The 3 Best British Crime Shows You Should Watch in January 2025

2025 has arrived, and you have likely resolved to give up a few possessions this year. Yes, I have; this year, I shall refrain from consuming unhealthy soda, greasy beef, and delicious, sweet cookies. However, there is no way I am abandoning the enjoyment of viewing exceptional British crime dramas, and neither should you. In a world that can occasionally be cold and cruel, it is one of the few things that brings me solace.

The most recent Harlan Coben crime novel, Missing You, is available for viewing on Netflix. However, there are other superior British mystery series that are available for streaming. Disbelieve me? Continue reading, as I have three such shows that will keep you speculating as to who, why, and with which weapon until the very end.

Vigil (2021-present)

Vigil immediately establishes that this is not your typical crime series in its initial scene. To begin with, the offense that initiates the investigation and the entire season takes place on a submarine. A crew member is discovered deceased, and detectives Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and Kirsten Longacre (Game of Thrones vet Rose Leslie) are tasked with determining the perpetrator and the motive behind the murder. The demise is peculiar in that it is somehow associated with a missing fishing trawler that vanished years ago.

You May Also Like:  3 Sci-Fi Movies On Hulu to Watch in November 2024

Amy and Kirsten are compelled to inquire, uncover clues, and disrupt the Royal Navy’s order and authority, both on land and at sea. The Royal Navy is not amused by the two detectives’ intrusions. What mysteries are they concealing? And will they discover the information in time to prevent another individual from succumbing to death?

Vigil is excellent at creating suspense that is not overly simplistic for the audience. Season 2 is even more exceptional, as it replaces a submarine with a military base, where a hijacked drone murders an individual. That season is equally unpredictable, and it humanizes both of the main characters, who are connected by a secret that I would be hesitant to disclose.

Vigil is streaming on Peacock.

Criminal Record (2024)

Apple TV+ recently provided a complimentary weekend for all users to experience their original programming. Criminal Record, a British detective show that premiered discreetly last year to respectful acclaim, is not commonly discussed, despite the fact that everyone is aware of and raves about Severance and Silo. That is a pity, as it is one of the most captivating mysteries in existence and boasts two captivating performances by seasoned actors Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight).

They play detectives Daniel Hegarty and June Lenker, who are at opposite ends of their careers. The rapidly rising June contacts Daniel, a has-been who resents being forced out of police work, regarding an old murder case. The individual who was convicted of the murder is purportedly innocent, according to an enigmatic caller, and the actual perpetrator is poised to strike once more. Will Daniel and June be able to resolve the case in a timely manner despite their generational, ethnic, and gender disparities?

Criminal Record has been renewed for a second season, and it is clear why after viewing the first season. The series effectively establishes its central enigma while also delving into the intricate professional and personal lives of Daniel and June. They form an unconventional coupling, frequently at odds with one another. However, their mutual animosity renders them compulsively watchable.

Criminal Record is streaming on Apple TV+.

Miss Scarlet and the Duke (2020-present)

Miss Scarlet and the Duke, which is set in 1882 London when Queen Victoria still ruled the British Empire and Brits still referred to their underwear as “knickers,” is an example of a crime program that is not set in the present moment. This is the location where we encounter Eliza Scarlet, a woman of high society whose financial circumstances have recently become dire. Her father had recently passed away, leaving her without any financial resources. However, Miss Scarlet opts to assume responsibility for her father’s detective agency rather than marrying a wealthy individual.

Well, that is simpler said than done, particularly during a period in which women had limited economic and social autonomy. This is the reason why Miss Scarlet collaborates with William Wellington, a Scotland Yard detective who was trained by Eliza’s father. Eliza, with William’s assistance, is able to sustain herself as a for-hire detective, resolving mysteries such as a death photographer who receives messages from beyond the tomb and an empty building that may be a hideout for a clandestine gang of criminals. Miss Scarlet and the Duke is the perfect choice for those who enjoy mysteries with a hint of Bridgerton.

Miss Scarlet and the Duke is streaming on PBS.