'I'm a TV binge watcher - these are my top 5 favourite BBC dramas of all time'

I've been in a bit of a BBC iPlayer rabbit hole as of late. And, while taking a look at the series on offer on the platform, I have been reminiscing about my favourite watches through the years, some of which I return to time and time again, and most of which would be described as a good old drama. Here I have compiled a list of my five favourite BBC dramas of all time:

5. SAS Rogue Heroes

I may be slightly biased here as Jack O'Connell is one of my favourite actors, but this is the series that keeps on giving. If you like a war drama, this is top tier and not to be missed. Created by Steven Knight, SAS: Rogue Heroes is a 2022 British historical drama television series. It's synopsis reads: "The first series depicts the origins of the British Army Special Air Service (SAS) during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II."

4. Mix Tape

I'm a sucker for a romance and this one delivers on all levels. New to the broadcaster this year, Mix Tape has stood out beyond the rest for me. It has a nostalgic feel and is bursting with 80s music that provides the perfect soundtrack. Set between Sheffield and Sydney, it is a unique watch and definitely my favourite of the year so far. The series synopsis reads: "Daniel and Alison first fell in love as teenagers in Sheffield in 1989; years later they reconnect through their shared musical memories."

3. Our Girl

Our Girl was a series I remembered coming out back in 2014 but wasn't really interested in at the age of 16. Now, coming back to it, (having only watched it for the first time this year) I understand what all the fuss was about. It is a deeply interesting insight into the British Armed Forces that allows for depth while also following a gripping romantic narative. Both Lacey Turner and Michelle Keegan were excellent as the lead characters. I have only watched the first couple series, along with the debut film that sparked the whole series, but I have to say this is the series that has had me in a chokehold the most of all. The series follows: "Molly, who decides to take charge of her life and join the army. Her decision is met with resistance from her family and her father threatens to disown her if she goes ahead with her plan."

2. Peaky Blinders

I absolutely loved this series. It's gritty, intense, and has an interesting setting in war-fuelled 20th-century Birmingham. This has to be one of, if not the best BBC drama ever created. Cillian Murphy is astonishing in the lead role, as well as the ensemble cast. It's TV at its best. The synopsis states: "Tommy Shelby, a dangerous man, leads the Peaky Blinders, a gang based in Birmingham. Soon, Chester Campbell, an inspector, decides to nab him and put an end to the criminal activities."

1. Normal People

Where to start? Normal People is one of the most beautiful adaptations of a book that I've ever watched. The chemistry between the two breakout actors, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, was palpable. I tend to enjoy depictions of romance that are realistic and not wrapped up in bows for the purpose of the screen, and Normal People felt like a true representation of modern love. The synopsis reads: "Marianne, a teenager, is bullied by her peers at school while Connell enjoys popularity. As their relationship develops, complications take root."