'An irresistible binge': 10 unmissable crime dramas to watch on the BBC, ITV, Apple TV and more

It would be remiss of me not to include the queen of TV crime drama, Sarah Lancashire, who stars as no-nonsense police sergeant Catherine Cawood. Set in West Yorkshire, the series follows Catherine as she grapples with the loss of her daughter, who died by suicide, leaving behind her grandson, Ryan.

Just as she begins to find her footing again, Catherine comes face-to-face with Tommy Lee Royce (played by James Norton in one of his most chilling roles), the man she believes is responsible for her daughter's death.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest British crime dramas of all time, Happy Valley won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series in 2015 and holds a 98 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you're after an American crime drama with just as much grit, allow me to point you towards Black Bird. Starring the brilliant Taron Egerton, the series is based on James Keene's 2010 autobiographical novel In with the Devil and tells the true story of a convicted drug dealer offered a dangerous deal.

Facing a ten-year prison sentence, James is given the chance to secure his freedom by entering a maximum-security facility for the criminally insane and extracting a confession from suspected serial killer Larry Hall.

In my opinion, Black Bird is one of Apple TV+'s hidden gems and, with a 98 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score and one of Taron's strongest performances to date, it's an irresistible binge.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey! If you've somehow missed this iconic police procedural about AC-12 hunting down bent coppers, consider this your sign to add it to your watchlist immediately.

Starring Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, Line of Duty follows an anti-corruption police unit investigating corruption within the force.

The series, which is filming its seventh season, holds a 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and has won numerous accolades, including Best Drama at the TV Choice Awards in 2019.

Over on the fictional coast of Dorset, you'll find the gripping masterpiece that is Broadchurch. Created by Chris Chibnall, the series begins with a shocking murder of 11-year-old local boy, Danny Latimer, which shocks the tight-knit community. 

British acting royalty Olivia Colman and David Tennant star as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy, two detectives forced into an uneasy partnership as they investigate the town's many secrets.

For me, Broadchurch is the epitome of a gritty British crime drama and showcases Olivia and David at the very top of their game. Unsurprisingly, it won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series in 2014 and holds a 92 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

While Sarah Lancashire rules the streets of West Yorkshire in Happy Valley, Idris Elba commands London as brilliant but troubled detective DCI John Luther.

Haunted by the psychological toll of his work, Luther returns from leave after a horrific case pushed him to breaking point. He soon becomes entangled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse relationship with Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), a highly intelligent psychopath suspected of murdering her parents.

Not only does Luther boast an 88 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, but it also features one of Idris Elba's most memorable performances. And with multiple spin-offs and follow-up projects in development, there's plenty to sink your teeth into.

Tom Hardy has become synonymous with gritty crime dramas thanks to projects like Legend and Peaky Blinders, but it's his quietly menacing performance as fixer Harry Da Souza in MobLand that earns the show its place on this list.

Also starring Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren, the series follows two warring crime families as they violently clash in a battle for power.

With a 76 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, MobLand has become one of Paramount+'s biggest original hits, and with a second season on the horizon, now is the perfect time to catch up.

Long before he played Christian Grey, Jamie Dornan had viewers on edge as serial killer Paul Spector in the chilling Northern Irish thriller The Fall.

Starring opposite Gillian Anderson as the fiercely intelligent Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, the series follows Gibson's hunt for Spector, a grief counsellor living a terrifying double life in Belfast.

The Fall is worth watching for the magnetic dynamic between Gillian and Jamie alone. The series was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Mini-Series in 2014 and holds an 85 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

If Luther doesn't satisfy your appetite for a London-set thriller, then Slow Horses should be next on your list. Based on Mick Herron's bestselling novels, the series follows a dysfunctional group of MI5 agents banished to Slough House after career-ending mistakes.

Gary Oldman stars as the foul-mouthed yet brilliant Jackson Lamb, leading a team of disgraced spies as they uncover conspiracies and criminal threats.

Thanks to standout performances from Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden, Slow Horses has become a fan favourite and currently holds a near-perfect 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you fancy a gripping gangster drama set in Liverpool, then This City is Ours deserves a place on your watchlist. Created by Stephen Butchard, the series has drawn comparisons to The Sopranos and follows the organised crime empire of the Phelan family.

Sean Bean stars as patriarch Ronnie Phelan, who begins preparing for retirement following one final major deal. As rumours swirl about who will take over, a power struggle erupts between his trusted right-hand man Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and his reckless son Jamie (Jack McMullen).

This City is Ours quickly became a hit with viewers, earning multiple BAFTA nominations, including Best Drama, alongside a 93 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score.

If you're in the mood for a sleek courtroom thriller, Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent is the perfect pick. Based on Scott Turow's bestselling 1987 novel and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, the series follows chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich as he investigates the murder of his colleague, Carolyn Polhemus.

But when the investigation exposes a devastating secret, Rusty's entire world is turned upside down after he becomes the prime suspect in her death.

Presumed Innocent received widespread critical acclaim, earning multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, alongside a 79 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.