17 British Crime Dramas That Will Have You Glued to the Couch
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Having access to multiple streaming services means it’s much easier to watch international content, including crime dramas exported from the U.K.. While British actors often make the jump to Hollywood, some of their best work first airs on television on acclaimed shows like these.
Some of the best British TV series in recent decades have been produced in the U.K., starring everyone from Oscar winner Olivia Colman to heartthrob Idris Elba. If you’re a fan of twisty police procedurals or unexpected murder mysteries, then look no further. Here, we round up some of the best British crime dramas available to stream in 2024.
Broadchurch
An 11-year-old boy is found murdered on a beach in a sleepy English town. Detectives Alec (David Tennant) and Ellie (Olivia Colman) investigate the devastating crime, trying to unravel who would be responsible for such a heinous deed in a close-knit community. While the first season focuses on the investigation, the second season follows the court case in which the suspected killer is on trial.
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Luther
Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther, a detective hunting serial killers and murderers in London. However, Luther’s dedication to his job often finds him obsessively hyper-focusing on the criminals he’s investigating. Ruth Wilson co-stars as Alice Morgan, an incredibly smart psychopath and killer who finds an unexpected connection with Luther.
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Killing Eve
Based on the book series by Luke Jennings, Killing Eve is a cat-and-mouse chase between intelligence officer Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and dangerous assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). But as Eve hunts Villanelle, the pair develop a misguided kinship. While Phoebe Waller-Bridge served as head writer on the first season, Saltburn’s Emerald Fennell helmed season 2.
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Liar
Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt stars as Laura, a recently single teacher who is set up with Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd), a surgeon whose wife has died. The pair have a flirty and promising date, but the morning after, Laura realizes she was sexually assaulted. Liar is an important examination of rape culture and the burden of proof, with an impassioned performance by Froggatt at the center.
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The Gentlemen
Netflix’s The Gentlemen was created by director Guy Ritchie and is a spin-off of his 2019 movie of the same name. Theo James stars as Edward Horniman, a man who gains a vast country estate following the death of his father. However, a woman named Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) has been running a weed business on the land, and Edward must contend with drug dealers and gangsters.
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The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe
Based on a frankly unbelievable true story, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe tells the tale of a man who decides to fake his own death. Finding himself in financial straits, John Darwin stages his own disappearance while canoeing. After receiving a substantial payout from John’s life insurance policy, the couple attempts to start a new life, but it doesn’t quite go to plan.
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Stonehouse
This drama series is based on the real life of British politician John Stonehouse, who faked his own death in 1974. Despite there being no body, obituaries for Stonehouse were printed after he vanished from a beach in Miami, Florida. In reality, he was trying to start a new life in Australia. Starring husband and wife team Matthew Macfadyen (of Succession) and Keeley Hawes.
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Sherlock
Benedict Cumberbatch found mainstream success playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s updated adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book series. Set in modern day London, the incredibly insightful Sherlock aids in police investigations with the help of his friend Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman). Andrew Scott plays Jim Moriarty, a villain who is always at odds with Sherlock.
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Happy Valley
Happy Valley is an award-winning crime drama set in West Yorkshire in the North of England. The series follows Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire), a police sergeant with a complicated family life. Cawood’s eldest child committed suicide after giving birth following a rape. When Cawood learns her daughter’s rapist is getting out of prison, she becomes obsessed with the idea of facing him, unaware of the crime syndicate he’s part of.
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Baby Reindeer
Richard Gadd stars in Baby Reindeer, a Netflix drama based on his one-man show of the same name, inspired by real-life events. The show follows Donny (Gadd), a barman and aspiring comedian whose life is thrown into turmoil when a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) starts stalking him. Traumatic events from his past also start to interfere with his present, causing problems in his romantic relationship with Teri (Nava Mau).
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Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy stars in this crime drama, which was inspired by a real-life crime gang that existed in the late 1800s. Taking place after World War I, Peaky Blinders follows a violent street gang led by Tommy Shelby (Murphy) as they fight for control of Birmingham and the surrounding area. The series ran for six seasons and will be followed up with an eagerly-anticipated feature-length movie.
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The Fall
Before he became Christian Grey, Jamie Dornan starred in The Fall as the creepy Paul Spector, a man whose proclivities took a much more violent turn. Gillian Anderson stars as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, the person responsible for solving a series of grisly murders involving women. The closer Stella gets to Paul, the stranger their connection becomes.
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Agatha Christie’s Poirot
Famed mystery author Agatha Christie created the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, portrayed in this celebrated television adaptation by David Suchet. The talented detective has a penchant for solving even the most unexpected of crimes, and often finds himself at the center of twisted mysteries. A true classic.
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Line of Duty
This British police procedural is set in an anti-corruption unit, tasked with investigating internal cases of wrongdoing. Detectives Kate Fleming and Steve Arnott work together under the guidance of Superintendent Ted Hastings to uncover links to organized crime and criminal activities being carried out by members of the force. The series ran for six seasons, starting out in Birmingham, England, and relocating to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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Fool Me Once
Adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name, Netflix’s Fool Me Once is a fast-paced crime thriller starring Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley. Maya (Keegan) is grieving the death of her husband Joe (Armitage) who was murdered, when she thinks she sees him in a recording on her daughter’s nanny-cam. Meanwhile, Maya’s niece and nephew are traumatized following the death of their mother, and they begin seeking answers.
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Top Boy
Set on a fictional housing estate in London, Top Boy focuses on the lives of drug dealers Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson) and their associates. Dushane and Sully face violence, crime, and competition from those around them, often ending up in perilous situations. Drake is an executive producer on the show, and helped promote the series to his fanbase.
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Collateral
Collateral stars Carey Mulligan as Kip Glaspie, a police inspector in London who is tasked with investigating the shooting of a pizza delivery driver. The more she discovers about the incident, Kip realizes that the crime is far from random, and appears to involve a high-level political cover-up, and some very complicated motives. Co-starring Billie Piper and John Simm.
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