5 Recent (& 5 Classic) Crime Series That Prove The British Do It Better
From Inspector Morse to Peaky Blinders, these are some of the best classic (and modern) British crime shows.
There are few things more gripping than a good crime series, and over the years this has become a genre that the British have perfected. Whether it's an old-school show or something that is more modern, over the years, there have been some unforgettable British crime shows, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats throughout.
Whether it's focusing on the criminal and their activities, or it follows the detectives as they attempt to catch those committing the crimes. While there has been some excellent American crime shows too, this really is a genre that the British have excelled at, with these old-school and classic shows being an example of that.
10 Classic: The Bill (1983 - 2010)
The sheer length of how long The Bill ran is an example of just how popular this series was. The show blended elements of a classic soap opera with a crime drama, with the series being set in one police station, Sun Hill, which was located in London.
The show would dive deep into the characters themselves, building up their personalities as they looked to climb the ladder of success within the job. It showcased their relationships as well as some realistic and gritty crimes, which would bring the criminal side of things to life.
9 Modern: Peaky Blinders (2013 - )
Peaky Blinders has taken the world by storm since it was first released, with the story of Tommy Shelby and his family being a fantastic one. The series follows him as he leads his group, the Peaky Blinders, to earn as much money as possible.
They're a gang, and whether it's selling alcohol or fixing bets, they always have their eyes on the prize to get as much money as they can. With the government and different gangs working to take them down, audiences become hooked on the action and tension that is perfectly told.
8 Classic: Inspector Morse (1987 - 2000)
When it comes to classic British crime shows, few embody the old-school quite as well as Inspector Morse. Unlike the gritty, more relatable characters that drive the shows today, Inspector Morse is an upper-class character who believes in his own abilities and intelligence to get him by.
He doesn't play well with others and can often become frustrated when things don't go his way. However, Inspector Morse is a terrific detective, and he stops at nothing to catch his targets. The show built him up as a brilliant lead character, and while his grouchiness might be offputting to some, it is what gives him his charm at the same time.
7 Modern: The Stranger (2020)
This show was simply one season, but it was smartly written and created so much mystery and tension that viewers became hooked, binging this Netflix show quickly. The Stranger utilized technology as a tool, with a mysterious character using online research to gain secrets to bribe people with.
But once Adam Price's wife disappears and he learns she faked being pregnant, he goes on a journey to locate her, taking matters into his own hands. With the police having to deal with a murder, a missing person, and more crimes, there are twists and turns around every corner in a show that really packs a punch when it comes to excitement.
6 Classic: Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989 - 2013)
While this show did last until the 2010s, even at that stage it kept its classic charm and didn't race things into the modern era to make the show totally different. This series follows Hercule Poirot, a detective who does things the old-school way, hunting down clues to get to the bottom of the crimes.
Considering it follows Agatha Christie's classic novels, the series is one that has a classic feel to it simply within the dialogue. However, it is just as entertaining, proving that British crime shows have been thriving for a long time.
5 Modern: Luther (2010 - )
Luther has proven to be one of the best British crime shows of all time, with this series following John Luther who is a detective that is played by Idris Elba. The series follows him as he ends up working with a murderer as they try to solve different crimes after he fails to arrest him.
Luther himself is a complex character and one that is extremely well written. He is someone who doesn't deal well with the crimes he has to work through, and that alters his personality, as he struggles with becoming more aggressive at points, making his character one of real interest.
4 Classic: Life On Mars (2006 - 2007)
Life On Mars was a show that had its audience even questioning what was going on at times, which is what made it so great. The series followed Sam Tyler who ended up waking up in 1973 after colliding with a car, despite the fact that he's originally in 2006.
The show then sees him working as a detective in 1973 and 2006, only his rank is different in each, despite the fact it's the same police station. It's a show that left audiences to determine what actually happened to Sam, and the fact that it gained an American adaptation showed just how popular this was.
3 Modern: Happy Valley (2014 - )
Set in Yorkshire, this series does an amazing job at balancing both the crime and the family aspects of the lead character, Catherine Cawood. She's a police sergeant who is dealing with bringing up her grandson after her daughter kills herself.
Meanwhile, she also has to deal with trying to track down a serial killer, leading her team to an effective arrest. However, trying to bring down the person responsible for abusing her daughter is also something Catherine deals with, and it all blends together nicely to create a thrilling show.
2 Classic: Wire In The Blood (2002 - 2008)
Wire In The Blood was a gripping series that really focused on the psychological aspect of crimes and the actions that people make. The series follows Tony Hill, who is a psychologist that the detectives make the decision to work with on a regular basis.
He is often able to look at things from a different angle, picking up on clues that others simply didn't see. It made Tony an intelligent and intriguing character, while the crimes they were searching for always tended to be interesting, which only helped the show further.
1 Modern: Line Of Duty (2012 - 2021)
Line Of Duty has been one of the most popular British shows of recent years, with this following the AC12 detectives, whose job it is to focus on corrupt police officers. They work on crimes while also dealing with secrets and lies within the police force itself.
The twist of having criminals within the police is something that has given this show an amazing twist, with audiences constantly having to guess what is going to happen. The crimes are well thought out and the unpredictability of the series has kept people hooked throughout.