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Best British Detective Shows-and how to stream them!

7/26/2021

20 Comments

 
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!
Best British Detective Shows
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Updated August, 2022

Looking for a great
​British detective series?

Best 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.*
Best British Detective Series
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

Midsomer Murders. Best British Detective Series
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.
Best British detective shows and how to stream them

Period Classics:
​Foyle's War & George Gently

Best British Detective Series Foyles War and 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

Best British detective shows and how to stream them
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

Best British detective shows and how to stream them
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.
Best British detective shows and how to stream them

A More Modern Take: Marcella

Best British Detective Series- 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. 
Best British Detective Series

Power Detective: The Fall

The Fall - Best British Detective Series
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

Best British detective shows and how to stream them
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

Line of Duty. Best British Detective Series.
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.
Best British Detective Shows Line of Duty

Caribbean Flair: Death in Paradise

Best British Detective Series - 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

Best British Detective Series CB 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 British detective shows and how to stream them

Best female detective: Vera

Best British Detective Series - 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.
Best British Detective Series - Vera

Comedic Relief: Shakespeare & Hathaway

Best British Detective Series: Shakespeare and 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

Miss Marple. Best British Detective Series and How to Stream Them
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

Best British Detective Series. AcornTV 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.
Best British Detective Shows The Chelsea Detective

Thanks for stopping by!

Best British Detective Series to Stream Now
I hope you'll enjoy these shows as much as I did! Feel free to drop your "favourites" in the comments! 

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Best British detective shows and how to stream them
Best British detective shows and how to stream them
20 Comments
Karen link
1/18/2019 02:52:25 pm

Great post Julianne! In Canada we can get quite a few of these. So far I've loved Broadchurs, The Fall & Happy Valley (which isn't so happy). Right now I'm enjoying Vera.

Reply
pints, pounds, and pate link
1/28/2019 08:28:55 am

Vera is definitely on my list - I'll need to check it out!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Reply
Fizz link
2/27/2020 08:12:58 am

Love this post! Such a great mix of gritty, dark shows and slightly more lighthearted ones. I also love Line of Duty, Unforgotten and Luther!

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
2/27/2020 08:21:18 am

Thank you so much!! I've actually not seen any of those three - I'll definitely check them out! xx

Reply
Janet Giroux
8/12/2021 04:21:47 pm

So many missing from your list. Line of Duty is the very best! Scott and Bailey, Dr. Foster, and Endeavour to name a few.

Jamie Herron
9/17/2020 03:16:56 pm

A recent favorite of mine is: Bailey & Scott. Otherwise, All the ones you spoke of are true favorites of mine, except for C.B. Strike. I've not seen it, and don't p-l-a-n on subscribing to Cinemax, but perhaps one rainy, foggy, or snowy day... who knows?

Reply
Jamie Herron
9/17/2020 03:18:06 pm

Doh! The show is Scott & Bailey !

Reply
Diane Davis
9/19/2020 11:49:59 am

Loved Happy Valley and Broadchurch! We didn’t care for Wallander.
I’d highly recommend No Offence. Dark, funny, perfect!

Reply
Meredith
1/17/2021 01:55:49 am

I totally agree with you. I loved the Wallander books, but the TV series failed to capture Wallander as a character.

I also loved No Offence! Great female leading characters and interesting plots!

Reply
Claire Dobie
5/30/2021 08:57:31 pm

Line of Duty and No Offence kept us glued for the longest. But tell me: how did MI5 NOT make the list! I so miss Adam (Rupert) and his gorgeous wife and Harry and Ros, ah the whole darned cast!

Reply
Trish Allen
9/23/2021 09:48:00 pm

I prefer the Swedish Wallender. The British one is too slow for me. When they come your way I suggest you watch Annika and Vigil - currently airing in the UK at the moment.

Reply
Meredith Duhamel
10/21/2020 12:06:04 am

I loved one called Loch Ness, shot obviously in Scotland. I also loved Unforgiven. The Fall with Gillian Anderson was fairly good but now as great as most of the British detective series. Vera is a great series, as is Scott & Bailey. I agree that No Offense is fabulous with all strong female leads.

Reply
Johan Nieuwmeijer
1/10/2021 08:31:34 am

Agree they are all good shows but I would have added Foyle's War, Aunty Agatha's Hercule Poirot, Rosemary and Thyme and Shakespeare and Hathaway.

Reply
Ann
3/24/2021 05:38:43 pm

Two more favorites of ours:
Foyle’s War and George Gently

Reply
Eri
10/11/2021 12:29:40 am

Inspector Morse is the gold standard. Many good shows listed here.

Reply
Rebecca
4/2/2022 08:43:36 pm

I would love to have a tee shirt with the Welcome to Midsummer on it. Is it possible?

Reply
Dh randall link
4/8/2022 08:24:56 pm

The strongest female detective show that you left out was my favourite prime suspect with Helen Mirren

Reply
Cheryl link
5/11/2022 07:14:37 pm

Loved Rosemary & Thyme mysteries are great!

Reply
Madeline
8/13/2022 06:34:14 pm

You missed one of my favourites - Hinterland - which is set in Wales and was recorded in English and Welsh.

Reply
Andrea Requena
10/4/2022 11:53:51 pm

I love, love love Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise! I enjoyed reading your recommendations. I will surely check out some of the other titles.

Reply

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