“Terrifying, riveting”: 10 overlooked small-town thrillers to watch now on BBC, ITV, Netflix & more

Small-town thrillers feel different from those set in big cities. When everyone knows everyone else, it creates a tense and suffocating atmosphere. Long-held secrets in these close-knit communities tend to surface and cause major problems for everyone involved.

This genre often centers around communities who don’t trust outsiders, relying on unspoken rules passed down through families. It almost always takes place in bleak, empty landscapes – a stylistic choice that begs the question: couldn’t these suspicious townsfolk commit their misdeeds amongst flowers and trees for a change?

The following are ten great small-town thrillers that might have slipped past you.

1. Broadchurch (ITVX)

It’s probably an exaggeration to say this show was ‘overlooked,’ considering how popular it became. Olivia Colman and David Tennant lead the way, unraveling a web of suspicion in a tight-knit seaside town in western England.

A London police officer, Tennant, is forced to work with Colman, a detective from a small town. Initially, they don’t get along, but as they investigate a crime, they begin to appreciate each other’s unique approaches and skills within the tight-knit community.

This show features a diverse and interesting cast of characters, and it adds emotional depth by portraying a family dealing with grief while also facing intense media scrutiny. Later seasons were popular and critically acclaimed, and they drew talented actors like Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Charlotte Rampling, Sir Lenny Henry, and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

2. Under Salt Marsh (NOW)

Our tour of starkly beautiful landscapes brings us to Morfa Halen, a small Welsh coastal settlement constantly battling the rising sea. Given its location, a storm feels almost inevitable – it’s a place where you always expect one.

Kelly Reilly, known for her role in a Western series, stars as Jackie, a former police officer who became a teacher after her niece vanished. When a student’s body is found, seemingly from drowning, detective Rafe Spall investigates. The added tension comes from the fact that he used to work with Jackie.

I was really hooked by how well the action unfolded, and it wasn’t just about the fights – the whole cast, including Jonathan Pryce, Kimberley Nixon, and Mark Stanley, was fantastic! Plus, the story was full of little hints and clues that kept me guessing until the very end.

3. Midnight Mass (Netflix)

This spooky series by acclaimed director Mike Flanagan is both frightening and deeply moving. It’s set in the isolated, windswept town of Crockett Island, located just off the New England coast.

I just moved to this island hoping for a fresh start. I’m Riley, and honestly, I need to turn things around after making a huge mistake back on the mainland – I did time for a drunk driving accident. It’s not just me, though. There’s a new priest here too, and he’s really trying to get the local Catholic church back on its feet. Seems like we’re both looking for a little redemption, in our own ways.

But is there something more troubling going on? A series of unfortunate events suggests the priest might not have good intentions, and Riley must uncover the truth behind the mysterious deaths, strange occurrences, and apparent miracles.

4. Top of the Lake (Channel 4)

After a 25-year break from television, Oscar-winning director Jane Campion returned to her native New Zealand to film her latest project. Campion is famous for her movies featuring powerful women challenging traditional power structures, and this new series begins with a shocking scene: a twelve-year-old pregnant girl declares she wasn’t forced into the situation, then vanishes.

Detective Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss), an expert in sexual assault cases, travels from Australia to investigate a crime, only to find the town’s residents fiercely protective and unwilling to cooperate. The series also stars acclaimed actors Holly Hunter, David Wenham, and Peter Mullan.

Robin’s investigation requires uncovering hidden truths buried within a history of violence, prejudice against women, and unspoken secrets. The mystery isn’t just about who committed the murder, but also about the setting and the memories it holds.

5. Mare of Easttown (NOW)

People tend to lose respect for things they know too well, and after a long time, that can lead to something truly awful. In this suspenseful and gripping thriller, Kate Winslet stars as Mare, a jaded and exhausted detective investigating the murder of a young woman in the struggling Pennsylvania town she calls home.

In a small town where everyone is connected, the list of suspects quickly narrows to people Mare knows personally – neighbors, old classmates, or family. And because everyone in town knows her, they also know her past – and it’s not a good one.

Lost in sorrow, battling addiction, and haunted by failed hopes, Mare slowly moves toward an acceptance of the inescapable reality of her small town: people might try to escape, but they’re always drawn back.

6. Happy Valley (BBC iPlayer)

Like Kate Winslet’s character in Mare of Easttown, Sarah Lancashire plays a woman dealing with immense personal hardship. Catherine Cawood is a divorced police officer who feels overlooked at work and is raising her grandson after her daughter tragically took her own life. The show’s title hints at the dark themes, but it also includes moments of humor, cleverness, and heartwarming strength that make it truly special.

The man who sexually assaulted Catherine’s daughter—played by James Norton in a compelling villainous performance—is being released from prison and hopes to reconnect with their son. Catherine is determined to stop this from happening.

Throughout the show’s three seasons, we witness this heartbreaking story unfold as Ryan, played with incredible emotion by Rhys Connah, grows up right before our eyes, transitioning from a young boy to a young man.

7. One of Us (BBC iPlayer)

Now it’s Scotland’s time to host, which makes perfect sense considering the remote and dramatic Highlands offer the ideal setting for a thrilling mystery.

The film One of Us begins with Adam and Grace, a couple deeply in love since childhood. They quickly experience major life events – pregnancy, marriage, and a honeymoon – only to be tragically and violently murdered upon returning home, all within the first few minutes of the movie.

The village of Braeston is devastated – or at least, all except one of them are.

A dangerous burglar armed with a knife, a corrupt police officer involved in drug dealing, a relentless stalker, and long-held grudges are all converging. By the time things settle, expect everything to be turned upside down.

8. Blackshore (BBC iPlayer)

Detective Sergeant Fia Lucey (played by Lisa Dwan) is transferred to her hometown in western Ireland as a disciplinary measure – she’s considered a bit of a rebel, and that’s perfectly alright with us.

She quickly becomes entangled in the mystery of a missing person from her past, and as she investigates, painful memories begin to surface. The investigation is filled with subtle clues, suspicious neighbors, and a lot of secrets people are keeping.

County Clare, where it was filmed, is stunning. If a little… well, you’ll have gathered by now.

9. Fortitude (NOW)

This international project assembled a seriously impressive cast, featuring stars like Eccleston, Gambon, Tucci, Gråbøl, and Quaid – actors so well-known they’re instantly recognizable by just their last names.

This island feels as remote and dangerous as Svalbard. The cold is brutal, and if it doesn’t claim you, polar bears or something even stranger might. It’s a place where something unsettling always feels possible.

A puzzling situation with global implications is unfolding, revealing hidden truths and intensifying conflicts. Something has been discovered emerging from the ice, but it turns out to be more grounded in reality than initially believed.

The show has three seasons, and revealing much more would ruin the surprises. But rest assured, in the town of Fortitude, the weather isn’t the only danger – it’s simply the most subtle one.

10. Sharp Objects (NOW)

The author of Gone Girl presents a new story: when two children are murdered, journalist Amy Adams returns to her hometown to investigate.

In the town of Wind Gap, steeped in a dark, Southern Gothic atmosphere, Camille Adams battles her own demons – a past with alcoholism and self-harm, and a difficult relationship with her mother – all while investigating the disappearance of girls and local legends about a ghostly ‘woman in white’ said to be responsible. The investigation forces her to confront the town’s complicated history, tangled family relationships, and the personal struggles of its residents.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant 100-page tribute to Harry Styles, is now available! You can find it in newsagents or purchase it online for only £8.99.

2026-03-25 12:21