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British GQ has unveiled its list of the 25 biggest TV moments of the 21st century, a nostalgic yet fascinating journey through the shows and storylines that shaped modern television.
The magazine spoke with some of the industry’s most iconic names, including Davina McCall, Simon Cowell, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, to explore how reality TV, high drama, streaming platforms, and cultural shifts have influenced what we watch and how we watch it.
Big Brother: the start of reality chaos
It all began in August 2000, when Big Brother launched on Channel 4. Presenter Davina McCall recalled the infamous “Nasty Nick” incident, when contestant Nick Bateman manipulated his fellow housemates and was dramatically exposed on live TV.
“Nobody had ever worked with real members of the public before. It really was a social experiment,” Davina told GQ. “If we give them alcohol, what happens? If we leave them with no connection to the outside world, what’s going to happen? We just had no idea. The press got so out of control, we started worrying about Nick’s safety.”
Nick was eventually kicked out and whisked away in secret, with Davina herself donning a disguise to interview him. “It was mad,” she added.
That scandal is now seen as the birth of the reality TV villain, a trope that has since defined shows from Love Island to The Apprentice.
The X Factor and the rise of talent shows
In 2004, The X Factor burst onto screens, completely changing the music industry. Simon Cowell’s format launched global stars like One Direction, Leona Lewis, and Little Mix, while also cementing talent shows as primetime viewing.
Cowell told GQ that the show “gave ordinary people the chance to become superstars overnight”, a formula that has been replicated worldwide.
The global dramas that shaped us
GQ’s list also pays homage to a string of international hits that reshaped TV storytelling. From the mind-bending mysteries of Lost (2004) to the unforgettable finale of The Sopranos (2007), the early 2000s redefined how audiences consumed drama.
Mad Men (2007), Girls (2012), and Atlanta (2018) are also included for their cultural impact, while Netflix’s House of Cards (2013) is credited with starting the streaming revolution.
Defining moments of the last decade
More recent entries highlight shows that sparked cultural conversations:
Love Island - Credit: ITV
Normal people – Credit: BBC
Adolescence – Credit: Netflix
A changing TV landscape
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag (2016) was praised for reframing female desire and breaking the fourth wall, while Top Boy (2019) was celebrated for showcasing Black British culture on a global stage.
As GQ’s list makes clear, TV is more than just entertainment, it’s a mirror of society. From the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones (2013) to the cultural memes of Bluey (2019), these moments reveal how deeply television continues to shape our conversations, our culture, and our lives.
British GQ’s Top 25 TV Moments of the Century So Far
