Summary

• British murder mysteries, from Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie, have a strong presence in TV history.
• Streaming services like Netflix offer a wide selection of thrilling British mystery shows for fans.
• From quaint mysteries to darker tales, British TV has a rich history of evolving the murder mystery genre.

One of the most popular genres of television shows in the United Kingdom is classic British murder mysteries. This should come as no surprise to fans of the mystery genre. Not only is Sherlock Holmes a pure British invention, but Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time with her British mysteries involving both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple solving seemingly unsolvable crimes. From these origins, British television's history is full of popular genre examples, with sleuths of all ages solving everything from murder mysteries to locked room cases.

Studios were quick to pick up on audiences' love for the murder mystery genre, and the result is a myriad of thrilling television shows that have their take on the matter. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and the British-flavored BritBox, there are so many great mystery shows to choose from. The best shows of this kind show the ways the genre has evolved, from the quieter and quaint mysteries of the 1980s to the more cynical and dark mysteries of modern series.

15 Poirot (1989-2013)

13 Seasons, 70 Episodes

Agatha Christie remains to this day the best-selling novelist of all time, all thanks to her unique approach to writing characters and mysteries that even the shrewdest can't quite comprehend at first. One of her most famous characters is Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective known for using his brain to solve previously unsolvable crimes. This series is dedicated to his adventure as Poirot travels around and finds himself faced with one baffling case after another, using his keen intelligence to get to the bottom of it.

Many actors took on the role of Poirot, most recently with Kenneth Branagh's Poirot movies. However, none better than David Suchet in this television series that adapted every Christie novel featuring the detective. While it is fun to see the show take on some of the most famous cases, like Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, the real joy is just seeing this clever detective discover the truth as everyone else is left clueless.

14 Marple (2004-2013)

6 Seasons, 23 Episodes

Hercule Poirot might have been the most famous character created by Agatha Christie, but it wasn't the only one, nor the only interesting and captivating detective. Miss Marple also stars in Christie's novels as a shrewd older woman who frequently finds herself involved in murder mysteries. Unlike Poirot, Marple is simply a kind spinster who is an amateur sleuth helping her friends and neighbors solve their own mysteries.

The show Marple features two actresses taking on the role (Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie), and both bring their charm and uniqueness to the character. Marple is a charming and quaint character who can be the perfect antidote for some of the most brooding and dark detectives in modern British mysteries. There is a comforting older quality to the stories that capture Christie's brilliant mystery writing style.

13 Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)

9 Seasons, 41 Episodes

Anyone who is in love with British murder mysteries is likely also a fan of the most famous British detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes. While there have been a lot of different movies and shows featuring Sherlock Holmes, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes offers an extended series of adventures with the detective and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson on their various cases.

While younger audiences might have had their first encounter with the famous detective in Sherlock, this 1980s adaptation shouldn't be skipped. It places Holmes and Dr. Watson in the time period they were created in by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and follows the famous duo with great mysteries elevated by the fun of seeing their friendship at play. The series adapted 17 short stories and two novels from Doyle in its nine seasons.

12 Inspector Morse (1987-2000)

7 Seasons, 33 Episodes

One of the longest-running shows of the British murder mysteries genre is Inspector Morse, first airing in 1987 and not stopping until 2000, over a decade later. Based on the novel series by Colin Dexter, who also created the TV show, Inspector Morse is charming, suspenseful, and utterly British. John Thaw plays the titular inspector, a snobbish yet brilliant detective with a love of classical music, beer, and solving crimes.

Thaw's curious take on the character makes for a charming, funny, and engaging hero as he takes on one case after another, alongside his friend and partner, Sgt. Robbie Lewis. This 12-season-long series is as binge-worthy as it is entertaining with a number of acclaimed actors appearing throughout the series, such as Brian Cox, Mark Strong, Rachel Weisz, and Sean Bean. The show even had two spin-off series with Lewis (2006-2015) and Endeavour (2012-2013).

11 Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012-2015)

3 Seasons, 34 Episodes

The character of Miss Fisher might not be as immediately recognizable as Hercule Poirot or as well-known as Sherlock Holmes. She is, however, one of the most interesting and well-crafted female detective characters to ever be featured in a British murder mystery series. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries takes place in the 1920s and follows Miss Fisher as she makes her way through life fighting for what is just and good, taking bad guys down along the way.

The series delivers the typical engaging mysteries expected in the genre but also sets itself apart from other amateur detective stories. Essie Davis is a big reason for this as her lead performance is charming and witty while adding some glamor to the often serious genre. Even though it only lasted three seasons and ended in 2015, fans appreciated the character enough to justify the 2020 feature film, Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears.

10 Ripper Street (2012-2016)

5 Seasons, 37 Episodes

Many British murder mysteries have fun with creating their own cases or drawing inspiration from mystery novels. However, Ripper Street is one of the rare ones that has a true crime element while exploring one of the most infamous serial killers in history. The story is set in 1889 in the aftermath of Jack the Ripper's killing spree with real-life Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (played by Pride & Prejudice's Matthew Macfadyen) attempting to restore law and order.

The show takes an interesting approach to looking at the famous unsolved murder case. It is less about the killer still being out there and more about the trauma and fear that is left in the wake of these crimes. The series makes for an interesting blending of the period murder mysteries of old and the new trend of darker true crime tales.

9 Death In Paradise (2011- )

12 Seasons, 98 Episodes

While murder mystery shows can be dark and intense, it makes it all the more refreshing when there is a series that comes along with a lighter and more comedic take on the genre. The series begins with Detective Inspector Richard Poole (Ben Miller) being assigned to investigate a murder on a Caribbean island only to be told to remain there as the new chief inspector, solving the various cases in the community.

With Poole's hatred for sand and heat, the show is a terrific fish-out-of-water comedy while also being a clever mystery series. The show has remained on the air for more than a decade despite some big cast changes. Despite its comedy, it has proven it can go to some dark places as well and shock the audience. However, it remains a fun and different type of murder mystery show for those looking to shake things up.

8 Sherlock (2010-2017)

4 Seasons, 13 Episodes

Another adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective has proven to be one of the most popular interpretations. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the role of Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock, alongside Martin Freeman as John Watson. However, this time around, it is Sherlock and Watson solving cases in the 21st century with the modern take on the character working surprisingly well.

Though inspired by some of the original Sherlock Holmes stories, Sherlock creates its own clever and brilliant cases that are a lot of fun to see unfold. Cumberbatch is terrific as the more abrasive and socially alienating Holmes while Freeman is the most capable Watson ever introduced. There are also some very fun takes on other classic Holmes characters, including Andrew Scott's memorable role as Moriarty. The show delivered four seasons, but there remains hope among fans for a possible Sherlock movie.

7 River (2015)

1 Season, 6 Episodes

Another example of the big-name talents that can be drawn to the British murder mystery genre, Stellan Skarsgård leads the cast of the series River. It originally appeared as a one-time series on BBCOne in October and was released on Netflix in November 2015. Skarsgård takes on the role of Detective Inspector John River, a man haunted by a series of murder victims which calls into question his sanity even though he is an accomplished investigator.

The show touches on the crime drama aspects of the murders, but most of all, personal tragedies that play into the emotions and fears of the audience. The supernatural element of River talking to the dead, including his late partner, is used effectively as Skarsgård plays the complexity of the character. He is a man serious about his work yet concerned about his mind slipping away.

6 Midsomer Murders (1997- )

23 Seasons, 138 Episodes

Midsomer Murders was a popular British murder mystery series that premiered in the late 1990s. The story takes place in the modern fictitious county of Midsomer where Chief Detective Tom Barnaby and his young disciple work tirelessly to solve the local murders. The best episodes of Midsomer Murders combine the twisted and complex murders with a sense of quaint small-town charm. There can be a sense of humor to the show even as some of the murders get surprisingly grisly.

Actor John Nettles took the lead role of DI Barnaby before he retired from the show in 2011. To keep the show going, Barnaby's cousin John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) took over the leading role as Midsomer County's DCI. The show has seen continuous success even with this change and has aired 23 seasons to date.

5 Happy Valley (2014-2023)

3 Seasons, 18 Episodes

Police sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) takes her role seriously as she patrols the streets of West Yorkshire. In the first season, Catherine is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the suicide of her daughter and divorce from her husband, along with her obsession with a recently released prisoner, Tommy Lee Royce, responsible for raping her daughter.

Happy Valley ended up with three seasons, as Catherine's life and that of Royce remained intertwined, with the detective investigating human trafficking and other murders that tie back into her nemesis, just as she nears retirement age. It was a fitting end as the show was always as focused on Catherine as it was with the cases she worked on. She made for a smart, sympathetic, and humor protagonist in the story which elevated the series above many others in the genre.

4 Vera (2011- )

12 Seasons, 50 Episodes

While great murder mysteries need a fascinating case to draw the audience in, it is just as important that the central characters are ones the viewers can care about. Vera is a show that understands there is an archetype for the detectives of these types of shows and seeks to subvert those expectations. DCI Vera Stanhope and her team of investigators work to solve a bevy of murders across the Northumberland landscape.

The British murder mystery drama relies heavily on Vera's wit and peevish charm to balance the merciless plot lines of the unrelenting murderers in her jurisdiction. She has a take-no-prisoners attitude and is exceptionally clever, making actress Brenda Blethyn's character all the more fascinating. This ongoing series features seasons consisting of mostly four episodes making it a fast and enjoyable mystery show to binge.

3 Broadchurch (2013-2017)

3 Seasons, 24 Episodes

Broadchurch was a series that stepped away from the case-of-the-week format to do a deeper dive into a murder case. It is also a show that deals with the common trend of modern murder mystery shows looking at small communities rocked by shocking crimes. In the English town of Dorset, DI's Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller work together to solve one murder at a time.

The ensemble cast consists of Doctor Who's David Tennant and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman as the two principal characters, each of them bringing gravitas and nuance to the detective roles, with other cast appearances made by Jodie Whittaker and Arthur Darvill. Each season consisted of eight episodes focusing on a single crime in each of the three seasons, as the series also shows how these crimes can affect the investigators on the case.

2 Luther (2010-2019)

5 Seasons, 20 Episodes

Another common trend that emerged in murder mystery shows in the 21st century was moving away from the noble detectives who simply solve the cases with hard work and towards the detectives who were more flawed and willing to push the boundaries in order to see justice served. John Luther certainly falls into the latter category. Played by Idris Elba, John Luther is a genius detective at the Serious Crime Unit in the United Kingdom. Luther's brilliance sometimes leads him to think on par with the criminals that he is investigating, which often plays into his own violent tendencies.

Luther's character is critically obsessive so his job as a murder detective takes precedence over everything else in his life, including personal relationships. The show had incredible success after its first run in 2010, with almost 6 million people tuning in to Luther for every episode. The series ended after five seasons, although a Luther movie arrived in 2023 with Elba back once more.

1 Unforgotten (2015- )

5 Seasons, 30 Episodes

London detectives dig into the cold case files in this British murder mysteries series. Unforgotten is a three-series TV show starring Nicola Walker as DCI Cassie Stuart and Sanjeev Bhaskar as DI Sunny Khan. The two specialize in murder and disappearance cases that have been long forgotten by the public but are actively solved with their determination.

Each of the seasons features a new case, with the first four also following Cassie's personal life and struggles to balance family and her job. However, Walker left the show after the fourth season, replaced by Sinéad Keenan as DCI Jessica 'Jessie' James. While most murder mystery shows are all about the race against the clock to solve the newest murder, it is interesting to see these detectives dive into decades-old cases with the evidence, witnesses, and truth all faded over the years.