BritBox has been building momentum ever since its launch in 2017. The streaming service now boasts a plethora of high-quality British television and film productions for subscribers to enjoy.
Within BritBox’s vast television and film catalog are a whole host of captivating crime dramas, many of which have received a great deal of critical praise. The streaming service offers a comprehensive mix of classic and contemporary television crime dramas that have received a favorable rating from IMDb, which is usually a trustworthy indicator of their quality.
The Fall (2013 - 2016) - 8.1
The Fall chronicles the pursuit of a fictional serial killer who has been attacking young women in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The series owes much of its critical success to the talented main cast, including Gillian Anderson as the lead protagonist and Jamie Dornan as the serial killer, Paul Spector.
The Fall certainly meets all of the criteria for a captivating crime drama, including a thrilling plot and excellent acting. It is no surprise then that the series has been nominated for many prestigious awards during its three years on the air.
Three Girls (2017) - 8.2
Three Girls is a BBC miniseries comprised of three episodes that depict events based on the true story of the Rochdale child sex abuse scandal. The series provides a powerful and scathing indictment of the practices of the Greater Manchester Police, who failed to investigate the reports of a sex abuse ring operating in Rochdale in the late 2000s.
Three Girls received a great deal of praise from critics and audiences, with a near-universal appreciation for the excellent acting and writing, both of which allowed the important messages in the show to be communicated effectively and sensitively.
Inspector Morse (1987 - 2000) - 8.2
Inspector Morse is one of the longest-running crime dramas ever to have graced the small screen, and the eponymous main character has etched a permanent place in British television history as one of the greatest fictional detectives ever created.
The show is based on a series of novels written by Colin Dexter and depicts the adventures of Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, who is tasked with keeping the City of Oxford safe from criminals. Inspector Morse has won multiple BAFTA awards and is widely regarded as one of the best British crime dramas of all time.
Shetland (2013 - Present) - 8.2
Shetland is an ITV Studios production set primarily in the eponymous area of Scotland, starring Douglas Henshall, Alison O’Donnell, and Steven Robertson as the main members of the Scottish criminal investigation team.
The series follows the detectives as they attempt to solve serious crimes committed in Shetland, although, as with every great crime drama, the cases are never as straightforward as firsts thought. Shetland has been the recipient of multiple awards, including two Scottish BAFTAs.
Life On Mars (2006 - 2007) - 8.3
Life on Mars is a British crime drama first airing on the BBC, and its title is based on the title of a song by the late, great David Bowie. The show stars John Simm as a police officer named Sam Tyler, who, after being hit by a car in 2006, wakes up in the year 1973.
Despite only running for two seasons, Life on Mars was very well received by critics and audiences, winning multiple awards including a BAFTA. The show was so popular that it spawned a sequel entitled Ashes to Ashes, which also received a positive reception.
Unforgotten (2015 - Present) - 8.3
Unforgotten, starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar, is an excellent British crime drama that revolves around the solving of cold cases. Most of the cases depicted are murders, and the cold case aspect of the plot makes Unforgotten a unique and interesting series.
Unforgotten boasts the perfect blend of great acting, thoughtful writing, and a unique premise, which is why the show has been the recipient of many award nominations and critical recognition. Thus far, Unforgotten has been nominated for several BAFTAs, winning two for acting, with the possibility of further awards for future seasons.
Broadchurch (2013 - 2017) - 8.4
Broadchurch follows a team of police detectives as they work through serious criminal investigations and deal with the difficulties attached with working as detectives. The show is the creation of Chris Chibnall, who wrote every episode and is widely recognized to be behind the show's success.
Any television show with two lead actors that have the profile and talent of British actors David Tennant and Olivia Colman is bound to be excellent, and Broadchurch’s plethora of awards and nominations prove this theory. The show’s very first season won three BAFTAs, including the much-coveted Best Drama Series, which cemented Broadchurch as one of the greats.
Love/Hate (2010 - 2014) - 8.5
Love/Hate is an Irish crime drama set in Dublin and portrays fictional events that occur within Dublin’s criminal underworld. The series has attracted both praise and controversy for its gritty portrayal of violence and criminality, though this did not hinder its overwhelmingly positive critical reception.
The show boasts a cast of talented actors, including Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gillen, and Ruth Negga, who all contributed to Love/Hate’s ability to captivate and impact audiences. Across its five seasons, Love/Hate received countless award nominations for acting, writing, and direction, winning several in the process.
Endeavour (2012 - Present) - 8.6
As the prequel to a series as iconic as Inspector Morse, Endeavour must adhere to a robust set of standards to avoid tarnishing the story of their shared protagonist, Endeavour Morse. Endeavour follows a young Morse during the early years of his career as a detective and does so to an excellent standard, which is why the series is regarded as one of the best crime dramas on television.
The series, starring Shaun Evans as Endeavour Morse, has received many favorable reviews throughout its eight seasons, picking up several nominations for direction and acting, although it is yet to win an award so far.
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (1984 - 1985) - 8.7
The 1984 adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic novels does an excellent job at capturing the essence of Sherlock Holmes while also adding a necessary small-screen spin to his stories. Jeremy Brett’s portrayal as Sherlock Holmes in The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes is legendary, as is David Burke’s portrayal of John Watson, with both actors playing a key role in the show’s incredible success.
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly one of the best on-screen adaptations of the famous detective’s many captivating cases, with few other adaptation attempts from other production studios receiving such widespread praise.