As crime dramas go, the UK boasts some of the best of the genre (not up for the debate, in my opinion). BBC One’s Line Of Duty currently has the nation gripped as the series returned after an extended hiatus due to the pandemic. With AC-12 back to chasing bent coppers and rooting out corruption, it’s safe to say the thirst for crime dramas is at an all-time high. For crime buffs and hardcore “whodunnit?” enthusiasts, here are 8 British crime shows for fans of Line Of Duty.
Starring Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, Line Of Duty fans have been gripped (and sometimes puzzled) by the current series, which was heavily delayed due to the pandemic. So far, it’s been as epic as expected — however, with only a few episodes left, many are wondering which shows could possibly fill the LOD -shaped hole in their lives again. Luckily, there's a strong roster of British police crime dramas to keep you guessing, gripped, and downright terrified available at the moment. What’s more, some of the best amongst the best are more than a couple of seasons deep, meaning your binge-watching schedule could last more than a few days.
To start you off, here are 8 British crime shows perfect for fans of Line Of Duty.
Broadchurch Set in a small Dorset seaside town, ITV BAFTA-winning Broadchurch sees detectives Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and Alec Hardy (David Tennant) attempt to solve the mysterious murder of a young boy. With two acting heavy-weights in tow, the hugely gripping series has a legion of fans. The fourth and final season of the drama aired last year and it’s more than worth watching from the beginning.
Watch on Britbox
Happy Valley It’s been close to five years since the second series of BBC One’s Happy Valley wrapped and signs say the wait for new episodes is almost over. Starring veteran actor Sarah Lancashire, the Yorkshire crime drama sees “strong-willed” police sergeant Catherine Cawood try to come to terms with her daughter's suicide. As the synopsis goes, just as she seems to be getting back on top of her life, she spots the man she believes drove her daughter to the brink. Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright says it’s likely Series 3 could air in 2022, until then it’s worth a re-watch.
Watch Series 1 & 2 on BritBox
Marcella Anna Friel stars as a troubled but talented detective in the award-winning Scandi-noir-style drama series Marcella. Between investigating gruesome murders, dealing with a philandering husband, and a very dramatic new haircut in Series 3, it’s safe to say Marcella tends to have a lot on her plate throughout the show.
Watch Series 1&2 on Netflix UK and Series 2&3 on ITV Hub.
Bloodlands James Nesbitt stars as a Northern Irish police detective on the hunt for a serial killer in the BBC 1 series Bloodlands. For starters, it’s been executive produced by Jed Mecurio, the man behind Line of Duty, so already a strong option for LOD fans. The new crime series aired earlier this year and saw the police detective grapple with a chilling old case. The Bloodlands series contains some serious WTF plot twists, perfect for those thirsting for a strong new whodunnit.
Watch on BBC iPlayer
The Bay Starring Morven Christie, ITV’s The Bay returned for season 2 earlier this year with a shocking new murder mystery to solve — it was a highly-anticipated return with more than a 7.2million people said to have watched the first series . Amongst the coastal backdrop, Christie plays Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong a family liaison’s office assigned to missing person’s cases. Filming for season 3 is already underway, however, Cobra star Marsha Thomason is set to replace Morven Christie in the drama.
Watch Series 2 on ITV Player
Honour For those who prefer true crime, Honour is a must-watch. Honour is a two-part crime drama telling the harrowing true story of Banaz Mahmood, an Iraqi Kurdish woman who was murdered by family after she left her abusive marriage for another man. The chilling series stars Keeley Hawes as DCI Caroline Goode, the officer who investigated the case. Line of Duty fans will remember Hawes’ star turn as DI Lindsay Denton in Series 2 & 3.
Watch on ITV Hub
The Fall Two words: Gillian Anderson. The celebrated actor is more than enough reason to watch The Fall but the jumpy plot has also kept fans gripped. Also starring Jamie Dornan, The Fall is a psychological thriller set in Northern Ireland. Anderson plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson who, per the synopsis, “battles her own personal demons as she tries to get into the head of a serial killer hiding behind a family-man facade.”
Watch on Netflix UK
Get The Very Best Of Bustle/UK
Sign up for Bustle UK's twice-weekly newsletter, featuring the latest must-watch TV, moving personal stories, and expert advice on the hottest viral buys.
Subscribe to our newsletter > This article was originally published on April 19, 2021