworthy acting chops of Daniel Mays and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Ramola Garai.
With a series finale that set Twitter ablaze with praise for not just the ending but the perfectly complementing soundtrack, Born To Kill is anything BUT your run-of-the-mill teenage high-school drama!
The Collection
What do you get when you mix Post-World War-Paris, high fashion, secrets and lies? A story that’s glamourous, dark, gripping and as rich as plush velvet. Oh and did I mention there are Nazis too?
From the executive producer of Ugly Betty, Oliver Goldstick, comes The Collection. A drama series following the lives of Paul and Claude Sabine and their family’s fashion house in 1947 Paris. The fabric of this story is stitched with secrets, ambition and cut-throat competition in the Cold War era. But most importantly, fashion that is poised to restore Paris as the fashion capital of the world.
Did you know that actor Richard Coyle (Paul Sabine) prepped for his role by studying the iconic 1947 designs of Christian Dior? The cast, which includes Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer, has sported 30 haute couture dresses made by hand over six months and 1200 outfits that accurately reflect 40s’ Parisian fashion! This is one visual delight you do not want to miss!
Top Of The Lake: China Girl
Another remarkable and award-winning addition to the mystery drama genre, Top Of The Lake has been a unanimous success with the masses and at festivals alike. And Season 2 promises to take the drama a notch higher.
Emmy and Golden Globe Award Winner Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men, Handmaid’s Tale) essays the role of Detective Robin Griffin. Five years after she solved a case that rocked her hometown in New Zealand, Robin is back in Sydney. As she tries to rebuild her life, piece by piece, there’s a new case involving the decomposed body of woman found in a suitcase at a beach.
The series also stars Nicole Kidman and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones), with a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 86/100 from Metacritic. I’m pretty sure this one’s going to keep you at the edge of your seat!
Zee Café x BBC First, which commenced from July 16, promises 12 weeks of 12 high-octane British dramas.
The above six shows, as well as Unforgotten, Paula, Doctor Foster Season 2, Interceptor, In The Dark and Burton and Taylor are part of their impressive line up and I bet you’ve added them all to your list!
Zee Café is serving a slice of #GreatBritainGreatStories, hot and fresh for you to relish! Now where’s that remote?
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