Doctor Who isn't the longest-running series on TV (there are soap operas which have run longer), but it is the longest-running sci-fi series. Just remember: Don't Blink!

Not sure if y'all see the same ad here, but the above post was followed by a HuluPlus ad in my browser. Gotta love smart advertising.

Hear hear to the Paul Feig shout out. His memoir "Kick Me" is great, too.

Yes, all wonderful shows, especially Doctor Who, Buffy, and Firefly! And Arrested Development is just a comedy goldmine.

Pretty sure my family is the only one left in the country w/o Netflix.

This is an excellent list. I cannot recommend "Firefly" enough. I'd also nominate "Battlestar Gallactica." Two great shows from the BBC to stream on Netflix are "Sherlock" and "Luther."

I also recommend Peep Show, if you're into British humor. Priceless.

I'm in the middle of watching Freaks & Geeks right now and oh my gosh, it's SO wonderful. I don't know how I missed it when it was on (I was just the right age, but I guess the single season snuck by), but so glad to be able to enjoy it for the first time now...

Oh! And I'd like to add Friday Night Lights to the list! All seasons available streaming on Netflix, possibly my favorite show of all times.

Dr Who is the best show EVER!

I just checked this post to make sure Freaks and Geeks was listed. Awesome.

I second threechordme, Battlestar Galactica, Sherlock, and Luther are AMAZING. Don't be freaked out by the episode counts - Battlestar Galactica is a US show and gets longer seasons. Sherlock only has three episodes per season, and Luther also only gets a handful of episodes per season. They are all worth the time!

@EMinCHICAGO: +1 to the suggestion of Peep Show. That entire series is hilarious and the next series (season) starts this month!

I have discovered quite a few wonderful series through my Netflix subscription. I'm in Canada so not sure if they're available on US Netflix, but Undeclared (Judd Apatow series about college students), Misfits (British delinquents with superpowers), and Being Erica (Canadian show about a woman who time travels to revisit past mistakes) are all wonderful.

And more votes for Luther, Buffy and Arrested Development. But having seen all of Lost and knowing how it ends, I don't think the payoff is worth sitting through six seasons, so only start if you have a lot of spare time.

Friday Night Lights. (The best series ever on tv. And Tim Riggins... well, just watch.)

We have Dr. Who on dvd... (along with Sarah Jane and Torchwood).

The Tudors. (Preparation for Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Dracula)

One last one -- One Foot In The Grave. Has me in stitches every time.

I've got to agree with above commenters about Friday Night Lights. Greatest example of a husband and wife team I've ever seen on television.

Oh, and Tim Riggins

Six Feet Under! Funny, depressing, sad, and scary at times. Plus, in my opinion, it has the BEST SERIES FINALE EVER!!

Adding another vote for Friday Night Lights, too... this show is so gut wrenchingly good.

#33, Tim Riggins. Texas Forever.

The original Prime Suspect is available for streaming on Netflix. Amazing cast and a real strong female lead in a meaty role.

Ah, Prime Suspect! I've been wanting to watch that. Helen Mirren is fantastic.

What I'm currently watching on Netflix: MacGyver!! I loved it as a kid, and I'm rather surprised that I like it as an adult. Plenty of 80s cheesy-ness!

ELLENPASTA: I have subscription to NetFlix but have cut out my cable about 10 years ago and don't miss it. Of course, I do rent TV series through NetFlix-way cheaper than TV/CABLE.

Another vote for Friday Night Lights and Tim Riggins. And the entire cast. Even if you think you hate football, you will love this show.

Not sure if it is streaming, but if you're going to do Luther and Sherlock- you HAVE to see Jekyll. Fantastic series.

And if there's anyone out there who hasn't seen Dexter yet -- I think Netflix has 4 or five seasons. I could not take my eyes off of it, watched it straight through!

Seen everything on the list but "Freaks and Geeks" and "Arrested Development". Another fun show to watch, don't know if it's available for streaming, is "Remington Steele" from the 80s.

most definitely "Doc Martin"!!!!!!

I second Six Feet Under --- possibly greatest show of all time.

Dexter is pure genius.

Ah, Firefly. I think that was the best show ever that I watched on Netflix.

Yeah - even Friday Night Lights can't touch Six Feet Under. Definitely my favorite of all time.

"Luther" and "Peep Show" are great suggestions! I'd also say the original British "Life on Mars," just two seasons (or series as the Brits say!).

And I don't know if it's on streaming, since it's only on UK dvd at this point, but "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" is a HILARIOUS British spoof of a behind-the-scenes of a cheesy 80s show:

"Welcome, friend. You know, a lot of people say: 'Garth Marenghi? Isn’t he the guy who writes all that horror crap?' Well, good luck to you, you’re an idiot. Because my books always say something, even if it’s just something simple like: 'Don’t genetically engineer crabs to be as big as men,' there's always a message or a theme. When I wrote, directed, and starred in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace back in the 1980s, I gave every episode a theme—even when we were running out of time, or I was really tired."

Peep Show and the other show by the same pair, The Mitchell and Webb Look and the Louis C.K. series have been our favorites lately. A League of Gentlemen, for dark comedy fans, is terrific.

Obsessed with Luther & Sherlock! Also loved Arrested Development (one of the wittiest shows ever), United States of Tara, Better Off Ted (another funny witty show), The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (hilarious but not for the faint of heart or easily offended), Being Human (UK version) and of course, Downton Abbey.

Oh, and a couple of people recommended Six Feet Under and Dexter but unfortunately they are not on Netflix Streaming.

Saw a bumper sticker the other day that just read: STEVE HOLT!

Awesome.

Thanks to Netflix, I watched every season of Lost in just 2 weeks. It was so good, I started choosing Lost over hanging out with friends, hah.

I'd totally add Walking Dead (seasons 1 and 2) and Breaking Bad (seasons 1-4) on Netflix streaming, as well.

@instantphoebe, you reminded me of this:
http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-battlestar-galactica

I <3 Kevin Arnold. We're the same age.

Another shout out for Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look. And don't miss The IT Crowd and Spaced while you're at it.

Jericho is one of the most underrated shows ever. It was unfortunately cancelled halfway into the second season but wow what a great show.

Breaking Bad is definitely a must watch. I also enjoyed watching the whole Twilight Zone series bahaha. :)

I'm surprised Twin Peaks didn't make this list--and I second the IT Crowd suggestion!

Got to hit up all the British TV shows! Peep Show is hilarious -- and it isn't at all what it sounds like.

CHEERS! We've just started on season 10, and it's still fantastic and relevant. Also, I suggest Friday Night Lights, even if you don't care about football.

I have to give a shout of to The Thick of It. I think there are 23 episodes in all including three hour long specials. It just wrapped up on the BBC. Not available on Netflix, but you can stream all the episodes plus extra material on Hulu. It's by the same director as the film In the Loop (which has two of the same characters and most of the same actors) and the main writers for Peep Show are also two of the main writers for the TTOI. Modern political comedy at it's very finest and Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker will blow your mind.

Father Ted. I never laughed so hard in my life.

This. We just finished watching Freaks & Geeks. I guess at the time I was too busy watching "That 70s Show" instead?

Inspector Lewis and MI-5 are also very good.

League of Gentlemen, YES! Nobody does black comedy like the british.

Everyone should also check out Father Ted, Blacks Books, Spaced, and The IT Crowd.

Dollhouse. If you're a fan of Whedon, you have to watch what I consider his best and least appreciated series. It only runs for two seasons, but doesn't cut off without an ending like Firefly (don't even try to tell me that Serenity is a satisfactory ending) and doesn't drag on for way too long like Buffy.

So what's the best point to begin with Dr. Who?

I'm interested because one of my favorite shows, the new BBC Sherlock Holmes series, was created by two Dr Who writers on their commute.

The Mighty Boosh, if you like way-out British Comedy. Deadwood: if you can handle the language, you'll find amazing characterisation. Firefly is just so enjoyable. Walking Dead (a relationship-driven zombie drama?) and Parks and Rec for chipper, girl-powered comedy. Ron Swanson.

Freaks and Geeks is so good. Glad to see it on the list :)

Throwing out votes for RuPaul's Drag Race and The Dick Van Dyke Show! And The Twilight Zone!

Yeah, pretty much anything Whedon is amazing. I admit I was going to pout a bit if Firefly didn't make this list. Cowboys in space? Yes, please. Also, Battlestar Gallactica is fantastic. One of the best transitional shows out there. I say transitional because it's sci-fi but isn't all about the tech which opens it up to the general audience. And I stream Supernatural. Mostly because it's a good, trashy show with a ridiculous plot line that I don't need to really concentrate on. Great for knitting.

@vintage birthday -- the best place to start with Dr. Who is the beginning of the "new" series, Series 1 with Christopher Eccleston as Doctor. Series 2-4 featured David Tenant as Doctor, and Series 5+ (they are at 8 now) feature Matt Smith. There are also Christmas Specials to round up.

For my money, Chris Eccleston was the best Doctor (he's one of my favorite actors of all time), and so I was very disappointed he dropped out after just a single series...

Oh! And Torchwood! Don't forget Torchwood! It's a darker, more adult Dr. Who off-shoot.

Put me on the Friday Night Lights list. Also, West Wing has eight fabulous seasons. The first two are incredible, and the rest hold up well.

Poirot

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