12 Best British TV Crime Thrillers To Stream on Netflix

Netflix has a great selection of British crime thrillers available right now. Many of these shows didn’t get a lot of initial attention, but have since become critically acclaimed and popular with viewers. You’ll find both shows originally made for Netflix and others that have become available on the platform recently.

No matter what you’re in the mood for – a long, complex show or a quick, gripping story – you’ll find something to enjoy here. These British crime thrillers vary in length from a concise four-hour binge to an epic series exceeding 1,000 hours. They cover all sorts of styles, from slow-developing mysteries and classic police procedurals to unique and inventive adventures. But they all share one thing: once you begin, you’ll be hooked!

Here are 12 addictive British TV crime thrillers to binge on Netflix.

‘Inside Man’ (2022)

Be careful not to mix this up with the 2006 film of the same name. *Inside Man* is a four-part mystery miniseries from BBC One, created by Steven Moffat, who also co-created *Sherlock*. David Tennant, known for *Dr. Who*, plays Harry Watling, a vicar whose life takes a troubling turn when a thumb drive containing criminal evidence is accidentally swapped with his son’s tutor, Janice Fife (played by Dolly Wells). A simple mistake quickly escalates into a dangerous predicament. The series also stars Lydia West (*He Had it Coming*), Lyndsey Marshal (*Rome*), Louis Oliver (*Sherlock*), and Stanley Tucci (*Conclave*).

Unearthing a Dark Secret

The BBC aired *Inside Man* in September 2022, and it became available on Netflix internationally later that year. Each episode lasts about an hour. While reviews have been mixed, the acting is consistently praised, especially the performances of David Tennant and Stanley Tucci, who brilliantly portray the complexities of human nature.

‘Bodyguard’ (2018)

Created by Jed Mercurio, the mind behind *Line of Duty*, this gripping political thriller first aired on BBC in 2018 and quickly came to Netflix. Richard Madden, known for his role as Robb Stark in *Game of Thrones*, plays David Budd, a war veteran and police sergeant who prevents a bombing on a London train. His bravery earns him the assignment of protecting Home Secretary Julia Montague (played by Keeley Hawes), but as they work together, their personal lives become increasingly complicated.

A Critically Praised Thriller

Critics praised the miniseries *Bodyguard*. In 2019, it received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and Richard Madden won a Golden Globe for his performance as the lead actor in a drama television series. The show also has a 93% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Black Doves’ (2024)

Black Doves is a new spy series on Netflix created by Joe Barton, who also made *Giri/Haji*. Keira Knightley (*The Imitation Game*) and Ben Whishaw (*A Very English Scandal*) play Helen Webb and Sam Young, two spies with a history who must rely on each other when Helen’s partner is found murdered. The show features brilliant writing and outstanding performances, alongside a strong supporting cast including Sarah Lancashire (*Happy Valley*), Andrew Buchan (*Broadchurch*), Omari Douglas (*It’s a Sin*), and Ella Lily Hyland (*Towards Zero*).

Netflix’s Gathering of Talent for a Fan-Favorite Thriller

The thriller series *Black Doves* launched on Netflix in December 2024 and received positive reviews, earning nominations for Critics Choice and GLAAD Media Awards. Keira Knightley was nominated for a Golden Globe for her acting, and Ben Wishaw won a Gotham TV Award. Many critics highlighted Jane Hyland’s performance as the assassin Williams as a standout. Notably, Netflix announced a second season of the show *before* the first season had even finished airing.

‘Bodies’ (2023)

If you enjoy sci-fi or historical dramas mixed with suspense, you’ll likely be captivated by *Bodies*. This Netflix series, released in October 2023, comes from Paul Tomalin (creator of *The Frankenstein Chronicles*) and is inspired by the graphic novel by Si Spencer (*Hellblazer: City of Demons*). *Bodies* follows detectives in four different time periods – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 – as they investigate the same unidentified body found on a quiet street in Whitechapel.

A Generation-Spanning Mystery

As a real cinema fan, I was completely hooked by *Bodies* – it’s a seriously gripping time-travel mystery! The acting is phenomenal, especially from Amaka Okafor (you might know her from *Greatest Days*), Tom Mothersdale (*Wolf Hall*), Shira Haas (*Unorthodox*), and the always brilliant Stephen Graham (*Adolescence*). It even got some recognition with BAFTA and GLAAD nominations! I heard it started as an idea for a longer, multi-part story, and people are hoping for a second season, but honestly, it works perfectly well as a complete, one-off series. I’d happily watch it again.

‘Giri/Haji’ (2019)

Giri/Haji is a 2019 crime drama created and written by Joe Barton (known for *Black Doves*). It follows Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo detective played by Takehiro Hira (*The Amateur*), as he searches London for his brother. The series also stars Kelly Macdonald (*Department Q*), Yōsuke Kubozuka (*Tokyo Vice*), and Will Sharpe (*The White Lotus*). It first appeared on Netflix in 2020.

Crime Thriller at Its Finest

The TV series *Giri/Haji* was highly praised by critics, with some calling it a flawless show. It received three nominations for the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs) in 2020, and Will Sharpe won an award for his supporting role. The show also achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. Although a second season was in development, *Giri/Haji* was ultimately cancelled after its first season, despite the overwhelmingly positive response.

‘Safe’ (2018)

Ever wondered what Michael C. Hall, the star of *Dexter*, would sound like with a British accent? You can find out in *Safe*, a Netflix original series based on a Harlan Coben novel. Hall plays Tom Delaney, a widowed surgeon and father of two. When Tom’s teenage daughter, Jenny, disappears, he begins a desperate search that uncovers shocking secrets about the people closest to him.

Striking Close to Home

Harlan Coben is a master of suspense, and “Safe” showcases his talent for unexpected plot twists. The show also features a strong cast, including Isabelle Allen (known from “Les Misérables”), Amanda Abbington (“Sherlock”), Marc Warren (“Missing You”), Audrey Fleurot (“Women at War”), and Hannah Arterton (“The Five”). It’s become something of a game for fans to spot actors like Warren and Arterton reappearing in different roles across Coben’s various series.

‘Department Q’ (2025)

Netflix released the crime thriller *Department Q* in May, and it’s quickly become popular. Created by Scott Frank (known for *The Queen’s Gambit*) and Chandni Lakhani (*Vigil*), the series is adapted from a novel by Jussi Adler-Olsen. Matthew Goode plays Carl Morck, a detective returning to work after being injured in a shooting that also left his partner paralyzed and another officer dead. Morck is put in charge of a new cold case unit, where he and Akram Salim (played by Alexej Manvelov), a former police officer from Syria, investigate the disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie).

A phenomenally Cast Thriller

The lead actors deliver fantastic performances in *Department Q*, supported by a strong cast including Kelly Macdonald (known from *Giri/Haji*), Leah Byrne (*Call the Midwife*), and Kate Dickie (*Game of Thrones*). It’s a truly addictive show, boasting a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Good news for viewers: a second season has already been confirmed, set to arrive in August 2025.

‘Top Boy’ (2011)

Ronan Bennett, the author of *The Day of the Jackal*, created this gripping crime thriller, which ran for five seasons. *Top Boy* originally aired on Channel 4 in 2011 for two seasons before being revived by Netflix in 2019. The Netflix revival picks up the story five years after the original episodes. Because of this, Netflix lists the show as two separate entries: *Top Boy: Summerhouse* (the first two seasons) and *Top Boy* (the last three seasons). Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson are the only actors who appeared in all five seasons, playing drug dealers Dushane Hill and Gerard “Sully” Sullivan.

Canceled to Early Crime-Thriller That Still Packs a Punch

Malcolm Kamulete, known for his role as ‘Champion’, appears in the show’s first two seasons. Sharon Duncan-Brewster (from ‘Enola Holmes 2’), Letitia Wright (‘Black Panther’), and Benedict Wong (‘Doctor Strange’) also make repeat appearances. Although ‘Top Boy’ was originally canceled after its second season, it has since received widespread critical acclaim. The show has earned 13 BAFTA nominations, winning four awards – including Best Drama Series in 2024 – and boasts a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Marcella’ (2016)

Marcella Backland (Anna Friel) used to be a detective, but she stopped working to focus on her husband and children. Now divorced, she returns to the force, hoping to distract herself. She soon finds herself investigating an old murder case that bears a disturbing resemblance to one she worked on before leaving her job. As Marcella digs deeper, she starts having flashbacks and memory lapses, uncovering hidden secrets that might connect her personally to the current investigation, all while struggling with problems in her own life.

A Chilling British Crime Thriller with Nordic Nods

Though produced in Britain, the crime drama *Marcella* benefited from the talents of Hans Rosenfeldt, the Swedish screenwriter behind popular Nordic Noir series like *The Bridge* (2011) and *The Tunnel* (2013). The show ran for three seasons, totaling 24 episodes, and was praised for Anna Friel’s captivating performance and its dark, immersive storytelling, which made it a truly addictive thriller.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013)

I recently finished watching *Peaky Blinders*, and it’s a truly captivating series. It follows the Shelby family’s climb to power in post-World War I Birmingham, England, and it’s largely driven by the compelling character of Tommy Shelby, played brilliantly by Cillian Murphy. He’s an incredibly ambitious gang leader constantly maneuvering through a dangerous criminal world, making uneasy alliances and always staying one step ahead of the police. The show’s creator, Steven Knight – you might know his work from films like *Locke* and *Dirty Pretty Things* – really built something special over these six seasons.

One of the Greatest Crime Thriller TV Series of the 21st Century

Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of the gang leader in *Peaky Blinders* is widely considered the defining role of his career, showcasing a complex character battling inner demons while striving for power. The show, boosted by Murphy’s performance and a brilliant supporting cast, features stylish visuals and a captivating historical setting, cementing its status as a modern crime thriller. *Peaky Blinders* delivered six seasons of consistently high-quality television.

2025-10-13 04:22