A good crime drama series can be a lot like a well curated three-course meal. The first episode or two serve as the appetizer, giving viewers an idea of what they can expect while teasing the notion that there are bigger and better things still to come. As the plot begins to thicken, the audience is then treated to a healthy portion of intrigue and mystery as the narrative threads of the story are woven together like different tastes on the tongue. Finally, the gripping conclusion serves as the show's desert; providing a satisfying ending while still leaving the viewer with the unquenchable craving for one final bite.
Over the years, there have been many fantastic American crime dramas of this ilk, but there are also plenty of hidden gems to be found on the other side of the Atlantic too. British cuisine may not be particularly palatable when compared to what's on offer in the rest of the world, but when it comes to British crime dramas, there are some truly tasty offerings for those willing to seek them out. The good news is that thanks to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, doing so has never been easier.
10 Line Of Duty
Arguably one of the most popular and talked about crime dramas in the UK right now, Line of Duty is best known for its excellent writing, its fantastic cast of characters and its imaginative storylines surrounding police corruption. Well, that and DCI Hastings' numerous catchphrases. Together, these things combine to make it one of the most scintillating shows in recent television history.
Although the big reveal at the end of season seven landed about as well as Daenerys' sudden descent into madness towards the end of Game of Thrones, just about everything else that proceeded it was measured to absolute perfection. The cases that AC12 investigate provide just the right amount of suspense and mystery, keeping viewers constantly on the edges of their seats as they try to figure out who H, the evil mastermind that's pulling everybody's strings, really is.
9 Luther
Six years on from his wonderful portrayal of Stringer Bell in HBO's The Wire, Idris Elba was cast in the role of the titular character in the BBC series, Luther. It's a role that the actor really made his own, although his excellent performances are only a small part of what makes the show so enjoyable. The standard of acting is incredibly high all around and this is supplemented with some fantastic writing that really allows the show's talented cast to shine.
One of the things that makes John Luther such a great character is his darker side, which really sets him apart from other TV cops. In many ways, he is an excellent police officer, although his actions throughout the series are often morally gray at best. Despite this though, viewers are given enough insight to understand why Luther behaves the way that he does, making him both relatable and an incredibly sympathetic antihero as a result.
8 Happy Valley
Happy Valley is nowhere near as flashy as some of the other great British crime dramas, but its writing is strong enough that it really doesn't need to be. It offers a gritty and no nonsense look at life on the front line as well as a poignant reminder of the personal problems that can often lie behind the badge. Its storylines are captivating too, but it's definitely the characters that make the show work as well as it does.
Sergeant Cawood isn't portrayed as a super cop, but instead a normal woman who is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her daughter while also trying to do her job, raise her grandchild and support her addict sister. Conversely, Tommy Lee Royce is pure evil and is up there with some of the very best television villains in recent memory. James Norton does an excellent job of bringing the character to life and this in turn makes it very easy for viewers to truly despise him.
7 The Missing
For those with children, The Missing may make for some uncomfortable viewing at times. It's not particularly graphic, but the themes and stories explored in its two seasons can often be pretty dark and rarely provide a happy ending. It's excellent television nonetheless though and is able to evoke strong emotions from its audience thanks to the wonderful performances of James Nesbitt, Keeley Hawes and the rest of the show's talented cast.
The real star, however, is arguably Tchéky Karyo who plays retired detective Julien Baptiste. It's his character's brilliance and dedication to finding the missing children that provides some of the series' most powerful moments and no doubt the reason that he got his own spin-off show. Sadly, the first season of Baptiste didn't quite measure up to season 2 of The Missing, although with a second season expected later this year, it still has time to make its mark.
6 Bloodlands
James Nesbitt has appeared in his fair share of crime dramas over the years, but his performance in the 2021 mini-series Bloodlands might just be one of his very best. It's only four episodes long and so can be easily binged in a single sitting, but there's still an awful lot crammed into its relatively short runtime and plenty left to explore when the second season finally rolls around.
Set in Northern Ireland and centered around the police's pursuit of an infamous serial killer, the show is full of twists and turns that are almost impossible to predict. Nesbitt's portrayal of conflicted protagonist Tom Brannick is near perfect and is one of many strong performances in this well-written and harrowing series.
5 Broadchurch
Fans of Doctor Who will likely enjoy Broadchurch as it features not one, but two actors who have portrayed the show's titular character in its ensemble cast and even a companion too. David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker are also joined by The Crown's Olivia Colman as well as a number of other talented British actors across the series' 24 excellent episodes. They all play their parts well, but it's arguably the show's story - particularly in its first season - that make it such a great watch.
When an 11 year old boy is murdered, the small town of Broadchurch is plunged into chaos as people struggle to come to terms with what has happened and begin to suspect their neighbors and friends. Viewers are left guessing who might have done it right up to the season's epic climax and there are still one final twist left even after it seems like the mystery has been solved. Subsequent seasons are equally enjoyable, although perhaps a little less memorable due to their slightly more subdued storylines.
4 Deadwater Fell
David Tennant has a strong track record when it comes to playing doctors, although his performance in Deadwater Fell is definitely a lot less jovial than those delivered during his time as the titular character in Doctor Who. That's perhaps to be expected though, really, considering that his character's wife and three children have recently perished in a mysterious house fire in this Channel 4 crime drama series.
As the mystery unfolds and the picture of what really happened becomes clearer, viewers are taken on a wonderfully wild ride that subverts expectations at almost every twist and turn. The acting is excellent, the writing is strong and the pacing is near perfect throughout its four episode run. The only downside is that there won't be a second season, although there's arguably no real need for one given the excellent job that the writers did of wrapping everything up.
3 Silent Witness
With 23 seasons and counting, Silent Witness is one of the longest running crime drama series the world over and there's a very good reason for that. Its creators have crafted a winning formula that strikes the perfect balance of character development and narrative suspense while also managing to consistently deliver engaging and enjoyable storylines to viewers. Like a fine wine, the show has only gotten better with age.
The principal cast has changed a lot over the last two decades or so, although this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Each one of the many lead characters has brought something slightly different to the table; from Nikki's unquestionable morality to Sam's unwavering devotion to uncovering the truth. Ultimately, it is the strength of these characters and those like them that has allowed the show to transition so seamlessly between arcs and to remain relevant for as long as it has.
2 Unforgotten
Nicola Walker has featured in her fair share of fantastic crime dramas throughout her distinguished career, but Unforgotten might just be one of the very best. Together with former Goodness Gracious Me star Sanjeev Bhaskar, she's starred in four seasons of the ITV show, with each one offering up its own unique and harrowing mystery for the pair and their fellow co-stars to get to the bottom of.
Rather than relying on eye-catching action or ridiculous plot twists though, the show instead focuses on good old fashioned detective work while also offering viewers some great insight into how police might approach a real murder case. That's not to say that everything is black and white, however, as there are still more than a few moments where viewers will be left shocked by a particular revelation or scene.
1 Informer
Like in many countries, the fear of terrorism and radicalization in the UK has grown immensely since the turn of the century. This is something that is explored in great detail in the BBC show Informer, which first aired in the UK back in late 2018 before eventually being picked up by international distributors. At just six episodes long, it is a fairly short series, but an incredibly enjoyable one nonetheless.
The show tells the story of a young British Pakistani named Raza who is coerced into becoming an undercover informant by a morally questionable counter-terrorism officer. He subsequently finds himself in plenty of dangerous situations and struggles to deal with the ongoing pressures of his personal life and the guilt that results from informing on members of his own community. It's a great watch from start to finish and provides viewers with a different perspective that is far too often overlooked or ignored by mainstream media.