If you fancy diving into a brilliant new detective drama and have already worked your way through the likes of Midsomer Murders and Grantchester, you’ve come to the right place. Yes, Grantchester is good but we’ve been busy scouring the schedules to bring you the new and returning detective dramas that are even more watchable.
For starters, Netflix has just gifted us with a Sherlock-esque series (The Final Problem, if you’re wondering), which is well worth devoting some hours to, while Lesley Manville is showing off her sleuthing skills once again in Marble Hall Murders' eagerly-anticipated return. So, settle in for the 7 superb detective dramas to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
Ludwig
The finale of Ludwig’s second series aired last week and if you haven't yet seen it, may we recommend doing so immediately. No longer having to masquerade as his brother, John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell) is openly more ‘Ludwig’ than ever - just as brilliant at solving puzzles, but hopeless at almost everything else. But, as fas will know, John’s identical twin brother, James, is still missing, and now that he’s an official employee, he's forbidden from using any police resources to look for his brother or uncover exactly what he was investigating. Series 1 and 2 are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
The detective drama that keeps on giving is back with a sixth instalment. The hit drama revolves around unlikely detective duo, Frank Hathaway (Mark Benton) and Lu Shakespeare (Jo Joyner) who, with the help of their assistant Sebastian Brudenell (Patrick Walshe McBride), solve cases in Stratford-upon-Avon. In the new episodes, love is in the air when Lu and Frank investigate a rather unique dating agency, Sebastian’s acting dreams might be about to come true and there’s an enthusiastic new assistant, Bea Gardiner (Aruhan Galieva) on the team. Series 6 continues on U&Alibi at 8pm on Wednesday 30th September.
The Blame
If you haven’t seen Happy Valley creator Nicola Shindler’s latest TV drama, it doesn't disappoint. Based on the 2023 novel of the same name by Charlotte Langley, the series follows DI Emma Crane (Fool Me Once’s Michelle Keegan) and her colleague DI Tom Radley (Douglas Booth) who are called upon to investigate when the body of a teenage figure skater is found in the typically quiet town of Wakestead. What follows involves lies, cover-ups and the revelation of some pretty dark secrets. Available to watch now on ITVX.
The Final Problem
Sherlock fan will enjoy Netflix’s latest detective offering, which introduces us to another Sherlock Holmes (of sorts) known as Basil (José Coronado), a retired actor renowned for his role as the famed investigator. We meet him on a trip to a remote island near Mallorca in 1959, where 13 people find themselves stranded by a violent storm. And things only get worse when Elisa Mander, a quiet English tourist, is found dead. Available to watch now on Netflix.
What to read next
Marble Hall Murders
Lesley Manville has finally reprised her role as Susan Ryeland, a book editor who’s also pretty good at solving murders. Adapted from Anthony Horowitz’s Sue Ryeland novel series, series 3 sees Susan and literary detective Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) team up once again to unravel the mystery of who killed Miriam Crace, the most famous children’s author in the world. Let the sleuthing commence! Series 3 is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Blue Murder
This brilliant noughties series transports us to Manchester where DCI Janine Lewis (Caroline Quentin) has just been promoted, is pregnant and already a single mother of three (almost four!). Her life is, to put it lightly, chaotic, and it’s made all the more so by the many challenging murder cases she must investigate, including that of a childminder where the only witness was a 12-year-old boy and that of a deputy headmaster found disemboweled on his allotment. Available to watch now on ITVX.
Scott & Bailey
All five series of this megahit detective drama have recently been added to ITVX and there’s no better time to binge them. Here’s how the story goes: DC Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones) and DC Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp) are two Manchester detectives in the Major Incident Team who have their fair share of murders to deal with. We’re also treated to an excellent performance from Nicola Walker in series 2 who may well have a connection to a serial killer who’s remained at large for many years. Available to watch on ITVX.
See Caroline Quentin at this year's Good Housekeeping Live x Country Living Market on 11 November. As well as the chance to get a head start on your present buying at the artisan Christmas market, the show is packed with celebrity talks, food demonstrations, craft workshops and more. Tickets are selling out fast so buy yours now!
