15 Best Detective TV Shows to Watch This Winter

Introduction

Winter is made for settling in with a mystery that gives you somewhere to go: a windswept island, a sunlit Caribbean village, a rain-darkened English town, or an Oxford college with far too many secrets. A great detective series offers more than a body and a clever reveal. It gives us a mind to follow, a community to question, and the slow pleasure of noticing that the detail everyone else dismissed might be the key.

This ranking brings together fifteen detective shows with very different rhythms. Some deliver a murder case each week; others let one investigation stretch across a season. There are classic puzzle-solvers, prickly outsiders, emotionally bruised police officers and one brilliant London detective whose social skills are, to put it kindly, a work in progress. The common thread is the pleasure of watching a character observe, connect and challenge what everyone else thinks they know.

The order follows the sequence supplied for this list, with the final title taking the No. 1 spot. That means a cosy procedural can sit beside Nordic noir, a witty modern mystery beside a mournful small-town drama. The entries are ranked for the strength of their central detective, how satisfying their cases are, the atmosphere they create and how well the whole show rewards a winter binge. A streaming note points UK readers to current listings; catalogues move around, so check the linked page before making plans.

Whether you want something gentle enough to watch over dinner or a mystery that will have you insisting on one more episode at midnight, there is a different kind of clue trail here. We have kept the descriptions spoiler-light and focused on the setup, characters and viewing experience, so you can choose your next series without having the big turns handed to you. Grab a blanket, make a hot drink and let the investigation begin. 👇

A detective show also suits winter because it gives a long evening a shape. You can watch one episode and enjoy a complete puzzle, or follow a larger case over several nights until the clues begin to connect. The series here cover both pleasures, from the satisfying reveal of a classic whodunit to the uneasy suspense of a town that cannot return to normal. Some detectives are brilliant because they see patterns; others earn our attention because they know when a witness is afraid, or when a neat official explanation feels wrong. We have ranked the titles as an editorial recommendation, while recognising that “best” changes with your mood. The viewing links are UK-oriented and intended as a practical starting point, not a promise that every season is currently included in a subscription. Choose the kind of mystery you want tonight, then let the detective do the rest.

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15. Death in Paradise (2011–)

The fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie is the unlikely home of a remarkably busy murder squad. A British detective is posted there and must solve killings that often involve a small circle of suspects, a locked-room trick or a seemingly impossible timeline. The lead detective changes over the series, but the engine stays familiar: a murder disrupts the island’s easygoing routine, local officers gather the clues, and the visiting inspector brings a different set of habits to the case. The tension comes from figuring out how an apparently airtight alibi can be broken without losing the show’s sunlit charm.

The contrast is the pleasure. The crimes can be ingenious, while the palm trees, bright shirts and warmly eccentric team keep the tone inviting.

Why it ranks here: At No. 15, it opens the list with the easiest entry point: a welcoming, repeatable format and plenty of warmth.

Who should watch: Fans of classic whodunits who want low-grimness, a colourful setting and self-contained episodes should start here.

Where to watch in the UK: BBC iPlayer.

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14. Vera (2011–2025)

DI Vera Stanhope works murder cases across Northumberland, where a discovery in a quiet landscape can pull open a whole history of family loyalties, old resentments and carefully buried truths. Vera is a sharp but prickly investigator whose instincts often take her beyond the obvious suspect. With her colleagues, including the more measured DS Aiden Healy in later stories, she interviews people who would rather protect a secret than help the police. Each case asks what people will do to preserve the lives they have built, and what it costs when the past catches up.

Brenda Blethyn gives Vera a forceful, funny and unexpectedly tender presence; her rumpled clothes and blunt manner hide a finely tuned attention to people.

Why it ranks here: Vera ranks just above Death in Paradise because its lead performance and regional atmosphere give the familiar case-of-the-week format more emotional texture.

Who should watch: Choose it for patient investigations, landscapes with character and a detective whose empathy is disguised as impatience.

Where to watch in the UK: ITVX.

13. Dalgliesh (2021–)

Bertie Carvel plays Adam Dalgliesh, a Scotland Yard detective and published poet whose cases take him through the institutions and social hierarchies of 1970s England. Adapted from P. D. James’s novels, the series begins with murders that expose the tensions inside hospitals, religious communities and other closed worlds. Dalgliesh listens carefully, notices what the powerful assume nobody will question, and pursues a solution while carrying his own grief and reserve. The period setting is part of the puzzle: status, manners and a slower investigative routine shape what people say and what they conceal.

Carvel’s contained performance suits a detective who does not need to dominate a room to control it.

Why it ranks here: Dalgliesh rises above the earlier entries for its literary atmosphere and restrained lead, but it lands at 13 because the deliberate pace can feel cool where the strongest entries combine atmosphere with a more immediate emotional grip.

Who should watch: Ideal for viewers who enjoy classic British crime, thoughtful period detail and mysteries that unfold through interviews rather than action scenes.

Where to watch in the UK: Current UK listings.

12. Bosch (2014–2021)

Harry Bosch is a Los Angeles homicide detective who trusts evidence, persistence and his own moral compass more than the institutions around him. The series opens with Bosch investigating a murder while facing a civil case over a fatal shooting, establishing the pressure that follows him both inside and outside the department. Across its seven-season run, cases widen into city politics, corruption, organised crime and the cost of pursuing justice when powerful people would prefer a tidy answer. Bosch is often working several threads at once, and the question is not only who committed a crime but whether the system will let the truth stand.

Titus Welliver makes Bosch compelling without polishing away his rough edges. The show’s Los Angeles locations lend it scale and texture: the city feels sprawling, stratified and lived in, rather than a generic precinct backdrop.

Why it ranks here: It earns No. 12 for its sustained character work and city-wide storytelling, placing it above the period mysteries for modern momentum.

Who should watch: A good fit for viewers who want grounded police work, morally complicated institutions and a lead who keeps going long after the easy answer appears.

Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video.

11. Professor T (2021–)

Cambridge criminologist Jasper Tempest is brilliant at reading crime scenes and considerably less comfortable with everyday human contact. Ben Miller’s character advises the police, including DI Dan Winters and DCI Christina Brand, while managing obsessive-compulsive routines and a difficult family history. A case gives Jasper an intellectual problem to solve, but the work also pushes him into conversations and emotional territory he would rather control. The tension is twofold: can he identify the person who committed the crime, and can he understand the people closest to him without reducing them to clues?

Miller gives Jasper a precise comic awkwardness, but the show does not treat his compulsions as a one-note gag. The Cambridge setting lends the mysteries an elegant surface, while the character drama keeps returning to the unease beneath it.

Why it ranks here: At 11, it edges past Bosch with a more distinctive central voice and an appealing balance of casework and character comedy.

Who should watch: Try it if you like puzzle-solving detectives, British institutional settings and a little awkward humour alongside the crimes.

Where to watch in the UK: ITVX.

10. Ludwig (2024–)

John Taylor makes puzzles for a living under the pen name Ludwig, preferring intricate grids to small talk. When his identical twin James, a police detective, disappears, John assumes James’s identity to get close to the case and help his sister-in-law Lucy search for him. The deception lands him inside Cambridge’s police force, where his knack for patterns proves unexpectedly useful even as colleagues believe he is the detective they already know. Each investigation lets John apply puzzle logic to human behaviour, while the missing brother mystery gives the comedy a growing emotional and criminal stake.

David Mitchell’s dry precision is a natural match for John’s habit of seeing the world as a problem with rules, and Anna Maxwell Martin gives Lucy warmth and determination that keep the family story from becoming a side note.

Why it ranks here: Ludwig takes No. 10 for its fresh comic-detective setup and quick, accessible cases.

Who should watch: A smart pick for viewers who want a cosy mystery with a comic lead and a family secret running beneath the weekly cases.

Where to watch in the UK: BBC iPlayer.

9. Monk (2002–2009)

Adrian Monk was a gifted San Francisco homicide detective before the murder of his wife and the phobias and compulsions that followed pushed him away from regular police work. With support from his assistant Sharona, and later Natalie, Monk consults with Captain Leland Stottlemeyer and Lieutenant Randy Disher on cases that stump the department. His extraordinary attention to detail can turn a tiny inconsistency into the clue that breaks a case, but his need for order also makes ordinary life exhausting. The series balances the puzzle of each crime with Monk’s effort to live with grief and reconnect with the world.

Tony Shalhoub makes Monk’s rituals funny, specific and human, and the supporting cast provides affectionate friction rather than simply praising his genius. The weekly mysteries are often tidy and satisfying, with the show inviting viewers to spot the same overlooked detail.

Why it ranks here: Monk ranks ninth because its lead and case structure are extraordinarily rewatchable, lifting it above the brisker newcomer Ludwig. Its episodic formula is more predictable than the richer serialized dramas still to come.

Who should watch: For viewers who like a clear puzzle, a memorable outsider detective and humour that grows from character rather than broad parody.

Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video listings.

8. The Bridge (2011–2018)

Saga Norén of the Swedish-Danish series The Bridge

The original Nordic series begins when a body is found exactly on the border between Sweden and Denmark, forcing Swedish detective Saga Norén and Danish investigator Martin Rohde to work together. The crime soon reveals a larger design, and the partnership is tested by mismatched instincts, ethical disagreements and the personal baggage each brings to the case. Later investigations continue to use the cross-border setting as more than a geographical gimmick: jurisdictions, politics and cultural differences complicate the search for answers. Saga’s literal, socially blunt manner makes her an exceptional investigator and a difficult partner.

Sofia Helin’s Saga is the show’s anchor: exacting and often unreadable, but never reduced to a diagnosis or a stock genius.

Why it ranks here: At No. 8, The Bridge marks the move from more accessible procedurals into darker serialized crime.

Who should watch: Choose the Swedish-Danish original for patient Nordic noir and a partnership that is as interesting as the crimes.

Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video / Sky Go listings.

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7. Shetland (2013–)

Shetland detective drama set among the islands of Scotland

On Shetland, a murder can expose secrets that have travelled through a family or island community for decades. The series first follows DI Jimmy Perez as he and DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh investigate cases tied to the islands’ people, history and close social ties. After Perez’s departure, Tosh works with DI Ruth Calder, who returns from the Metropolitan Police, bringing an outsider’s perspective to local cases. The landscape gives the investigations isolation and scale, while the real stakes are intimate: everyone may know one another, but that does not mean anyone knows the whole truth.

Shetland uses place with unusual care. The sea, weather and distance shape how people live and what they can hide, and the show’s patient pacing lets the community feel larger than the current list of suspects.

Why it ranks here: It earns seventh place for balancing serial mysteries with a vivid setting and evolving leads.

Who should watch: Best for viewers who enjoy atmospheric British crime, complex communities and mysteries that unfold at a measured pace.

Where to watch in the UK: BBC iPlayer.

6. Columbo (1968–2003)

Lieutenant Columbo appears to be a rumpled, absent-minded Los Angeles detective who has wandered into the wrong room. In most episodes, viewers see the killer and the crime early; the mystery is how Columbo will prove what the audience already knows. A wealthy or respected suspect believes status, planning and a polished alibi will keep suspicion away, until the detective returns with one more question and one more small contradiction. Peter Falk’s lieutenant uses patience and courtesy as tools, making each investigation a duel in which the suspect’s confidence is often the most revealing clue.

The inverted mystery structure is Columbo’s masterstroke: instead of asking who did it, the show asks when the killer will realise the detective has seen through the performance.

Why it ranks here: Columbo reaches sixth because the format remains inventive decades later and its lead is one of television’s great detectives.

Who should watch: For anyone who enjoys watching a detective win through observation and persistence rather than chases or grim forensic detail.

Where to watch in the UK: 5 Select / current listings.

5. Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989–2013)

Hercule Poirot, the fastidious Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie, solves crimes by attending to what others overlook: a phrase repeated too carefully, a timetable that does not quite work, a small inconsistency in someone’s story. David Suchet’s long-running portrayal takes Poirot from early cases in England through mysteries that cross countries and social worlds. Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon recur as companions and foils, while each case gathers a contained group of suspects around a murder, theft or disappearance. Poirot’s method is psychological as much as logical: he wants to understand how a person could commit the crime.

Suchet builds the character from the silhouette inward, balancing vanity, discipline and a genuine moral seriousness. The production’s period detail makes the series a pleasure to revisit, but its best episodes are not just decorative; they give the clues and relationships room to develop.

Why it ranks here: At fifth, it beats Columbo for the range of cases and the accumulated pleasure of following one detective across a substantial arc.

Who should watch: A rewarding winter choice for Christie readers, classic whodunit fans and anyone who likes elegant period mysteries with a meticulous central performance.

Where to watch in the UK: UK streaming listings.

4. Inspector Morse (1987–2000)

Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse investigates murder in Oxford, a city whose colleges, libraries and old institutions offer both intellectual glamour and plenty of places for resentment to hide. Morse is an educated, solitary detective with a taste for classical music, real ale and cryptic crosswords; Sergeant Lewis is the practical partner who keeps the work grounded. Cases begin in the city’s academic or civic world, then widen as Morse questions people whose polished manners can conceal jealousy, ambition or fear. His talent for connecting evidence is powerful, but his stubbornness and private disappointments complicate the pursuit.

John Thaw gives Morse a distinctive mix of intellect, irritability and loneliness, while Kevin Whately’s Lewis is more than a sidekick: their differences make the investigations feel like a working partnership.

Why it ranks here: Fourth place reflects the series’ lasting influence and its unusually rich lead-and-partner dynamic.

Who should watch: For patient viewers who want a cerebral British case, a textured city and a flawed investigator whose brilliance never makes him easy company.

Where to watch in the UK: ITVX / ITV3 listings.

3. Prime Suspect (1991–2006)

Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect

Jane Tennison is a capable detective inspector who takes charge of a murder investigation in a police force where many colleagues assume a woman cannot lead the team. The first case makes her prove her judgement under pressure, while the series follows how that struggle changes as she rises through the ranks and confronts new crimes. Tennison has to manage evidence, egos and institutional prejudice at once; her determination to solve cases does not spare her from the personal cost of the job. The mysteries are tightly linked to the people affected by violence and to the culture of the police investigating it.

Helen Mirren gives Tennison authority without making her invulnerable. The performance allows ambition, anger, loneliness and self-doubt to coexist, and the show is willing to show that professional success can demand painful sacrifices.

Why it ranks here: Prime Suspect takes third for the depth of its central performance and the way its cases expose the institution around them.

Who should watch: A strong choice for viewers who want serious British crime drama, a formidable woman at the centre and investigations with human consequences.

Where to watch in the UK: ITVX.

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2. Broadchurch (2013–2017)

Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller investigate in Broadchurch

When the body of an eleven-year-old boy is found beneath the cliffs of the Dorset town of Broadchurch, DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller must investigate a crime that strikes at the centre of a community. Miller is local and knows many of the people under scrutiny; Hardy is the guarded outsider whose arrival has already caused friction. As the inquiry widens, friends, neighbours and families are forced into the public glare, and the detectives must work while grief, gossip and suspicion reshape the town. The central question is not only who is responsible, but what happens to a community when every familiar face becomes a possible suspect.

Olivia Colman and David Tennant make Miller and Hardy’s uneasy partnership the show’s beating heart. The coastal cinematography is beautiful without softening the story’s pain, and the score gives quiet scenes a sense of pressure rather than melodrama.

Why it ranks here: Broadchurch earns No. 2 because its central case, performances and emotional fallout combine into a gripping winter binge.

Who should watch: Watch when you want a serious small-town investigation with a strong emotional centre; it is heavier than a cosy procedural.

Where to watch in the UK: ITVX / Netflix listings.

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1. Sherlock (2010–2017)

Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in the modern BBC detective series

In a modern London, Dr John Watson returns from military service and is looking for somewhere to live when he meets consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. They become flatmates at 221B Baker Street and are soon drawn into baffling crimes that Scotland Yard cannot solve alone. Sherlock’s startling deductions, sharp intellect and social bluntness make him both invaluable and difficult; Watson’s experience, courage and growing confidence help turn the cases into a partnership. Across four series and a special, their investigations bring them into contact with elaborate schemes and formidable enemies, while friendship becomes the human question underneath the puzzles.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman give the famous duo a lively modern chemistry: one is restless and brilliant, the other observant, loyal and increasingly unwilling to be treated as an assistant.

Why it ranks here: Sherlock takes the top place because it balances an iconic detective premise, memorable performances, distinctive style and a partnership that keeps the mysteries emotionally legible. Broadchurch is more grounded and devastating, and Prime Suspect offers a richer institutional portrait, but Sherlock is the most immediately rewatchable all-round detective binge here: clever, character-led and varied enough to move from a puzzle to a villainous game to a friendship drama without losing its central appeal.

Who should watch: Best for viewers who enjoy fast, stylish cases, witty dialogue and a detective duo whose loyalty is tested as often as their powers of observation.

Where to watch in the UK: BBC iPlayer / Sky Go.

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Conclusion

The best detective shows for winter do more than hand us a puzzle; they create a world we are happy to inhabit for several evenings. Death in Paradise and Ludwig bring warmth and wit, while Vera, Shetland and Broadchurch use their landscapes and communities to make every investigation feel rooted in a particular place. Poirot, Morse and Columbo show how enduring a carefully built case can be, and Prime Suspect reminds us that the people solving crimes are shaped by the institutions around them.

For a lighter watch, begin with Death in Paradise or Monk. If you want atmosphere, try The Bridge or Shetland; if you want emotional weight, Broadchurch is the clear choice. And if the appeal is a clever central mind paired with a relationship that grows across cases, Sherlock is our No. 1. Its modern presentation has dated in places, but the performances, pace and Holmes-Watson dynamic keep inviting another episode.

That is the pleasure of a good detective binge: one show can make you feel clever, another can make you care about a whole town, and a third can send you back to the opening scene to see what you missed. Tell us which series you would move up the ranking, and which detective we should have included. There is always another clue, and there is almost always time for one more episode.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best detective TV shows to binge this winter?

Sherlock, Broadchurch, Prime Suspect, Inspector Morse and Agatha Christie’s Poirot are strong starting points, depending on the mood you want. Sherlock moves quickly and centres on a famous partnership; Broadchurch is an emotional small-town investigation; Prime Suspect pairs its cases with Jane Tennison’s career; Morse and Poirot offer classic British puzzle-solving. For a lighter evening, try Death in Paradise, Monk or Ludwig.

Which detective series is best for a cosy winter watch?

Death in Paradise is the sunniest option here, with self-contained mysteries, a friendly ensemble and a bright Caribbean setting. Monk also has a comforting rhythm, even though its crimes can be serious, because the cases usually resolve within an episode and the supporting cast feels familiar. Ludwig is a newer, lighter choice that mixes Cambridge cases with an ongoing family mystery.

What is the best British detective show on this list?

Sherlock is our top choice for a brisk modern reworking of a classic detective duo, while Broadchurch is the strongest pick if you want a grounded British crime drama with a close-knit community and emotional consequences. Prime Suspect is essential for a more serious police story built around Jane Tennison’s career.

Is The Bridge on this list the original Nordic series?

Yes. This entry refers to Bron/Broen, the Swedish-Danish series that begins with a body discovered on the Øresund Bridge and pairs Swedish detective Saga Norén with Danish investigator Martin Rohde. It is not the later American-Mexican adaptation. The original’s cross-border setting, season-long cases and deliberately cool atmosphere are central to its identity.

Which show has the best individual mysteries?

Columbo is a standout if you enjoy seeing the crime and killer early, then watching the detective dismantle a confident alibi. Poirot offers classic suspect circles and clue-led reveals, while Inspector Morse often gives viewers a more leisurely, layered case. For long-form mysteries, The Bridge and Broadchurch build tension across a season.

Is Vera finished, and how many series are there?

Vera concluded with its fourteenth series in 2025. The drama began in 2011 and stars Brenda Blethyn as Northumberland detective Vera Stanhope. Its long run means there is plenty to binge, and the cases remain accessible as individual mysteries even when you watch out of order.

Where can I watch these detective shows in the UK?

Availability changes as services rotate their catalogues. The article links each title to a UK viewing page or broadcaster listing; check those before you subscribe or plan a binge. At the time of checking, official BBC and ITV pages list titles such as Death in Paradise, Shetland and Vera, while other services may offer a title for streaming, purchase or rental.

Which detective show is best for fans of classic whodunits?

Agatha Christie’s Poirot is the clearest match, with a meticulous detective, a defined suspect group and clue-based revelations. Columbo is another classic, though it uses an inverted structure: viewers often know who committed the crime before Columbo proves it. Inspector Morse combines a traditional investigation with academic and cultural detail.

What should I watch after Broadchurch?

If you want another British investigation shaped by a close community, try Shetland or Vera. Prime Suspect offers a more institutional police perspective, while The Bridge takes the season-long mystery format into Nordic noir. For a lighter contrast, Death in Paradise keeps the case-of-the-week structure but changes the mood completely.

Are these detective shows suitable for watching with children?

The tone varies substantially. Death in Paradise and some episodes of Monk are lighter in presentation, but all crime dramas may include murder, grief or upsetting themes. Broadchurch, Prime Suspect and The Bridge are much more intense and are generally better suited to adult viewers.

More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows

BBC iPlayer is the BBC’s UK streaming service and official programme hub. ITV and ITVX provide broadcaster information and on-demand listings for ITV dramas. JustWatch UK is a search tool for comparing current streaming, rental and purchase options; availability can change.