Cop shows, crime thrillers, detective stories, murder mysteries — these are some of the most popular genres on television, and many of the greats are British. From light and charming investigative tales to dark and twisted pursuits, these shows bring their own unique spice to the table, proving that there is no limit to creative possibility — even in an oversaturated market. If it’s well-made and interesting, there will be an audience. Here are the best detective series you can stream on BritBox right now.
20
Agatha Christie’s Marple
(2004-2013)
Based on a beloved Agatha Christie character, the murder mystery series Miss Marple follows an iconic elderly woman who presents as a sweet old lady but has an uncanny ability to solve murders. Geraldine McEwan plays the lead role in the first three seasons before it was taken over by actress Julia McKenzie. There have been many television and film iterations of the character since the 1950s, but this particular version is a fan favorite and is often praised for staying true to the source material.
19
The Last Detective
(2003-2007)
Peter Davison stars as Detective Constable “Dangerous” Davies on The Last Detective. Based on the Leslie Thomas novel series of the same name, the show follows the titular character as an outcast of the police force after he reveals another officer’s crimes. However, he continues to prove his investigative skills by solving tricky cases while also trying to save his crumbling marriage, eventually earning the respect of others around him.
18
Ashes to Ashes
(2008-2010)
Ashes to Ashes, a spin-off of the popular series Life on Mars, is a fantasy police procedural that plays with the idea of time travel. When London Metropolitan Police Officer Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) gets shot in 2008 and inexplicably wakes up in 1981. Having researched a similar occurrence (the story told in Life on Mars), he is shocked to come into contact with some of the same people he’s read about. Alex must adapt to his environment as he clashes with other officers and tries to unravel the mystery his life has become.
17
The Fall
(2013-2016)
The Fall stars The X Files alum Gillian Anderson as Stella Gibson, a Detective Superintendent tasked with taking over an investigation into a serial killer in Northern Ireland. The murderer, Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan), continues to target professional women in the city of Belfast as Stella and her team of locals struggle to overcome obstacles thrown their way. By identifying the criminal at the start of the show, The Fall has a unique take on a typical narrative as the viewers get an inside look at just who the criminal is. Experts have touted the show’s authentic portrayal of a psychopathic killer, while critics praise both the writing and acting.
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16
Rosemary & Thyme
(2003-2007)
Release Date
2003 – 2005
Network
ITV1
-
Annette Bentley
Sally Walsh
-
Antonia Pemberton
Frances Caldecott
-
Belinda Lang
Quinnie Dorell
-
Felicity Kendal
Rosemary Boxer
The cozy mystery Rosemary & Thyme features Pam Ferris and Felicity Kendal as the titular characters — former police officer Laura Thyme and a doctor of plant pathology, Rosemary Boxer. The two women are brought together by a death and bond over their love of gardening. They become detective horticulturists who travel across Europe solving both plant-based mysteries and real crimes alike as people continue to drop dead wherever they are. Its quirky premise requires a suspension of belief but creates a charming and lighthearted watch.
15
Death in Paradise
(2011-Present)
In Death in Paradise, the lead character, Detective Inspector Richard Poole (Ben Miller), is sent to the fictional Caribbean island Saint Marie to investigate a murder and is unexpectedly forced to permanently take over the victim’s job as the island’s main detective. A clumsy Londoner dropped into a completely foreign environment creates a comedic “fish-out-of-water” aspect to the show as Richard adjusts to his new life. With a beautiful backdrop that takes center stage and an episodic format, Death in Paradise has been accused of being formulaic but still continues to rank among the top three shows on British television, has spawned two spin-offs, and is considered a detective series that pushed the genre forward.
14
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
(2018-Present)
Release Date
2004 – 2015-00-00
Network
BBC One
Directors
Julian Simpson, Philip John, Brian Grant, Robin Sheppard, Juliet May, Jamie Payne, Keith Boak, Martyn Friend, Metin Hüseyin, Paul Seed, Tim Whitby, Dermot Boyd, Kenneth Glenaan, Jon East
-
Alun Armstrong
Brian Lane
-
Amanda Redman
Det. Supt. Sandra Pullman
-
Chloe Howman
Eve Aspinall
-
Claire Bloom
Helen Brownlow
The mystery series Shakespeare & Hathaway stars Jo Joyner and Mark Benton as the titular characters Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway. After Luella hires former Detective Inspector Frank to investigate her fiance and discovers he’s a con man, the two go into a private investigation business together. With great chemistry between the leads and light humor, the show’s charming vibe makes it an easy watch.
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13
New Tricks
(2003-2015)
Release Date
2004 – 2015-00-00
Network
BBC One
Directors
Julian Simpson, Philip John, Brian Grant, Robin Sheppard, Juliet May, Jamie Payne, Keith Boak, Martyn Friend, Metin Hüseyin, Paul Seed, Tim Whitby, Dermot Boyd, Kenneth Glenaan, Jon East
-
Alun Armstrong
Brian Lane
-
Amanda Redman
Det. Supt. Sandra Pullman
-
Chloe Howman
Eve Aspinall
-
Claire Bloom
Helen Brownlow
New Tricks is a dramedy police procedural with a strong ensemble cast and one of the longest-running British TV series. Centering on a fictional unsolved crimes department in London’s Metropolitan Police Service. Retired police officers make up the team as they re-investigate unsolved cases. Utilizing an episodic format that shows off the character’s crime-solving skills as they overcome challenges presented by their age while also leaning on their wisdom and years of experience.
12
The Responder
(2022-Present)
Release Date
January 24, 2022
-
Adelayo Adedayo
Rachel Hargreaves
-
Warren Brown
Ramond Mullen
Set in Liverpool and created and written by former Merseyside Police officer Tony Schumacher, The Responder follows a recently demoted inspector with anger issues. Chris Carson, portrayed by celebrated British actor Martin Freeman, moves to a night shift while struggling to deal with his personal demons — complicated family relationships and childhood trauma — that are only intensified by his job. A dark drama with an engaging lead, The Responder has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a sure sign of its quality.
11
Vera
(2011-2025)
Release Date
2011 – 2025-00-00
Directors
Peter Hoar, Paul Whittington
Writers
Ann Cleeves
-
Jon Morrison
DC Kenny Lockhart
-
Riley Jones
DC Mark Edwards
-
Kenny Doughty
DS Aiden Healy
Based on the novel series by Ann Cleeves, Vera is a crime drama featuring Brenda Blethyn as the titular Vera Stanhope. An obsessive Detective Chief Inspector on the verge of retirement, Vera has a touchy disposition and an unkempt appearance but a sharp investigative eye. Vera tracked down Northumberland criminals along with her various colleagues for 14 seasons, making the show a must-watch staple in British TV for many years.
10
Blue Lights
(2023-present)
Blue Lights is a police procedural set in Belfast, Ireland, and follows a group of rookie cops as they navigate the trials of their jobs while being trained by their more experienced colleagues. Creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, both Belfast natives, are passionate about portraying an authentic view of their hometown and the very real tensions between police and citizens. Produced on a shoestring budget, Blue Lights is applauded for its intelligent script, well-rounded characters, and the way it shines a light on hard truths.
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9
Luther
(2010-2019)
Popular psychological thriller Luther stars Idris Elba as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. He is fully dedicated to his job, often letting the darkness of his cases consume him, making his personal relationships more difficult. Throughout the series, Luther becomes enveloped in a cat-and-mouse game with murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), who takes an unlikely interest in him. With a brilliant actor at the helm and a dark, captivating story, Luther was an instant success. Nominated for a plethora of awards, winning several, the show remains one of the best British shows of the 2010s and has expanded into a film franchise.
8
Ludwig
(2024-present)
3.5
/5
Release Date
September 25, 2024
Cast
In a unique twist on a typical cop drama, Ludwig features reclusive puzzle maker John Taylor (David Mitchell), who searches for his twin brother, Detective Chief Inspector James Taylor), after James goes missing. Impersonating his brother in an attempt to investigate James’s disappearance, John finds himself forced to help solve cases for the Cambridge police force. Relished for its humor, which is brought to the forefront by its eclectic lead, Ludwig is highly rated and has won several awards. Plus, it takes its appreciation of cryptic puzzles seriously, with an official puzzle consultant on the production team. As one of the most-watched British shows, audiences are eagerly awaiting Ludwig Season 2.
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7
River
(2015)
Release Date
October 13, 2015
Network
BBC One
Directors
Jessica Hobbs, Richard Laxton
-
Nicola Walker
Jackie ‘Stevie’ Stevenson
-
Steve Nicolson
Jimmy Stevenson
-
Georgina Rich
Rosa Fallows
The six-part miniseries River follows Detective Inspector John River (Stellan Skarsgård) as he deals with the sudden loss of his partner, Detective Jackie “Stevie” Stevenson (Nicola Walker), and the guilt he feels about her death. The late Stevie remains a part of the show as John, one of the most haunted TV detectives, sees visions of her and lives with her voice in his head. Critics praise the show’s ability to tell a deeply personal story about grief and mental health within the context of a police procedural, differentiating it from others in the genre.
6
Scott & Bailey
(2011-2016)
Release Date
2011 – 2015
Network
ITV1, STV
Directors
Simon Delaney
-
Amelia Bullmore
DCI Gill Murray
-
Lesley Sharp
DC Janet Scott
-
Rupert Graves
Nick Savage
-
Suranne Jones
DC/Sgt. Rachel Bailey
A female-driven police procedural, Scott & Bailey follows partners in the Major Incident Team of the fictional Manchester Metropolitan Police — Detectives Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp) and Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones). One of the best female-led British detective shows, Scott & Bailey was created, developed, and written by women and explores the professional and personal lives of the lead roles in the same way that older male-driven shows like Cagney & Lacey did — but with a grittier vibe. Real-life detective Diane Taylor lent her expertise to the show, allowing for an even greater level of authenticity.
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5
Sherlock
(2010-2017)
Release Date
2010 – 2017-00-00
Network
BBC
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes detective series has been reimagined in a multitude of different formats, but the BBC series Sherlock has undoubtedly been one of the most successful. Set in the present day and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson, the show pulls audiences into a world of intrigue, adventure, and puzzle-solving as the two investigate complicated mysteries across London. With four three-part seasons spread across seven years, Sherlock has been highly praised for its expert-level writing, directing, and acting and truly raised the bar for what detective shows could pull off. Plus, Cumberbatch hasn’t written off the possibility of returning for a Sherlock Season 5.
4
Prime Suspect
(1991-2006)
Iconic actress Helen Mirren stars in the lead role on Prime Suspect as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison. With a tough-as-nails attitude and an ambitious spirit, she continuously proves her capabilities in a male-dominated field, many of whom want to see her fail. Recurring themes in the series include sexism, racism, work/life balance, and addictions, with each season covering a single case. Winning three Primetime Emmys, several BAFTAs, and a Peabody, Prime Suspect left a legacy and inspired other shows — like the American series The Closer with J.K. Simmons and Kyra Sedgewick, which is available to stream on Peacock.
3
Line of Duty
(2012-2021)
Release Date
2012 – 2020
Directors
David Caffrey, Douglas Mackinnon, Daniel Nettheim, Michael Keillor, John Strickland, Jed Mercurio, Sue Tully, Gareth Bryn, Jennie Darnell
Writers
Jed Mercurio
A former counter-terrorism officer, Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) is the focus of Line of Duty. He is sent to work in an Anti-Corruption unit when he refuses to cover up crimes committed by his team. Working alongside another investigator, Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), he tackles corruption cases within the fictional Central Police while trying to solve an overarching mystery within the force. Line of Duty became BBC Two’s highest-rated show since 2002 and has garnered both critical acclaim and a cult fan following.
2
Life on Mars
(2006-2007)
A sci-fi police procedural, Life on Mars follows Greater Manchester Police Officer Sam Tyler (John Simm). After an accident, Sam finds himself sent back in time. In 1973, he still works for the GMP but in a lower-ranking position. He must prove his abilities while adjusting to the time period (including butting heads with corrupt coworkers) and trying to figure out just what happened to him. A massive ratings hit for the BBC, the show won two International Emmys for Best Drama Series and spawned multiple international spin-offs. A lesser-known American remake of Life on Mars debuted on ABC in 2008 but only ran for one season.
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1
Killing Eve
(2018-2022)
Sandra Oh, in arguably her best performance, stars in Killing Eve as British MI6 Officer Eve Polastri alongside Jodie Comer as a fascinatingly complex assassin dubbed Villanelle. In a supremely well-crafted story about vengeance, desire, and morality, Eve and Villanelle are inexplicably drawn to each other in a mutual pursuit — one looking for justice, the other for affection. The lines between right and wrong begin to blur as the two women’s feelings toward each other become muddled.
With complex character dynamics and a distinctly female point of view, this boldly written and visually stunning series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge is truly one of a kind in the world of detective stories. Upon its premiere season, critics put Killing Eve on more “Best of” and “Top Ten” lists than any other show, and it was nominated for over 150 awards throughout its run, winning 50 and cementing itself in the feminist media zeitgeist.
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