From Ellis to Ludwig – our TV experts choose the top detective shows to watch as Vera comes to an end
CRIME drama Vera is soon set to end after 14 years – while kicking off a major change in the genre.
As the hit ITV show wraps up, viewers will be searching for a new detective to capture their imaginations.
Fortunately, small screen sleuths come in all forms – and we have plenty of choices to consider.
Here is a look at some top examples.
Ellis
Starring Sharon D. Clarke, Ellis is a three-part crime drama soon coming to Channel 5.
It follows the titular detective DCI Ellis, who along with her partner, DS Harper (Andrew Gower), are sent into various local police stations to help with failing investigations.
Lead actress Sharon has just had a starring turn in BBC drama Mr Loverman opposite Line of Duty‘s Lennie James and Death in Paradise‘s Tahj Miles.
Ludwig
In Ludwig, comedian and Would I Lie To You? captain David Mitchell plays a very different sort of detective.
He portrays reclusive puzzle setter John Taylor – known by the pseudonym Ludwig – who takes on the identity of his identical twin police inspector brother James, after he mysteriously goes missing.
Meanwhile, John’s expertise with puzzles makes him a natural for solving various murders – all while the police are none than wiser to his true identity.
The cast also includes Anna Maxwell Martin, Dipo Ola, Dorothy Atkinson, Ralph Ineson, Gerran Howell, Izuka Hoyle, Sophie Willan and Dylan Hughes.
All six episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Whitstable Pearl
Whitstable Pearl follows a private detective named Pearl Nolan (Kerry Godliman).
She is also a single mother who runs the titular seafood restaurant alongside her mum in the eponymous coastal town.
After a friend dies in suspicious circumstances, Pearl finds herself butting heads with newly-moved London copper Mike McGuire (Howard Charles).
The show is broadcast and produced by Acorn TV.
Two series have been broadcast to date, with a third on the way.
Shetland
First broadcast on BBC One in 2013, crime drama Shetland is largely set in the Shetland Islands in Scotland.
The crime drama was originally adapted from Ann Cleeves’ novels, as adapted by David Kane.
Douglas Henshall led the cast as DI Jimmy Pérez up until his departure in 2022.
Following this, Ashley Jensen stepped in as new lead character DI Ruth Calder.
Eight series have aired to date, although the show has been re-commissioned for series nine and ten respectively.
The Chelsea Detective
As the title suggests, The Chelsea Detective depicts the investigations of a detective solving murder cases in the London borough of Chelsea.
Adrian Scarborough has starred as lead character DI Max Arnold for both series to date.
Although he’s been joined by two different partners across the show.
Initially, DS Priya Shamsie (Sonita Henry) partnered Arnold, only to be later replaced by DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme).
The show was first broadcast on Acorn TV back in February 2022.
Sister Boniface
Created by Jude Tindall, Sister Boniface Mysteries is set in a fictional Cotswolds town during the 1960s.
It is a spin-off of fellow cozy crime drama Father Brown – with the Sister Boniface character being introduced during an episode of that show.
The title character is Catholic nun who also has a PhD in forensic science, serving in an advisory role for the local police force.
Lorna Watson plays Sister Boniface, while she’s joined by Max Brown, Jerry Iwu and Ami Metcalf.
The programme airs on UKTV’s U&Drama.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.