The 20 Best British Crime Dramas of All Time

Whether it's the slow, simmering tension between a criminal and a detective or the pulse-pounding car chases that often ensue, I can always count on the best British crime dramas to reel me in. These titles deliver suspense, tap into relevant themes and feature relatable characters who drive the story forward. And of course, the British accents are a nice bonus.

Among my favorites are Netflix's Adolescence, an intense and intimate drama that boasts a 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and Idris Elba's psychological crime thriller, Luther. But these are just a few of several binge-worthy series. Other famous titles, like Broadchurch, Prime Suspect and Peaky Blinders are all available to stream on platforms like Britbox, Peacock and Netflix. And I've compiled a helpful list of the best British crime dramas, from police procedurals and legal thrillers to slow-burn whodunits. Keep reading for 20 titles you'll want to add to your queue.

1. Happy Valley

• Cast: Sarah Lancashire, Siobhan Finneran, Shane Zaza
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 3
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98%; IMDb 8.5/10

If you're up for a crime drama that's emotional, gritty and raw, then Happy Valley ought to do the trick. The series follows Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood, who grapples with the loss of her daughter while raising a grandson who's the product of her daughter's rape. Meanwhile, she's tasked with catching the man who's responsible for her daughter's death.

2. Adolescence

• Cast: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 1
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100%; IMDb 8.4/10

Adolescence claimed the number-one spot on Netflix's list of most-watched shows in less than 24 hours after its release, and it's easy to see why. In case you've yet to watch this intense crime drama, it revolves around Jamie, a 13-year-old boy who gets accused of murdering his classmate. Desperate to find answers, Jamie's parents team up with his therapist and the case detective to find the truth.

3. Line of Duty

• Cast: Lennie James Martin Compston Vicky McClure Keeley Hawes
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 6
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96%; IMDb 8.7/10

When firearms officer Steve Arnott refuses to cover up the negligence of his team, he gets transferred to Anti-Corruption Unit 12, where he teams up with Detective Constable Kate Fleming bring corrupt police officers to justice. The show boasts several accolades out of a whopping 115 nominations, including four Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and a Royal Television Society Programme Award.

4. Luther

• Cast: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Steven Mackintosh, Indira Varma
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 5
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 88%; IMDb 8.4/10

Elba shines as John Luther, a detective with a tendency to become consumed with the troubling crimes he investigates. The police officer's unwavering dedication often leads him to resort to extreme measures like violence, which unfortunately leads him down a dark path. The Emmy-nominated series inspired the film sequel, Luther: The Fallen Sun, starring Elba, Andy Serkis and Cynthia Erivo, and it was met with mostly positive reviews.

5. The Fall

• Cast: Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, Colin Morgan
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 3
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 85%; IMDb 8.1/10

Detective Stella Gibson is sent to Belfast to solve a string of murders and catch Paul Spector, the infamous serial killer who has been targeting women. However, Stella and her task force are faced with several complications and setbacks as Paul continues to hide in plain sight.

6. Vigil

• Cast: Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 2
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 69%; IMDb 7.4/10

When a passenger dies on a ballistic missile submarine, mere moments after a mysterious disappearance, Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva and Inspector Kirsten Longacre are put on the case. But in their search for the truth, tensions rise and chaos ensues. The Emmy-winning drama is truly captivating, thanks to a stellar cast, fast pacing and jaw-dropping twists. It's no wonder the show has been renewed for a third season.

7. Broadchurch

• Cast: David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 3
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92%; IMDb 8.3/10

The crime drama centers on two detectives who try to solve the murder of a boy in a small town, and according to Philip Mutz, it will keep you guessing until the end. In his rave review, he wrote, "If you love murder mysteries, whodunnits or Jessica Fletcher-esque twists and turns, it's time to bump this to the top of your queue. Broadchurch has three seasons and I promise you each is worthy of your time. That twist at the end of season one when (not a spoiler alert!) the killer is revealed? It was one of those rare television moments when I actually began screaming at my television set."

8. Prime Suspect

• Cast: Helen Mirren, Tom Bell, John Benfield
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 7
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100%; IMDb 8.3/10

The police procedural focuses on Jane Tennison, who becomes one of the first female detectives in Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service. As she strives to prove herself in a male-dominated field, she tackles a number of complex cases. Mirren's unforgettable performance earned her two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and three consecutive BAFTA Awards.

9. Criminal: UK

• Cast: Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Mark Stanley, Rochenda Sandall
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 2
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 85%; IMDb 7.7/10

Set in a police interrogation room, the series depicts several intense confrontations between the police and their top suspects, often resorting to mind games to unravel the truth. The performances are phenomenal, the dialogue is top-notch and the secluded setting adds to the overall tension. You'll likely breeze through the series in no time, but fortunately, this is just one part of Netflix's Criminal anthology. You can follow up with Criminal: France, Criminal: Spain, and Criminal: Germany.

10. Peaky Blinders

• Cast: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Annabelle Wallis, Iddo Goldberg, Tom Hardy
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 6
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93%; IMDb 8.7/10

Inspired by a real-life street gang that gained prominence in the 19th century, the show follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders, which is run by Tommy Shelby. Compelling storylines, major twists and solid action sequences are just a few reasons to watch this masterpiece. The final season aired in 2022, but a sequel film, called The Immortal Man, will be released by Netflix.

11. Bodyguard

• Cast: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 1
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93%; IMDb 8/10

Police Sergeant David Budd is a war veteran who works for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service. His new assignment? To protect Home Secretary Julia Montague, whose political views he strongly opposes. The edge-of-your-seat thriller is action-packed and filled with so many twists. It also doesn't shy away from themes like PTSD and terrorism.

12. Sherlock

• Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 4
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 74%; IMDb 9.1/10

The modernized adaptation of Conan Doyle's iconic novels stars Cumberbatch as the eccentric detective. In the series, Sherlock teams up with John Watson, an army doctor, to investigate crimes and keep the streets of London safe. If you prefer a light-hearted and comedic series that's not too intense, then Sherlock is the way to go. It tackles themes of justice, morality and friendship, and the crime drama boasts nine Emmy wins.

13. Inside Man

• Cast: David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, Lydia West
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 1
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67%; IMDb 6.7/10

The four-part series revolves around Jefferson, a criminologist and killer who has been sentenced to death in Texas. As he awaits his execution, he's permitted to work as a detective. But when he crosses paths with a priest and a math teacher, things take an interesting turn. (Guys, I promise the less you know beforehand, the better. You can thank me later.)

14. Unforgotten

• Cast: Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Sinéad Keenan, Peter Egan
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 6
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91%; IMDb 8.4/10

Unforgotten follows a group of London detectives as they revisit unsolved murders and disappearances from several years ago. As they dive into each case, they get to see the emotional and psychological toll these cases took on the families of the victims, who typically don't have closure. The critically acclaimed series touches on themes of complicated family dynamics and immigration.

15. Cracker

• Cast: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Christopher Eccleston
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 3
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes %; IMDb 8.4/10

Coltrane is Dr. Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald, a brilliant criminal psychologist who's also known as the "cracker." The series offers biting social commentary while exploring themes of loss, grief, betrayal and redemption, but it's especially fascinating when the show delves into the psychology of the criminals. Fun fact: The show won two British Academy Television Awards for Best Drama Series, and Coltrane received three BAFTAs for Best Actor for three years in a row (1994, 1995 and 1996).

16. Scott & Bailey

• Cast: Suranne Jones, Lesley Sharp, Amelia Bullmore
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 5
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100%; IMDb 8/10

From the writer of Happy Valley comes this gem, which follows the lives of Janet and Rachel, two skilled detectives who work for the Manchester Metropolitan Police. It's genuinely fascinating to see this unlikely pair balance their messy personal lives with the highs and lows of everyday police work, and it's rewarding to see their growth throughout the series. My only minor criticism is the lack of compelling male characters, but still, it's definitely worth a watch.

17. Foyle’s War

• Cast: Anthony Howell, Honeysuckle Weeks, Michael Kitchen
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 8
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes (N/A); IMDb 8.6/10

In 1940s England, Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle is an unassuming widower who spends his days catching criminals who capitalize on the confusion created by World War II. Kitchen brings a powerful but quiet intensity to his character, Foyle, and many have praised the show's accurate depiction of life in England. Foyle’s War was originally canceled after four seasons, but due to backlash from loyal fans, ITV revived the series for four additional years.

18. Slow Horses

• Cast: Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas
• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 4 
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98%; IMDb 8.3/10

Based on Mick Herron's Slough House series, the spy thriller revolves around Jackson Lamb, an intelligence officer who leads a team of misfit MI5 agents deemed unfit for front-line tasks. Fans have praised the gripping series for its masterful blend of espionage and dark comedy, but it's Oldman's nuanced portrayal of the disheveled (but tactical) Lamb that makes this show shine. Oldman's performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor and a Golden Globes nod for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series.

19. Karen Pirie

• Cast: Lauren Lyle, Chris Jenks, Zach Wyatt
• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 1
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91%; IMDb 7.6/10

If you'd like a more modern take on the crime drama genre, then consider Karen Pirie, which focuses on a Gen Z inspector who thrives in a field mostly dominated by older and more seasoned detectives. When Karen gets promoted to Police Scotland's Historic Cases Unit, she reopens an old cold case and finds quite a few surprises. Each episode is 120 minutes long, but there are just three episodes in the first season, so you'll have ample time to catch up before ITV releases season two.