Between iTV, BBC, and the occasional import to streaming services like Netflix or Max, it can be hard to figure out where to find the top-tier content coming out of the UK. Fortunately, BritBox has a great catalog filled with decades ofBritish dramas,comedies, andreality shows. One genre that BritBox dominates above all else is British mysteries. We’ve all seen mainstream series likeBBC’s Sherlockand the three glorious seasons ofBroadchurch, but BritBox has many underrated gems that are just waiting to become your favorite shows.
So, to keep you from having to investigate the platform like an obsessive detective, we’ve gathered the best British mystery shows on Britbox. For more recommendations, check out our list of thebest British detective shows on BritBoxor the bestmoviesandshowson the platform across all genres.
‘The Tower’ (2021 - 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Actor and comedianGemma Whelan(ofGame of Thronesfame) takes the lead in this serialized police procedural following a London investigator trying to solve murder cases while grappling with the corrupt and male-dominated police force. Based on novels byKate London,The Toweris a tightly scripted, well-acted drama that centers around solving one intricately woven case per season (or “series” if you’re from across the pond). The short three-to-four-episode seasons are like an extended film that keeps the viewer sucked into the mystery through on-the-ground investigation with the main detective, and revelatory flashbacks fill in gaps as clues are uncovered. It’s a fantastic series that highlights the flaws in the policing system while telling a compelling story.
Watch on BritBox
‘Vera’ (2011 - 2025)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Based on theAnn Cleevesbook series,Verais an episodic crime drama that follows the investigations of a quirky yet insightful DCI played by the ever-brilliantBrenda Blethyn(Kate & Koji). The vibe of this long-running series is best described as “British Columbo," which is honestly the biggest compliment I could give any detective series. The main draw is Blethyn’s performance, as she uses an unassuming appearance and sharp wit to solve interesting murder mysteries. The short seasons, comprising four to six episodes that run about 90 minutes each, make this a great series for binging or consuming in small increments as your favorite wind-down show.
‘Father Brown’ (2013 - Present)
IMDb: 7.8/10
Father Brown
Set in the 1950s,Father Brownis a period crime procedural with more spirit than your typical cop drama…the Holy Spirit, that is! Based on stories byG. K. Chesterton, the series follows a Catholic priest in post-WWII England who procrastinates on his priestly duties by solving obscure murder cases around his small village. Taking on the white collar of the titular father isHarry PotteralumMark Williams, who gives a stellar performance as the intelligent parish member who uses his understanding of people’s behavior to analyze motives and methods in each murder case. There is a charming bit of humor to the series that makes it a breezy watch, even when it deals with heavier topics surrounding the oppressive conditions in Britain after the war.
‘New Tricks’ (2004 - 2015)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.0/10
New Tricks
This long-running police comedy procedural follows a team of four detectives at the end of their careers whose unorthodox (and often slightly violent) tendencies help them close unsolved cases.New Tricksis a delightful showcase of the acting talents of the main cast —Amanda Redman,Alun Armstrong,Dennis Waterman, andJames Bolam— who are a perfect balance for one another as they each bring a different flavor to their characters’ investigation skills while imbuing the storylines relating to the struggles of age with a richness that is often surprising for a comedy. This series has a similar vibe to the cable TV procedurals of the early 2000s likeLeverage,Psych, orRizzoli & Isles, which focus on fun personalities getting the job done in their own special way.
‘Grace’ (2021 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.4/10
ScreenwriterRussell Lewis(Endeavour) adapts the novels of popular British crime mystery authorPeter Jamesin this series of feature-length episodes that feel like the epitome of prestige television.GracefollowsJohn Simm(Doctor Who) as a troubled detective whose failure to find his missing wife drives him to the point of obsession to solve each case. (It’s veryMonkbut without the problematic depictions of OCD.) Simm’s performance is one of the best in his career, and it’s a big draw of the show, though the cinematography and visual storytelling are a close second, as each episode feels like it has cinema-quality production to match the movie-style runtime.
‘The Bay’ (2019 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.2/10
The Bay, initially starringMorven Christie(Payback) in the first half of the series and nowMarsha Thomason(White Collar), is a dynamic show with characters that feel distinctly human for a crime drama — particularly Christie as the driving force of the first two seasons, whose detective character isas messy as they are perceptive. Each six-episode season follows a single investigation that starts pretty gray but only gets darker as the episodes continue. The stories are equal parts character drama and procedural mystery, which makes it a great viewing experience for fans of either genre.
‘Passenger’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.7/10
ActorAndrew Buchantakes everything he learned from his time onBroadchurchand makes his screenwriting debut with this atypical mystery story. The premise ofPassengeris familiar — a big city cop moves to a small town and seeks out bigger cases in a mundane setting to stave off their boredom — but Buchan adds layers of the supernatural and elements of horror to create a wholly new experience. To give anything away about the underlying mystery feels like a disservice to future viewers, so I’ll just say that this restless cop finally gets the case they’re looking for when something monstrous causes a young girl to go missing in the forest. Also, we’d be remiss to neglect the dazzling performance ofWunmi Mosaku(Loki), who leads this series with gusto, gumption, and grace.
‘The Pale Horse’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.1/10
The Pale Horse
Speaking of the supernatural,Sarah Phelps(And Then There Were None) loosely adapts another work by prolific authorAgatha Christie— this time, a dark mystery of witches, murder, and lies.The Pale Horseis a two-part series that followsRufus Sewell(The Uninvited) as a man who becomes embroiled in an investigation into a series of bizarre deaths that are tied to the occult when his name is found on a list carried by one of the victims. Now, he must uncover the secret behind the murders before he becomes the next to die. Phelps creates a terrific atmosphere of paranoia that gives the Christie story a new flavor while still capturing the elements that make it so timeless.
