Spring may be the season for hiking and biking, but it’s always a good time to settle in with a captivating murder mystery. British storytellers have long dominated the genre, from Agatha Christie to J.K. Rowling, and their work continues to inspire thrilling TV adaptations.
Whether you’re subscribed to Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, or BritBox, there’s something on this list you’ll want to add to your queue. Here are the 12 best British crime and mystery series to watch right now.
1. The Stolen Girl (2025) – Hulu and Freeform
What would you do if your child simply vanished? That’s the nightmare facing Eliza Blix (Denise Gough) in The Stolen Girl, a gripping five-episode mystery. After picking up her daughter Lucia from a sleepover that seems to have never existed, Eliza spirals into a desperate search for answers. The series dives deep into every parent’s worst fear, and Gough’s performance as the frantic mother is spellbinding. Is her husband Fred (Jim Sturgess) hiding crucial information?
2. Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero (2025) – BritBox
Craving a classic murder mystery? Towards Zero delivers all the vintage thrills you expect from an Agatha Christie adaptation. Angelica Huston shines as Lady Tressilian, a wealthy widow whose seaside party turns deadly. With a disgraced tennis star (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and other shady guests under suspicion, Inspector Leach (Matthew Rhys) has a tangled web to unravel. Expect a few steamy twists alongside a faithful, suspenseful plot.
3. The Jetty (2024) – BritBox and Hulu
At first glance, a fire on a luxury houseboat, a missing person case, and a love triangle seem unrelated. But Detective Ember Manning (Jenna Coleman) pieces them together in this sharp four-episode mystery. Deftly balancing personal grief and professional duty, Coleman delivers a standout performance in a moody series reminiscent of Happy Valley.
4. A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (2025) – BritBox
True crime fans, take note: A Cruel Love revisits the tragic story of Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton), the last woman executed in the UK. Told over four episodes, the series carefully explores the circumstances that led Ellis to murder her lover, David Blakely. Boynton’s layered performance and the show’s lush period detail make this a must-watch for history and crime buffs alike.
5. Missing You (2025) – Netflix
When Detective Inspector Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar) spots her presumed-dead ex-boyfriend alive on a dating app, her world unravels. Based on Harlan Coben’s novel, Missing You is a tightly paced five-episode thriller filled with dark secrets and clever twists. Fans of Stay Close and Fool Me Once will find plenty to love here.
6. Ridley (2022–Present) – PBS and Amazon Prime Video
After a devastating personal tragedy, Detective John Ridley (Adrian Dunbar) returns from early retirement to tackle grim rural crimes. Ridley offers classic British crime storytelling with lush countryside scenery, a brooding lead, and a cozy-yet-haunted atmosphere. Bonus: Dunbar’s surprising jazz club performances add a unique twist.
7. Joan (2024) – BritBox and The CW
Sophie Turner trades her dragon for a fur coat in Joan, based on the real-life “Godmother” of the British criminal underground. Struggling to support her daughter, Joan Hannington turns to a life of crime with her photographic memory and flair for deception. Turner’s performance makes this stylish crime drama one of 2024’s standout series.
8. Grantchester (2014–Present) – PBS and Amazon Prime Video
Priests solving murders might sound odd, but Grantchester makes it endlessly charming. This long-running series, set in the 1950s and 60s, pairs village vicar sleuths like Sidney Chambers (James Norton) and Will Davenport (Tom Brittney) with detective Geordie Keating (Robson Green). Cozy, heartwarming, and a little bloody — it’s the perfect binge-watch.
9. Magpie Murders (2022) – PBS and Amazon Prime Video
When an arrogant bestselling author turns up dead, editor Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) suspects foul play. Magpie Murders cleverly blends a mystery within a mystery and features an outstanding lead performance by Manville. Fans can also dive into the 2024 sequel, Moonflower Murders.
10. The Marlow Murder Club (2024) – PBS and Amazon Prime Video
Retired archaeologist Judith (Samantha Bond) and her unlikely friends become amateur sleuths when dead bodies start turning up in their sleepy village. The Marlow Murder Club is cozy mystery comfort food — not the most realistic, but utterly delightful for fans of whodunits with heart.
11. Dalgliesh (2021–Present) – Acorn TV
P.D. James’ cerebral detective Adam Dalgliesh (Bertie Carvel) tackles intricate murders in this faithful, highbrow crime adaptation. Set in the 1970s, Dalgliesh brings slow-burn intrigue and rich character studies, offering something a little deeper for mystery fans looking for substance along with suspense.
12. Collateral (2018) – Netflix
When a pizza delivery man is shot dead in London, Detective Kip Glaspie (Carey Mulligan) refuses to accept it as random violence. Collateral is a smart, politically-charged four-episode thriller that connects human trafficking, political corruption, and systemic injustice. Mulligan is exceptional in a rare TV lead role.
