The 25 Hottest Actresses in British TV Shows

Is the grass greener on the other side of the pond?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The U.S. and Britain have been engaged in a cultural exchange since the revolutionaries put down their muskets back in 1776. Without the UK, we wouldn't have heard of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Spice Girls, or The Lord of the Rings. We also wouldn't have had such glorious shows as American Idol, The Office, The Inbetweeners, and Game of Thrones. And there's still a lot more, er, beauty, to discover on the other shore. 

At first glance, Downton Abbey seems like a period melodrama with no interest value to a red-blooded American male. Costumes, marriages, hidden romances—these are not especially intriguing. But take a closer look. Specifically, at Jessica Brown Findlay and Michelle Dockery. These two gorgeous women play the lead roles of the Crawley sisters in the show and they will definitely make tuning into the season three premiere this Sunday on PBS worth it. 

In honor of Ms. Brown Findlay and Ms. Dockery, Complex explores what other English roses the Brits have been hiding from our eyes. These women aren't major stars—yet. They fly under America's radar, their hotness escaping our notice. Well, we've had enough of that. Freedom means the UK doesn't get to horde their most beautiful women. And so we give you The 25 Hottest Actresses in British TV Shows. 

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Written by Valeriya Safronova (@vsaffron)

25. Suranne Jones as DC Anne Oldman in A Touch of Cloth (Sky1)

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24. Katherine Kelly as Lady Mae in Mr. Selfridge (ITV, PBS)

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23. Chanel Cresswell as Kelly in This Is England '86 and This Is England '88 (Channel 4)

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22. Lucy Liemann as Ellie Pattman in Rev. (BBC Two)

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21. Jessica Raine as Jenny Lee in Call the Midwife (BBC One)

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20. Sarah Solemani as Becky in Him & Her (BBC Three)

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19. Fiona Button as Tess Roberts in Lip Service (BBC Three)

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18. Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crowley in Downton Abbey (ITV, PBS)

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17. Lara Goodison as Marla Mackinnon in The Cut (BBC Two/BBC Switch)

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16. Ruta Gedmintas as Frankie Alan in Lip Service (BBC Three)

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15. Emer Kenny as Danielle Reeves in Pramface (BBC Three)

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14. Charlotte Ritchie as Oregon in Fresh Meat (Channel 4)

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13. Claire Foy as Lady Persie in Upstairs Downstairs (BBC One)

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12. Lucy Griffiths as Marian in Robin Hood (BBC One, BBC Two)

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11. Chelsee Healey as Janeece Bryant in Waterloo Road (BBC One)

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10. Billie Piper as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who (BBC, BBC One, BBC America)

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9. Kate Bracken as Alex in Being Human (BBC Three)

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8. Karla Crome as Jess in Misfits (E4)

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7. Karen Gillan as Amy Pond in Doctor Who (BBC, BBC One, BBC America)

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6. Lara Pulver as Irene Adler in Sherlock (BBC One)

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5. Katie McGrath as Morgana in Merlin (BBC One)

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4. Freya Mavor as Mini McGuinness in Skins (E4)

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3. Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey (ITV, PBS)

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2. Melissa George as Sam Hunter in Hunted (BBC One, Cinemax)

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1. Kaya Scodelario as Effy Stonem in Skins (E4)

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