The Best British Detective Series
This list of the best British detective series is ranked by British TV fans just like you! Who doesn't love a good detective series? It seems like every few months Britain is putting out the newest, most buzzed about detective show on television. This list ranks the all-time top British mystery series, from classic series like Poirot to modern hits like Luther, so you'll always know what to binge watch next. What are the best British detective series of all time tackling the best weekly whodunit mysteries?
From Sherlock to classic British detective shows like Agatha Christie's Marple, these great British series will have you solving crimes and mysteries along with your favorite TV detectives. Many of the shows listed here are BBC detective series, while other British mysteries debuted on different British networks. In the states, you can catch many of them on your PBS app, while others are streaming on Netflix or available through Acorn TV. No matter how you watch television, you know detective series are some of the best British TV shows out there.
This list features the most popular British detective series including Sherlock, The Last Detective, Agatha Christie’s Marple, Foyle’s War, Wallander, and Inspector Lewis. Vote up the British detective shows you love the most, so other fans of the genre won't have to go sleuthing for the best.
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- 1Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Rebecca Front
- Premiered: June 22, 2008
Set in the picturesque university city of Oxford, this thrilling spin-off of the classic detective series follows the brilliant Detective Inspector Robbie Lewis and his equally sharp sidekick DS James Hathaway. As the dynamic duo unravel perplexing mysteries, they confront a plethora of challenging cases, criminal masterminds, and deeply-rooted secrets.
- 2Shaun Evans, Roger Allam, Anton Lesser
- Premiered: April 14, 2013
Embark on a spellbinding prequel to the renowned Inspector Morse, witnessing the early career of a young Endeavour Morse. Fresh out of Oxford University, the young detective constable faces the harsh realities of 1960s England while solving a string of complex cases using nothing but his keen intellect and unwavering determination.
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- 3
Unforgotten
Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Peter Egan- Premiered: 2015
DCI Cassie Stuart and DI Sunil Khan delve into long-dormant cases that have seemingly slipped through the cracks of time. As the tenacious detectives unearth shocking secrets from decades past, they strive to bring closure to grief-stricken families and ensure that justice is finally served.
- 4David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Andrew Buchan
- Premiered: March 4, 2013
A gripping series set in a small coastal town where two detectives, Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller, grapple with the disturbing murder of an 11-year-old boy. As the investigation unfolds, their community's darkest secrets and unsavoury characters come to light, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
- 5Douglas Henshall, Alison O'Donnell, Steven Robertson
- Premiered: March 10, 2013
Journey to the windswept, remote islands of Shetland, where DI Jimmy Perez navigates the treacherous waters of crime in a tight-knit community. With a strong moral compass and dogged persistence, DI Perez untangles twisted webs of deception, murder, and intrigue in this spellbinding series.
- 6Brenda Blethyn, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones
- Premiered: May 1, 2011
Meet the unorthodox yet exceptionally cunning DCI Vera Stanhope as she solves murders alongside her loyal team in the beautiful yet sometimes bleak Northumberland countryside. Quirky, determined, and sharp as a tack, Vera has a knack for digging deep into the darkest corners of human nature to find answers.
