Dozens of newBritish crime seriespremiered in 2024 and in the long list of TV shows, there should be something for everyone. Across the pond, crime series remain just as popular as their American cousins, and though in the past some audiences haven’t alwayshad the chance to catch these British crime dramas, they’ve never been easier to watch thanks to streaming.British television remains a stapleof pop culture, with series likeBaby Reindeer,Sweetpea, andBridgertonpremiering or continuing in 2024.
Crime dramas also continue to capture the imagination, withSlow Horses,True Detective: Night Country,Fargo,Griselda, andUnder the Bridgeall being acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, and cleaning up at the Emmys and Golden Globes as well. Many will already recognize some of those titles as British productions, but even that categorization may have flown under others' radar, which just goes to show how well-integrated the country’s productions are into American streamers.There are plenty of great series to pick from, but some stand out.
InEllis, also titledInspector Ellis, the titular DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke) and her assistant DS Chet Harper (Andrew Gower) are sent around to local police departments in order to help with investigations that aren’t going so well.Watching the mismatched pair get along well and work together is satisfying, particularly because they are often bonded by the resentment they receive from the departments they are sent to. Clarke is fantastic as the stoic Ellis. There are currently no plans for a second season.
InThe Red King, Grace (Anjli Mohindra) is a detective sergeant posted at the fictional Welsh island, St. Jory. The island is home to a 100-year-old pagan cult called the True Way. Though locals claim the official cult no longer exists and only serves as a way to bring in tourists, the murder of a young boy leads Grace and police constable Owen (James Bamford) to wonder if the cult isn’t extinct after all. Dry, dark, and whip-smart,The Red Kingis a lot more fun than the premise would suggest. A second season has yet to be announced.
Red Eyeis a six-part crime thriller that takes place entirely on an all-night flight from London to Beijing. A British man, Dr. Matthew Nolan (Richard Armitage) is accused of murdering someone in China, and is extradited from England under the escort of Detective Hana Li (Jing Lusi). The premise ofRed Eyeis more interesting than the twists and turns dotted throughout, but it’s still a pretty great premise. Since it only takes place on one flight, it’s easy and fun to binge, with each episode falling right into the next. It’s also been renewed for season 2 (viaRadioTimes).
Nightsleepertakes place in real-time onboard the Heart of Britain, a fictional sleeper train that is traveling from London to Glasgow. On board is Joe Roag (Joe Cole), a Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector who’s on the run after being accused of theft. When someone mysterious tries to take control of the train, Joe gets in touch with Abby Aysgarth (Alexandra Roach), Technical Director of the National Cyber Security Centre to save everyone on board. Filled with adrenaline, but often totally ridiculous,Nightsleeperwill please a certain type of fan. Season 2 has not been confirmed.
InThe Jetty, Jenna Coleman stars as Detective Ember Manning, who is played by Connie Jenkins-Greig in flashback sequences. When Manning investigates a fire in a picturesque Lancashire town, memories of an old missing person are suddenly unearthed. Coleman is excellent in the role, playing an incredibly complicated and damaged character, who has a nose for police work. It’s a gripping if sometimes clichéd mystery with turns at every corner.The Jettyseason 2 has yet to be announced.
The Australian-British crime comedy-dramaReturn to Paradiseis thesecond spin-off of the popularDeath in Paradiseseries. The show follows Australian-born DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson) who works for London’s Metropolitan Police Force, but when she returns to Dolphin Cove in Australia, she is forced to stay there semi-permanently and join the local, eccentric police force. Just like the other shows in theDeath in Paradisefranchise,Return to Paradiseis a charming, warming tale with likable characters, and some interesting cases thrown in for good measure. Season 2 has not been announced yet.
Wunmi Mosaku stars inPassengeras Riya Ajunwa, a former Metropolitan police officer who moves from Manchester to Chadder Vale to take care of her mother-in-law. There isn’t much to do in Chadder Vale beyond arresting petty criminals, but when Katie Wells (Rowan Robinson) goes missing, Riya might start wishing it was just petty crimes she had to deal with. Mosaku is as good as ever, bringing gravity and sweetness to the character and, despite the darkness of the plot, there’s a lot of welcome humor.Passengerhas not been renewed for season 2.
Fool Me Oncefollows the aftermath of the murder of Joe Burkett (Richard Armitage). His widowed wife, Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan), soon discovers that her husband may have faked his death. At the same time, Maya’s niece and nephew, Abby (Dänya Griver) and Daniel (Daniel Burt), wonder if there’s a connection between their uncle and their mother’s murder from years before.Fool Me Onceis filled with excellent performances from the ensemble cast, but the numerous twists can be exhausting.Fool Me Onceseason 2, unfortunately, won’t be happening anytime soon (viaRadioTimes).
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Vincent Anderson in the British crime series,Eric, a psychological thriller about an unhappy and unfulfilled puppeteer living in 1980s New York City whose young son suddenly goes missing. As his investigation drives everyone close to him away, he comes to depend on a seven-foot-tall puppet named Eric. It’s a bizarrely intriguing story with a fantastic performance at the center by Cumberbatch and manages to startle as much as it elicits laughter. There is no release date forEricseason 2.
The ITV miniseriesJoanis based on a true storyand stars Sophie Turner as the titular Londonite. Joan O’Connell-Hannington is a housewife and mother who begins stealing small items before moving up to jewelry and eventually becoming a leader in the British criminal underworld. The series lives and dies on Turner’s performance, and it’s one of the best of her career as the charming, intelligent, and fun-loving Joan.The feminist edge of the series offers even morefor viewers to explore. There has been no news aboutJoanseason 2.
