Dominic West
New research out today confirms what we have always suspected: Brits are a nation of TV addicts as rentals of box sets have increased by a fifth in the past five years - with American drama series The Wire being named the best loved TV series of all time.
Research by LOVEFiLM reveals the nation's top ten best loved TV series as rated for by over one million film and TV fans across the UK.
Although some Americans struggle with the British sense of humour it seems we cannot get enough of US sitcom Modern Family.
Shot in a mockumentary-style the comedy follows characters in the extended Pritchard family who regularly talk directly at the camera about their situations and dilemmas, making it a hit on both sides of the pond and second in the list.
Murder mystery fans cannot tear themselves away from the The Killing (third) as they are taken on a journey alongside police investigating the murder of teenager Rosie Larsen, with each episode covering just 24 hours of the enquiry.
Fourth in the list of best loved series is Dexter; by day he helps the Miami Metropolitan Police bring criminals to justice, but as soon as darkness hits he morphs into a serial killer with a structured killing code that outsmarts his own colleagues.
Who'd have thought a series around the lives of four socially-awkward science geniuses would have been such a huge hit with comedy fans? The Big Bang Theory (fifth) has tons of witty one-liners and viewers cannot help
but begin to warm to the comic-loving geeks as they are introduced to the real world by blonde waitress Penny.
Misfit's grimy mix of comedy, drama and supernatural fiction has made it an instant hit with teenagers and twenty-somethings - making it the first British TV series to make the list and sixth overall.
After being on the small screen for just two years it seems Life has a big impact on viewers (seventh) as they watch Charlie Crews start afresh after being wrongly imprisoned for 12 years - but it seems forgiving and forgetting is not that easy.
Teenagers who are currently experiencing the painful school years and those that oddly enjoy reliving them cannot get enough of The Inbetweeners - or is it just the allure of Will's fit mum? Soon to be made into a highly anticipated feature length film set in Malia, the four lads take eighth place.
It seems we Brits are partial to an American crime series as the final two spots are filled by investigation thrillers N.C.I.S (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) and Criminal Minds.
Top ten best loved TV series:
1. The Wire
2. Modern Family
3. The Killing
4. Dexter
5. The Big Bang Theory
6. Misfits
7. Life
8. The Inbetweeners
9. N.C.I.S
10. Criminal Minds
Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented: "We have always been known as a nation of TV addicts but our latest stats show an increasing trend for TV series that keep us hooked.
"Whether you're discovering The Wire for the first time or enjoy cringing at the antics of awkward British teenagers, this list has something for everyone."
Tagged in The Wire Modern Family