If you’ve already binged the likes of Shetland, Broadchurch and Unforgotten, you’re probably wondering what's next. Thankfully, the TV bigwigs are really delivering this year with a huge helping of superb new detective dramas coming to our screens soon – including one that’s set to be the new Shetland.
From a brand-new series from Happy Valley’s Nicola Shindler to a reboot we’ve waited almost two decades for, we’ve had a sneak preview of all the new detective dramas coming our way - and they don’t disappoint. So, settle in for our pick of the 7 best detective dramas coming to ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
The Blame
Happy Valley’s Nicola Shindler is behind this new ITV series, which means it’s already off to a good start. Based on the 2023 novel of the same name by Charlotte Langley, The Blame follows DI Emma Crane (Fool Me Once’s Michelle Keegan) and her colleague DI Tom Radley (Douglas Booth) who are called to investigate when the body of a teenage figure skater is found in the quiet town of Wakestead. What follows is pretty dark, to say the least, with lies, cover-ups and eerily dark secrets exposed. Coming to ITV1 and ITVX in late 2026.
The Northumbria Mysteries
![kudos foritvgrantchester series 10episode 6pictured: geordie [robson green] and alphy [rishi nair] talking to oz in his room. this image is under copyright of itv and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes in your print or online publication. this image cannot be syndicated to any other third party.for further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com 07909906963](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/grantchester-10-episode6-11-696f798dbd077.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.109xw,0&resize=980:* "kudos foritvgrantchester series 10episode 6pictured: geordie [robson green] and alphy [rishi nair] talking to oz in his room. this image is under copyright of itv and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes in your print or online publication. this image cannot be syndicated to any other third party.for further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com 07909906963")
Robson Green (Grantchester, pictured above) is returning to our screens in another detective drama, which takes him to the Northumberland coast. At the centre of the series Joe Ruby (Robson) and Rose O'Connell - one is a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes and missed opportunities, while the other is an Oxford-educated deep thinker with a brilliant mind. So can they work together to unravel a series of compelling crime mysteries? The new Shetland has arrived. Coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer soon.
The Brokenwood Mysteries (series 12)
The fact that The Brokenwood Mysteries is about to enter its 12th series is testament to how brilliant it is. The Midsomer Murders-esque drama is set in the fictitious New Zealand town of Brokenwood where Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) are the unlikely detectives investigating everything from vineyard deaths to stag party disappearances. It’s entertaining, quirky, and very addictive. Series 12 is coming to U&Drama on Monday 25th May. Series 1-11 are available to watch now on U.
Strike: The Running Grave
The seventh book in J. K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike series is getting the TV treatment. If you’re new to the series, private investigator and war veteran Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and his assistant Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) make quite the dynamic duo as they use their unique skills and backgrounds to investigate cases the London police can’t solve. The new episodes will see Strike contacted by a worried father whose son, Will, has joined a religious cult in the depths of the Norfolk – and he’ll soon discover its sinister undertones. Coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in late 2026. The first six series are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
What to read next
Dalziel and Pascoe
The classic British detective drama is on its way back to our screens and it’s had a bit of a reinvention. In a surprise twist, the two titular characters will be women, with Kerry Godliman steeping into the shoes of the abrasive, seasoned Detective Inspector Andrea Dalziel, and Nina Singh playing her more affable counterpart, Detective Sergeant Paige Pascoe. Over the course of six episodes, we’ll see our mismatched detective duo put their clashing views (and methods!) aside to form a formidable crime-solving partnership. Coming to ITV1 and ITVX soon.
Hit Point
If you enjoyed Line of Duty or Blue Lights, U&Dave’s first original drama is one to add to your watchlist. The six-part series follows Leo (Nick Blood) and Bella (Saffron Hocking), two detectives in their 30s who are tasked with a case that pulls them into dangerous West London underworld. According to UKTV, we can expect an adrenaline-charge blend of personal and professional betrayal, romance and heart-stopping action. We can’t wait! Coming to U&Dave this summer.
Dept. Q (series 2)
It became an instant hit when it aired last May, spending six weeks in the global top 10 shows on Netflix, and now Dept. Q is back for more. Series one introduced us to emotionally scarred DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who had recently returned to work after an attack that left one colleague paralysed and another dead. Now he’s in charge of cold case unit Department Q and he’s got the case of an unsolved 1997 disappearance on his hands, which is going to be far from easy to solve. Coming to Netflix soon. Series 1 is available to stream now.
