If you’re looking to unwind with a head-scratching murder mystery, but you've already seen all the hit shows like Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and Only Murders in the Building, we’re here to supply you with some fresh ideas. We’ve searched far and wide to find the hidden gem series that you might have missed - and some of them are even better than an Agatha Christie!
There’s the subtly brilliant River, starring powerhouse Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker, a series where cooking meets crime in Recipes for Love and Murder - and even a drama where the murder takes place aboard a luxury cruise ship. So, notepads (or remotes!) at the ready, because these are the 7 hidden gem murder mysteries to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
Recipes for Love and Murder
Who better to solve a murder than a cook and agony aunt? This cosy crime drama introduces us to Tannie Maria, who spends her time writing recipes and giving advice in her local newspaper. She also happens to have an impressive knack for solving crimes. When a reader writes in to tell her about the murder of her husband, Tannie doesn’t just offer advice, she goes the extra mile to crack the case. The series is set in sunny South Africa and is the perfect escapist TV. Recipes for Love and Murder is available to watch on U.
The Afterparty
When you think of a high school reunion, you probably imagine a wholesome walk down memory lane, with some drinks and maybe a bit of partying. In The Afterparty, however, things are a little different. hen former student turned pop star, Xavier (Dave Franco), is found dead at the afterparty, everyone becomes a suspect. Cleverly, each episode is told from the perspective of a different character and filmed in a style that matches each person’s personality. And with two series to binge, it’ll keep you going for at least a couple of days. The Afterparty is available to watch now on Apple TV+.
High Seas
What could possibly be worse than being stuck on a cruise ship while a murderer is on the loose? Set in the 1940s, High Seas follows sisters Eva (Ivana Baquero) and Carolina Villanueva (Alegandra Onieva) on a race against the clock to investigate the sudden murders aboard a luxury ship sailing from Spain to Brazil. In the process, the pair uncover dark family secrets and conspiracies, which only adds more questions to the already puzzling case. High Seas is available to watch on Netflix.
A Remarkable Place to Die
A Remarkable Place to Die’s stunning New Zealand backdrop won't be enough to distract you from the brutal murders that keep unfolding in Queenstown. Determined detective Anais Mallory (Preston Crawford) works tirelessly to solve the overwhelming number of murders while grappling her strained relationships with her mother, ex-fiancé Luke (Charles Jazz Terrier) and ex-best friend Maja (Indiana Evans). To add to her stress, she’s trying to find out the truth behind her father and sister’s death, but her suspicions are with someone once close to her. A Remarkable Place to Die is available on Channel 4.
Based on a True Story
Kaley Cuoco proves she's made for murder mysteries in this brilliant series, which follows financially struggling realtor Ava (Cuoco) and former tennis star Nathan (Chris Messina) as they start a podcast about a recent wave of murders in Los Angeles. Their morbid obsession with true crime lands them in dangerous situations and, not long after creating the podcast, the serial killer gets unexpectedly involved. The series is available to watch on Sky (NOW).
Queens of Mystery
A huge hit in the US, Queens of Mystery takes us to idyllic English village of Wildemarsh, where three crime-writing siblings and their niece, Detective Sergeant Matilda Stone (played by Olivia Vinall in series 1 and Florence Hall in series 2) join forces to solve murders. Thanks to their combined knowledge of all things crime, they’re able to solve puzzling cases, but they’re still struggling to uncover the truth about the disappearance of Matilda’s mother. Queens of Mystery series 1 and 2 are both available to watch now on U and Channel 4.
River
Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård is at the helm of River as Detective Inspector John River - a brilliant detective who has a secret. Strange as it sounds, he's haunted by the ghosts of the victims he investigates and one of them happens to be his former colleague Jackie (Nicola Walker) - who helps solve her own murder by offering him some insight. All the while, John has plenty more investigations going on, each with their own ghostly apparitions. River is available to watch on ITV.
