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22 gripping UK crime drama series to watch - from Silent Witness to Vigil
Searching for your next crime drama fix? Look no further
We’ll happily binge an American sitcom or get lost in a slice of Nordic noir, but when it comes to razor-sharp, edge-of-your-seat crime drama, the UK is in a league of its own. From era-defining police dramas to deeply moving and eye opening series like Adolescence which became one of Netflix's most watched shows last year, British television consistently delivers first-class acting and tightly wound storytelling that keeps you guessing.
Crime dramas are practically a national speciality. With a vast catalogue of compelling, addictive series to choose from, the only challenge is deciding which one to press play on. If your watchlist is running dry ahead of the weekend, consider this your cue - we’ve rounded up the most gripping thriller series to devour.
Silent Witness
How many series? 29
How many episodes? 261
Who's in it? Emilia Fox, David Caves, Francesca Mills, Maggie Stead, Lydia Wilson, Zita Satar and Mollie Winnard.
What's it about? In this brooding, high-stakes thriller, forensic pathologists navigate mounting personal pressures while untangling chilling crimes. Shifting from grim crime scenes to the stark intensity of the lab, the series blends meticulous investigation with emotional fallout, creating a tense, atmospheric drama where every detail - and every decision - carries weight.
Why you should watch... If you’re into smart, slow-burn crime dramas with clever twists, complex characters and just the right amount of grit, Silent Witness should be top of your watchlist. It's also 29 seasons in, which should keep you busy for some time if you're looking for your next, big binge.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer and BBC One
Red Eye (2024 - present)
How many series? 2
How many episodes? 12
Who's in it? Richard Armitage (s1), Jing Lusi, Lesley Sharp, Jemma Moore, Dan Li, Trevor White, and Martin Compston (s2)
What's it about? After an American diplomatic courier is discovered dead at Heathrow, Detective Li is assigned to unravel the case. The investigation takes a sharp turn when US Embassy security chief Clay Brody (Compston) discloses that the courier’s badge and credentials are missing. Despite their fraught history, Li and Brody join forces and hurry to the embassy, where the newly appointed US Ambassador (Trevor White) is in the middle of a high-profile reception. What follows is a spiral of chaos, secrets and bloodshed that makes for a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Why you should watch... When the first few episodes leave you with more questions than answers, you're left desperate to know where the story will go next.
Where to watch: ITVX
Trigger Point (2022 - to present)
How many series? 3
How many episodes? 18
Who's in it? Vicky McClure, Adrian Lester, Eric Shango, Nabil Elouahabi, Kerry Godliman, Mark Stanley
What's it about? Ex-military bomb disposal operative Lana is an Afghan War veteran, who heads up the bomb disposal team for the Metropolitan Police.
Why you should watch... Line of Duty, who? This could be Vicky McClure's best (and intense) role.
Where to watch: ITVX
Fool Me Once (2024)
How many series? 1
How many episodes? 8
Who's in it? Richard Armitage, Michelle Keegan, Joanna Lumley, Adeel Akhtar, Emmett J Scanlan, Thea Taylor-Morgan
What's it about? After a woman's husband is killed in an accident, she's shocked to see him playing with their daughter on their nanny cam, and must uncover what exactly is going on.
Why you should watch... As part of a five-year deal with the streaming service, Harlan Coben's best-selling novels are being adapted by Netflix - and this is one of the best ones.
Where to watch: Netflix
Department Q (2025)
How many series?: 1
How many episodes?: 9
Who's in it?: Matthew Goode, Chloe Pirrie, Kelly Macdonald, Alexej Manvelov
What's it about?: Detective Carl Morck is assigned the new cold case department and alongside his new and unconventional team they set about working out what happened to a prosecutor who has been missing for two years, seemingly having disappeared off a ferry.
Why you should watch... You love the grumpy detective stereotype that actually makes sense and a gripping plot that will keep you guessing for nine episodes.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Capture (2019 -present )
How many series? 2
How many episodes? 13
Who's in it? Callum Turner, Holliday Grainger, Paapa Esseidu, Laura Haddock
What's it about? When a crime is committed, a young detective realises everything isn't as it seems - and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy in the process.
Why you should watch... You're in the mood for a thriller that will make you question the future of evidence. Oh and a third season is coming this Spring!
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Vigil (2021 - present)
How many series? 2
How many episodes? 12
Who's in it? Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Martin Compston
What's it about? When a crew member is found dead on a submarine, Detective Amy Silva is brought in to investigate, against the backdrop of tensions between the Navy and the British security services.
Why you should watch... Suranne Jones is brilliant as the lead investigator, the second series moves the story on to a whole new inquiry, and season three is just around the corner.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Traces (2019 - 2022)
How many series? 2
How many episodes? 12
Who's in it? Laura Fraser, Michael Nardone, Jennifer Spence, Andrea Hart, Molly Windsor, Anna Leong Brophy, Peter Forbes, Martin Compston
What's it about? When a lab assistant is taking a forensics court, she realises one of the case studies is linked to her - and sets about trying to solve the mystery.
Why you should watch... There are twists and turns and ups and downs, plus you get a bonus point for Martin Compston!
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
The Fall (2013 to 2016)
How many series? 3
How many episodes? 17
Who's in it? Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan
What's it about? MET Police Superintendent Stella Gibson is sent to Belfast to investigate a murder case that has gone unsolved. She quickly realises that all signs point to a serial killer, and she finds herself embroiled in a twisted game of cat and mouse as she races against the clock to stop him before he strikes again.
Why you should watch... Gillian Anderson is a powerhouse in this gripping series. Plus, Jamie Dornan's portrayal of a stalker-killer is bone-chilling.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Gangs of London (2020 -present )
How many series? 3
How many episodes? 25
Who's in it? Sope Dirisu, Joe Cole, Michelle Fairley, and Lucian Msamati.
What's it about? This gripping series follows the triumph and fall of a notorious network of gangs in modern-day London, who are rattled by the sudden assassination of the head of the city's most powerful crime family.
Why you should watch...This show is brutal and unflinching. If you want a grit-laced cast and a nail-biting story that rockets forward, you're in for a treat.
Where to watch: NOW
Bodyguard (2018)
How many series? 1
How many episodes? 6
Who's in it? Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes
What's it about? Specialist Protection Officer and war veteran David Budd is brought on as the Protection Officer for a controversial Home Secretary. The two clash on ethics, politics, and everything in-between, until a dangerous outside threat causes Budd to question just how safe either of them really are.
Why you should watch... Richard Madden? As a bodyguard? Yes please. Plus, this series contains the shockingly violent assassination attempt scene that was the nation's talking point for ages.
Where to watch: Netflix
Luther (2010 - 2019)
How many series? 5
How many episodes? 20
Who's in it? Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, and Ruth Wilson
What's it about? DCI John Luther is a master at cracking cases. He often gets tangled up in complex murders, hunting down tricky serial killers, and has an uncanny ability to get inside the mind of his suspects. But his maverick approach can often get him into troublesome situations.
Why you should watch... With five seasons and a movie (!), Luther is primed for binge-watching.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Broadchurch (2013 - 2017)
How many series? 3
How many episodes? 24
Who's in it? David Tennant, Olivia Coleman, and Jodie Whittaker
What's it about? In the small coastal town of Broadchurch on the coast of England, a young boy is found dead at the bottom of a cliff. Seasoned and cynical detective D.I Alec Hardy teams up with the chirpy local D.S Ellie Miller to uncover what they believe to be suspicious circumstances. In a town this small, it's likely that everyone knows the killer...
Why you should watch... This show is an oldie by now, but when it comes to UK crime dramas, this is the blueprint. Unmissable and full of blinding twists.
Where to watch: ITVX
Line of Duty (2012 - 2021)
How many series? 6
How many episodes? 37
Who's in it? Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Keeley Hawes, and Kelly Macdonald
What's it about... After becoming caught in an ill-fated raid that resulted in the death of an innocent victim, D.S Steven Arnott is transferred to AC-12, a unit that is tasked with uncovering police corruption. Partnered with D.C Kate Fleming, the two officers work together to solve various cases that tackle corrupt police officers.
Why you should watch... Line of Duty has become a crime staple over the years. With six seasons (and a seventh now confirmed!!), there's plenty to sit with and become obsessed with the nerve-tightening drama.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Marcella (2016–2021)
How many series? 3
How many episodes? 24
Who's in it? Anna Friel, Ray Panthaki, Jack Doolan, and Jamie Bamber
What's it about? Marcella Backland left her job in the Metropolitan Police for her family. Shockingly, her husband leaves her anyway. Later, when a murder case comes to light that hits close to home for Marcella, she makes the decision to return to the force.
Why you should watch... Marcella is a UK-set series that adheres to the style of a Scandi noir. With knotted narratives and unpredictable moments, this is a series that'll have you glued to your seat.
Where to watch: ITVX
Unforgotten (2015 - present )
How many series? 6
How many episodes? 36
Who's in it? Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jordan Long, Nicola Walker, Lewis Reeves
What's it about? Unforgotten follows the trials of DI Sunny Khan and DCI Cassie Stuart as they work together to solve tragic cold cases, including unsolved murders and disappearances.
Why you should watch... Following the usual trajectory of 'whodunnit' cases, this series takes a more melancholy turn, choosing to focus on the realism within the procedures and characterisation.
Where to watch: ITVX
The Responder (2022 - present)
How many series? 2
How many episodes? 10
Who's in it? Martin Freeman, MyAnna Buring, Adelayo Adedayo
What's it about? Chris Carson, a first responder based in Liverpool, must tackle with his personal issues and struggles as he goes through the night shifts that bring unexpected troubles and violence.
Why you should watch... This show not only beings adrenaline-pumping action and nail-biting tension, but also choses to shine a light on the mental health struggles of the protagonist.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Inside Man (2022)
How many series? 1
How many episodes? 4
Who's in it? David Tennant (again), Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, and Lydia West
What's it about... An ex-criminologist waiting on death row in the US helps solve unsolved cases as he receives visits from a variety of strangers seeking his help.
Why you should watch... It's a complex puzzle of stories knitted together, keeping you on your toes. How is a killer sentenced to death in the US related to a priest in a small English town? That's what you need to watch to find out.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Des (2020)
How many series? 1
How many episodes? 3
Who's in it? David Tennant (again, again!), Daniel Mays, and Jason Watkins
What's it about? A dramatisation of the arrest and trial of infamous Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen.
Why you should watch... The unspoken rule of thumb is that if David Tennant is in a crime show, it's probably worth watching. His unflinching and eerie portrayal of the devastatingly awful killer is worth your time.
Where to watch: ITVX
White House Farm (2020)
How many series? 1
How many episodes? 6
Who's in it? Freddie Fox, Alexa Davies, Mark Addy, and Stephen Graham
What's it about? In another true-life inspired series, White House Farm follows the discovery and subsequent investigation of the tragic case that involved the murder of five family members over one night.
Why you should watch... White House Farm is a dark and tragic retelling of a crime that shook Essex back in 1985, with a stellar cast and a careful handling of the subject.
Where to watch: ITVX
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