5 Binge-Worthy ITV Crime and Detective Dramas of 2026 So Far
ITV has built one of the strongest crime line-ups on British television, and 2026 has been a busy year. From a long-running Brighton detective to a psychological thriller about a missing wife, the new and returning dramas on ITV cover a wide range of tones. Each title on this list is a 2026 release or a 2026 season, and each is streaming on ITVX.
This list brings together five ITV crime and detective dramas from 2026. Each entry explains the story, the main characters and the central conflict, so you know what you are watching before you press play. The ranking puts the most gripping and most rewatchable shows at the top.
Support That Love Podcast: If guides like this help you choose your next watch, you can help keep independent articles and original audio stories coming by donating to That Love Podcast.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you sign up or make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, That Love Podcast may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you want to see what else Amazon offers before you choose, Explore Amazon Prime has a range of entertainment options.
Let’s get into it 👇
How We Chose and Ranked These Shows
Every title here is confirmed as a 2026 ITV release or season, with premises checked against ITV's own announcements and reliable coverage. The ranking weighs the central mystery, the strength of the characters, how tightly the episodes hold together and how rewatchable the show is once you know the answer.
5. Ridley: Series 2
Ridley stars Adrian Dunbar as Alex Ridley, a retired detective inspector who cannot quite leave police work behind. His former protégée, DI Carol Farman, played by Bronagh Waugh, regularly calls him in to advise on difficult cases. Series 2 has four episodes, each following a new crime, including a jewellery heist that turns violent, the discovery of a decomposed body, an illegal rave that ends in a death and a mother who goes missing.
The format gives each episode its own shape, and the partnership between Ridley and Farman is the thread that ties the series together. The second series concluded in late August 2026, and the show's sense of an experienced mind working through a case keeps it engaging.
Why it ranks here: Ridley sits at the bottom of this list because its episodes are self-contained and its wider story is less developed than the shows above it. It earns its place because the format is satisfying and the lead performance is strong, but it does not have the long-running momentum or the twists of the titles ahead of it.
Who should watch it: fans of traditional British police procedurals and viewers who like a retired detective who still cannot let go.
Where to watch: ITVX.
4. Believe Me
Believe Me is a four-part drama about the John Worboys case, written by Jeff Pope. Daniel Mays plays Worboys, a London taxi driver and serial sex offender. The series follows the women who reported him and were not properly believed by the Metropolitan Police, with Aimée-Ffion Edwards as Sarah, Aasiya Shah as Laila and Miriam Petche as Carrie. The drama premiered on ITV1 on 10 May 2026.
The story covers the failings of the investigation, the women's fight to sue the Metropolitan Police under the Human Rights Act, and the later battle over parole. Harriet Wistrich and Phillippa Kaufmann KC, the solicitors who supported the survivors, are played by Philippa Dunne and Rachael Stirling. The series is serious and sometimes harrowing, and it deals with sexual violence directly.
Why it ranks here: Believe Me ranks fourth because its subject is powerful and its performances are strong, but its structure is more of a true-story drama than a crime thriller. It is less about solving a mystery and more about institutional failure. It sits below the three detective-led shows because viewers come to it for its real-world importance rather than the puzzle.
Who should watch it: viewers interested in real cases and institutional accountability. Please note that the series deals with sexual violence and may be distressing.
Where to watch: ITVX.
Listen while you watch: Need something to listen to after an intense episode? Discover original romantic audio dramas, comedies and stories at That Love Podcast episodes.
3. Grace: Series 6
Grace is ITV's long-running Brighton-set crime drama, based on Peter James's bestselling Roy Grace novels. John Simm plays DS Roy Grace, and Richie Campbell plays DS Glen Branson. Series 6 began on ITV1 on 29 March 2026 with four feature-length episodes. The season follows East Sussex CID through a run of intense cases, including a tragic death within a community and a suspicious fatal car crash full of unanswered questions.
The show combines police procedure with a personal story. Grace carries the weight of his past, and the corruption investigation running through the force adds pressure to every case. Its feature-length format gives each mystery room to develop, and the Brighton setting gives it a strong sense of place.
Why it ranks here: Grace sits in the middle of the list because it is a dependable, well-made procedural with a strong lead. It falls behind the top two because its cases are more conventional, and its wider corruption plot is less surprising than the psychological tension of Gone or the pacing of The Blame.
Who should watch it: fans of long-running British detective dramas and viewers who enjoy feature-length mysteries.
Where to watch: ITVX. In the US, the series is on BritBox.
Explore more on Amazon: Explore This Amazon Offer for more options on Amazon.
2. The Blame
The Blame is a six-part thriller created by Megan Gallagher and based on Charlotte Langley's debut novel. Michelle Keegan plays DI Emma Crane, and Douglas Booth plays DI Tom Radley. The story begins when the body of a sixteen-year-old figure skater, Sophie Madsen, is found in the small seaside town of Wakestead. What appears to be a tragic death quickly becomes a murder enquiry, and the detectives uncover lies, cover-ups and moral compromise.
Ian Hart plays DCI Kenneth Walker, and Nathan Mensah, Nigel Boyle and Joe Armstrong round out the cast. The series is about trust as much as the crime. As Crane digs deeper, she has to navigate the politics inside her own team, and the police corruption at the heart of the story makes every new revelation more uncomfortable.
Why it ranks here: The Blame takes second place because it balances a strong central mystery with a sharp look at institutional corruption. Keegan and Booth carry the drama well. It falls just behind Gone because its twists rely more on the wider political plot, while Gone keeps its focus tightly on one suspect and one investigation.
Who should watch it: fans of police corruption thrillers and viewers who enjoy a mystery that asks who to trust.
Where to watch: ITVX and ITV1. The series premiered on 20 September 2026.
1. Gone
Gone is a six-part psychological crime drama written by George Kay. David Morrissey plays Michael Polly, the respected headmaster of a Bristol private school. When his wife Sarah disappears, he becomes the prime suspect. Eve Myles plays DS Annie Cassidy, the detective who begins to suspect that Michael is hiding something, and Emma Appleton plays their daughter Alana, who also teaches at the school.
The series is a cat-and-mouse game between the detective and the suspect. Its central question is whether Michael is a monster or a man who has been wrongly targeted, and the show keeps that doubt alive until late in the story. It is inspired by the book To Hunt a Killer, written by former detective Julie Mackay and journalist Robert Murphy.
Why it ranks here: Gone takes the top spot because it has the strongest central tension on this list. The two leads play a constant game of wits, and Kay's script keeps the audience unsure of who is telling the truth. It beats The Blame because its focus is tighter, and its suspense does not depend on a wider conspiracy.
Who should watch it: fans of psychological thrillers and viewers who like a detective locked in a duel with a suspect.
Where to watch: ITVX and ITV1. The series premiered on 8 March 2026.
Read more crime picks: 8 Best New Crime TV Shows of 2026 So Far, Ranked has more ideas for your watchlist.
Quick Picks by Mood
For a psychological cat-and-mouse thriller: start with Gone. Its duel between detective and suspect is gripping.
For a corruption-driven mystery: choose The Blame. Its investigation keeps asking who can be trusted.
For a long-running detective drama: pick Grace. Its feature-length cases and strong lead make it a comfortable binge.
For a true story about justice: watch Believe Me. It is powerful and serious, and it deals with real failings.
For a retired detective pulled back in: try Ridley. Each episode is a fresh case.
Final Thoughts
Every title on this list suits a different kind of viewer. Gone is the one to pick for a tense psychological thriller, while The Blame is the choice for a corruption mystery. Grace is the long-running favourite, Believe Me is the serious true story, and Ridley is the gentle, episodic procedural.
If you only have one evening, start with Gone. If you want a second, The Blame is the next step. Once you finish both, Grace gives you a steady, familiar detective to spend time with.
Advertising opportunity: brands, authors and broadcasters that want to reach viewers who love British crime drama can explore advertising with That Love Podcast.
You May Also Like
If these picks have you hooked, these related guides are worth exploring next:
Support That Love Podcast
If you enjoyed this guide, consider donating to That Love Podcast to support more independent entertainment coverage. You can also explore new audio stories at That Love Podcast episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ITV crime drama of 2026 so far?
Gone is our top pick. Its tense duel between a detective and a suspect is the strongest on this list. The Blame is a close second for viewers who enjoy corruption mysteries.
When did Gone premiere on ITV?
Gone premiered on ITV1 on 8 March 2026, with six episodes in the series.
What is The Blame about?
It follows two detectives investigating the death of a teenage figure skater in a seaside town. What seems like a tragic accident turns into a murder enquiry, and the detectives uncover lies and corruption.
Is Believe Me based on a true story?
Yes. It dramatises the real John Worboys case and the women who reported him. It is serious and deals with sexual violence, so viewers should consider whether it is right for them.
Is Grace still on ITV?
Yes. Series 6 premiered on ITV1 on 29 March 2026. The seventh series has also been confirmed.
Is Ridley a new series?
Series 2 of Ridley concluded in late August 2026. The show follows a retired detective who is asked to help on new cases.
Which ITV crime show is best for a binge?
Gone is the shortest binge at six episodes, while Grace has feature-length episodes that can be watched in a long evening. Ridley is also easy to binge, as each episode is self-contained.
Are these shows on ITVX?
Yes. All five titles are available on ITVX. Availability can vary by region, so check the service before you plan your viewing.
Which ITV show is the most tense?
Gone is the most tense on the list. Its duel between detective and suspect keeps the pressure high throughout.
Where can I find more British crime?
If you want more British crime after this list, read 10 Best British Crime and Detective Shows of 2026 So Far for more ideas.
Try Amazon Prime: Try Amazon Prime for more ways to watch the shows on this list.
External reference: for official details on each title, check ITVX.
Explore Amazon Prime: Explore Amazon Prime to see more on Amazon.
.jpg)
.jpg)
