TV: Brit Crime & Mystery
by qempyrean | created - 20 Sep 2020 | updated - 13 Oct 2022 | PublicDetectives, police, and espionage series.
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1. Poirot (1989–2013)
TV-14 | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Hercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, who has an impeccable knack for getting embroiled in a mystery, solves crimes along with Captain Hastings and Scotland Yard Chief Inspector James Japp.
Stars: David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran
Votes: 52,158
2. Mystery!: Campion (1989–1990)
TV-14 | 50 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama
In 1930s England, a man from an aristocratic family takes up the pseudonym Albert Campion and, with the help of his ex-burglar manservant, solves mysteries.
Stars: Peter Davison, Brian Glover, Andrew Burt, Moray Watson
Votes: 1,013
3. Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996–1998)
TV-PG | 1,349 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Hetty wakes on her 60th birthday and decides to become a private investigator. With assistance from a teenager called Geoffrey and her husband Robert, combined with her own common sense, Hetty is confident she can solve any case.
Stars: Patricia Routledge, Dominic Monaghan, Derek Benfield, John Graham-Davies
Votes: 1,991
4. Inspector Morse (1987–2000)
TV-14 | 3,431 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.
Stars: John Thaw, Kevin Whately, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe
Votes: 14,379
5. Kavanagh QC (1995–2001)
TV-MA | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A crusty barrister oversees difficult criminal cases while dealing with the demands of his family life.
Stars: John Thaw, Oliver Ford Davies, Nicholas Jones, Cliff Parisi
Votes: 1,091
6. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1985)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of copper beeches, a Greek interpreter, the Norwood builder, a resident patient, the red-headed league, and one final problem.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Rosalie Williams, Eric Porter
Votes: 24,230
7. The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson solve the mysteries of the devil's foot, Silver Blaze, Wisteria Lodge and the Bruce-Partington Plans.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, Colin Jeavons
Votes: 13,417
8. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1991–1993)
50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the mysteries of the Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax, Thor Bridge, Shoscombe Old Place, The Boscombe Valley Mystery, The Illustrious Client and The Creeping Man.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, Colin Jeavons
Votes: 6,182
9. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994)
TV-PG | 51 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The last installment of Sherlock Holmes' investigations.
Stars: Jeremy Brett, Rosalie Williams, Edward Hardwicke, Charles Gray
Votes: 8,329
10. The Sweeney (1975–1978)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Jack Regan and George Carter are hard-edged detectives in the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police. They pursue villains by methods which are underhanded and often illegal, frequently violent and - more often than not - successful.
Stars: John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, Garfield Morgan, John Alkin
Votes: 2,656
11. Z Cars (1962–1978)
TV-14 | Crime, Drama
A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.
Stars: James Ellis, John Slater, Douglas Fielding, Bernard Holley
Votes: 382
12. Van der Valk (1972–1992)
120 min | Crime, Drama
Cynical Dutch Detective Commissaris and his colleagues investigate murders, kidnappings, and political corruption.
Stars: Barry Foster, Michael Latimer, Joanna Dunham, Susan Travers
Votes: 538
13. Rumpole of the Bailey (1978–1992)
Not Rated | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases of a portly and eccentric criminal law barrister.
Stars: Leo McKern, Jonathan Coy, Julian Curry, Marion Mathie
Votes: 1,726
14. Death of an Expert Witness (1983)
50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When Dr. Edwin Lorrimer, a forensic scientist working at a private laboratory is found killed, Detective Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh is sent to investigate. Dalgliesh had been in the area... See full summary »
Stars: Roy Marsden, Barry Foster, Ray Brooks, Ivor Roberts
Votes: 387
15. Clouds of Witness (1972)
Drama, Mystery
Lord Peter's brother, the Duke of Denver is accused of murdering their sister Mary's fiancé. It's up to Lord Peter and his faithful man Bunter to untangle all the clues and the ... See full summary »
Stars: Ian Carmichael, Glyn Houston, Mark Eden, Rachel Herbert
Votes: 382
16. Miss Marple: The Body in the Library (1984)
52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Amateur detective Miss Jane Marple investigates the murder of a young woman whose body is found in the library at Gossington Hall, home of Colonel and Mrs. Arthur Bantry.
Stars: Joan Hickson, Gwen Watford, Moray Watson, Valentine Dyall
Votes: 2,677
17. The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001–2007)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
British crime investigation series based around aristocratic, Oxford-educated Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his working-class assistant Sergeant Barbara Havers.
Stars: Nathaniel Parker, Sharon Small, Lesley Vickerage, Paul Hickey
Votes: 5,759
18. Wycliffe (1993–1998)
TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Set in Cornwall, Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe, who works along with his colleagues DI Doug Kersey and DI Lucy Lane, investigates murder cases with his trademark determination and clinical accuracy.
Stars: Jack Shepherd, Helen Masters, Jimmy Yuill, Tim Wylton
Votes: 1,097
19. Alleyn Mysteries (1990–1994)
TV-14 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Drawing on her love of theatre and art, New Zealand author Ngaio Marsh created elegant crime-puzzlers full of quirky characters with hidden agendas, all brought meticulously to life in this BBC series.
Stars: William Simons, Patrick Malahide, Belinda Lang, Tim Dutton
Votes: 755
20. DCI Banks (2010–2016)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Tenacious and stubborn DCI Alan Banks unravels disturbing murder mysteries aided by his young assistants, DS Annie Cabbot and DI Helen Morton.
Stars: Stephen Tompkinson, Jack Deam, Andrea Lowe, Caroline Catz
Votes: 9,145
21. Inspector George Gently (2007–2017)
TV-MA | 89 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
With the help of DS John Bacchus, Inspector George Gently spends his days bringing to justice members of the criminal underworld who are unfortunate enough to have the intrepid investigator assigned to their cases.
Stars: Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby, Simon Hubbard, Lisa McGrillis
Votes: 8,535
22. Scott & Bailey (2011–2016)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detectives Janet Scott & Rachel Bailey investigate murders with Manchester Police's Major Incident Team.
Stars: Suranne Jones, Lesley Sharp, Tony Mooney, David Prosho
Votes: 11,055
23. Inspector Lewis (2006–2015)
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
DI Robert Lewis and DS James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.
Stars: Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman, Rebecca Front
Votes: 15,904
24. Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987–2000)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
From cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.
Stars: George Baker, Christopher Ravenscroft, Louie Ramsay, Ken Kitson
Votes: 693
25. Vera (2011–2025)
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
With her caustic wit and singular charm, DCI Vera Stanhope leads her team as they face a series of captivating murder mysteries set against the breathtaking Northumberland landscape.
Stars: Brenda Blethyn, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones, Kenny Doughty
Votes: 20,133
26. Father Brown (2013– )
TV-PG | 52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
In the early 1950s, Father Brown, a Roman Catholic priest based in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford, uses his distinctive skills to solve various crimes.
Stars: Mark Williams, John Burton, Sorcha Cusack, Jack Deam
Votes: 15,050
27. Rosemary & Thyme (2003–2006)
TV-PG | 48 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Set amongst the stunning gardens of Europe, Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme, two professional gardeners, find themselves drawn into solving mysterious crimes.
Stars: Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Ryan Philpott, Daisy Dunlop
Votes: 5,337
28. The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971–1973)
13+ | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Adaptations of mystery stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's contemporary rivals in the genre.
Stars: Peter Vaughan, Peter Barkworth, Douglas Wilmer, Ronald Hines
Votes: 344
29. Endeavour (2012–2023)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Set from 1965 into the 1970s, the show follows Endeavour Morse in his early years as a police constable. Working alongside his senior partner DI Fred Thursday, Morse engages in a number of investigations around Oxford.
Stars: Shaun Evans, Roger Allam, James Bradshaw, Sean Rigby
Votes: 33,479
30. Sherlock (2010–2017)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves
Votes: 999,902
31. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (1972–1973)
177 min | Crime, Mystery
When one of the members of the Bellona Club passes away, Lord Wimsey is brought in to determine the time of death for testamentary purposes.
Stars: Ian Carmichael, Terence Alexander, Anna Cropper, Donald Pickering
Votes: 338
32. Murder Must Advertise (1973–1974)
198 min | Mystery
When one of the copy writers of Pym's Advertising Agency meets his death by falling down a spiral staircase, a new "writer" joins the staff to investigate the matter.
Stars: Ian Carmichael, Mark Eden, Rachel Herbert, Paul Darrow
Votes: 349
33. The Nine Tailors (1974)
209 min | Mystery
The title refers to the nine strokes of a church bell to announce the death of a man. In this adaptation of Dorothy L. Sayers's intricate, nostalgic, and atmospheric novel of the same name,... See full summary »
Stars: Ian Carmichael, Glyn Houston, Elizabeth Proud, Patrick Jordan
Votes: 387
34. Five Red Herrings (1975)
198 min | Crime, Mystery
Solve the mystery with Lord Peter Wimsey, based on the book by Dorothy L Sayers.
Stars: Ian Carmichael, Glyn Houston, Roy Boutcher, David Rintoul
Votes: 309
35. Wallander (2008– )
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Unable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate, Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships.
Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Richard McCabe, Jeany Spark, Sarah Smart
Votes: 16,509
36. Hinterland (2013–2016)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A noir crime drama set in Aberystwyth, Wales, where troubled DCI Tom Mathias solves murders while searching for redemption.
Stars: Richard Harrington, Mali Harries, Alex Harries, Hannah Daniel
Votes: 15,127
37. Unforgotten (2015– )
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
London detectives investigate crimes from the past, unravelling secrets left buried for years.
Stars: Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jordan Long, Carolina Main, Nicola Walker
Votes: 30,572
38. Happy Valley (2014–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Yorkshire-based crime drama centering on the personal and professional life of Police Sergeant Catherine Cawood.
Stars: Sarah Lancashire, Siobhan Finneran, James Norton, Rhys Connah
Votes: 64,695
39. A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery (1987)
52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A gentleman sleuth solves mysteries and falls in love with a detective novelist.
Stars: Harriet Walter, Edward Petherbridge, Richard Morant, Rowena Cooper
Votes: 331
40. New Tricks (2003–2015)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Three retired police officers are drafted in to solve cold cases, with a touch of comedy and drama
Stars: Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong, James Bolam
Votes: 8,792
41. Marple (2004–2013)
TV-14 | 2,090 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An elderly spinster living in the village of St. Mary Mead helps her friends and relatives solve mysterious murders.
Stars: Geraldine McEwan, Julia McKenzie, Stephen Churchett, Isabella Parriss
Votes: 10,707
42. Midsomer Murders (1997– )
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young Sergeant investigate murders around the regional community of Midsomer County.
Stars: John Nettles, Jane Wymark, Barry Jackson, Neil Dudgeon
Votes: 39,514
43. Foyle's War (2002–2015)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
As WWII rages, DCS Foyle fights his own war on the home-front; investigating crime on the south coast of England. Later series, see the retired detective working as an MI5 agent in the aftermath of the war.
Stars: Michael Kitchen, Honeysuckle Weeks, Anthony Howell, Ellie Haddington
Votes: 18,296
44. Prime Suspect (1991)
TV-14 | 104 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A female police detective investigates a series of serial murders while dealing with sexist hostility from her male comrades.
Stars: Helen Mirren, John Benfield, Tom Bell, Craig Fairbrass
Votes: 9,241
45. Prime Suspect: Tennison (2017)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Prime Suspect 1973 tells the story of 22-year-old Jane Tennison's first days in the police force, in which she endured flagrant sexism before being thrown in at the deep end with a murder enquiry.
Stars: Alun Armstrong, Andrew Brooke, Blake Harrison, Daniel Ezra
Votes: 3,677
46. Van der Valk (2020–2023)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A Dutch detective takes on criminal cases in Amsterdam using insightful human observation and his natural street smarts.
Stars: Marc Warren, Maimie McCoy, Darrell D'Silva, Emma Fielding
Votes: 4,914
47. Young Wallander (2020–2022)
TV-MA | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Follow recently graduated police officer Kurt Wallander as he investigates his first case.
Stars: Adam Pålsson, Leanne Best, Ellise Chappell, Sara Seyed
Votes: 13,399
48. Special Branch (1969–1974)
60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Groundbreaking British police drama series following the exploits of the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police: an elite group of officers tasked with protecting London from spies, terrorists, and subversives.
Stars: Derren Nesbitt, George Sewell, Morris Perry, Fulton Mackay
Votes: 195
49. The Chinese Detective (1981–1982)
50 min | Crime, Drama
Detective Sergeant John Ho, a maverick British Chinese police officer, solves crimes in and around London's docklands while dealing with occasional prejudice and distrust within the police force.
Stars: David Yip, Derek Martin, Arthur Kelly, Larrington Walker
Votes: 130
50. Redcap (1964–1966)
50 min | Crime, Drama
The cases & adventures of tough Sergeant John Mann, officer of Her Majesty's Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch.
Stars: John Thaw, Keith Barron, James Grout, James Kerry
Votes: 52
51. Red Cap (2003–2004)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
Distinctive red caps are part of the uniform of the UK military's Special Investigations Branch, who are tasked with investigating crimes associated with their own country's armed forces personnel stationed in Germany.
Stars: Tamzin Outhwaite, Douglas Hodge, James Thornton, Gordon Kennedy
Votes: 284
52. Public Eye (1965–1975)
60 min | Crime, Drama
Cynical, dour and world-weary, private eye Frank Marker is frequently the unwitting stooge in bigger criminal wheels in his attempts to make a tenuous living on the outskirts of London.
Stars: Alfred Burke, Ray Smith, Pauline Delaney, Brenda Cavendish
Votes: 427
53. Fraud Squad (1969–1970)
60 min | Crime, Drama
A well-remembered police procedural drama from the late 1960s, this show showcases the exploits of Detective Inspector Gamble (Patrick O'Connell) and his aide, Detective Sergeant Vicky ... See full summary »
Stars: Patrick O'Connell, Joanna Van Gyseghem, Ralph Nossek, Elizabeth Weaver
Votes: 43
54. Dial 999 (1958–1959)
30 min | Crime
Robert Beatty stars as Detective Inspector Mike Maguire, a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman posted to New Scotland Yard, in this popular 1950s series depicting London's fight against crime.
Stars: Robert Beatty, John Howlett, Richard Bebb, Hugh Moxey
Votes: 109
55. Strange Report (1969–1971)
60 min | Drama, Mystery
Retired Scotland Yard commissioner Adam Strange investigates bizarre mysteries in "Swinging Sixties" London.
Stars: Anthony Quayle, Kaz Garas, Anneke Wills, Charles Lloyd Pack
Votes: 175
56. Gideon C.I.D. (1964–1966)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Follows Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard and his family life.
Stars: John Gregson, Alexander Davion, Daphne Anderson, Richard James
Votes: 313
57. The Professionals (1977–1983)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
Bodie and Doyle, senior agents of the British intelligence service CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their handler George Cowley fight terrorism and similar high-level crimes.
Stars: Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins, Bridget Brice
Votes: 3,661
58. Murder in Suburbia (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 580 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The series focused on various murders in the fictional suburban English town of Middleford. The crimes are solved by two female police detectives, Inspector Kate Ashurst and Sergeant Emma Scribbins, aka "Ash and Scribbs".
Stars: Caroline Catz, Lisa Faulkner, Jeremy Sheffield, Glen Davies
Votes: 1,729
59. Broadchurch (2013–2017)
TV-MA | 1,143 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
Stars: David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan
Votes: 127,433
60. Line of Duty (2012–2021)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Drama series following the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anti-corruption unit.
Stars: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar, Craig Parkinson
Votes: 70,301
61. The Sandbaggers (1978–1980)
TV-14 | 60 min | Thriller
The missions of an elite British Intelligence covert operations unit.
Stars: Roy Marsden, Ray Lonnen, Jerome Willis, Bob Sherman
Votes: 934
62. The Avengers (1961–1969)
TV-14 | 50 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners.
Stars: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson
Votes: 8,896
63. The Protectors (1972–1974)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Challenges abound for worldwide crime-fighting team The Protectors. Organised into a global secret society, their mission is to protect the innocent and apprehend the guilty. Starring Emmy winner Robert Vaughn "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.".
Stars: Robert Vaughn, Nyree Dawn Porter, Tony Anholt, Yasuko Nagazumi
Votes: 573
64. Hazell (1978–1979)
60 min | Crime, Drama
A British television series about a fictional private detective named James Hazell and his adventures.
Stars: Nicholas Ball, Roddy McMillan, Desmond McNamara, Peter Bourke
Votes: 214
65. The Man in Room 17 (1965–1966)
60 min | Crime, Thriller, Drama
Crime series about a secret government department, "Room 17", set up to deal with crimes that baffle police and government agencies. Headed by veteran World War II Agent Oldenshaw (Richard ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Vernon, Michael Aldridge, Denholm Elliott, Willoughby Goddard
Votes: 53
66. The Fellows (1967)
60 min | Crime, Drama
Sequel series to "The Man in Room 17" ; having resigned from the "Room 17" department Oldenshaw rejoined his former partner Dimmock at the Peel Research Fellowship at All Saints College, ... See full summary »
Stars: Richard Vernon, Michael Aldridge, Jill Booty, James Ottaway
Votes: 16
67. Between the Lines (1992–1994)
50 min | Crime, Drama
British police drama following the team at the Complaints Investigation Bureau - the unit that polices the police.
Stars: Neil Pearson, Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond, Tony Doyle
Votes: 633
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