Way before we had queues on streaming platforms and the autoplay countdowns that compel us to stick around a little longer,detective showshad already mastered the “just one more episode” game. There is a reasonthe genre has remained a fan-favorite for so long. It is built on the thrill of a mystery that appears to be straightforward at first but is revealed to contain a lot of twists and unbelievable messiness. British detective series, in particular, have a knack for making even the most unassuming crime scene feel steeped in character and plot. And lately,Netflixhas been curating an excellent lineup of British detective shows that are gripping from start to finish.
From the moody atmosphere ofMarcellato the time-bending thrills ofBodies, these British detective shows are never just about catching the killer. They often dive into humanity, history, and the personal ruin of morally complicated investigators. The genre has, of course, evolved with time; the storytelling is more stylish and the characters are more dynamic. Even international shows have flourished on Netflix, with titles likeGiri/Hajigaining loyal followings and proving the genre’s appeal.
These 9 British detective shows streaming on Netflix offer the perfect combination of layered mystery, standout performances, and emotional depth.
9’Marcella' (2016 – 2021)
On the surface, Marcella Backland is just a woman trying to hold her life together. A former detective plagued by blackouts and trauma, she is pulled back into the world of murder investigations when a serial killer returns. And it is the same one she chased a decade ago. As Marcella navigates her psyche and dives headfirst into one chilling murder after another, she grows more obsessive and guilty.
Bizarre but Oddly Entertaining
Across three seasons,Marcellashifts between high-stakes procedural work and deeply emotional arcs. More than a detective show,it is a complex character study, and Anna Friel gets all the spotlight. Her commanding presence earned her an International Emmy, and rightfully so. She turnsMarcellainto a raw and unnerving examination of ethical dilemmas. Its unusual mix of noir sensibilities and psychological tension makes it refreshing.
8’Stay Close' (2021)
Stay Close
A glossy, fast-paced thriller from the team behindThe Stranger, this one is set in a fictional English town overflowing with secrets. It follows three disparate characters: suburban mom Megan, a washed-up photographer named Ray, and Broome, a haunted detective. When a long-cold missing person case resurfaces, all three of their lives are disrupted.
Big Secrets in a Small Town
Much like otheradaptations of Harlan Coben’s novelson Netflix,Stay Closepulls viewers through layers of deception, hidden identities, and collateral damage. It’s told in eight episodes and may look like a soapier cousin of the detective genre, but it keeps you guessing until the very end. Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage and James Nesbitt round out the cast with depth and nuance, allowing the narrative, slick pacing, and unpredictable reveals to take over.
7’Collateral' (2018)
Collateral
Collateralis a politically-charged detective show that begins with a random shooting of a pizza delivery driver on a London stage. Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie, in charge of the investigation, feels nothing about the case is simple. She starts digging and uncovers a tangled web that pulls in army officers, immigration officials, politicians, and a refugee living in fear.
A Gripping Murder Mystery
Anchored by Carey Mulligan’s fascinating turn as the tenacious Detective Glaspie, Collateral does not play the long game, but it moves at an incredible pace and pieces together an uglier truth. Created by David Hare, it leans hard into political critique. Which is to say that while the detective threat anchors the story, the real tension lies in the institutional indifference it exposes. With its talented ensemble and intricate plotting,Collateralis one of Netflix’s best offerings.
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6’Criminal: UK' (2019 – 2020)
Criminal: UK
Set entirely within the confines of a police interrogation room, where detectives have no choice but to rely solely on their sharp questioning skills and the power of words to unravel complex cases.Criminal: UKstrips the genre down to its essentials. There’s just a table, a suspect, detectives led by Natalie Hobbs, and a psychological chess match playing out in real life.
Suspense Fueled by Clever Dialogue
Each episode features a different case, from a man accused of scamming underage girls online to a woman suspected of murdering her own sister. Through manipulation and misdirection, with pauses and stares, this tense and cerebral series reveals more than it tells.Criminal: UKis a rare show that dials everything down and is still haunting and unforgettable. Across two short seasons, it experiments with themes in a way thatalmost every episode is rewatchable.
5’Bodies' (2023)
Bodiesbegins with the same corpse appearing in London’s Whitechapel district across four separate timelines – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Turning the genre inside out and combining sci-fi and dystopian unease into the mix, it features four different detectives, one in each timeline, as they uncover the same dead man and attempt to figure out what connects them across generations.
A Rare Time-Hopping Mystery
When all cases begin to bleed into each other in ways none of them are prepared for,Bodiesgets really interesting. Adapted from Si Spencer’s DC Vertigo graphic novel of the same name, the show is storytelling at its finest. It stars Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, and Shira Haas as the detectives, and they ground their characters according to the era’s baggage. The high-concept premise allows room for exploring war, politics, moral decay, and more.
4’Paranoid' (2016)
When a well-liked local GP named Angela is stabbed to death in the sleepy town of Woodmere, a team of detectives led by Bobby Day and Nina Suresh begins investigating. What seems like a straightforward murder case, however, morphs into an entangled plot involving pharmaceutical plots, whistleblowers, and puppet-masters. It gets more complicated when a mysterious “Ghost Detective” starts feeding them clues.
Offbeat and Surprisingly Addictive
Paranoidis a twisted-filled, mind-bending detective show on Netflix, and its biggest strength is how it subverts the genre conventions at every turn. It is less polished than a police procedural, but the charm lies in its chaotic pacing and odd rhythm. Thecast share genuine chemistry, and there’s a strange balance between anxious Bobby and no-nonsense Nina. Overall, critics were divided, butParanoiddeveloped a dedicated following in recent years.
3’Missing You' (2025)
Missing You
Another adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel,Missing Youon Netflix follows Kat Donovan, a detective chasing the man who vanished from her life eleven years ago. When Josh, her long-lost fiancé, pops up on a dating app, it sets off a chain reaction that pulls her into a sinister network of captives held in barn stalls, false identities, unsolved murders, and a boss who knows more than he lets on.
Romance and Heartache Meet Detective Work
In just five episodes, this miniseries delivers an emotionally-charged mystery that sometimes relies on soapy elements for drama but never loses its detective core. Rosalind Eleazar anchors the series as Kat and is supported by Richard Armitage and Ashley Walters in roles that leave you conflicted about their intentions. The show’s reception was mixed, with some finding it slippery and others bingeing it in one sitting. Either way, it is a solid entry in Netflix’s Coben canon.
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2’Dept. Q' (2025 – Present)
Based on a book series by Jussi Adler-Olsen,Dept. Qis a British detective show that centers around Carl Mørck, an abrasive, guilt-ridden lead detective banished to the basement office after a botched case leaves his partner paralyzed and another officer dead. But when he’s tasked with leading a new cold case unit, he assembles a team of misfits and starts digging into the disappearance of a prosecutor who was last seen on a ferry.
Cold Cases with Slow Revelations
A recent addition to Netflix’s lineup of British detective shows, this one is set in Edinburgh, and it blends gothic architecture with modern unease to create a moody backdrop for its slow-burning narrative. Layered with flashbacks and cryptic recordings, its nine-episode first season earned praise for its atmosphere, pacing, and character work. Speaking of which,Dept. Qis led by Matthew Goode and backed by Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, and Leah Byrne.With Season 2 already teased, the show is just getting started.
1’Giri/Haji' (2019)
Giri/Hajitranslates to duty and shame, both literally and thematically. The plot finds Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo detective, traveling to London to find his missing brother Yuto. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s not only solving a murder but also trying to prevent a gang war between rival Yakuza clans. With scenes in both English and Japanese, it weaves together a story of two cities, two cultures, and two brothers.
Arthouse Noir With Sharp Sense of Humor
Created by Joe Barton, this one is part detective drama, and part existential character study. The plot is sprawling but ripe with touching moments. Takehiro Hira and Yōsuke Kubozuka deliver mesmerizing performances, while Kelly Macdonald and Will Sharpe bring texture to the narrative. Its nonlinear structure and unique themes transport viewers into a fever dream of sorts.A one-season wonder that dares to be different,Giri/Hajieven earned a BAFTA Award.
