“A near-perfect crime thriller”: 10 underrated detective dramas to watch on BBC, ITV, Netflix & more

With so many TV channels and streaming services available, crime shows are incredibly popular and dominate what’s being made. There are just so many of them, though, that it’s easy for good shows to get overlooked. Here are 10 excellent series you might not have seen.

1. Mr Mercedes (Netflix)

This Stephen King series ran for three seasons, but it didn’t become very popular in the UK. This was largely because it originally aired in the US on a smaller, little-known channel called Audience, which later shut down.

It’s genuinely excellent! The series comes from the creators of Big Little Lies, David E. Kelley, and Shutter Island‘s Dennis Lehane. It stars Brendan Gleeson as Bill Hodges, a former police officer tormented by an unsolved mass murder. The killer, a troubled IT worker named Brady Hartsfield (played by Harry Treadaway), continues to taunt Hodges, engaging him in a chilling game of cat and mouse.

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As Hodges desperately tries to maintain his grip on reality and his sense of right and wrong, Hartsfield manipulates the legal system to torment him. It’s genuinely unsettling, elevated by an exceptionally powerful performance from Treadaway.

2. The Night Of (buy/rent on Apple/Prime Video)

If you enjoyed the British show Criminal Justice, which tracked a suspect’s journey through the legal system, you might like to know there’s an American version. Riz Ahmed gives a captivating performance as Naz Khan, a Pakistani-American college student who finds himself next to a dead woman after a night out.

John Turturro plays Naz’s lawyer, a cynical man who believes staying silent is better than telling the truth. The story quickly establishes a conflict between true justice and the legal system, suggesting Naz will become another casualty – a victim of a system that treats everyone, guilty or innocent, the same way, regardless of the facts.

3. A Murder at the End of the World (Disney+/ITVX)

For a unique experience, consider a trip to Iceland. Tech billionaire Clive Owen is hosting a diverse group of scientists, engineers, activists, and other interesting people at his secluded retreat.

Emma Corrin shines as a unique, neurodivergent detective tasked with solving a murder at a secluded retreat. The story follows a classic country-house mystery formula, complete with a beautiful setting and an unusual investigator.

This thrilling story combines computer hacking, the science behind climate change, and thought-provoking ideas about the universe, creating a uniquely suspenseful and captivating read.

4. Annika (U/NOW)

Okay, so if you’re like me and absolutely love Nicola Walker – I mean, who didn’t get hooked on Unforgotten and The Split? – then you seriously need to check out Annika. It’s a bit under the radar, but trust me, it’s really good!

The series follows Detective Annika Strandhed (played by Kelly Walker), a half-Norwegian officer with Glasgow’s Marine Homicide Unit, as she solves murders that take place on the water. She frequently breaks the fourth wall, offering her thoughts on her unusual coworkers and her personal struggles with her daughter. The cast also features Jamie Sives and Kate Dickie (known from Game of Thrones), along with Katie Leung (Harry Potter) and Varada Sethu (Doctor Who).

Despite dealing with serious subject matter – death – the show is surprisingly humorous, largely thanks to the incredibly charismatic performance of the lead actor, who frequently addresses the audience directly. And as a bonus, it’s filmed against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish west coast.

5. Giri/Haji (Netflix)

Joe Barton has worked on many successful projects, including Sky’s recent remake of Amadeus, but he first gained recognition for this particular work. While critics adored it – it received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes – it didn’t attract a large audience, and the reason why remains a mystery.

When a Japanese detective’s brother disappears after angering the Yakuza, he travels to London to find him. There, he teams up with British detective Kelly Macdonald and they both become caught in a growing gang war that stretches from Tokyo to London.

Will Sharpe delivers a brilliant performance as Rodney, a half-Japanese sex worker with a biting wit, in Amadeus. The series Giri/Haji (meaning “duty/shame”) truly stands out from other crime dramas thanks to a surprising and memorable scene – we’ll call it ‘the dance’ – that is both visually striking and unexpected.

6. The Afterparty (Apple TV)

If you’re looking for a funny and heartwarming show, check out this hidden gem! The first season centers around Aniq, played by Sam Richardson, who crashes a party thrown by his old classmate and a famous singer, Dave Franco. The second season moves to Zoë Chao’s family home for a wedding that quickly descends into chaos.

Each story centers around a murder, but what makes it unique is how each episode is presented in a different film style. One episode might feel like a high school musical, another like a quirky Wes Anderson film, a classic film noir, an action-packed blockbuster, or even a steamy erotic thriller – all depending on whose perspective is shown.

Despite seeming quirky and complex, this show is surprisingly easy and fun to watch, thanks to the charming performances of Richardson (known from Ted Lasso) and Chao, who keep the chaotic story grounded. (Just to clarify, this isn’t the same show as Netflix’s The After Party.)

7. Top of the Lake (buy/rent on Apple/Prime Video)

I’ve noticed Elisabeth Moss is amazing at playing these really strong, determined women – think The Handmaid’s Tale and the new Invisible Man. She brings that same energy to this movie, which is a really powerful drama directed by Jane Campion, and it’s awesome to see a female director leading the charge.

In the series, Moss portrays Robin Griffin, an Australian detective specializing in sexual assault investigations. She’s called to New Zealand’s South Island to assist with a disturbing case: the rape of a twelve-year-old pregnant girl who surprisingly claims no one attacked her.

Soon after the initial murder, Robin uncovers more mysteries while investigating the prejudice and hidden truths within the close-knit, rural community. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and the secrets run deep. Peter Mullan delivers a powerful and unforgettable performance as Matt Mitcham, the intimidating and complex head of the family.

8. Bodies (Netflix)

This intriguing story blends mystery, science fiction, and fantasy with a time travel twist. A naked man is discovered shot in a Whitechapel alleyway across four different eras – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. The setting evokes the infamous Jack the Ripper, and the story skillfully examines what stays the same – and what changes – throughout history.

Beloved actor Stephen Graham plays the puzzling character seemingly responsible for a series of shootings, bombings, and a bleak, dystopian future. Meanwhile, Amaka Okfor, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, and Kyle Soller (from Andor) investigate as detectives.

9. Get Millie Black (Channel 4)

Marlon James, the acclaimed Jamaican author who won the Booker Prize, recently wrote for television with this series, a collaboration between HBO and Channel 4. The show stars Tamara Lawrance as a Jamaican-born police officer who is transferred from London’s Scotland Yard back to Kingston, Jamaica. She investigates missing persons cases while also attempting to reconnect with her transgender sister, who is experiencing homelessness.

The situation becomes more complex when her investigation intersects with a case being handled by another London police officer (Joe Dempsie), who is looking into organized crime. The story features a diverse and realistic portrayal of Jamaican life, depicting a community struggling to cope with both recent and long-standing problems, yet still managing to hold together.

10. The ABC Murders (BBC iPlayer)

Sarah Phelps is famous for her BBC adaptations of Agatha Christie novels. While this three-part series didn’t receive quite as much praise as adaptations like And Then There Were None or The Pale Horse, it’s a fresh and lively take on a classic story, and explores darker themes that Christie herself couldn’t fully express.

This adaptation gives Hercule Poirot a surprisingly detailed and human backstory, making him more complex than we’ve seen before. It’s a richly atmospheric mystery, full of faded grandeur, boarding house life, and a lingering sense of post-war British melancholy. Christie’s famously intricate plot feels particularly captivating and engaging.

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2026-02-21 12:21