11 Best British Detective TV Shows You'll Enjoy If You Love 'Ridley'
Grab your favourite tea, settle in for some serious binge-watching, and prepare to fall down the most satisfying rabbit hole in television. Trust me, your weekend plans just got a whole lot more interesting.
If you're anything like team ELLE UK and have found yourself, once again, completely hooked on Ridley, then congratulations – you've officially caught the British detective show bug, and sadly there's no cure. The good news? You're about to discover a treasure trove of brilliant shows that'll keep you guessing, gasping, and probably staying up way too late because 'just one more episode' is a lie we tell ourselves.
Ridley, with Adrian Dunbar's compelling portrayal of the retired detective who just can't seem to stay retired, has that perfect blend of character depth, atmospheric storytelling, and those wonderfully complex mysteries that make British crime dramas so addictive. And if that's your cup of tea, there's plenty more where that came from.
Happy Valley (2014)
What is Happy Valley about? Sarah Lancashire's Catherine Cawood is one of the most singular compelling characters ever created for television. This Yorkshire-set drama doesn't just solve crimes — it dives deep into trauma, resilience, and what it really means to keep on going when life keeps on testing you.
Where can I watch Happy Valley? BBC iPlayer.
Line of Duty (2012)
What is Line of Duty? If you love a good corruption storyline and don't mind shouting 'Mother of God!' at your TV, this is your show. Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar (yes, our Ridley star) make up AC-12, the anti-corruption unit that'll have you questioning everyone's motives.
Where can I watch Line of Duty? BBC iPlayer.
Dept. Q (2025)
What is Dept. Q about? Netflix’s newest whodunnit tells the story of Detective Carl Morck (Downton Abbey’s Matthew Goode), a reckless-but-ingenious investigator who has recently returned to work after being shot by an unknown assailant. With a Mötley Crüe of unlikely peers, Detective Morck is tasked with his unit's first investigation: the mysterious disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie) several years earlier.
Where can I watch Dept. Q? Netflix.
Slow Horses (2022)
What is Slow Horses about? Based on a series of novels by Mick Herron about the crew of Slough House, an MI5 division in London that's used as a dumping ground for people who have screwed something up, but not enough to be fired. The detectives get dumped into Slough House explicitly in the hopes they'll quit, and are referred to by the rest of the intelligence service as 'slow horses.' Gary Oldman stars as lead detective Jackson Lamb who, if you didn't end up loving, you'd hate.
Where can I watch Slow Horses? Apple TV+.
Vera (2011)
What is Vera about? Brenda Blethyn's DCI Vera Stanhope is the no-nonsense detective we all need in our lives. Set against the stunning backdrop of Northumberland, each episode feels like a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. Plus, Vera's raincoat collection is iconic.
Where can I watch Vera? ITVX.
The Day of the Jackal (2024)
What is The Day of the Jackal about? Eddie Redmayne stars as the enigmatic assassin known as 'The Jackal,' an elite killer-for-hire who operates in today's interconnected world of advanced surveillance and digital tracking, in this modern-day re-make of the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel. After pulling off a spectacular assassination, the Jackal finds himself pursued by a tenacious British intelligence officer who refuses to let the case go cold.
Where can I watch The Day of the Jackal? NOW TV.
Broadchurch (2013)
What is Broadchurch about? David Tennant and Olivia Colman's chemistry as mismatched detectives investigating a child's murder in a tight-knit coastal town is absolutely electric. Fair warning: this one will emotionally wreck you in the best possible way.
Where can I watch Broadchurch? ITVX.
Marcella (2016)
What is Marcella about? Anna Friel stars as Marcella, a former detective who returns to work while dealing with personal trauma and memory issues. The series follows her investigating complex cases while struggling with her own psychological challenges from past traumas.
Where can I watch Marcella? ITVX.
Shetland (2013)
What is Shetland about? The Scottish islands provide the perfect moody atmosphere for this long-running series. Douglas Henshall's DI Jimmy Perez navigates both complex crimes and the tight-knit island community dynamics with such nuance – you'll find yourself planning a trip to Scotland immediately.
Where can I watch Shetland? BBC iPlayer.
Endeavour (2012)
What is Endeavour about? For those who love a period piece with their mystery, this Inspector Morse prequel is absolute perfection. Shaun Evans brings such depth to the young Endeavour Morse, and the 1960s Oxford setting is gorgeously atmospheric.
Where can I watch Endeavour? ITVX.
Scott & Bailey (2011)
What is Scott & Bailey about? The friendship between DCs Rachel Bailey and Janet Scott is the heart of this Manchester-set series. Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp have such natural chemistry that you'll wish you could grab drinks with them after every case is solved.
Where can I watch Scott & Bailey? ITVX.
Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
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