Who doesn’t love a superb crime thriller? From the second a physique turns up in an in any other case uneventful village, or a single clue kick begins the investigation right into a years-old thriller, we’re locked in. The style grabs your hand within the first 5 minutes and wins you over by the point a collection is full. From complicated whodunits to slow-burning psychological instances, that includes detectives which are simply as pained and damaged because the case itself, crime thrillers have this irresistible edge about them.
BritBox is aware of this all too effectively. For years, it has quietly constructed a wealthy library of crime thrillers that relish the style’s greatest components. Reveals like Broadchurch, Luther, Vera, and Line of Responsibility are all gripping hits, all critically celebrated, all titles we have now heard of. However for each collection that made waves each within the UK and internationally, there are others that flew beneath the radar. They’re equally riveting and binge-worthy. That’s the place this listing is available in. From the deepest vaults of BritBox, we have now scoured the ten most criminally missed crime thrillers price your time.
10
‘River’ (2015)
River
- Launch Date
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October 13, 2015
- Community
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BBC One
- Administrators
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Jessica Hobbs, Richard Laxton
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Nicola Walker
Jackie ‘Stevie’ Stevenson
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-
Steve Nicolson
Jimmy Stevenson
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Georgina Wealthy
Rosa Fallows
Created and written by Abi Morgan, River is a six-part collection that follows DI John River, a London cop whose thoughts is fractured, and the actual fact is made literal by the hallucinations that accompany him in every single place, as he solves violent prison instances. His closest ally is his just lately murdered associate, Jackie “Stevie” Stevenson, who continues to crack jokes and prod his actions even in dying.
An Emotionally Clever Underdog
Performed with heartbreaking honesty by Stellan Skarsgård, River is a compelling character and an excellent detective. Via his story, this critically acclaimed, however little-known gem from the BBC explores themes of grief, trauma, and insanity. Which is why, despite the fact that every case being investigated is gripping in its personal proper, it’s the emotional scaffolding behind them that makes the present a genius.
9
‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ (2021)
The Pembrokeshire Murders
- Launch Date
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2021 – 2021-00-00
- Community
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ITV1
- Administrators
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Marc Evans
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-
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Caroline Berry
Pat Cooper
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Oliver Ryan
Andrew Cooper
Set in 2006 however rooted in a thriller courting again to the Nineteen Eighties, The Pembrokeshire Murders is a true-crime collection that follows the investigation that introduced Welsh serial killer John Cooper to justice many years after his crimes went chilly. It began with a string of violent burglaries that pressured DS Steve Wilkins to reopen the information on two double murders and led to the killer making a recreation present look earlier than his seize.
Justice Is In The Particulars
Due to its purposeful pacing, each minute of The Pembrokeshire Murders feels prefer it’s borrowed from real-life pressure, with every forensic discovery and unfolding of previous proof including weight to the pursuit. Throughout simply three episodes, it balances police work and character backstories. Keith Allen’s portrayal of Cooper is chilling and skin-crawling, whereas Luke Evans’ efficiency is quietly intense.
8
‘Grace’ (2021 – Current)
Grace
- Launch Date
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March 14, 2021
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Richie Campbell
DS Glenn Branson
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Brad Norrison
DC Nick Nicholl
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Amaka Okafor
DC Emma Jane Boutwood
Grace opens with the form of quiet intrigue you possibly can solely anticipate from crime thrillers. A lacking groom, a beachside ritual gone mistaken, and a detective with baggage. It facilities on Roy Grace, a Brighton-based DSI who makes use of unconventional strategies like flirting with mediums to get issues finished. It’s earned him each respect and criticism, however the instances he investigates are sometimes grisly, fast-paced, complicated, and private.
Crime Drama Set in Brighton
Tailored from Peter James’ bestselling novels, Grace spans 5 seasons and continues to be going robust. The procedural polish of each installment hides a narrative about grief, obsession, and the burden of residing inside unsolved instances. John Simm brings a well-recognized weariness to Roy, however the narrative by no means pushes his tragic backstory too exhausting, making his flip extra spectacular and affecting. Although persistently well-received, it has flown beneath the radar.
Associated
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These collection will certainly foster a deeper appreciation for the British thriller canon.
7
‘Silent Witness’ (1996 – Current)
Silent Witness
- Launch Date
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February 21, 1996
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Emilia Fox
Dr. Nikki Alexander
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William Gaminara
Professor Leo Dalton
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Tom Ward
Dr. Harry Cunningham
Created by Nigel McCrery, a former detective based mostly in Nottingham, Silent Witness follows a workforce of forensic pathologists and investigators on the Cambridge-based Lyell Middle as they use cutting-edge science and relentless detective work to uncover the reality behind stunning murders and suspicious deaths. Initially led by Dr. Sam Ryan, and, later, by Dr. Sam Ryan, the collection doesn’t paint homicide as a fast act of violence however as a sluggish reveal.
Beloved within the UK, Underrated Elsewhere
Every story spans two gripping episodes that weave collectively authorized and scientific narratives and discover all the things from deep-rooted private vendettas to systematic failures. Whereas Silent Witness might not have the mainstream reputation of another crime thrillers, what makes it quietly fascinating is its consistency. Throughout greater than 25 seasons and over 200 episodes, the present has advanced in each scope and tone with out ever dropping sight of its medical-thriller narrative.
6
‘The Ice Home’ (1997)
The Ice Home
- Launch Date
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1997 – 1996
- Community
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BBC One
- Administrators
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Tim Fywell
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Frances Barber
Diana Goode
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James D’Arcy
Jonathan Maybury
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Penny Downie
Phoebe Maybury
The Ice Home takes place in a sleepy English village, the place a physique is discovered within the ice chilly home on the grounds of Streech Grange. When suspicion falls on its mysterious residents – three reclusive girls residing there for the reason that proprietor’s husband disappeared – Inspector Walsh and DCI McLoughlin start pulling aside the city’s biases, secrets and techniques, and assumptions.
A Defiant Psychological Thriller
Set in opposition to the bitter quiet of winter, the collection isn’t nearly a homicide investigation, however the unraveling of suppressed traumas and societal isolation. Although solely spanning two episodes, this adaptation of Minette Walters’ debut novel is bleakly lovely and criminally missed. Daniel Craig, years earlier than Bond, is a standout as McLoughlin and his portrayal is a mixture of sharp intuition and slight empathy.
5
‘New Blood’ (2016)
New Blood
- Launch Date
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2016 – 2015
- Community
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BBC One
- Administrators
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Invoice Eagles
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Mark Strepan
Stefan Kowolski
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Ben Tavassoli
Rash Sayyad
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Anna Chancellor
Eleanor Davies
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Stefan Kowolski and Arash Sayyad are two junior investigators from completely different departments. The previous is a Polish-British beginner within the Severe Fraud Workplace and the latter is an formidable younger detective with the met. They’re each youngsters of immigrant mother and father, and after they’re thrown collectively, they work on monitoring down a pharma conspiracy involving corruption and cover-ups.
Youthful Tackle the Crime Thriller
Providing a millennial-driven spin on the basic crime procedural components, New Blood is completely entertaining and manages to really feel each recent and grounded within the style conventions. Created by Foyle’s Warfare mastermind Anthony Horowitz, its fashionable setting and dedication to exploring immigrant experiences make it stand out from the lot. The collection solely ran for one season (seven episodes) but it surely packed sufficient intrigue and thrillers to really feel like a whole arc.
4
‘The Cleaner’ (2021 – Current)
The Cleaner
- Launch Date
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October 12, 2021
- Runtime
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93 minutes
- Director
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Erin Elders
Not each crime thriller has to begin with the crime, flashing lights, and detectives on the hunt. Typically, the true intrigue is within the aftermath. The Cleaner follows Paul “Wicky” Wickstead, knowledgeable crime scene clearner tasked with scrubbing up the mess after the police pack up. Nonetheless, it’s by no means simply blood and bleach. It’s grieving kinfolk, conversations with witnesses, and even perpetrators nonetheless hanging round.
Darkish, Humorous, and Off the Beat
Every episode of The Cleaner throws Wicky in a weird state of affairs, despite the fact that it doesn’t contain the crime itself, however his presence helps be taught the reality within the strangest methods. The rationale this collection feels completely different is the surprising twist of darkish comedy fused with character examine. Tailored from the hit German collection Der Tatortreiniger, this British model additionally thrives on cameos, with Helena Bonham Carter and David Mitchell each unexpectedly popping up.
3
‘Quirke’ (2014)
Set in Nineteen Fifties Dublin, Quirke takes you to post-war Eire and revolves across the title character, known as simply “Quirke.” He’s a pathologist performed by Gabriel Byrne, with equal components cynicism and ache. When a physique goes lacking from his morgue, he stumbles upon a case tied ti the Catholic Church, authorities wrongdoings, and his personal dysfunctional household.
Moody Character Examine With an Existential Twist
Over three feature-length episodes tailored from John Banville’s novels, the collection reveals darkish secrets and techniques with noir sensibilities. It by no means rushes by the plot. As a substitute, it lets the silences and half-truths linger. Byrne is mesmerizing because the lead, and whereas the collection didn’t lengthen past a single season, it’s gorgeously produced, richly acted, and brimming with intrigue. For followers of atmospheric crime dramas, Quirke is a must-watch, and it’s accessible to stream on BritBox.
Associated
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Incorporating darkish themes, pessimism, and sophisticated characters, noir usually makes for gripping crime exhibits that reel viewers into their seedy world.
2
‘Wycliffe’ (1993 – 1998)
Wycliffe
- Launch Date
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1994 – 1997
- Community
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ITV1
- Administrators
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Martyn Buddy, Michael Owen Morris, David Innes Edwards, Ferdinand Fairfax, Graeme Harper, John Glenister, Patrick Lau, A.J. Quinn, Michael Brayshaw, Jack Shepherd
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-
-
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Albert Welling
Technician
Lengthy earlier than Cornwall turned the background for interval dramas and vacation postcards, it was the canvas for Wycliffe, a wonderful crime thriller collection based mostly on W.J. Burley’s novels. It facilities on Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe, a deeply intuitive investigator who solves homicide instances with logic and compassion. The instances are native and intimate, and the deductions are all the time tense and considerate.
Extra Than Simply Procedural Puzzles
Hailed as one of the genuine collection in British tv historical past, Wycliffe is a meticulously-crafted crime drama that prioritizes detective work and character arcs over flashy plot twists and sudden reveals. Spanning 5 seasons and a Christmas particular, the present constructed a devoted viewers within the UK however by no means gained worldwide traction. That’s a disgrace, actually, as a result of Wycliffe explores small-town psychology with absolute precision.
1
‘The Tower’ (2021 – 2024)
The Tower
- Launch Date
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November 8, 2021
- Community
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ITV1, BritBox
- Administrators
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Faye Gilbert
The Tower wastes no time in thrusting viewers right into a placing investigation by opening with the picture of a cop and a teenage lady, useless on the base of a London tower block. Quickly after, rookie officer Lizzie Adama, the one witness to the occasion, disappears, and the investigation turns into extra difficult. DS Sarah Collins should not solely uncover what occurred on the roof but in addition discover Adama.
Tense and Well timed
Spanning two full seasons and based mostly on Kate London’s acclaimed novels, the story presents questions on race and energy throughout the police. Its sharp tone, suspenseful narrative, and lived-in particulars make the collection a thrill to look at. Gemma Whelan is terrific because the centered and principled Collins, whereas Tahirah Sharif brings complexity to Lizzie, whose position is tied to the thriller. For these all for witnessing the taut writing and cathartic conclusion, The Tower is streaming on BritBox.