Summary
- The BBC's crime dramas have garnered international respect with intricate storytelling and impressive genre mastery.
- Stellar performances from actors like Idris Elba, Sandra Oh, and Cillian Murphy elevate the gripping narratives.
- Shows like "Luther," "Killing Eve," and "Peaky Blinders" offer a diverse range of captivating British crime dramas.
The BBC has forever been known as the pride of Britain, producing a multitude of news and programming that has kept the region informed and entertained. However, the BBC has since expanded its reach, becoming world-renowned for its impressive catalog of content, including its bread and butter of crime dramas.
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In just the 21st century alone, the BBC has provided audiences access to a boatload of riveting crime dramas that incorporate themes of politics, action, and intricate story beats that have translated its national success into international respect from all over the world. Molded by its British DNA, BBC crime dramas have become known for prestige television, with the network's impressive repertoire nailing the crime genre.
1 Luther
Idris Elba Led Show That Sees A Troubled Detective Struggle To Toe The Line As He Hunts Murderers
Luther
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2019-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Steven Mackintosh, Indira Varma, Paul McGann, Saskia Reeves, Warren Brown, Dermot Crowley, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Aimee-Ffion Edwards
- Showrunner
- Neil Cross
- Seasons
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- AppleTV+, Prime Video
While in North America, Idris Elba became known for his portrayals in The Wire and blockbuster movies. However, in Britain, the actor's starring role as John Luther in the quintessential detective show Luther established the actor as an A-lister in his homeland, bringing plenty of baggage to his now iconic role.
Operating as a detective in London, Luther gets caught up with his demons as he hunts down serial murderers, making the protagonist question his sanity as he moves heaven and earth to achieve justice. Luther's gritty tone and marvelous examination of criminals and their warfare with Luther only serve to create a fascinating criminal detective series that has made its mark worldwide.
2 Killing Eve
Assassin Spectacle That Finds An MI6 Member And An Assassin Becoming Infatuated With Each Other
Killing Eve
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2022-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- BBC
- Cast
- Adrian Scarborough, Sandra Oh, Nina Sosanya, Edward Bluemel, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Danny Sapani, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia, Harriet Walter, Steve Pemberton, Sean Delaney, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, David Haig, Jodie Comer, turlough convery, Raj Bajaj, Gemma Whelan, Camille Cottin, Owen McDonnell
- Showrunner
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge
- Seasons
- 4
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Netflix
As part of BBC America, Killing Eve broke through international barriers with a slick espionage thriller focusing on the assassin trade. The series is centered on Eve, an MI6 analyst who becomes involved in targeting Villanelle, a highly trained assassin. However, in the hunt for Villanelle, Eve becomes obsessed with her prey, creating an intriguing dynamic between the hunter and the hunted.
Filled with murder, tension, and masterful spy work, Killing Eve not only thrives in its themes, but the show about assassins has its fair share of comedic moments, mainly through Jodie Comer's chameleon-like performance as Villanelle.
3 Bodyguard
Political Thriller That Sees A Politician Becoming Targeted While Her Bodyguard Performs Many Heroic Deeds
Bodyguard
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin, Pippa Haywood, Paul Ready, Tom Brooke, Nicholas Gleaves, Stuart Bowman
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator(s)
- Jed Mercurio
In terms of pure action and adrenaline, Bodyguard provides riveting entertainment as the political thriller goes to extreme ends, with its protagonist, played by Richard Madden, becoming an action hero in the process. As a highly trained bodyguard, David Budd is assigned to protect senior British politician Julia Montague, who becomes a target of terrorism, resulting in Budd having to defend the hated Montague at the risk of his own life.
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As the story unfolds and sees Budd's life descend into madness, Madden's multifaceted performance acted as a prime vehicle for the actor, as the twists and turns Bodyguard threw at audiences promised to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
4 Happy Valley
Hardened Police Detective Becomes Entangled In A Criminal Mess Involving Her Family
Happy Valley
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2023-00-00
- Directors
- Sally Wainwright, euros lyn, Tim Fywell, Neasa Hardiman, Patrick Harkins, Fergus O'Brien
- Writers
- Sally Wainwright
For those eager to view a British crime drama set outside of London, Happy Valley's backdrop of Yorkshire creates a fascinating and distinct show that finds small communities running rife with crime. Happy Valley follows Catherine Cawood, a veteran police sergeant who looks after her grandson after the suicide of her daughter, as a result of an assault by her former partner, Tommy.
With Tommy being released, Catherine utilizes her policing intuition and anger and fury to try to achieve justice for her daughter, unaware that a bigger criminal plot is at play. Powered by a transcendent and grief-stricken performance by Sarah Lancashire as Catherine, Happy Valley manages to explore family dynamics and the effects of grief on those in local communities with such care and sensitivity as the humane side of the law takes center stage.
5 Line Of Duty
Police Procedure Programme Examining Corruption Within The Police Force
Line of Duty
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2012 - 2026-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Lennie James, Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Keeley Hawes, Adrian Dunbar, Jessica Raine, Craig Parkinson, Daniel Mays, Thandie Newton, Jason Watkins, Stephen Graham, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kelly Macdonald
- Creator(s)
- Jed Mercurio
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
Police procedures have been a staple in British television, with shows like Line of Duty leading the genre to emphatic highs, promising intense drama and criminal exploits. Following three detectives whose jobs are to investigate corruption within the police force, the AC-12 unit works to weed out corrupt individuals that seemingly all have a connection to a criminal mastermind named H.
Line of Duty became a megahit within the UK, much in part due to its tremendous and intricate writing that was built through several seasons of primetime television that gripped viewers. What makes Line of Duty tick in particular is its fantastic leads, Kate, Steve, and Ted, detectives comprising AC-12, who deliver brilliant chemistry and a level of authenticity to the enticing crime drama.
6 Peaky Blinders
Criminal Warfare Set In Birmingham Led By The Incomparable Cillian Murphy
Peaky Blinders
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2022-00-00
- Cast
- Annabelle Wallis, Ian Peck, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Cillian Murphy, Ned Dennehy, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Sam Neill, Sophie Rundle, Tony Pitts, Joe Cole
- Showrunner
- Steven Knight
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Besides Cillian Murphy's exploits in Christopher Nolan movies, the actor's other starring role comes in the form of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, the British gangster show that garnered acclaim not just in Britain but internationally. In early 20th century Birmingham, England, the notorious gang known as the Peaky Blinders, led by Tommy, operates on criminal pursuits while the authorities take an interest in their illegal activities.
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Besides Peaky Blinders' stylish presentation of the period, held together by its famed incorporation of flat caps and other pieces of outerwear, Murphy's outstanding protagonist performance as a criminal maverick conveys such command and authority, acting as the heartbeat of the hugely influential show.
7 Sherlock
Modern-Day Take On Classic Detective Novel
Sherlock
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2017-00-00
- Network
- BBC
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Graves
- Showrunner
- Steven Moffat
- Seasons
- 4
- Streaming Service(s)
- Dis, Netflix
Taking a modern approach to the notorious Sherlock Holmes story was Sherlock, the BBC crime drama that let Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman run riot as the eccentric duo Sherlock and Dr. Watson. Primarily set in 21st-century London, the two flatmates of Sherlock and Watson gallivant across the capital and neighboring towns and cities, solving challenging crimes that put the mastermind Sherlock to work.
With a memorable cast of characters, including Sherlock's intellectual rival James Moriarty, Sherlock's brilliant writing is able to keep Sherlock and his work on mysteries ever engaging, producing a varied crime show brimming with plenty of wittiness and mystique.
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