19 Fantastic British Sci-Fi Series You Can Binge Right Now

Theo James in “Bedlam”. (Photo: BBC)

Bedlam

This spooky series focuses on a new, fairly upscale block of flats known as “Bedlam Heights”. Unbeknownst to most of the people that live there, the building has a harrowing past. It previously served as a mental asylum, and is haunted by the ghosts of its dark and violent past. New arrival Jed (the very dishy Theo James from the Divergent movies) can see the creepy specters of those who used to be patients there However, he decides to keep this information from his cousin Katie and her friends, because he doesn’t want them to think he’s crazy. At least until everyone’s lives are suddenly in danger from the ghostly happenings.

The series becomes something of a serial anthology when it moves into its second season, keeping on just two of the original cast members. Instead, a young woman named Ellie (played by Lacey Turner) comes to Bedlam Heights – now renamed Brightstone – looking for Jed because she too can see ghosts. She soon realizes that what lurks in Bedlam Heights is worse than she ever could have imagined.

Bedlam is a surprisingly creepy series – there are plenty of grisly deaths and shock twists, all wrapped up in a metaphor for dealing with your personal demons. Fair warning: The first season is much stronger than the second. (You can kind of see why it didn’t get renewed for a third.) The characters are more developed, and have stronger relationships with one another. Plus, as much as I’m an old school Buffy fan who always wants to root for a girl who gets stuck battling the supernatural, Jed’s a much more interesting lead character than Ellie.

Number of Seasons: 2

Where to Watch: Hulu