Television crime dramas have never been so popular, which is down to their ability to captivate, thrill, and even scare audiences. There are many amazing crime drama television shows produced all over the world, and there is no evidence to suggest that the genre is going away anytime soon.
Great Britain is one of the most prolific contributors to the excellent selection of crime dramas available to audiences. Britain is famed for its high-quality crime television shows. Production companies such as the BBC and ITV have produced myriad crime dramas which have received more than favorable ratings on IMDb.
Happy Valley (2014 - Present) - 8.4
Happy Valley is a Yorkshire-based crime drama that chronicles the story of Catherine Cawood, a West Yorkshire Police Sergeant who struggles to deal with the loss of her daughter, Becky, who died by suicide eight years before the events of season 1.
Happy Valley has been praised for the way it deals with sensitive issues such as addiction and sexual violence, and this is down to the show’s excellent writing and acting. The show is the recipient of many awards nominations, winning several, including two BAFTAs.
Broadchurch (2013 - 2017) - 8.4
Broadchurch provides audiences with everything they would expect to see from a high-quality crime drama while also taking the genre one step further and delving into the emotional implications of working as a detective.
The show explores police work at a human level with great aplomb, which is no surprise, considering the profile of the lead actors. Any television production with Olivia Coleman and David Tennant in the lead roles is inevitably going to be good, and Broadchurch proves this. The show is one of the highest-rated crime dramas on Britbox and has received a multitude of award nominations, winning several BAFTAs in the process.
Luther (2010 - 2019) - 8.4
Upon its release in 2010, Luther quickly established itself as more than just another unremarkable crime drama by perfectly blending Hollywood-style psychological thriller elements into a classic detective drama framework.
Luther’s following seasons built upon the widespread critical acclaim of the first series and cemented its place as one of the best British crime dramas ever. The show has received many award nominations throughout its television tenure, particularly for acting, which is down to the immensely talented Idris Elba’s excellent work as the eponymous protagonist.
Foyle’s War (2002 - 2015) - 8.5
As a crime drama set just after the Second World War, Foyle’s War combines two of Britain’s favorite television genres to create a unique and interesting addition to the vast catalog of British television shows.
While the show has been nominated for several awards throughout its time on-air, it never managed to win any major accolades. However, having survived a cancellation in 2008, Foyle’s War has become a classic in its own right and is now one of the highest-rated British crime dramas on IMDb.
Poirot (1989 - 2013) - 8.6
Poirot was one of the longest-running crime dramas on TV, which is an incredible accomplishment, considering the high standards of writing and production that every episode abides by. Based on Agatha Christie’s iconic detective novels, Poirot chronicles the eponymous protagonist’s mysterious and captivating cases, which leave audiences guessing until the very last scene.
Poirot has always been a jewel in the gleaming crown of English literature, and now, thanks to the critically acclaimed television series, it is a jewel in the crown of British television series as well.
Endeavour (2012 - Present) - 8.6
Endeavour is the prequel to the much-treasured Inspector Morse series, depicting the life of a young Endeavour Morse during the early years of his police career. Endeavour certainly lives up to the high standards set by its television predecessor, receiving widespread critical praise after almost every season of the show.
Endeavour has picked up several award nominations throughout its eight seasons, mainly for acting, which is a testament to the talents of Shaun Evans. While the show has not won many major awards, it is still highly regarded by critics and is one of the highest-rated British crime dramas, according to IMDb.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984 - 1985) - 8.7
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly one of the most iconic adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, a character first created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. The series owes much of its success to Jeremy Brett’s legendary portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and David Burke’s excellent portrayal of John Watson.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes retells Sherlock Holmes’ famous cases with a small-screen spin that captivates audiences from start to finish. While the show has did not manage to receive any major awards, it is now considered a classic and one of the most distinguished additions to the Sherlock Holmes franchise.
Line of Duty (2012 - Present) - 8.7
Line of Duty is undoubtedly one of the best British crime dramas ever, having burst onto the scene in 2012. The show’s first season, starring Martin Compston and Vicky McClure, received a huge viewership and widespread critical praise.
The BBC capitalized on the positive momentum created by Line of Duty’s wildly successful first season, commissioning five subsequent seasons and moving the show to BBC 1. Across Line of Duty’s six seasons, it has received a multitude of award nominations for Best TV Drama, Best Actor, and Best Director, winning dozens of them.
Peaky Blinders (2013 - 2022) - 8.8
Peaky Blinders has taken on a life beyond a television show, especially in the United Kingdom. The show, starring Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy, has permeated popular culture in the form of fashion, influencing haircuts and dress sense.
This huge cultural impact is down to the pure genius of Peaky Blinders’ dramatic quotes, writing, production, and acting, which are among the best of any television show. Given the show’s unique story and compelling cast of characters, it is no surprise that the show has received such profound critical praise and an IMDb score to match.
Sherlock (2010 - 2017) - 9.1
Sherlock is undoubtedly one of the best television shows of all time, and it is not difficult to understand why. Starring two A-List actors of immense talent in the form of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the show is clever, captivating, and original.
The show has transcended British television and has become a global favorite, winning countless BAFTAs, Emmys, and many other major accolades in a range of prestigious categories. With an IMDb rating of 9.1, it is difficult to argue that there will ever be a better on-screen adaption of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective than Sherlock.