10 Chilling British Horror Miniseries on Streaming That Will Keep You Up All Night

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As a movie enthusiast who occasionally craves the eerie allure of dark and macabre narratives, I can attest that immersing oneself in a well-crafted horror miniseries is often just what the doctor ordered. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of outstanding horror miniseries to satiate this specific taste. In fact, you’ll find quite a few on popular streaming platforms at the moment. Keep in mind that most of these gems are subscription-based; however, some can be enjoyed for free with commercial interruptions.

Horror movies can provide an exhilarating experience for those who enjoy them, with slasher films often featuring excessive gore. If you prefer a more suspenseful approach, British horror miniseries might be the better choice. These series are known for their slow-paced storytelling, allowing tension and mysteries to gradually accumulate. The list provided includes original stories, adaptations from books, as well as shows claimed to be based on real events.

10
‘The Secret of Crickley Hall’ (2012)

Where to Watch: Hulu

For several years now, “The Secret of Crickley Hall” can be streamed on Hulu. If you haven’t watched it yet, this series offers an engaging ghost tale. Moreover, you’ll notice a young Maisie Williams at the dawn of her fame from “Game of Thrones”. Although the special effects might not be top-notch, the narrative is filled with unexpected plot twists. With just three episodes, it makes for a quick and enjoyable viewing experience.

In the television series, “The Secret of Crickley Hall,” as penned by James Herbert in 2006, we encounter two distinct storylines. One is set in 2006 itself, when the Caligh family settles into their new home, which had been vacant for eleven months following a tragic event involving one of their children. The other timeline transports us back to 1943, where we find orphans taking refuge at Crickley Hall during World War II. Notable actors like Suranne Jones (from “Vigil”), Tom Ellis (known for “Lucifer”), and Pixie Davies (familiar from “Mary Poppins Returns”) are part of the ensemble cast.

9
‘Remember Me’ (2014)

Where to Watch: Tubi

Avoid confusing it with the 2010 film, “Remember Me” actually refers to a three-part British miniseries. This story revolves around a man who deceives a fall and checks into a care home. But upon his arrival at this new place, peculiar occurrences start happening nearby him. The series was crafted by Gwyneth Hughes, well-known for her work on “Mr Bates vs. The Post Office.

In the main part, Monty Python’s Michael Palin takes center stage as Tom Parfitt. However, there are other familiar faces in this production too. The talented ensemble includes Jodie Comer, who later gained fame with “Killing Eve,” and Mark Addy, known for his role as King Robert Baratheon on “Game of Thrones.” Other notable actors in the cast include Julia Sawalha from “Pride and Prejudice,” Eileen Davies from “Silent Witness,” and Tony Pitts from “All Creatures Great and Small.

8
‘The Enfield Haunting’ (2015)

Where to Watch: Tubi

The three-part television series airing on Sky Living is inspired by the “Enfield Poltergeist” incidents detailed in the 1980 book “This House Is Haunted,” written by parapsychologist Guy Lyon Playfair. This miniseries delves into the alleged supernatural occurrences that transpired at the Hodgson house on Green Street, Enfield, London from 1977 to 1979. If it seems familiar, it’s because this same event served as the basis for “The Conjuring 2” in 2016.

In the mini-series, Rosie Cavaliero takes on the role of single parent Peggy Hodgson, while Eleanor Worthington Cox and Fern Deacon play her children, Janet and Margaret, respectively. Timothy Spall and Juliet Stevenson star as paranormal investigators Maurice Grosse and his wife Betty. Additionally, Guy Lyon Playfair is represented by Matthew Macfadyen from “Succession”.

7
‘Crazyhead’ (2016)

Where to Watch: Netflix

The six-part series titled “Crazyhead” is a comedic horror production that revolves around themes of friendship and demon hunting. In this show, Cara Theobold from “Absentia” portrays Amy, an ordinary bowling alley worker with a unique ability to see demons. Amy forms an alliance with Raquel, a seer and half-demon turned demon hunter, played by Susan Wokoma who is also known for her role in “Enola Holmes”. The ensemble cast includes Lewis Reeves from “I May Destroy You”, Tony Curran from “Outlaw King”, Arinzé Kene from “Harvest”, and Riann Steele from “Ant-Man and the Wasp”.

The program “Crazyhead” was penned and developed by Howard Overman, who is famously recognized as the brain behind the 2009 teen superhero comedy drama “Misfits” and the 2010 sci-fi comedy mystery series “Dirk Gently“. Notably, it has garnered three Royal Television Society Awards, with Susan Wokoma being honored for her outstanding on-screen performance.

6
‘Rillington Place’ (2016)

Where to Watch: Apple TV+

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement about this gripping three-act film that unfolds the chilling tale of a true-life serial killer. In the 1940s and 1950s, a man named John Reginald Christie resided at 10 Rillington Place in Notting Hill, London. Little did the world know, he had taken the lives of at least eight innocent souls while living there undetected for years. Even when the authorities arrived to probe a murder nearby, they were none the wiser about Christie’s heinous crimes.

In this captivating limited series, I found myself immersed in a gripping tale that was initially brought to life by the BBC. Tim Roth, a familiar face from ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’, takes center stage as Christie, a character whose life unfolds with suspense and intrigue. Samantha Morton, known for her role in ‘The Serpent Queen’, masterfully portrays Ethel Christie, the enigmatic wife of our protagonist.

Nico Mirallegro, recognized from ‘Peterloo’, brings a compelling performance as Timothy Evans, one of Christie’s unfortunate neighbors. And Jodie Comer, who has captivated audiences in ‘Killing Eve’, delivers an equally mesmerizing portrayal of Beryl Evans, another neighbor entangled in the unfolding mystery. This gripping series promises a rollercoaster ride of emotions and suspense, making it a must-watch for any discerning viewer.

5
‘The Living and the Dead’ (2016)

Where to Watch: Amazon, Tubi

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement for the six-part supernatural historical horror series, “The Living and the Dead,” airing on BBC One. This chilling production is the brainchild of Ashley Pharoah, the creator of the 1997 series, “Where the Heart Is.” The story takes place in 1894, where a farm has become the stage for unsettling supernatural events. In this Victorian-era tale, we follow the lives of Nathan Applebey (portrayed by Colin Morgan from “Merlin”) and his wife Charlotte (Charlotte Spencer from “Misbehaviour”), who are both a psychologist and a pioneering photographer respectively. The eerie occurrences on the farm challenge their understanding of the world and test the strength of their bond.

Malcolm Storry, Kerrie Hayes, and Nicholas Woodeson star as Reverend Matthew Denning in the miniseries, which received nominations for two British Society of Cinematographers awards and two Royal Television Society awards. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 83% critical rating and a 91% audience rating.

4
‘Requiem’ (2018)

Where to Watch: Netflix

In this spooky mystery series, Lydia Wilson, known for her role in ‘Ripper Street’, takes the lead as a renowned cellist who finds herself entangled in puzzling matters surrounding her mother’s demise. Created by Kris Mrksa, who has previously worked on ‘Protection’, this six-episode production was initially broadcast on BBC One. The ensemble includes Joel Fry from ‘Our Flag Means Death’, James Frecheville from ‘Masters of the Air’, Brendan Coyle from ‘Downton Abbey’, and Sian Reese-Williams from ‘Wolf’.

The series titled Requiem possesses a dreamy, unique charm that sets it apart among other limited series in this collection. This show unfolds gradually, leaving many intriguing questions unanswered, which keeps viewers hooked and guessing. It was honored with the BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design in Wales and the Ivor Novello Award for Best Television Soundtrack. On Rotten Tomatoes, it earned a 73% rating from critics.

3
‘Dracula’ (2020)

Where to watch: Netflix

According to Bram Stoker’s timeless 1897 novel, “Dracula” is a three-part limited series that has been brought to life by the creators of “Sherlock,” Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. In this adaptation, Claes Bang, who gained recognition through his roles in “The Square” in 2017 and “The Northman” in 2022, portrays Count Dracula. John Heffernan, known for his work on “Becoming Elizabeth,” plays Jonathan Harker, Morfydd Clark, from “Murder is Easy,” steps into the role of Mina Murray, and Dolly Wells, famed from “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” assumes the character of Sister Agatha Van Helsing.

Dracula has a 71% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. It received the award for Best Production Design for an Independent TV Drama at the 2020 British Film Designers Guild Awards. Additionally, it was nominated in several categories including Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, BAFTA Awards (Wales), British Society of Cinematographers, and the Broadcast Press Guild Awards.

2
‘Behind Her Eyes’ (2021)

Where to Watch: Netflix

As a passionate film enthusiast who appreciates stories that blend elements of horror and thriller, I can’t help but recommend the gripping Netflix series “Behind Her Eyes.” This captivating drama is an adaptation from Sarah Pinborough’s 2017 novel, skillfully crafted for television by Steve Lightfoot (known for his work on “Hannibal”). The narrative follows a single mother named Louise, played by Simona Brown (“Guilt”), as she unexpectedly forms a bond with her boss and lover’s enigmatic wife, Adele, portrayed by Eve Hewson (“The Perfect Couple”). If you’re searching for a suspenseful, mind-bending tale to keep you on the edge of your seat, “Behind Her Eyes” is definitely worth checking out.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that the rest of the talented cast features Tom Bateman from ‘Based on a True Story’, Robert Aramayo known for his role in ‘Game of Thrones’, and Tyler Howitt who shined in ‘Catherine Called Birdy’. The intriguing thriller ‘Behind Her Eyes’ had me on the edge of my seat, but opinions were divided. Despite mixed reviews, it managed to win the ReFrame Stamp for IMDbPro’s Top 200 Most Popular TV Titles 2020-2021. Additionally, the captivating performance of Simona Brown earned her a nomination for Most Frightened Performance at the MTV Movie + TV Awards, while Hewson received a nod for Best Actress in a Lead Role at the Irish Film and Television Awards.

1
‘Red Rose’ (2023)

Where to Watch: Netflix

The “Red Rose” miniseries (differing from Stephen King’s “Rose Red”) revolves around a band of teenagers who encounter perilous situations following the enigmatic smartphone application named “Red Rose.” This captivating series was developed by twin creators, Michael Patrick and Paul Clarkson, who have previously penned episodes for shows like “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “The Wheel of Time,” marking their debut as joint television series creators with this production.

In this mini-series, you’ll find Isis Hainsworth (known for “Metal Lords”), Amelia Clarkson (“The Last Kingdom”), Natalie Blair (“Coronation Street”), Ali Khan (“A Haunting in Venice”), Ellis Howard (“What It Feels Like for A Girl”), Harry Redding (“Lockerbie: A Search for Truth”), Ashna Rabheru (“Joy”), Natalie Gavin (“Bodies”), and Adam Nagaitis (from “The Terror”). The opinions about the show are somewhat divided. Although critics have given it a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have only rated it at 52%.

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2025-07-07 00:36