Reddit Users Rank Top 7 British Crime Dramas (That Aren't Sherlock or Luther)
If you love watching crime dramas, thrillers, and police procedurals, check out these TV gems from the Brits.
Thrillers and detective stories have their own special niche in British television and cinema. We decided to compile a list of the best British crime dramas — here it comes!
The entries are ranked based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
7. The Fall (2013, 3 seasons, rated 84%)
Set in Northern Ireland, the show follows Detective Stella Gibson, played by the stunning Gillian Anderson, as she investigates the case of a serial killer who murders young women.
The Fall offers plenty of suspense, tension, and deep dives into the subconscious.
6. Bodyguard (2018, 1 season, rated 93%)
PTSD-suffering Afghanistan war veteran David Budd (Richard Madden) takes a job with the London police. He is assigned as a bodyguard to the controversial right-wing Home Secretary from the Tories.
Torn between duty and telling the truth, the protagonist reveals who is behind the attempts on his client's life.
5. Slow Horses (2022, 1 season, rated 97%)
Starring Gary Oldman, Slow Horses is a surprisingly fresh take on the spy thriller genre. The series follows dysfunctional employees of MI5 who get involved in the most complicated cases that threaten the integrity of the UK.
4. Line of Duty (2012, 6 seasons, rated 96%)
The show focuses on members of the Anti-Corruption Unit 12, who solve cases involving corrupt police officers and their ties to organized crime. The series' plot contains a lot of twists and turns, and the writing is bold and witty.
3. Happy Valley (2014, 3 seasons, rated 98%)
West Yorkshire is incredibly beautiful. It also happens to be crawling with serial killers and organized human trafficking. Sarah Lancashire's character solves cases in the area, while single-handedly raising a young grandson and caring for her addicted sister.
2. River (2015, 1 season, rated 100%)
Detective Inspector John River (Stellan Skarsgård) is haunted by visions of dead victims. The somber DI navigates the investigation while coming to terms with his mental state.
River follows the perspective of the protagonist questioning his perception of reality, which makes the show unique and especially compelling to watch.
1. The Devil's Hour (2022, 1 season, rated 100%)
The most unusual series on the list, the show features elements of the supernatural in addition to the murder mystery. The protagonist Lucy, portrayed by Jessica Raine, suffers from insomnia and regularly wakes up at 3:33 a.m. Peter Capaldi plays the main villain of the series.
Source: Reddit.