Movies have lots of supercops, but television has always given us some of the coolest detectives and the most detailed crime-solving stories. Who can ever forget Frank Columbo? Known for the catchphrase, “One more thing!” he’d often trick criminals into thinking he was foolish, before nabbing them. What about Theodopolus “Theo” Kojak? His love for Tootsie Pops was a bit weird, but he always got the job done. Others like Jessica Fletcher and Father Frank also remain legendary.
Today, numerous detective shows continue to be made. As has always been the case, the bulk of these productions come from America and the United Kingdom, an unsurprising trend because there tends to be a stronger obsession with law enforcement in these regions. Halfway through 2025, we’ve already been treated to several great series, and many more will likely come.
So far, the following small-screen crime-solving shows have stood out the most in 2025.
9
‘Art Detectives’
In Art Detectives, curious, good-natured Detective Inspector Mick Palmer (Stephen Moyer) solves murders and thefts involving art and antiquities at the Metropolitan Police’s Heritage Crime Unit. Whenever he isn’t working, this “Jack” gets to play with art curator Rosa (Sarah Alexander), the two making everyone wish they had a love like theirs.
‘Costly’ Crimes
Writer and showrunner Paul Powell has been acclaimed as one of the most important voices in Britain’s television landscape, and this subtle, engaging, multi-layered work provides ample evidence why. At the heart of the proceedings, Stephen Moyer’s dedicated performance is, like the show itself, sheer artistry. And, as is always the case with shows like this, the production design is marvelous.
8
‘Sherlock & Daughter’
- Release Date
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April 17, 2025
- Network
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The CW
- Showrunner
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James Duff
- Writers
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Brendan Foley, Micah Wright, Shelly Goldstein
Things aren’t going so well for Sherlock Holmes (David Thewlis) in Sherlock & Daughter. The Red Thread Syndicate seems to have outsmarted him in every way. His work soon dovetails with his personal life when Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), a spirited Native American woman from California, arrives, claiming to be his daughter. The sullen investigator is skeptical, but he eventually finds her very useful.
Like Father, Like Daughter
This richly observant study of a middle-aged detective doing his best to cope with slipping glory also functions as an adroit and dense crime mystery story. There’s plenty of melodrama, and all of it is handled expertly by David Thewlis, who makes a great case for himself as one of the greatest Sherlock Holmes actors. Don’t hesitate to dive into this version of 221B Baker Street.
7
‘Bergerac’
Not everyone is old enough to remember the ‘80s hit series of the same name, so UKTV chose to retell the tale of Jim Bergerac (portrayed here by Damien Molony), a once fierce detective forced to recoil after his wife’s death. A year later, he returns to his job, struggling with alcoholism. However, he cannot take it easy because there is a lot of work to be done in Bergerac. The daughter‑in‑law of billionaire Arthur Wakefield (Philip Glenister) has been murdered, and someone has to pay.
As Good as the Original
It’s too early to be excited, but this peerless new detective drama has what it takes to endure as one of the signature shows of the 2020s. Molony is a walking, talking time bomb as the effective yet obsessed Jim Bergerac, and Zoë Wanamaker looks and acts the part of a rant-loving daughter who doesn’t seem to really understand what her father is going through. Get ready for some thought-provoking dialogue, too.
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These series will surely foster a deeper appreciation for the British mystery canon.
6
‘Smoke’
Arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) want all the smoke in Smoke. Despite being forcefully paired and tasked with tracking two serial arsonists, the two end up doing an incredible job together. Still, they are about to face challenges on a scale they’ve never seen before.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Smoke highly benefits from commanding performances from Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett, as well as its general aesthetics. Its oppressive chiaroscuro photography vividly evokes that unmistakable sense of fear and claustrophobia that arson investigators tend to experience. It’s still early days, but we fail to see how this could fail, especially when its showrunner is Dennis Lehane, the man whose book, Shutter Island, was turned into one of Martin Scorsese’s best movies.
5
‘Missing You’
- Release Date
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2025 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Sean Spencer
- Writers
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Victoria Asare=Archer
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Rosalind Eleazar
Kat Donovan
Detective Inspector Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar) from Missing You has a reputation for finding missing people, but she has been unable to locate her fiancé, Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters), who hasn’t been seen for over a decade. Back on dating apps, a major twist emerges when she matches with none other than Josh. What’s going on?
Disappearing or Ghosting?
Walters was perfectly cast as the protagonist. As the brave but lovesick Detective Donovan, the actress exudes the existential ennui of the archetypal film noir protagonist. The decision not to stray from the source material also benefits the show. Harlan Coben wrote a wonderful and timely book that was nominated for a 2014 Audie Award for Mystery, and he is probably smiling at how brilliantly his work was honored.
4
‘Virdee’
DCI Harry Virdee (Staz Nair) has been disowned by his Sikh family for marrying a Muslim wife. But domestic issues only cover the surface of his problems in Virdee. He needs to find a missing teenager and a serial killer targeting the local Asian community. Left with few choices, he is forced into an alliance with his brother-in-law Riaz (Vikash Bhai), a powerful cartel leader.
Too Much on His Plate
Virdee is an authentic, jagged show where career and desperation remain intertwined. Shot using fragmentary, hand-held techniques to boost immediacy, Virdee adequately captures the dark milieu of the streets, the brutality of criminal elements, and the abstruse moral grounds of the British justice system. Kudos to the writers, too, for sensitively addressing the thorny issues of religious divide and racial discrimination.
3
‘The Residence’
- Release Date
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2025 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Liza Johnson
- Writers
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Paul William Davies
In The Residence, Detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), a bird‑obsessed sleuth, is called to the White House to investigate the death of Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), which happened during a high‑profile state dinner for the Australian prime minister. She learns that several people were boiling with resentment for the man. So, who did it?
Dirt in the White House
Workplace politics are annoying in the real world, but it’s always interesting to watch them play out on the screen. Visually poetic and somewhat dreamlike, The Residence is largely a restless and unusually lyrical mystery comedy drama about the journey to find the truth. Inspired by The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, it sure is one of the most intriguing Shondaland shows we have seen in recent years. And isn’t it clever how each episode is named after a popular movie, book, or short story?
2
‘Countdown’
Dealing with an array of incidents, from murder to high-stakes heists, Detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) from Countdown has always tried to maintain his moral sense while deciphering the troubled world he often finds himself in. Now placed in a task force looking into the death of a Homeland Security officer, he is about to face the biggest test of his career.
Ackles Is Back
Trippy and action-packed, Countdown is a unique show whose haunting aftereffects are likely to linger. Wheeling amid an ocean of departmental and human problems, our protagonist strives to get the job done and comes off as very likable in the process. In Derek Haas, the show is also in good hands. After all, he is familiar with these kinds of plots, having served as a writer on all the Chicago procedurals as well as FBI: International.
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From cozy mysteries to suspenseful thrillers, BritBox has some of the best British detective shows to stream right now.
1
‘Dept. Q’
- Release Date
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May 29, 2025
- Network
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Netflix
-
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Chloe Pirrie
Merritt Lingard
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Alexej Manvelov
Akram Salim
Disgraced DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) is experiencing career regression rather than progress in Dept. Q. Under scrutiny for a botched job, he is demoted to Department Q, dealing with cold cases. There, he investigates the disappearance of ambitious prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), and, as expected, the politics and actions of the culprits eventually bring them into Morck’s sights.
Not Where He’d Like To Be
Dept. Q’s addictive plots keep pulling you in every time you think you are out. This is no shocker, considering that the show is the brainchild of Scott Frank, whose resume includes two Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, the first for Out of Sight and the second for Logan. On top of that, he is the person behind The Queen’s Gambit. Above all, Goode does an excellent job portraying a lawman struggling to contain his emotions. Arguments make for great television, and there are a few interesting ones here.
