International Dramas - what's good in your country?

Since we have such an international scope here at d-addicts, I was curious about shows or dramas from other countries that you think are just as good as Asian dramas.

I think many of us a d-addicts who rely on subtitles are pretty open-minded and interested in other cultures - and I know that wherever I've lived I found something unique - living in Japan got me addicted to Jdramas, after all. And I downloaded some Chinese and Korean dramas here just for the heck of it, and liked them. So, share your experience. I'll start by listing a few from the countries I've lived in:

1. Canada - Degrassi High
OK, It may be a bit old now, but I remember the issues being really topical to teenagers, and there were some great little romances - I think this show has been syndicated around the world

2. The Netherlands
a) Sahib and Julia - modern day retelling of the Romeo and Juliette story with a young Moroccan and a Dutch girl, a miniseries produced by the infamous Theo van Gogh who was actually assassinated due to his stance on Muslims, this show is both touching and a harsh social commentary on modern multi-ethnic life in the Netherlands, but a bit controversial!
b) Lotte - This just started, I mentioned it in another thread- based on the sensationally-popular Betty soap from Columbia, its an ugly duckling who makes it in the fashion world - will she nab her handsome boss?

3. England
They have a lot of great miniseries in the UK in my opinion, BBC Pride and Prejudice is amazing. Currently watching Life on Mars - it's a bit odd - A cop is somehow transported back to the 70's and his methods clash with 70's police - or is he in a coma? And some strange twists. This series is cool

OK, That about covers my experience. So, all you Americans, is there anything better than Lost? (we only get big successes or big flops here) Anything good to watch on German TV? Enlighten us

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:32 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I'm one who hasn't been very much into my own country's TV for a while. I feel American TV is way too full of ridiculous reality shows. I like less than a handful of reality shows, but only the ones where they tape real events (Airline, Flip This House, etc.). So, I find myself barely watching certain shows regularly/weekly. I still do watch TV, but I find myself flipping constantly until I find something to watch, rather than saying "OMG, it's Wednesday! _____ is on tonight!". I avoid WB and UPN channels completely. I think even most of the sitcoms suck. I haven't tried any lately, but I gave up paying attention a while back when I wasn't impressed. WIll and Grace is ending (or did it end now?), Friends is done, etc. Many of the new ones don't draw me in.

I haven't watched Lost, but my friends are hopelessly addicted Laugh

I'm told Weeds is a good one. 24 is supposed to be good, but I never checked it out. I caught a few eps of House, which were pretty awesome.

I was one to watch The Sopranos religiously every Sunday night on HBO. But, I thought last season kinda blew. The past couple seasons had incredibly long delays with bringing a new season. The new and final season starts this Sunday. I thought I would boycott it, but the previews have me kinda excited to see what happens Mr. Green

Although it's hard to remember what happened last time because it was like, 2 years ago. I haven't been watching the season 5 reruns.

Right now I find myself watching only ONE drama on a weekly "OMG-I-HAVE-TO-SEE-THIS" basis. The L-Word on Showtime. I caught a marathon on a couple months ago and totally got into season 1, then I watched season 2 on demand. Now season 3 is airing. Right now the mood is dreary but it tends to be drama mixed with some random comedy. Only 2 eps left for this season ;___; I'm gonna suffer for 6+ months waiting for new material, only to have to wait a week in between eps after that. I was turned onto this one by my friend who got me addicted to Queer As Folk (the American version), which was incredible! Neither show are for the faint of heart nor closed-minded sweating

I'm running mostly blanks right now. I might have to see some more posts to get into past shows....

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:18 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I really haven't seen any dramas from countries other than the U.S. and Japan....

There are a few I enjoy from the U.S. though (but some aren't on anymore). They are

The 4400
Threshold (I haven't watched it in awhile though, so I need to catch up on it.)
Jack & Bobby (That was a really good show, but unfortunately it was cancelled after the first season. I guess everyone else was watching reality tv instead. Glare

)
Law & Order SVU (I actually just started watching reruns on USA, and I've been getting into it.)
Supernatural (I've been watching it from the beginning. For awhile, I dunno why I watched it every week. It was really predictable and repetitive. But now the plot is starting to go somewhere. But I fell asleep and missed it tonight though. -_-)

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:25 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

You know, I could have sworn we had a thread like this awhile back... scratch

Ehh...whatever...
I don't watch TV.... mostly b/c I have no TV.... Fear

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:29 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

urm i'm in the states now. i like house. it is super awesome but other than that i don't really watched anything on tv anymore

back in malaysia, i hate those crappy tv series, bad acting .same plot.unrealistic of scene ppl getting shot and fight. seriously i'm telling spanish soap operas are so much better.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:19 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Two major networks in my country, Philippines, are showing dramas and you have to fight with a family member if a show you like is on the same time slot as the show that the other wants to see or mainly because of channel loyalty. The two airs Korean, local Filipino soap and Mexican. There are other channels that air canned shows.

Although most Filipino soaps are the same (love triangles, poor guy-rich girl and vice versa, rags to riches, exploding cars, kidnappings, family dynasties) we still watch them Smile

At first they look corny, then overtime you become interested in what happens to them. Haven't been watching much these days though especially since I started taking night classes after work.

Local - referring to one station because am not familiar with the other one
Gulong ng Palad - a remake of a 1970s(?) soap
Sa Piling Mo
Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity edition.

Canned
Without A Trace
Smallville
Supernatural
Gilmore Girls
Joey
Lost
Reality shows
Living with Fran
Will and Grace
American Idol
Invasion
etc.

Korean
My Name is Kim Sam Soon
Jewel in the Palace
Princess Lulu
Spring Day

[b]Taiwanese[b]
LeRobe something...

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:29 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:42 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

i'm hopelessly in LOVE with veronica mars.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:47 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

In canada its pretty much like the states....i love to watch the O.C....i'm surprised no one has mentioned that one cuz its really big in north america. Then theres grey's anatomy which i hear is also really good (kinda like House). I use to really love watching Veronica Mars but they stopped showing it in canada which mad me so mad! Cussing

Thats pretty much the best of it.....

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:24 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

i like Neighbours but it has different versions for different countries so yea.. er. the australien one.

the OC is so big right now and Desperate Housewives too!

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:48 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

hahahahahahahahahaha Laugh

tv sucks in the states. (in my opinion, no offense) if i do watch tv i usually watch cartoons.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:10 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:12 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Hi there!I live in France and since my 6-months old addiction to dramas, I've ceased to watch tv.
Any way, there were good things to watch on french tv, we are really good on historical dramas, I think it can be compared to BBC's dramas(by the way pride and prejudice is my favorite ever, just like u pockiiee!). French tv is full of foreign series:
Lost,4400, tru calling, friends.... My faves are desperate housewives, the shield, just shoot me, and degrassi high!!i think if u ask the average french people, they will say their favorite dramas are from the states.

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:04 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:20 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Has anyone ever watched DEAD LIKE ME? it was really good