The best British crime dramas
The top 3 according to 2 votes from people: Broadchurch (2013-2017) · Line of Duty (2012-2021) · Inspector Morse (1987-2000). (Updated Jul 15, 2026.)
From Inspector Morse and Prime Suspect to Line of Duty and Happy Valley: Britain's best crime series, from TVLine, Looper and Screen Rant.
Top 15
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1
Broadchurch (2013-2017)
David Tennant and Olivia Colman in a Dorset town.
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2
Line of Duty (2012-2021)
AC-12 investigates corrupt police officers; number one for TVLine.
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3
Inspector Morse (1987-2000)
John Thaw in Oxford; voted the greatest British crime drama by Radio Times readers.
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4
Prime Suspect (1991-2006)
Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison.
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5
Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby in Birmingham.
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6
Luther (2010-2019)
Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson's Alice Morgan.
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7
Endeavour (2012-2023)
Young Morse in 1960s Oxford.
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8
Sherlock (2010-2017)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in modern London.
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9
Cracker (1993-2006)
Robbie Coltrane as a criminal psychologist.
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10
Life on Mars (2006-2007)
A modern detective wakes up in 1973.
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11
Unforgotten (2015-)
Cold cases reopened by Cassie and Sunny.
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12
Shetland (2013-)
Murders on the Scottish islands.
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13
Vera (2011-2025)
Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope in Northumberland.
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14
Top Boy (2011-2023)
Drug dealers on a Hackney estate.
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15
Happy Valley (2014-2023)
Sarah Lancashire as Sergeant Catherine Cawood in Yorkshire.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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