June brings with it another round of classics and originals to BritBox UK: From Pride celebrations with Russell T Davies’ hit creations, including the record-breaking It’s A Sin, to the conclusion of BritBox Original revenge-thriller The Beast Must Die, as well as some new reality TV hits.
BritBox UK (which is not the same as the US version) is a streaming subscription service owned by ITV and the BBC. It curates British TV programmes from ITV, BBC, Channel 5 and Channel 4, as well as classic British films.
The subscription costs £5.99/month or £59.99/year, and you can usually get a free trial (See my review of BritBox UK here).
Some content might be added later in the month, but these are the highlights for the month of June 2021:
June 1
Woman in Black: Angel of Death (2014)
40 years after the first haunting at Eel Marsh House, a group of children evacuated from WWII London arrives, awakening the house’s darkest inhabitant.
A horror film directed by Tom Harper and starring Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine and Phoebe Fox.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1996)
Filmed adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1996 version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
June 3
It’s a Sin (Full Series)
Binge-watch all 5 episodes without adverts, of this ground-breaking and record-breaking drama from Russell T. Davies.
The series is set in the 80s and follows the lives of five friends who converge in a flat together in London during the AIDS epidemic.
Starring Olly Alexander, Neil Patrick Harris and Keeley Hawes, the first episode was Channel 4’s biggest drama launch.
The Beast Must Die (Episode 3)
BritBox Original: The Beast Must Die is a five-part revenge thriller that tells the story of a grieving mother who infiltrates the life of the man she believes killed her son.
The first two episodes were added in May, and the three more will be made available on a weekly basis, starting today.
MasterChef (Seasons 12-13, 2016-2017)
Into the kitchen and under the spotlight. Amateur cooks duel it out as John Torode and Gregg Wallace turn up the heat.
Tenko (Full Series, 1981-1984)
Drama series based on the real-life experiences of a group of women whose lives are changed forever when they are taken by the Japanese as prisoners of war after the fall of Singapore.
Starring Stephanie Cole, Ann Bell and Claire Oberman.
Christopher and His Kind (2011)
Matt Smith and Toby Jones star in acclaimed playwright Kevin Elyot’s one-off drama chronicling the formative years of novelist Christopher Isherwood.
Ackley Bridge (Season 4, 2021)
The award-winning school drama series set in a Yorkshire mill town returns for season 4 with a brand new format, some fresh faces, and familiar favourite characters.
Starring Poppy Lee Friar, Amy-Leigh Hickman, Jo Joyner and Sunetra Parker.
June 10
The Beast Must Die (Episode 4)
Real Housewives of Cheshire (Seasons 1-10, 2015-2019)
Reality series following a group of women residing in one of the UK’s most affluent areas, the glamorous Golden Triangle of Cheshire.
Cucumber (Full Series, 2015)
Russell T. Davies drama exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st-century gay life, and considered a spiritual successor to Davies’ older hit series, Queer as Folk.
Starring Freddie Fox, Vincent Franklin and Fisayo Akinade.
Banana (Full Series, 2015)
Witty, heartfelt and unique interlinked stories covering different aspects of LGBTQ life, from creator Russell T. Davies.
This is an anthology series that accompanied Cucumber, focusing on minor characters from the main series.
Starring Fisayo Akinade, Letitia Wright and Hannah John-Kamen.
Banished (Mini-series, 2015)
Banished is a story of survival set in the stark historical reality of the founding of the penal colony in Australia in 1788.
Starring MyAnna Buring, Joseph Millson and Russell Tovey.
The First Team (Season 1, 2020)
Comedy series following three young footballers Mattie, Jack and Benji, and their adventures with terrifying team hard-man Petey, mercurial Italian manager Cesare and eccentric chairman Mark Crane.
Starring Jake Short, Tamla Kari, Jack McMullen and Will Arnett.
June 17
The Beast Must Die (Episode 5)
Ladies of London (Seasons 1-3, 2014-2017)
Set in the glittering, class-conscious city of London, this series follows a group of elite British socialites and American expats enjoying the upper crust of the high society world.
Back (Season 2, 2021)
Second series of the comedy starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Have the tables turned for reluctant foster brothers Stephen and Andrew?
Wuthering Heights (2009)
Two-part television adaptation, based on the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë, starring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley.
Foundling Heathcliff is raised by the wealthy Earnshaws in Yorkshire but in later life launches a vendetta against the family.
June 24
The Only Way Is Essex (Season 28, 2021)
The Essex elite are back with a bang in another season of TOWIE.
The Sims sisters have a heart-to-heart with youngest sister Demi about her new relationship. Meanwhile, Diags targets a world record attempt.
Famalam Christmas (2019)
A festive edition of the fast-paced comedy sketch show with characters from across the globe. \
Join Samson Kayo and the rest of the cast as they reprise some of their best sketches, including the overprotective boyfriend and competitive aunties.
Porterhouse Blue (Mini-series, 1987)
A distinguished cast, including David Jason and Ian Richardson, star in Malcolm Bradbury’s adaptation of Tom Sharpe’s comic novel.
Moving On (Season 1-11, 2009-2020)
Ordinary people, extraordinary moments. The acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern brings together A-list actors and new talent to tell funny, real and touching stories of people at a crossroads.
Hollywood Bulldogs
Exclusive to BritBox: A documentary that tells the rough-and-tumble story of the small community of British stunt performers who went on to dominate Hollywood in the 1970s and 80s.
They created and performed the iconic action sequences of 007, Indiana Jones, Superman, Rambo, Star Wars, Conan, the Alien films and pretty much everything since.