This year, my life has been consumed by everything British. It seems like everything good about the year has come out of the UK. Here are the top 5 greatest things to come out (or continue to come out) of the UK this year.
5. Tom Hiddleston
It feels like for the past few years, if you were to ask a Marvel or movie fan what’s so great about Thor or The Avengers Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Loki will top the list. This year, Hiddleston was only in one film, Thor: The Dark World, but his performance was what so many people were anticipating. With that and his appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this year, he should undeniably be on our list. Never one to let down his fans he donned his Loki outfit and asked his fans to kneel to him. Fans went wild and while there were a great many things to talk about at SDCC this year, Hiddleston’s appearance is STILL being talked about.
4. Neil Gaiman
It was the year of Gaiman and I’m not even making that statement. Gaiman’s book Ocean at the End of the Lane won Book of the Year and Best Audiobook of the year. If that wasn’t enough, he released a trailer for his highly anticipated first ever video game, wrote one of the best kids books ever Fortunately, the milk, penned another Doctor Who episode AND an e-book for the 50th anniversary of the Doctor. What was the cherry on the top of the year of Gaiman cake you ask? Well it was the essay he wrote in defense of libraries and fiction. You have to love a man who knows how to use this fame for good!
3. Monty Python
Tired of me reporting on them yet? No? Good! Because I’m going to do it again! I was advised by many friends that if I put this as the number 1 best thing to happen this year, that I would be shunned but it still had to make the list. Monty Python is arguable the most well-known and best sketch comedy group of all time and the fact that they will be performing live next July for the first time 30 years is amazing. Not only will there be the stage show, but 4 of the 5 surviving members will be voicing characters in Terry Jones’ upcoming film Absolutely Anything. All hail the kings of comedy!
Disclaimer: Before I reveal my top 2 greatest things about British pop culture this year, I have to say it was a tie in my mind for about 2 weeks, so please please please don’t shoot me.
2. Sherlock
I know what you’re thinking, Sherlock hasn’t been on since 2011 so why the heck is it on this list?’ Well, this year we got the news and 2 (TWO!!) previews for the upcoming season. It’s been what everyone was waiting for! Sherlock is alive and back in Britain! Not to mention Sherlock’s stars have been everywhere this year. With Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit series and Benedict Cumberbatch in just about everything else (Star Trek into Darkness, 12 Years A Slave, The Fifth Estate and of course, sharing the screen with Freeman in Desolation of Smaug), we’ve been begging to see them back on the small screen, and Sherlockians, we got it!
1. Doctor Who
Of course… Number one would be the Doctor. It wasn’t just the Day of the Doctor or the Time of the Doctor, it was the YEAR of the Doctor. We got e-books, documentaries, specials, new merchandise, interviews, old doctors and new doctors. Oh my goodness, it truly was every Whovians dream. Day of the Doctor broke a world record for biggest dramatic simulcast ever! We said goodbye to Matt Smith, said hello to Peter Capaldi and even got the surprise of reuniting with tenth doctor David Tennant. Ah… it was a good year!
Bonus: Harry Potter Play
Don’t for one minute think I would leave the Harry Potter fandom out of this. Guys, you had the biggest news of the year! 6 days ago, J.K. Rowling announced that she’s working with Sona Friedman and Colin Callender on a play that will be a prequel to the Harry Potter series! No word on a date for the play to open, or of the plot. Can’t wait for more details about this play in the coming year!
~Princess Marvel
