12+ Addictive Detective Shows like Midsomer Murders {2024}

Looking for some enchanting British detective shows similar to the show that started it all, Midsomer Murders? While there will only ever be one Midsomer, here are a few addictive, British mystery TV series that I can't turn off.

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Looking for a show like Midsomer Murders?

As fans like you and I know there's a very good reason Midsomer Murders is currently in its 24th season. Since it premiered in 1997, Midsomer Murders has been the yard stick against which all subsequent British mystery programs are measured.


Cozy British scenery, dynamic detective duos, and countless, fairly irreverent, quirky mysteries set in the gorgeous English countryside make for the perfect, easy-to-watch British detective series. Set in the fictional county of "Midsomer," Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) was famously at the helm for 14 years before bequeathing the role to his 'cousin' Tom Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon). There has been a series of detective sergeants supporting DCI Barnaby, starting with the original, Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey), followed by the longest serving, Ben Jones (Jason Hughes), and currently filled by Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix). Solving intriguing, often bizarre mysteries that incongruously clash with the quaint backdrop of idealized British village life, I consistently find Midsomer to be a satisfyingly complex, yet weirdly relaxing watch.

While there's only one Midsomer and we're always looking for something to fill the whole while we await a new season. Here are a few British detective shows like Midsomer Murders that I think you'll enjoy. Fixing on the various elements of Midsomer that we know and love, I've tried to find shows that offer a mix of: detective duos, cozy England, small towns, gorgeous scenery, famous "that guy's on my shows! faces, easy watching serial mysteries. No films or gritty London detective dramas here. 

If you haven't already, don't forget to start your free trial of Acorn TV and/or Britbox today.

How many seasons of Midsomer Murders are there?

Midsomer Murders is currently on its 24th season, with every signal being that it will continue indefinitely. Whether Dudgeon and Hendrix will stay, however, always remains unknown, though there's no reason to believe either is planning to leave.

Love Neil Dudgeon? Did you know he narrates a series of cozy mystery short stories? Check out Cherringham. Following retired police detective Jack, as he navigates widowhood and leaving NYC for a new barge on the Thames in the Cotswolds, and his amateur detective partner, Sarah's adventures, it's  - the ideal audiobook listen for Midsomer Murders fans.

Where can I find Midsomer Murders merchandise?

Interestingly, the show does not make much merchandise of its own....so I've made some on Etsy! Stop by my Etsy store for Midsomer mugs, tea towels, and tumblers.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
Vera

12+ Addictive Detective Shows like Midsomer Murders

Shows like Midsomer Murders: Lewis

I thought I'd start with my current British detective drama binge, Lewis, the sequel to another British police drama classic, Morse. Continuing with Kevin Whatley as the eponymous Lewis, now upgraded to the Inspector, post-Morse, Lewis is grappling with the hit-and-run death of his wife, and navigating his relationship with his new DS, Hathaway. The first series aired in 2007 and wrapping up 9 seasons later in 2015, and is a bit dated, but not nearly as dated as its predecessor, or the first seasons of our beloved Midsomer. Continuing to be set in scenic Oxford, Lewis is one of the series most similar to Midsomer that you're ever going to find.

Shows like Midsomer Murders: Endeavour

As fans will know, the Inspector Morse saga subsequently birthed a prequel as well, Endeavour, which I devoured over my maternity leave. It premiered on the heels of Lewis, feels much more modern, though it's set in the 1960s, with Morse as a young man. Grittier and more thought-provoking than Lewis, Endeavour is excellent. I finished season 9 and said aloud "no notes." 


Come for the mysteries, stay for the relationship between Morse and his DCI, Thursday (Roger Allam of Javert fame). It's one of the best shows on my list.

Shows like Midsomer Murders: Dalgleish

Reeling from the death of his wife and baby, Inspector Adam Dalgleish (Bertie Carvel) investigates dark mysteries in 1970s England. Based on the crime-novel series by PD James, Dalgleish is considerably darker than Midsomer, and absolutely worth a watch.

Shows like Midsomer Murders : Shakespeare & Hathaway

If the serious shows have got you down, turn to Shakespeare & Hathaway, a bubblegum English village comedic mystery series featuring a quirky private detective duo of unlikely partners ("Frank and Lu") solving simple, quick crimes against the Stratford-upon-Avon Tudor backdrop.

Shows like Midsomer Murders:
Agatha Raisin

While we're on this jaunt into the whimsical edge of the Midsomer spectrum, you may enjoy the light-hearted Agatha Raisin, staring Ashley Jensen in a British crime drama series in which the crimes take the backseat to the personality and style of the lead character, an amateur sleuth turned private investigator.

​A fabulously dressed, cheeky Miss Marple, expect small town village froth, recurring supporting characters, and a fair bit of fun underpin these accessible mysteries hitting on all of our favorite tropes.

If you take nothing else from this Midsomer-inspired blog post, *please* check out Vera, a classic, modern British detective series following DCI Vera Stanhope, a whiskey-loving detective as the titular character who kindly "loves" and "pets" her way into bold accusations and, of course, the climactic confession in each and every rewarding murder investigation.

Set in Northumberland, the sweeping, Northern English landscapes are a more bracing, and the plotlines slightly less campy and more solvable, while continuing to be a phenomenal take on the genre. Oh, and stay tuned for the DCI/DS back-and-forth that we all know and love from Midsomer.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​Shetland

Set in the Shetland Islands (off the Northern coast of Scotland), Shetland's ominous scenery alone is worth a watch. And, of course, it has the intra-department dynamics that make is interesting beyond each individual mystery. Based on the novels of Ann Cleeves, who also wrote the novels on which Vera is based, Shetland is the perfect blend of dark, intriguing, and heartwarming. Having just transition stars from Douglas Henshall to Ashley Jensen in 2023, Shetland continues to be as engrossing as its ever been.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​Foyle's War

When I *finally* got Acorn TV, my first binge was Foyle's War , created and written by the original Midsomer writer, Anthony Horowitz (whose novels are also excellent). It's the cozy story of Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle, who endlessly wants to join WWII, but is told to stay home, in Hastings, where he investigates war-related, and run-of-the-mill crimes until he moves onto slightly bigger fish.

The various priorities of the war pull at the edges of justice, as Foyle tries to navigate national, international, and small town politics, all within perfectly staged historic sets. And, of course, the central narrative is Foyle's relationship with his driver-turned-spunky-sidekick Sam, played masterfully by Honeysuckle Weeks.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries is to Canada what Midsomer Murders is to England - a reliable, steady, and long-running, cozy mystery. Murdoch is set in Toronto, following Detective William Murdoch and his coroner, Julia, through their professional and very personal trials and tribulations. Murdoch and Crabtree might be the longest running detective, subordinate duo in recent history. The turn-of-the century costumes (and politics) bring an extra touch of ambiance...and keep an eye out for special cameos, including from the Canadian Prime Minister.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​Father Brown

An often light-hearted, and always charming, murder mystery series, Father Brown tells the story of a country Catholic priest as he solves quick mysteries in post-War England, along with his string of small town accomplices, including longtime aristocratic sidekick, Lady Montague. You're in for your fair share of fetes, lemonade, and questions over the privacy of the confessional, staring Mark Williams, of Mr. Weasley fame, and Nancy Carroll, who you've probably seen on most of the shows on this list, and who recently stared with Roger Allam in Murder in Provence.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​George Gently

Veteran Detective Chief Inspector George Gently takes a step down from running the MET in 1960's London to tracking down everyday criminal in northern England in the much-loved George Gently series, staring Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby (Stan Shunpike for my Harry Potter Fans!). It's Foyle's War meets Midsomer - what more could you ask for? It's certainly one of the bst shows on this list.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​DCI Banks

DCI Banks and DS Annie Cabot meet and sparks fly before they realize they're set to become coworkers, Female leads DS Annie Cabot (Andrea Lowe) and DI Helen Morton (Caroline Catz) truly make this show worth watching (no slight to Stephen Tompkinson in the title role). Follow Banks and Cabot through 5 season of gritty, realistic mystery solving.

Shows Like Midsomer Murders:
​Death in Paradise

For a bit of Caribbean flair, check out Death in Paradise, a fairly typical "cozy British mystery" series, set on the other side of the ocean. Now on its third DCI in recent years, all have risen to the occasion, though I'll admit that Detective Inspector Richard Poole, Ben Miller, was my favorite. You'll see all of your favorite Midsomer guest stars.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope I've given you some food for though as you look for a show to fill the time until we get a new season of Midsomer Murders. Drop your favorite Midsomer cousins in the comment section below! I'm always looking for the newest cozy mysteries to add to my life! x

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