10 Cosy Murder Mysteries to Binge This Winter
If the clocks have gone back and it is dark before the kettle has boiled, you probably want a murder mystery you can settle into for a whole weekend. This list gives you ten series that do exactly that, from village crime dramas and bookish sleuths to a comedy about three true-crime fans who cannot stop poking their noses into other people’s business.
We picked shows that reward a long watch. Each one has a clear puzzle at its centre, a cast you can settle in with, and enough episodes that you will not need to think about what to put on next. Cosy does not have to mean dull. Some of these series are gentle and sunny, some are sharp and funny, and a few are darker than their knitted cardigans suggest.
The selection rules were simple. Every series needed to be a proper murder mystery rather than a crime show with a body dropped in for colour, and each needed enough episodes to carry a cold weekend. We also checked where each title can be watched in the UK. When we could not confirm a UK streaming or broadcast home, we say so and suggest you check your local listings, because rights move around and a service that carries a show today may not carry it next month.
The ranking is about the binge, not about which show matters most in television history. A classic can sit lower if its episodes are harder to live with for a whole Saturday, or if its mysteries feel thinner when you watch them back to back. The countdown runs from No. 10 to No. 1, so the strongest pick arrives last.
Many of these series have been running for years, and that is a big part of their comfort. You can pick up a familiar detective who has been solving cases for a long time, or start with a new face and a fresh set of suspects. Either way, the formula is reassuring: a crime, a handful of red herrings, a sharp detective and a reveal that tidies everything up before the credits roll.
Think of this as a menu rather than a homework list. If you have already seen the big titles at the top, the middle of the countdown will give you something new to try. If you only want one show to start on Friday night, our No. 1 pick is where we would begin. Let’s get into it 👇
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10. Shakespeare & Hathaway
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is set in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Luella Shakespeare runs a small detective agency with Frank Hathaway, a former detective inspector whose business is struggling. The series opens when Luella hires Frank to look into her fiancé, a man who turns out to be a con artist and is killed at their wedding reception. Luella ends up buying into Frank’s agency, and aspiring actor Sebastian Brudenell joins the team. Jo Joyner plays Luella and Mark Benton plays Frank.
The appeal is the odd-couple partnership. Joyner’s Luella is quick and resourceful, and Benton gives Frank a weary, gruff charm that keeps the cases grounded. The mysteries are small and rooted in the local community, so the tone stays light, and the writing leans on village gossip and social manners rather than gore. Five series have aired so far, and a sixth is confirmed for 2026.
Why it ranks here: It sits last because the partnership is charming, but the cases rarely go far beyond neat, warm puzzles. Queens of Mystery at No. 9 has sharper comic bite and a more memorable family of sleuths. Compared with The Marlow Murder Club at No. 8, it is lighter and less ambitious, which makes it a comfort watch rather than a must-finish one.
Who should watch it: Viewers who want a gentle detective drama with a little romance, plenty of local colour and a lot of episodes to settle into.
Where to watch: U&Alibi for the most recent series and BBC One for the earlier ones, check your local listings.
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9. Queens of Mystery
Queens of Mystery follows DS Matilda Stone, a police detective who is perennially single and has three aunts who are well-known crime writers: Beth, Cat and Jane Stone. Together they solve whodunit-style murders, and the aunts keep trying to set Matilda up on blind dates. Julian Unthank created the series for Sly Fox Productions. Olivia Vinall played Matilda in the first series, and Florence Hall took over the role for the second. Each case is a fresh puzzle, and the family dynamic is the glue.
Its best asset is tone. The show is offbeat and a little eccentric, closer to a fairy-tale whodunit than a grim procedural. The aunts are the highlight, played by Julie Graham, Sarah Woodward and Siobhan Redmond, and their scenes together give the series a sharp, playful energy. Each series is three feature-length stories split into six 45-minute episodes. Acorn TV renewed it for a second series after the first.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Shakespeare & Hathaway because its comedy is sharper and its cast is more distinctive, with a premise that is more memorable than a village agency. It sits below The Marlow Murder Club at No. 8 because Marlow has steadier mystery construction and a more consistent lead. Queens is the one to pick if you want fun over polish.
Who should watch it: Fans of quirky, character-led mysteries with a comic streak, and anyone who prefers a family of sleuths to a lone detective.
Where to watch: Acorn TV, check your local listings.
8. The Marlow Murder Club
The Marlow Murder Club centres on Judith Potts, a retired archaeologist and crossword setter in the quiet town of Marlow. When a brutal murder is dismissed by the police, Judith refuses to let it go and starts a private investigation. She is helped by two unlikely allies, and the town becomes a web of secrets and suspects that widens episode by episode. Created by Robert Thorogood, the series stars Samantha Bond, with Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew among the cast.
Samantha Bond gives Judith a sharp, slightly prickly warmth that carries the show. She is not a neat amateur sleuth. She is stubborn, quick and occasionally blunt, and the series enjoys those edges. Thorogood, who also created Death in Paradise, brings a fondness for tidy puzzles, and the small-town setting gives each mystery an intimate, parlour-game feel. Masterpiece on PBS has renewed the series in the US, and UKTV co-commissioned it, so UK viewers should look for it on UKTV’s channels.
Why it ranks here: It sits below Agatha Raisin at No. 7 because its comedy is more restrained and its lead is less broadly playful. It sits above Queens of Mystery at No. 9 because its mysteries have a steadier structure and its cast is easier to follow across a long weekend.
Who should watch it: Viewers who like a clever, character-driven puzzle with a strong female lead and a cosy English town setting.
Where to watch: Check your local listings.
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7. Agatha Raisin
Agatha Raisin is a crime drama based on M.C. Beaton’s novels. Ashley Jensen plays Agatha, an amateur sleuth who investigates murders in the Cotswold village of Carsely. The series began with the 2014 special Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, and each story that follows is standalone. Agatha is abrasive and determined, and the village is rarely the same afterwards. Agatha’s best friend Roy, played by Mathew Horne, and her cleaner Gemma, played by Katy Wix, give the village its personality.
The show is light and comic, with Jensen’s timing doing most of the heavy lifting. Agatha is vain, impatient and unexpectedly kind, and her quarrels with the locals are a constant pleasure. Each case is self-contained, so you can watch a single episode without losing the thread, which suits a weekend when you drift in and out of the sofa. Sky One is the named broadcaster, and four seasons are available on NOW, which gives you a good run of Cotswold murders to work through.
Why it ranks here: It sits above The Marlow Murder Club at No. 8 because its comedy is broader and its tone is warmer for a cold weekend. It sits below Murder, She Wrote at No. 6 because the American series has a sharper central lead and far more episodes.
Who should watch it: Viewers who enjoy a light, comic cosy mystery with an unpretentious lead and a Cotswolds setting.
Where to watch: NOW, check your local listings.
6. Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote stars Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a widowed, retired English teacher who has become a successful mystery writer. She lives in the coastal town of Cabot Cove, Maine, and keeps finding herself caught up in murder cases. The series ran on CBS from 1984 to 1996, and it was created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link. Tom Bosley plays Sheriff Amos Tupper, and William Windom plays Dr Seth Hazlitt. Her curiosity drives each investigation, and the local police are never far behind.
This is comfort television in its purest form. Lansbury’s Jessica is clever, warm and never patronising, and her curiosity drives every episode. Twelve seasons and 264 episodes give you more hours than almost anything else on this list. The format is episodic and reliable, with a body, a suspect list, a sharp question and a final reveal. For the full production run, see Wikipedia.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Agatha Raisin at No. 7 because its lead is sharper and its mysteries are more rewarding over a long run, though it is less comic. It sits below Death in Paradise at No. 5 because its locations are less varied and its plots follow a more predictable pattern. It also has the most episodes of any show here.
Who should watch it: Anyone who wants a long, reliable mystery series for a winter weekend, especially fans of classic American whodunits.
Where to watch: Check your local listings.
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5. Death in Paradise
Death in Paradise is set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie, where a British detective is sent to solve murders on an island that looks far too pretty for them. Created by Robert Thorogood, the series airs on BBC One and has run for years. The current lead is DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet, who joined in the 2024 Christmas special. Shantol Jackson plays DS Naomi Thomas, who works alongside him, and each case is self-contained.
The island is the star. It is sunny, colourful and a little ridiculous in the way some plots pile up motives and quirky suspects. Gilet brings a calm, humane presence to the lead role, and Jackson gives the show a capable partner with her own sharp instincts. The format is short enough for a single sitting, and the regular cast changes have kept the show feeling fresh. It is the most escapist choice on the list.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Murder, She Wrote at No. 6 because the setting adds an extra layer of fun to each episode. It sits below Father Brown at No. 4 and Midsomer Murders at No. 3 because those two shows feel more like a complete world, with stronger character depth and more reasons to keep watching after the first hour.
Who should watch it: Viewers who want sunshine, a light tone and self-contained cases, especially on a grey winter afternoon.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer, check your local listings.
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4. Father Brown
Father Brown stars Mark Williams as a Catholic priest who solves crimes in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleston in the 1950s. The series is based on G.K. Chesterton’s stories, and each episode centres on a murder and often a moral or religious dilemma. Brown works alongside local police officers, with Tom Chambers as Inspector Sullivan and Claudie Blakley as Mrs Devine among the regulars. John Light plays Hercule Flambeau, Brown’s nemesis. The stories often turn on what people are hiding, and Brown is the one who notices.
What lifts Father Brown above a standard village mystery is its tone. Williams plays Brown with gentle wit and easy patience, and the show lets him be funny without losing the seriousness of the crimes. The period setting gives the series a soft, golden glow, and episodes often end on a moral note rather than a shock. The show has been on BBC One for more than a decade, so the village and its regulars feel lived in.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Death in Paradise at No. 5 because its tone is more consistent and its village setting is more rewarding to revisit. It sits below Midsomer Murders at No. 3 because it has a lighter body count and a less edgy streak.
Who should watch it: Fans of classic village mysteries, viewers who enjoy a little faith and humour in their crime drama, and anyone who likes Chesterton.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer, check your local listings.
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3. Midsomer Murders
Midsomer Murders is set in the fictional English county of Midsomer, where a surprising number of residents seem to end up dead. Neil Dudgeon plays DCI John Barnaby, who investigates each case with his sergeant, DS Winter, played by Nick Hendrix. Each episode is a feature-length mystery built around a village, a cast of local suspects and a community with secrets. The villages look peaceful on screen, which makes each death all the more unsettling. The series has been on screen since the late 1990s.
The format is what keeps it going. Each story is a self-contained puzzle in a pretty village, usually with a long list of suspects, a few eccentric locals and a fair chance to solve it before the reveal. Dudgeon is the calm centre of the show. A 26th series of four new feature-length mysteries takes the total to 148 episodes. For cast and episode details, see IMDb.
Why it ranks here: It sits above Father Brown at No. 4 because its scale and variety give a long weekend more to chew on. It sits below Agatha Christie’s Poirot at No. 2 because Poirot’s puzzles are more intricate and its lead is more memorable. Against Only Murders in the Building at No. 1, it is more traditional and less playful, which keeps it a notch behind.
Who should watch it: Anyone who wants an endless, reliable supply of village mysteries with a strong sense of place.
Where to watch: ITVX, which streams all episodes on a dedicated FAST channel, check your local listings.
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2. Agatha Christie’s Poirot
Agatha Christie’s Poirot follows Hercule Poirot, the fastidious Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie, as he solves crimes across Britain and beyond. David Suchet stars as Poirot across 13 series and 70 episodes, which aired on ITV from 1989 to 2013. Each story sees Poirot arrive at a scene, gather the people involved and piece together what really happened, while the period detail adds to the fun. Most stories are adapted from Christie’s novels and short stories, and Poirot’s loyal sidekicks give the series its warmth.
Suchet’s performance is the reason many viewers come back. His Poirot is meticulous, vain and funny, and he is precise about the emotions as much as the clues. The production values are period-perfect, and each feature-length episode is built like a tight, satisfying puzzle. Christie’s plotting is among the best in crime fiction, and the adaptations keep its ingenuity intact.
Why it ranks here: It sits at No. 2 because it has the strongest puzzles on the list and the most authoritative lead performance. Only Murders in the Building is higher, because its comic chemistry and modern voice make it the bigger weekend binge. Below Poirot, Midsomer Murders at No. 3 has more volume, but Poirot’s stories have the sharper structure.
Who should watch it: Fans of classic detective fiction, viewers who enjoy elegant period drama, and anyone who wants a definitive take on one of crime fiction’s most famous detectives.
Where to watch: Check your local listings.
🎧 Before we reveal our No. 1 pick…
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1. Only Murders in the Building
Only Murders in the Building follows three strangers who share an obsession with true-crime podcasts. Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) live in the Arconia, an upscale Upper West Side apartment building in New York. When a series of suspicious deaths hits the building, they start investigating and produce their own podcast about the cases. Steve Martin and John Hoffman created the series, which premiered on Hulu in 2021. Their podcast gives the show its structure.
Martin and Short are the comic engine, and their rivalry gives the show much of its charm. Gomez brings a grounded, quick energy that stops the jokes from floating away. The mysteries are clever and playful, and the Arconia becomes a small world of neighbours and suspects. Season five arrived in September 2025, and a sixth season is due on Disney+ on 8 December. For more background, see Rotten Tomatoes.
Why it ranks here: It is No. 1 because it is the funniest and most rewatchable show on the list while still being a proper mystery. Against Agatha Christie’s Poirot at No. 2, it trades Poirot’s precision for a warmer, sillier heart and a cast that makes a weekend fly. Poirot is the purer puzzle, but this is the better binge, and that is the deciding factor for a cold weekend.
Who should watch it: Anyone who wants a witty mystery with a comedy engine, especially true-crime fans who are happy to laugh at themselves.
Where to watch: Disney+, check your local listings.
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Final Thoughts on Your Winter Murder Marathon
Looking back over the countdown, the strongest picks have one thing in common: they make the act of watching feel like a treat. Only Murders in the Building and Agatha Christie’s Poirot both reward close attention, but they do it in different ways. Only Murders is funny and quick, with a cast that makes the hours fly, while Poirot is a masterclass in puzzle construction and a lead performance that is hard to forget. Midsomer Murders sits between them as the most reliable option on the list.
Different viewers will want different things. If you like the comfort of a long-running village series, Father Brown and Midsomer Murders are the obvious choices. If you want a sharper comic edge, Queens of Mystery and Agatha Raisin will suit you better. Readers who want a strong female lead might start with Murder, She Wrote or Shakespeare & Hathaway, and anyone who wants a sunnier setting should look at Death in Paradise.
So why did Only Murders in the Building come out on top? Because it manages to be a proper puzzle and a proper comedy at the same time. Poirot offers more elegant plotting, but Only Murders gives you more reasons to press play on the next episode, and that matters on a long, dark weekend. It is also the series most likely to be a reliable companion through the winter, with a sixth season due in December.
Your own list will almost certainly differ, and we would love to hear it. Tell us which series you would put at No. 1, which one you would drop, and any cosy murder mystery we missed. Share your favourites in the comments, and let us know if you would like a follow-up list for spring.
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Is Only Murders in the Building a good place to start for a cold weekend?
Yes, as long as you enjoy comedy with your mysteries. The series introduces its three leads, the Arconia building and the podcast format clearly, so you can follow the story without any prior knowledge. Each season builds around a central case, and the jokes come thick and fast. Season five arrived in September 2025, and a sixth season is due on Disney+ on 8 December, so there is plenty to catch up on before it lands. If you only watch one show from this list this weekend, this is the one we would pick.
Do I need to watch Agatha Christie’s Poirot in order?
Not really. Each story is a self-contained feature-length mystery, so you can dip into any episode and follow it without knowing what came before. Some characters recur across the run, so starting from the beginning gives you more of the warmth that builds over time. The series ran on ITV from 1989 to 2013 with 13 series and 70 episodes. For a weekend, pick the episodes that catch your eye, or work through one series at a time.
Where can I watch Midsomer Murders in the UK?
Midsomer Murders is broadcast on ITV, and our check found that all episodes stream on a dedicated 24/7 FAST channel on ITVX. Because listings and rights can change, it is worth checking your local listings or the ITVX app before you plan your weekend. The show is long-running, and a 26th series has been commissioned, so you will not run out of episodes. Each one is feature-length, so plan for a proper chunk of an evening.
Is Father Brown suitable for a family viewing?
For most families, yes. Father Brown airs on BBC One and is built around a gentle lead, a 1950s village setting and moral questions rather than graphic violence. Episodes do deal with murder, so younger children may find some scenes tense, and parents should use their judgement. It works well for a Sunday afternoon, and each episode is self-contained, which makes it easy to watch together.
Is Death in Paradise still on BBC One?
Yes, Death in Paradise continues to air on BBC One, and episodes are available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers. The series is set on the fictional island of Saint Marie and has had a changing cast, with Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson since the 2024 Christmas special. Because it runs in series and specials, the date of the next batch can change, so check the BBC iPlayer schedule for new episodes. The format is ideal for a short Saturday binge.
Is Murder, She Wrote available on UK streaming?
We could not confirm a UK streaming home for Murder, She Wrote, so check your local listings and your preferred streaming services before you plan a binge. The series ran on CBS in the US from 1984 to 1996, with 12 seasons and 264 episodes, so it is a long watch. Because it was made for American television, UK rights can be split between services and can change. A quick search of a platform’s catalogue will tell you whether it is available to you right now.
Are the Agatha Raisin TV episodes like the books?
The TV series is based on M.C. Beaton’s novels, but it is not a page-by-page adaptation. Each episode is a standalone story, and the show adds its own comic tone, including Agatha’s best friend Roy and her cleaner Gemma. You do not need to read the books to enjoy the series, and if you do read them first, you may notice that the TV versions simplify or change some plot points. The show began with a 2014 special, and four seasons are available on NOW.
Do I need to have seen Death in Paradise to enjoy The Marlow Murder Club?
No. The Marlow Murder Club stands on its own, with Samantha Bond as Judith Potts and a new group of characters in the town of Marlow. Robert Thorogood created both series, and fans of Death in Paradise may recognise a similar fondness for tidy puzzles. You do not need any background, because each episode gives you enough context to follow the case. Check your local listings to see where the series is available in the UK.
What is Queens of Mystery about?
Queens of Mystery follows DS Matilda Stone, a detective who is perennially single, and her three aunts Beth, Cat and Jane Stone, who are crime writers. Together they solve whodunit-style murders while the aunts keep trying to set Matilda up on blind dates. Julian Unthank created the darkly comic series for Sly Fox Productions. Acorn TV renewed it for a second series after the first, and Florence Hall took over as Matilda for that run. Check your local listings for UK availability.
Where can I watch Shakespeare & Hathaway in the UK?
The series has aired on BBC One and on U&Alibi. Series one to four were shown on BBC One, while series five arrived on U&Alibi in September 2025, so the most recent episodes are on that channel. Because UK channel and streaming listings change, check your local listings before you plan a binge. The show is set in Stratford-upon-Avon and follows Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway, with five series and 50 episodes in total.
More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows
IMDb: cast lists, episode guides and production credits for films and television.
Rotten Tomatoes: critic and audience scores for films and series.
Metacritic: aggregated critic reviews, each summarised as a score out of 100.
Wikipedia: detailed production histories, cast changes and broadcast details for most series.
TV Guide: television listings, news and features on series and episodes.
Entertainment Weekly: entertainment news, reviews and features on film and television.
Deadline: trade news on television commissions, renewals and deals.
The Hollywood Reporter: trade coverage of the film and television business.
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