Besides being some of BBC's biggest hits, "Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock" have found new fans with China's foreign TV viewing audience.

According to the Wall Street Journal, these dramas about Sherlock Holmes and the Downton Abbey aristocratic elites have recently gained popularity whereas British series were virtually unknown a few years earlier.

Entertainment research company Entgroup, through its collation of Chinese social media sites, have found that China's wealthy and educated population are particularly drawn to "Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock."

Nevertheless, other markets like Korean dramas and American network shows still remain the most popular with China overall.

In addition, the BBC series also stand at the top of a reported cultural hierarchy within China, where the "Downton" viewers look down upon American show watchers, who in turn look down upon Korean drama fanatics.

Standing at the bottom of the barrel, ironically, is China's own televised creations.

"Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock" will also be battling it out at the 2013 National Television Awards, along with BBC's other cult favorite "Doctor Who."

According to Cosmopolitan, all three series have been nominated for "Best Drama," along with "Merlin."

"Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock" are also nominees at the 2013 TV Choice Awards.

According to Digital Spy, both Matt Smith and Doctor alum David Tennant are nominated in the 'Best Actor' category along with "Mr. Selfridge" actor Jeremy Piven and Brendan Coyle for "Downton Abbey."