Detectives have always been a staple of British television, whether they’re moody professional coppers or amateur sleuths. With David Mitchell’s Ludwig recently crowned the most-watched BBC series of the year so far, it appears that audiences are still captivated by following their investigations, reports BritPanorama.
For those who have enjoyed Detective Barnaby in Midsomer, Luther’s brooding presence in London, and Father Brown in the Cotswolds, the genre can start to feel exhausted. Yet, numerous underrated detective series await discovery.
Here are 11 lesser-known detective series currently available on BBC iPlayer:
The Hairdresser Mysteries
I’m not always the biggest fan of cosy crime, but casting comedy queen Sally Phillips as a murder-solving hairdresser named Lily Petal is intriguing. Bodies are discovered throughout the village of Blossom Vale, and what better place to ear gossip than the local salon? The Hairdresser Mysteries is a brand-new series for 2026 that hasn’t received the recognition it deserves, likely due to its daytime scheduling. It’s wonderfully eccentric, embracing the whimsy that daytime television often allows.
The Turkish Detective
This Istanbul-set crime drama introduces veteran homicide investigator Cetin Ikmen (Haluk Bilginer), who knows the city — and its criminals — intimately. He is joined by British detective Mehmet Suleyman (Ethan Kai), who relocates to Turkey to seek the truth about his journalist girlfriend. Each of the eight episodes features a new death to tackle, balancing drama with refreshing energy.
The Jetty
Jenna Coleman plays detective Ember Manning, who now finds herself policing the Lancashire village of her youth. Shortly after her arrival, a suspicious arson of her late husband’s property unfolds, escalating when a pregnant teenager jumps onto her car. With this shock unfolds a rapid unraveling of the town’s concealed narratives. This series is packed with twists, making it ideal for binge-watching.
In the Dark
Based on Mark Billingham’s novels Time of Death and In the Dark, this four-part series stars MyAnna Buring as pregnant detective Helen Weeks. The story orchestrates a dual narrative: the disappearance of two girls points towards her best friend’s husband, while months later, close to her, a person is shot in an act of senseless violence, leading her deep into a world of gang conflict and police corruption.
Hamish Macbeth
This 90s series, penned by Daniel Boyle, leans more into comedy than serious crime drama. Robert Carlyle portrays police constable Hamish Macbeth, who is quite content avoiding promotion to detective. He aims to maintain peace in the not-so-sleepy Scottish town of Lochdubh, aided by his enthusiastic dog, Wee Jock.
High Country
The term “Australian rural noir” might be niche, but High Country offers a compelling entry. Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (Leah Purcell) investigates the mysterious disappearance of five individuals while facing community resistance ranging from unhelpfulness to outright hostility, complicating her quest for the truth.
Bloodlands
Produced by Jed Mercurio, known for his work on Line of Duty, this Northern Irish series features James Nesbitt as police detective Tom Brannick. The story revolves around the disappearance of a former IRA member, whose sudden abduction leads Brannick to confront a notorious assassin implicated in his family history.
Annika
Originally a Radio 4 drama, this series set in Glasgow follows DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) as she tackles odd crimes, such as a murder executed with a harpoon. The interaction with her teenage daughter adds depth, as Annika breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the audience.
Waking the Dead
Once a television heavyweight, Waking the Dead has faded from mainstream memory. The series centers on a team solving cold cases, previous considered unsolvable until new evidence emerges. Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve) leads a diverse team tackling various grisly murders, generating engaging dynamics among the group.
Dalziel and Pascoe
Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel (Warren Clarke) and Detective Inspector Peter Pascoe (Colin Buchanan) are mismatched partners tackling unusual murder cases. Based on Reginald Hill’s novels, the series diverges from traditional narrative patterns, making it a refreshing change for viewers who enjoy unpredictability.
Return to Paradise
The franchise that includes Death in Paradise and its spin-off Beyond Paradise has not overshadowed this Australian installment. Detective Inspector Mackenzie “Mack” Clarke (Anna Samson) returns home after controversy in London’s Met Police to investigate a string of local murders. The familiar tension of revealing dark secrets within a seemingly idyllic setting carries through.
