Few things are as captivating as watching a good crime drama – especially a murder mystery. Forget fast-paced action or gritty stories about troubled detectives. What’s truly appealing is a puzzle you can solve yourself, by staying sharp and noticing the details.
So get your deerstalkers on and start following the breadcrumbs…
1. Ludwig (BBC iPlayer)
John Taylor, played by David Mitchell, is a deeply introverted man who avoids social situations and feels anxious about the outside world. He writes puzzle books under the name Ludwig. When his outgoing identical twin brother disappears, John unexpectedly takes on his brother’s life, pretending to be a police detective named DCI James Taylor in Cambridge.
John, a brilliant puzzle solver, cleverly takes on the identity and uses the resources of someone named James to investigate what happened to his brother, all while continuing his work as a police officer.
The fabulous Anna Maxwell Martin plays his bereft and bemused sister-in-law.
2. Prime Suspect (ITVX)
DCI Jane Tennison faces significant challenges as she strives to succeed in a profession largely dominated by men. Her drive and skill often make her colleagues envious. Each season typically focuses on a single, complex case – except for season four, which presented several standalone episodes – and uses Tennison’s work as a way to examine broader societal problems.
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Over the years, the show featured appearances by many now-famous actors, including a young Ralph Fiennes in his first screen role, Peter Capaldi playing a transgender woman, and stars like Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham, Danny Dyer, Tom Wilkinson, and Zoe Wanamaker.
3. Midsomer Murders (ITVX)
Since 1997, Midsomer Murders has broadcast over 138 episodes, making it one of ITV’s most well-known and enduring crime series.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, and later his cousin John, solve murders in the beautiful, idyllic villages of Midsomer – a fictional area jokingly located somewhere in the English countryside, perhaps Somerset, Dorset, or Hampshire, or even the 1980s.
Some of the murders are more believable than others – we especially remember the one involving Martine McCutcheon and a rogue cheese wheel! – but realistic detail isn’t what makes Midsomer Murders so good. It’s the original and best example of comforting, classic crime drama.
4. Only Murders in the Building (Disney+)
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez play neighbors who all live in a fancy New York City apartment building and share a passion for true crime. When a murder happens right in their building, they team up to solve the mystery – and document their investigation in a podcast.
Essentially light-hearted, warm and never slow-paced, OMITB is a delightful murder-flavoured soufflé.
5. Unforgotten (ITV)
If you enjoy mysteries that slowly reveal their secrets and keep you on the edge of your seat, you should definitely watch Unforgotten. This award-winning ITV drama focuses on solving old, unsolved crimes, bringing them back to life when new clues are discovered.
This detective series, formerly starring Nicola Walker as DCI Cassie Stuart, features a new case each season, exposing hidden secrets from the past. As the investigation unfolds, we learn about the lives of both the suspects and the police officers involved, making the discoveries particularly impactful. It’s a captivating, emotional, and compelling show, which explains its dedicated following.
6. Vera (ITV)
A great mystery needs a memorable setting, and the TV series Vera really showcases the beautiful Northumberland coastline. Expect clever writing and a wonderfully astute detective, played by Brenda Blethyn, leading the investigations.
Every episode features a compelling, self-contained mystery, filled with heartfelt character stories and surprising turns. It’s perfect Sunday night entertainment for anyone who enjoys crime dramas!
7. Stay Close (Netflix)
Harlan Coben’s latest Netflix thriller is a fast-paced story about three people – played by James Nesbitt, Cush Jumbo, and Richard Armitage – whose lives are disrupted when a shocking disappearance brings a decades-old cold case back to light.
Secrets from the past are finally being revealed, causing confusion and challenging everyone’s relationships. Packed with shocking twists and a constantly unfolding mystery, this show is perfect for anyone who loves a thrilling, fast-paced whodunnit and can’t stop watching.
8. Silent Witness (BBC iPlayer)
This popular crime drama blends forensic science with captivating stories. It originally featured Amanda Burton as the lead, supported by William Gaminara and Tom Ward. The show proved incredibly resilient, continuing successfully even after Burton left, with Emilia Fox joining the cast, and later Liz Carr, David Caves, and Richard Lintern following the departures of Gaminara and Ward.
Now in its 29th season, the show delves into both the crimes investigated and the personal lives of the team solving them – often, their relationships are just as complex as the cases themselves. It’s a compelling drama for those who enjoy character-focused stories.
9. Broadchurch (ITVX)
While the premise of Broadchurch – a shocking murder in a picturesque British seaside town with a cast of characters and two detectives investigating – isn’t groundbreaking, the show executed it exceptionally well, earning rave reviews. Starring national favorites David Tennant and Olivia Colman as detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller – an outsider and a local, respectively – the series also features strong performances from Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan, Jonathan Bailey, and Vicky McClure as members of the town.
Honestly, things got really messy when everyone started accusing each other. It wasn’t just about figuring out what happened, it was about friendships falling apart and the whole neighborhood being shaken up. The drama was actually more shocking than the mystery itself, if you can believe it!
10. Get Millie Black (C4)
Millie-Jean Black is a former Scotland Yard detective who leaves her job to go back to her native Jamaica. There, she quickly becomes involved in a missing person investigation while also working to reconnect with her sister, who is a transgender woman living on the streets of Kingston.
As you’d anticipate from a Booker Prize-winning author like Marlon James, this story expertly creates suspense and offers a deeply emotional and captivating experience.
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2026-03-13 11:20