10 Cleverest British Detective Shows of All Time, Ranked

Some British detective dramas are quite special and possess a certain ability to make viewers feel smarter while watching them. Incredible, right? The showrunners understood the assignment when creating these emotionally punchy, intelligent, fearless series. In a way, a good detective mystery has always been quintessentially British.

The detectives in these shows are brilliant, eccentric, and sometimes display anti-hero tendencies. But even in moments when the protagonist acts smarter than the rest of the room, you can’t blame them — they probably are. From cozy whodunits and devastating murder cases to brain-twisting procedurals, here are the cleverest British detective shows that basically wrote the rule book.

10

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

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Broadchurch is not your average murder mystery; it takes a single case within a season and peels it apart, layer by layer, exposing a whole town in the process. Its protagonists are flawed but lovable, and the murder investigation is challenging for them and the viewers alike. Broadchurch is effective in setting up a mystery and then delivering a gut punch at its resolution, all while changing how we observe the detectives, the suspects, and the entire case. It’s clever in the murder mystery sense, but it’s also emotionally intelligent. It won’t take your hand, but it will tell you everything will eventually be alright.

Broadchurch follows Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), sent to the small coastal town of Broadchurch to solve the murder of a young boy whose body was found on the local beach. The case immediately devastates the community, and the show doesn’t just depict Hardy and Miller powering through intense personal problems while solving the death of a child, but also how the entire town reacts to the event. Broadchurch is heavy but visually gorgeous, and Tennant and Colman are the definition of a power duo.

9

‘Vera’ (2011–2025)

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After 14 years on the airwaves, Brenda Blethyn hung up her cap as Vera Stanhope, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to look forward to anymore. The eponymous Vera might look like she’s seen and heard enough, but her disheveled appearance shouldn’t fool anyone — she’s razor sharp and incredibly intelligent. Vera is one of those characters who wins you over on the first try, mostly because she nurtures her mind and intelligence with blunt and sometimes awkward honesty.

Vera follows the titular character, Vera Stanhope (Blethyn), as she solves cases as a DCI at the Northumberland Police. She forms close relationships with some of her colleagues but remains aloof towards others, showing off surgically precise deduction and wit. It’s a thinking person’s series, and if you enjoy Nordic noir vibes, Vera is very much a show for you. It ended in January 2025 after 14 seasons and 56 episodes, and most episodes were based on the Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves.

8

‘Endeavour’ (2012–2023)

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“Endeavor” means “attempt” or “effort,” but did you also know Endeavour (with a U) is the first name of the globally known Inspector Morse? Endeavour was an unexpected prequel no one really knew they wanted, but it’s one we all ended up loving because of how brilliant it is. It’s a series depicting Inspector Morse in his youth, starting from the rank of detective constable to becoming a detective sergeant. Shaun Evans stars as young Morse, and he delivers a punchy, brilliant performance in each episode. This is further supported by the show’s unique, old-school mystery atmosphere, resulting in Endeavour being a mighty fine endeavor (sorry, I had to).

Endeavour follows Endeavour Morse during the 1960s and ’70s, after he leaves Oxford in his third year of studies to join the Royal Corps as a cipher clerk. He later joins the police and is shown using his keen observation and investigation skills — among others — to solve mysteries and murders. Endeavour feels like a love letter to old-school detective stories, but the writing gives it some modern edges, making for a perfect blend.

7

‘Jonathan Creek’ (1997–2016)

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Jonathan Creek is unique for its lead, Alan Davies, who is funny, likable, and very relatable. But Davies isn’t the only trick this magical series has. Though it revolves around Davies, it’s a box full of mysteries, like a trick box or a magic hat or somethin’. Creek is a magician’s assistant, and he solves murders and mysteries using his experience and intelligence. And he’s great. Jonathan Creek is a unique show that’s equal parts quirky and ingenious, making it feel like Columbo was a theater kid in London.

Jonathan Creek is a magician’s assistant in London who designs illusions for the stage. He’s a bit cynical but possesses lateral thinking, and in the first few seasons, he joins forces with an investigative journalist, Maddy Magellan (Caroline Quentin). While Maddy is ready to step on toes, Creek is ready to use his deductions, and they make a formidable team overall. Most of the cases they work on are locked-room puzzles and mysteries, and over time, Creek grows from an antisocial cynic to a witty and charming person. There’s character development, great sidekicks, and even better mysteries.

6

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

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If you wish to get spooked out and impressed at the same time, Luther is your show. Though it lost some momentum after the first three seasons, since the rest took a while to come out, it remained intense and ferocious in showing viewers Luther’s still got it. Idris Elba plays DCI John Luther, and he is intensity incarnate. He’s a detective who hunts monsters while constantly battling the notion he might be one himself. The show is stylish, intense, and clever in a way that always keeps you guessing, not just about the culprit, but about the protagonist himself.

Detective Chief Inspector John Luther gets a case of a mysterious, seemingly unfazed woman, Alice (Ruth Wilson), who apparently killed her parents. All evidence points to her, but Alice is clever and gets under Luther’s skin fast and often. Luther and Alice begin a cat-and-mouse chase, where Luther finds himself going further down the rabbit hole of his own urges and violent nature. Luther really subverts expectations, but does it with courage and intelligence. You’ll also love Luther’s partner, Justin Ripley (Warren Brown), and their growing friendship.

5

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ (1989–2013)

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One of the greatest TV mystery series of all time is Agatha Christie’s Poirot. David Suchet didn’t just play Christie’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot — he became him. We equalize Suchet with this role, perhaps to his detriment, but the actor defined the genre and made television fun for people for decades. If he’s not happy to be boxed in as Poirot only, he should be proud of the legacy he’s created, for sure. He inspired many people to start reading Agatha Christie‘s brilliant books and become fans, and the show truly feels like it was made with love for the author and the mystery genre.

In Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Hercule Poirot solves a different case in each episode, with all of them having been based on one of Christie’s novels or short stories. He’s always the one in charge of the investigation and often the protagonist of the story itself. Every case is a neat puzzle box of misdirection, deceit, and murder, and it doesn’t just show us Poirot at work — it forces us to use our little gray cells and engage with the way we observe the world. The series has 70 episodes, each done with precision and elegance. It’s a classic that you can truly never, ever go wrong with.

4

‘Line of Duty’ (2012–Present)

Line of Duty is a staple of British television. It’s one of those shows that will make you feel like you’ve just been a part of a very intense murder investigation, always underlined with tension, stress, and paranoia. It’s intelligent and savvy throughout, and it commands attention even if a big part of it is based on dialogue alone. The most prominent scenes include those shot in interrogation rooms, where you observe how the keen eye of the inspectors looks through every lie. At this point, the lead stars, Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar, are television heroes.

Line of Duty follows the Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12), a fictional unit that investigates the crimes of other police officers. Partners Kate and Steve (McClure and Compston) test their trust and loyalty to each other and their Superintendent Hastings (Dunbar) with each new case. The show is jargon-heavy, so you’ll feel like you’re right there in the room when they bring in a suspect for questioning. It’s nail-biting and adrenaline-packed, and the twists are brilliant; we have a new season to look forward to next year as well.

3

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Sherlock was the most popular show when it came out in 2010, mainly because it flipped expectations of how the classic detective should be depicted in yet another TV version. With so many versions of Sherlock Holmes out there, both on film and television, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat‘s became an unexpected hit. Stylish and intelligent perhaps to a fault, Sherlock was firing on all cylinders before it became somewhat divisive and dark (or darker than usual, anyway).

Sherlock sets the 221B Baker Street resident, Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), into modern-day London. His flatmate, Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman), is a war veteran and an equally intelligent partner to Holmes’ private detective efforts. In this version, Sherlock is shown as sociopathic and misanthropic, but his hyper-clever ways of solving mysteries are nothing short of a spectacle. Sometimes it’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, and other times, it all flies over your head completely. The twists and turns are logical and rooted in classic Arthur Conan Doyle storytelling, but still modern enough to show a bit of melodrama, too.

2

‘Prime Suspect’ (1991–2006)

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Prime Suspect gave us Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison, steadily redefining the TV detective during all her time on the show. DCI Tennison is brilliant, resolute, and constantly fighting sexism within the police force, all while cracking brutal mysteries and cases. Mirren was the ideal casting choice, as she gives Tennison her tenacious and bold attitude flawlessly. Tennison herself is one of the first DCIs on the force and rises to the rank of Detective Superintendent because of her resolve.

Prime Suspect consists of seven seasons and 15 episodes — short but punchy installments, as is usually the case with British shows. Throughout, Tennison is sent to different places and squads, and her intelligence and dedication make her a valuable asset, if not the most valuable, on every team. Prime Suspect is gritty, groundbreaking, and decades ahead of its time — perfect for fans of Mirren, great female protagonists, and brilliant detective shows that don’t hold your hand, but rather let you ride along instead.

1

‘Inspector Morse’ (1987–2000)

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The core and the heart of clever British detective dramas is undoubtedly Inspector Morse. Yes, the spin-off of the show is just as great, but there’s something a lot more iconic and memorable about the original, the one and only Inspector Morse, played by John Thaw. Thaw gave Morse that brilliance and appeal, while also making him difficult, flawed, and utterly human. Morse is a crossword and puzzle-lover who drinks too much, calls whiskey “brain food,” and listens to opera. He’s a gentleman detective with an affinity for dating women involved in the cases he works on and often an enigma to those around him.

Inspector Morse is often assisted by Sergeant Robbie Lewis (Kevin Whately), and they solve mysteries, murders, and conundrums of all kinds. Morse sees through every lie and is inspired when a mystery is particularly hard to solve. The show has seven seasons, 33 episodes, and five specials, and each episode is a brand-new case for Morse and Lewis. Inspector Morse is a smart mystery series with melancholic moments and the blueprint for almost every other show on this list. Fans of British detective shows and those starting to get into the genre should definitely start here.