When our descendants look back upon the genre that has most governed the British TV-watching public’s tastes, they could very likely land upon the crime thriller. It is gritty, darkly humorous, and occasionally bleak – what could be better suited to our national sensibilities? Thanks to robust commercial partnerships, there is an embarrassment of riches when you stumble upon Netflix’s binge-worthy British crime shows. They literally have an entire genre category for it. Whether it is hard-boiled coppers, cunning criminals, or citizen detectives, these criminally-minded thrillers have something for everyone. Here are our top picks of the good cops from the bad ones, available on Netflix right now.
Peaky Blinders
Obviously! The breadth and scale of Peaky Blinders warranted a franchise of TV and film content that is still ongoing. The Shelby dynasty is among Birmingham’s biggest cultural exports. Just look at the impact it has had on David Beckham’s wardrobe. Cillian Murphy shot to fame as swaggering Tommy Shelby, who heads up his family’s criminal syndicate in the wake of World War I.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie’s first return to form in some time came with this TV remake and spin-off of his 2019 film of the same name. It is bold, brash, and distinctly British. It was also his first decent female protagonist, despite the show’s title. Kaya Scodelario’s aloof Susie Glass heads up a series of underground marijuana plants, hidden on the enormous estates of our landed gentry. This one is heavy on crime and light on the coppers. It is also incredibly good fun. Season two is coming soon.
Top Boy
We have another criminal enterprise in Top Boy. Netflix was instrumental in the survival of the show after it ended its run on Channel 4. Ronan Bennett’s saga has been touted as a hugely realistic portrayal of life on a crime-ridden Hackney council estate, with ‘shotting’ (selling), ‘food’ (drugs), and ‘Ps’ (cash) in the mix. As gritty as it is heartbreaking, of everything on the list, this probably best tackles what desperate people can be driven to in order to survive.
The Serpent
The Serpent takes on the true crime story of the icy serial killer and fraudster Charles Sobhraj, played by Tahar Rahim. It even manages to do so with some sensitivity. Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman plays his inscrutable girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc. The show, originally on the BBC, is mostly set in Asia in the mid-1970s as Sobhraj drugs and kills Western travellers, hiding behind the absence of any joined-up international communication at the time.
Dept Q
Setting a dusty cold case file in front of a crack team of coppers is not reinventing the TV wheel. Making the detective in charge of said team the most disliked man in the police precinct is also nothing new. But Dept Q is further proof that when it comes to bad-tempered, trauma-laden crime shows, the limit does not exist. This one benefits from a violently unhinged baddie, whom it is impossible to look away from.
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder
A bit of a different kettle of fish with this mystery thriller for young adults. AGGGTM follows teen citizen detective Pip, played by Emma Myers, and is set in a sleepy English town you will want to move to. Alongside some boundless summer activities, Pip decides to take on the disappearance of schoolmate Andie Bell and crack the case. It can be a bit ludicrous in parts, such as the fact that this is touted as part of her sixth form studies, but you will want to stick around to see whodunnit.
The Fall
This psychological thriller was the talk of British TV when it first hit screens, with avid discussion over whether it was glorifying its criminal. Jamie Dornan stars as the perfectly detached Belfast killer of women in their thirties, who, to observers, is a regular, happily married dad of two. Gillian Anderson is parachuted in from the Met to hunt the killer out, in what is a brilliant, creepy two-hander.
Line of Duty
To many, this will be the apex of the crime thriller. Jed Mercurio’s masterwork captivated the nation for years. Now, with more on the way, this ultimate cop show needs to prove it can do it all over again. Starring the trio of Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, and Adrian Dunbar, the show revolves around the anti-corruption police unit AC-12 as they try to root out sinister forces within the police and politics. Expect tense interrogation scenes, jaw-dropping twists, and high-octane action – maybe all you can ask from a thriller.
