The Six Best TV Series About Moving Abroad in 2024

The prospect of moving abroad has become an increasingly common theme in both reality and fiction. As global connectivity and travel grows, television series have emerged as powerful narratives that capture the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of relocating abroad.

In this blog, we discuss some of the best TV series in recent years that document the highs and lows of moving overseas. With comedies, dramas, and historical fiction, we’ve got you covered if you want to immerse yourself in expatriate life before you take the plunge yourself, or if you’re already an expat and want to see other expat’s point of view.

Ten Pound Poms is a British historical drama about the British citizens who migrated to Australia after the Second World War. It’s based on the real-life Ten Pound Poms, who named as such due to the £10 fee of migrating to Australia, and the colloquial name Australians have for the English.

The series follows a group of Britons which includes characters played by Michelle Keegan, perhaps best known for her roles in Coronation Street and Our Girl, and Warren Brown, a mainstay of British dramas.

The group go to Australia in search of better prospects, better homes, and an all-round better quality of life, but find that things don’t quite live up to their expectations once they arrive. The story follows them as they deal with the challenges and triumphs of adapting to their new life.

The entire first series can be watched in the UK on BBC iPlayer and fans will be pleased to hear that a second series has already been green-lit. The series scored a commendable 75% average critic score on review site Rotten Tomatoes, with an average audience score of 50%. Critics have praised the show for being “hilariously watchable” and providing easy viewing.

Expats is an American drama miniseries based on the 2016 novel ‘The Expatriates’ written by Janice Y. K. Lee. The plot of the story, set in Hong Kong, takes place against the backdrop of the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests which saw a 79-day occupation of the city with a view to demand more transparent elections.

The show follows a close-knit expat community in Hong Kong who face tragedy when one of their children disappears. The story centres on three American women who are all dealing with complications and life-altering events, including in their personal and professional lives. Expats stars acclaimed film actor Nicole Kidman as one of the leading roles, plus stage, TV, and film actor Sarayu Blue and upcoming actor Ji-young Yoo.

The full series of 6 episodes can be watched on Amazon Prime with a subscription or 30-day free trial. Expats has an average critic score on Rotten Tomatoes of 84% and an average audience score of 50%. Critics have praised the performances of the cast, as well as the sensitivity with which it deals with the darker, more uncomfortable moments.

Emily in Paris is an American romantic comedy-drama series about a young American woman who moves to Paris to work in a marketing firm. It’s a show that took social media by storm, thanks to the chic fashion and hilarious mishaps that can arise from culture clashes.

Emily in Paris stars Lily Collins as the eponymous Emily, who viewers may recognise from films such as Love, Rosie and Mirror, Mirror. The show has been running since 2020 and is currently filming its fourth season which doesn’t yet have a release date. In the meantime, viewers can catch up on Netflix.  

Emily in Paris has an average critic score on Rotten Tomatoes of 63% and an average audience rating of 48%. Critics praised the first season for providing an easygoing escape from reality, although at times superficial and clichéd.  

The Durrells, also known as The Durrells in Corfu, is a British comedy drama loosely based on the three autobiographical books from Gerald Durrell that document his family’s four years in Corfu, between 1935 and 1939.

The show follows the family as they move to Corfu and adapt to life on the island, dealing with financial problems and a new way of life. Keeley Hawes, of the Bodyguard and Line of Duty fame, plays Louisa Durrell, the family matriarch raising the family. Josh O’Connor, best known for his roles in The Crown and the film Challengers, plays Lawrence Durrell, the oldest son.

All three series can be viewed on ITVX or the first series can be viewed with a Netflix subscription. The series has been well received, with an average critic rating of 94% and audience score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the sweet and loving undertone that depicts the realities of family life, with quirky characters and sharp quips.

The English is a British revisionist Western miniseries produced by the BBC and Amazon Prime. It centres around an English woman who travels to the American West in 1890, looking to see revenge on the man she blames for the death of her son.

The series stars acclaimed actor Emily Blunt in the leading role alongside Chaske Spencer as the co-lead, perhaps best known for his role in the Twilight films. Other celebrated actors in recurring roles include Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones and Ciaran Hinds.

The full series can be viewed in the UK on BBC iPlayer or on Amazon Prime. The show was well received by critics and audiences alike, scoring an average of 84% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an average of 84% from audience members. It has been praised as a “masterclass in the Western genre” with stunning filmography and notable performances from the leads.

Virgin River is an American romantic drama series based on the novels of the same name written by Robyn Carr. The story follows a nurse who moves from LA to a remote northern Californian town – so whilst not quite moving abroad like some of the other shows on this list, still very much dealing with a change of lifestyle and culture shock.

Mel, the main character, moves looking to start afresh but soon finds that small-town life might not be what she had hoped. She’s played by Alexandra Breckenridge, known for her impactful roles in popular TV shows such as This Is Us, American Horror Story, and The Walking Dead

There are currently five series, with a sixth series now greenlit. Viewers can catch up on Netflix. The show has an average critic score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average audience score of 65%. Critics said the show delivered an engaging yet simple watch, offering comfortable escapism.

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