Best British Detective Shows-and how to stream them!

The British have the art of the addictive murder mystery down to a science. Tune into these top, easily streamable British detective series, and see them in action!

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Looking for a great
​British detective series?

If you're reading this post, then I'll assume you're like me. If I'm not in the middle of a cozy mystery audiobook, then I'm searching for my next one. If I'm not in the grip of my newest streaming British detective series, then I'm reading exactly these kinds of blog posts!

The good news is: as streaming services increase exponentially, it's becoming increasingly easy to get all of the best of English murder mysteries, even over here in the U.S. Anglophiles like me are even getting our own British streaming services, geared toward exactly the types of shows we're dying to watch.

So grab a cup of tea, your knitting, and your warmest blanket - it's time for a bit of *murder.*

And don't forget to check out my lists of Best Shows on Acorn TV, Best Shows on Britbox, and British Detective Shows with Female Leads!

The Classic: ​Midsomer Murders

The gold standard of English mystery shows, early episodes of Midsomer Murders certainly show their age these days, but that's a huge part of their charm. Hour-and-a-half-long episodes just make for more time to dig into a story, and the proliferation of towns in fictional Midsomer, in and around the 'biggest' city of Causton, certainly have their fair share of ... murder.

Fresh off its 21st season and well-established into its second Detective Inspector Barnaby (and his fifth detective sergeant, DS Winter), Midsomer Murders isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The fact they keep coming up with interesting plots is frankly impressive. Midsomer Murders Season 22 has been partially released, and the rest should be following shortly!

Wondering how to stream Midsomer Murders? In the US, Midsomer Murders is currently available on Amazon.  Already burned your way through all of Midsomer Murders? Check out my British Detective Shows like Midsomer Murders and learn all about Midsomer Murders Season 22.

Period Classics:
​Foyle's War & George Gently

If you like Midsomer Murders, I can guarantee you'll love both Foyle's War and George Gently, set in war-time coastal and 1960's Northern England, respectively.

With period costumes and historic sets, Michael Kitchen and Martin Shaw star as similarly sympathetic detectives investigating a range of era-specific crimes. Foyle's War was created by the original writer on Midsomer, Anthony Horowitz.

The Revamp: Sherlock

Perhaps the opposite of Midsomer in many ways, yet still built on the classic concept of the great detecting duo, the modern interpretation of Sherlock, staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, is a dark, yet fun, and highly-award winning installation of the English classic.

​Eventually ending in 2017, Sherlock's 4 seasons contain plenty of banter and enjoyable allusions to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories and novels. Sherlock is available via Amazon streaming (for an extra charge).

The Darker Side: Broadchurch

In the genre of the small town English murder, Broadchurch is certainly dark, but an absolute masterpiece. Discovering the grisly death of one of the town's young boys, Olivia Colman (of The Favourite, The Crown, and Peep Show fame) shines in this brooding tale of deceit and despicable behavior, as it tears apart an English holiday village. Her banter with her superior, former Doctor Who star David Tennant, lightens the mood. Broadchurch is available on Amazon (extra charge) and Netflix.

A Swedish Touch: Wallander

Yes, Wallander is about Sweden, set in Sweden, and based on a book by a Swedish author, so why does it belong on this list? Well, if you like Broadchurch and Shetland, you'll love Wallander. It was produced by the BBC and stars some of the greatest British actors of a generation, so it's on the list! Kenneth Branaugh stars as the titular character, balancing his personal and professional life, and solving complex (and occasionally disturbing) murders set in picturesque Swedish backgrounds.

​With veteran star David Warner as Wallander's ailing father, and Tom Hiddleston as his snarky subordinate - I promise you'll enjoy. Available on BritBox through Amazon and HBO Max.

A More Modern Take: Marcella

I debated whether to put Marcella on this list - as it's definitely more of a non-traditional show. Struggling with severe anger issues, Marcella is prone to blackouts at inconvenient times - leaving her unsure of her role in the murders she's meant to be solving. Interestingly, former Midsomer star Jason Hughes (D.S. Jones) has a supporting role. A Netflix original.

A Bit Grittier: Happy Valley

Another Netflix original, Happy Valley was a recent find for me, though it premiered in 2014. ​​Reminiscent of Broadchurch, Sarah Lancashire works to solve a deeply personal crime in gritty Northern England, opposite the incredibly sinister James Norton - you'll never look at Grantchester the same way again. 

Power Detective: The Fall

Continuing the theme of strong female detectives paired with guys who I can never look at the same way again thanks to their marvelous acting skills in terrifying roles, Gillian Anderson opposite Jamie Dornan is excellent in the Northern Irish drama.

​Dornan shines as Paul Spector in The Fall - guy next door turned crazy serial killer, who tries to hold his world together...while he continues committing his heinous crimes, with Anderson's D.S. Gibson in hot pursuit. The three seasons under its belt, wrapping up in 2016, it's a satisfying, if disturbing watch. It's available for streaming on Netflix, or for purchase on Amazon. 

All About Scotland: Shetland

Shetland is one of my 'favourite' detective shows of all time - the story of DI Perez, returning home to the Scottish island chain after the death of his wife. BAFTA-winning Douglas Henshall's DI Perez is supported by a strong team of a supporting cast. A fifth series is in the works. It was on Netflix until recently - now it's on Britbox.

The Inside Job: Line of Duty

I became instantly addicted to Line of Duty the minute I turned it on. It's not a "cozy" murder mystery by any stretch of the imagination, but instead a gritty story of the internal investigations branch investigating London's finest...at their lowest (and most interesting). Don't Google this show!! It ends with big twists that made the national news.

Caribbean Flair: Death in Paradise

Though it may not sound like, it if you love Midsomer Murders, I really would recommend Death in Paradise. Death in Paradise is the brain child of one of David's Mitchell's college friends, Robert Thorogood.

Death in Paradise is quirky and fun, showcasing the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, with an enjoyable mix of supporting characters. Interesting, the show has weathered the departure of not one, but two, leading D.I.s, in addition to most of the supporting cast, over the years, and lived to tell the tale. It's actually a joint U.K. and French production, leading to a lot of interplay between the two cultures. Death in Paradise is available through Britbox.

Books into T.V.: C.B. Strike

The television adaptation of J.K. Rowling's series staring Cormoran Strike, C.B. Strike​ is a quick watch - multi-part interpretations of the books. The story of a wounded veteran's attempt to set-up a detective agency in London, with the help of a surprisingly adept temp-turned-(maybe more!?), and solving phenomenal mysteries along the way, it has much of the charm of the Harry Potter series, without perhaps the literal magic.
​
C.B. Strike is a bit harder to access than some of the others on this list - it's available now through Amazon/HBO. If you know you love C.B. Strike, check out my compilation of Shows like C.B. Strike and Books like Cormoran Strike.

Best female detective: Vera

I burned through all existing seasons of the surprisingly charming Vera about as quickly as humanly possible. Going on its 11th season, Brenda Blethyn (who you may recognize as Mrs. Bennett from the 2005 Pride & Prejudice) stars as the enchantingly grouchy Vera, a quirky, stubborn, yet endearing, female detective of a certain age, trundling around Northern England in her crumbling Land Rover. Episodes are split between Acorn and BritBox, just to drive viewers crazy.

Comedic Relief: Shakespeare & Hathaway

If you want all of the mystery, without the dark plot lines, you'll probably enjoy Shakespeare & Hathaway, which follows the eponymous private detective duo as they investigate light, quirky situations. The mysteries are relatively simple and not-too-depressing, and the Stratford-upon-Avon scenery is to-die-for.

The coziest: Miss Marple

There's no cozier British detective novel than Agatha Christie, and of course, her Miss Marple collection has been turned into classic TV as well. The most recent, Marple, is available on BritBox. Expect cameos from all of your favorites British mystery character actors.

New in town: Dalgliesh

There's a new favourite detective in town! An Acorn original, Dalgleish is based on the book series by P.D. James. Adam Dalgleish is a grieving detective by day, poet by night, who solves mysteries throughout 1970's England with a mix of a stern demeanor and a compassionate understanding of the human condition. Expect cameos from all of the usual cozy murder mystery suspects, including Stephen Dillane and Amanda Root.

Even newer in town: The Chelsea Detective

Dedicated Midsomer Murders fans will recognize Adrian Scarborough as a three-time Midsomer resident. Now he takes the reins as DI Max Arnold in The Chelsea Detective, solving high-end crimes in the wealthiest part of London, while navigating his and his DS's issues in their private lives.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you'll enjoy these shows as much as I did! Feel free to drop your "favourites" in the comments! 

You may also like...

• Classic mystery novels about England, available as audiobooks
• 20+ of the Best Books about England
• TV Shows and Movies about the British Royal Family
• Contemporary Cozy British Mystery Novels
• British Detective Series to Stream Right Now, 2022

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