'I wish more shows were like this': Your favourite underrated crime dramas
Line of Duty, The Fall and Broadchurch are just a few of the most popular in the genre, keeping viewers gripped episode after episode with their complex conspiracies and sudden twists.
But while they're certainly deserving of the praise, sometimes the most bingeable series are those that fly under the radar, despite glowing reviews.
We asked Metro readers to share their favourite underrated crime dramas, and these are the lesser-known series they recommend adding to your watch list…
One user, called Evan_Underscore, heaped praise on Mr Inbetween, an Australian TV series that follows a criminal for hire.
'The dialogues and the situations feel so realistic that everything feels theatrical compared to it,' they wrote. 'It's also great in mixing terrible and funny in a way that they only complement each other.'
Another user, wobbsey, recommended Giri/Haji, a BBC production from 2019 that is available on Netflix.
In their glowing assessment of the series, they wrote: 'Set in Japan and the UK. Family loyalty and conflict. Yakuza mobsters. Cops. It's suspenseful and moving. Gorgeous cinematography which is something I rarely even notice!'
They added: 'The last episode is particularly stunning. Not enough people know this show, under appreciated gem.'
Meanwhile, AltruisticCableCar is clearly a fan of Scandi noir, recommending three Swedish crime dramas.
They suggested Wallander, both the original series and the British remake, though they added 'I prefer the remake'. They went on 'Also Glaskupan (The Glass Dome). Just recently watched this and whoa. Åremorden (The Åre Murders) is another one.'
Other lesser-known crime series recommended by Metro readers included Damages, starring Glenn Close, 2019 BBC series The Capture and American police procedural Major Crimes.
Looking for more TV recommendations? We also asked Metro readers about their favourite underrated TV thrillers, and these series came out top: House of Cards — No, not the Kevin Spacey series, but the original British version following a fictional Chief Whip of the Conservative Party.
— No, not the Kevin Spacey series, but the original British version following a fictional Chief Whip of the Conservative Party. Edge of Darkness — Policeman Ronald Craven attempts to solve the brutal murder of his daughter, leading him to uncover a government conspiracy.
— Policeman Ronald Craven attempts to solve the brutal murder of his daughter, leading him to uncover a government conspiracy. River — A brilliant police officer attempts to hunt down his colleague's killer, all while dealing with her estranged family, his new partner and a psychiatric evaluation.
— A brilliant police officer attempts to hunt down his colleague's killer, all while dealing with her estranged family, his new partner and a psychiatric evaluation. Stag — A black comedy following an obnoxious group of friends in the Scottish Highlands on a deer hunting weekend. Things turn sinister when they find themselves being picked off one by one.
— A black comedy following an obnoxious group of friends in the Scottish Highlands on a deer hunting weekend. Things turn sinister when they find themselves being picked off one by one. Collateral — DI Kip Glaspie investigates the murder of a pizza delivery driver, who was gunned down by a masked shooter while delivering to the ex-wife of a politician.
— DI Kip Glaspie investigates the murder of a pizza delivery driver, who was gunned down by a masked shooter while delivering to the ex-wife of a politician. The Worricker Trilogy — The three films star Bill Nighy as MI5 officer Johnny Worricker, whose life is turned upside down when his boss and best friend dies suddenly.
Read all about these underrated TV thrillers.
This dark comedy follows Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan), a father who's struggling to juggle his relationship, parental responsibilities, friendships and a sick brother — all while working as a criminal for hire.
Inspired by the cult film The Magician, in which a hitman hires a student to document his life, Mr Inbetween has proved extremely popular with viewers, earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and a near-perfect 98% audience score.
Fans have called it 'criminally underrated', with many comparing it to smash hit series Breaking Bad.
Where to watch: Seasons one to three are available to stream on Disney Plus.
Giri/Haji's perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score speaks for itself. Cruelly axed by BBC and Netflix after just one series (despite being nominated for three Baftas), this series is a true hidden gem.
It follows a Tokyo detective (Takehiro Hira) who is searching for his missing brother in London's underworld, after he became mixed up with the Yakuza, a Japanese organised crime syndicate, and accused of murder.
If you're a fan of Netflix's Black Doves, which stormed up the streamer's most-watched chart in December last year, Giri/Haji is worth checking out, as both dramas were created by screenwriter Joe Barton.
In a review, The New Yorker called the series 'violently stylish' and a 'sexy police thriller', while the Daily Telegraph called it 'bold, bewitching and slightly bonkers'.
Where to watch: All eight episodes are available to stream on Netflix.
The BBC's Wallander stars Kenneth Branagh as a Swedish detective who investigates a series of gruesome murders.
The series, which first aired on BBC One in 2008 and is an adaptation of the mystery novels by Henning Mankell, has been hailed as 'wonderful' and 'terrific', with plenty of praise for Branagh as the lead.
Viewer Anthony Pearce wrote in a Google review: 'Having watched this series for the second time I can only say it was as wonderful and fantastically acted as I had remembered. Kenneth Branagh is undoubtedly one of our finest actors'.
And Anne Norton added: 'Wallander was terrific!!! My first Swedish crime show, and it didn't disappoint. Kenneth Branagh's acting is just outstanding'.
Last month, Variety reported that Wallander is set to return to screens in a reboot, which will see detective Kurt Wallander, now 42, struggle to get his life under control, having separated from his wife and become estranged from his daughter.
Where to watch: Series one to four are available for free on BBC iPlayer.
A much more recent release, The Glass Dome (Glaskupan in Swedish) landed on Netflix in April this year.
The six-part series follows a criminologist (Léonie Vincent) who returns to her small hometown and 'becomes wrapped up in the investigation of a missing girl and its haunting similarities to her own childhood abduction'.
Perhaps less of a hidden gem than the others on this list, it quickly climbed the ranks on Netflix to peak at number two on the streamer's weekly round-up of most-watched shows.
But, as non-English language shows can sometimes go overlooked by British viewers, The Glass Dome remains unfamiliar to some.
Don't let the language barrier put you off, though, it's been praised as 'gripping' and 'tanatalising' by critics, while viewers have called it 'haunting' and 'brilliant'.
Where to watch: Stream all six episodes on Netflix.
Another hit from Sweden, The Åre Murders is based on a popular series of books by author Viveca Sten.
The Nordic noir follows a detective who has been suspended from duty (Carla Sehn), seeking solace in the idyllic but eerie ski resort town of Åre. But she soon becomes wrapped up in investigating the mysterious disappearance of a young woman.
Netflix subscribers clearly love a Scandi drama, as this series achieved a whopping 11,000,000 views in one week when it landed in February this year.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics praised the drama as well as its Scandinavian setting.
Common Sense Media's review read: 'This is an edge-of-your-seat crime series that spans two separate murders in one small, snowy, Swedish town.'
And Decider wrote: 'The Åre Murders features all the hallmarks of the Nordic noir genre… throw in some fantastic location shots of Sweden's mountainous north, and we're all the way in on this investigation.'
Where to watch: Stream all five episodes on Netflix.
Glenn Close stars as Patty Hewes, a brilliant but ruthless lawyer whose life is changed forever when she hires a young, ambitious protégé (Rose Byrne).
Though the series focuses on the complex relationship between the two professionals, it also charts the cases they work on — taking a three-pronged approach as a legal thriller, gripping murder mystery and an adrenaline-fueled character study.
The series has an impressive 91% average score on Rotten Tomatoes, with series three and four both receiving a 100% rating.
A review from the Los Angeles Times called Damages 'one of the best shows on television', while New York Daily News wrote 'few shows on television are written and acted with such fascinating mystery.'
Where to watch: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video from £2.49.
Starring Callum Turner, Ben Miles and Paapa Essiedu, this BBC crime thriller explores the 'terrifying world of deepfake technology' through the eyes of an 'ambitious young Detective Inspector' (played by Holliday Grainger).
The first season sees a soldier's past conviction of murder, which was overturned due to flawed video evidence, come back to haunt him, while season two follows a new conspiracy involving Chinese spies and a British politician.
Fans have praised it as 'stunningly good', with one anonymous user writing on Rotten Tomatoes: 'Absolutely gripping show. Moves at a great pace with great actors and a great storyline. Twists and turns and super realistic to the current world.'
Another said: 'One of the best series I've ever watched. Thought the first season was good but the 2nd takes it to the next level. Need more series like this. The ending was sublime, left me utterly speechless.'
Where to watch: Series one and two are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
If you're a fan of American police procedural The Closer, you might also want to check out Major Crimes, which is set in the same police department.
Captain Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell) leads the team in the LAPD's Major Crimes Division, and is attempting to repair burned bridges and win the trust of her colleagues while dealing with high-profile crimes and building air-tight cases. More Trending
On Google reviews, Sherel Hallford wrote of the series: 'Such an Outstanding show! Characters and actors are admirable and realistic. The storylines [are] so enjoyable. Mary McDonnell portrayed Captain Raydor so well, showing dignity, integrity, strength and intelligence.'
And Lesly S called Major Crimes 'one of my favorite shows of all time.' They added: 'This show was a classic and I wish more shows were like this.'
View More »
Where to watch: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video from £2.49.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
10 minutes ago
- Metro
Dame Cleo Laine, first lady of British jazz, dies aged 97
Dame Cleo Laine, the Grammy-winning jazz singer renowned for her astonishing vocal range, scat singing mastery, and pioneering influence on British jazz, has died at the age of 97. Dame Cleo passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, according to a statement from her children, Jacqui and Alec Dankworth. 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our beloved mother Cleo's passing,' they said. 'She brought so much music and light into the world and into our lives. We ask for privacy as we remember her with love and gratitude.' Over a career spanning eight decades, she became a defining voice of British jazz, admired for her rich contralto tone, adventurous improvisation, and theatrical flair. She shared stages and studios with legends including Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. She was celebrated not only for her musical brilliance but also for blazing a trail for women and artists of colour in a genre then dominated by American men. Born Clementina Dinah Campbell in 1927 in Southall, west London, to a Jamaican father and English mother, Laine grew up in a musical household and began her working life as a hairdresser and part-time singer. Her breakthrough came in 1951 when she successfully auditioned for saxophonist Johnny Dankworth's band. Their professional collaboration soon blossomed into a lifelong partnership – the couple married in 1958 and remained together until Dankworth's death in 2010. Laine's career highlights included her historic 1973 performance at Carnegie Hall, which cemented her international reputation, and her Grammy win in 1986 for Cleo at Carnegie: The 10th Anniversary Concert. She also made history as the only female performer to be nominated for a Grammy in jazz, classical, and popular music categories. In 1997, she became the first British jazz singer to be made a dame, an honour that reflected her unique contribution to the nation's cultural life. Her accolades included honorary degrees, lifetime achievement awards, and a devoted fanbase that stretched from Soho jazz clubs to the world's grandest concert halls. Beyond the stage, Dame Cleo was deeply committed to music education. With her husband, she founded The Stables music venue and charity in Wavendon in 1970, transforming a converted stable block into a nationally recognised centre for performance and learning. More Trending David Meadowcroft, chairman of The Stables Trust, paid tribute to her legacy: 'Cleo and John's vision was to create a place where music could thrive for all. Her loss is profound, but her passion continues through the lives she inspired.' Artistic director Monica Ferguson added: 'Dame Cleo was a once-in-a-generation talent, but also a warm, generous mentor. Her voice and spirit will echo through these walls for years to come.' Cleo Laine is survived by her two children, both musicians in their own right. Her son Alec is an acclaimed jazz bassist and composer; daughter Jacqui, a singer and former Eurovision entrant. A private funeral will be held, with a public memorial concert planned for later this year to honour a voice – and a woman – that reshaped British jazz forever. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Hulk Hogan 'lost a lot of weight in final weeks before death' MORE: 70s jazz musician Chuck Mangione dies aged 84 MORE: Hulk Hogan leaves behind legacy as controversial but undeniable WWE icon
North Wales Chronicle
10 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Southwest Airlines flight takes dramatic plunge in response to nearby aircraft
The plane suddenly jolted shortly after takeover on Friday then felt like it was falling, said Stef Zamorano, who was flying to Las Vegas with her husband to celebrate his birthday. In front of her, Ms Zamorano said she saw a woman who was 'not wearing her seatbelt shoot up and out of her seat'. The man seated next to her was clutching her arm, and she said the woman across the aisle was panicking. 'She was pretty much verbalising how we all felt, saying, 'I want to get off this plane. I want to be on the ground,'' Ms Zamorano told The Associated Press. Data from the flight tracking site FlightAware shows it dropped roughly 300 feet (91.44 metres) in 36 seconds. The Federal Aviation Administration said the flight, Southwest 1496, was responding to an onboard alert about another aircraft in its vicinity. The FAA is investigating. Southwest said the crew responded to two alerts that required the pilot to climb then descend. The flight departed from Hollywood Burbank Airport just before noon. Still in shock, Ms Zamorano said she could hardly make out what the pilot was saying when he later addressed the passengers. Just now on SW Flight #1496 Burbank to Las Vegas. Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid midair collision over Burbank airport. Myself & Plenty of people flew out of their seats & bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention. Pilot said his collision… — Jimmy Dore (@jimmy_dore) July 25, 2025 Another passenger, American comedian Jimmy Dore, posted on X that the pilot mentioned a near miss. 'Pilot said his collision warning went off & he needed to avoid plane coming at us,' Dore posted. The plane was in the same airspace near Burbank as a Hawker Hunter Mk 58 just after noon local time, FlightAware shows. A Hawker Hunter is a British fighter plane. Records show it is owned by Hawker Hunter Aviation, a British defence contracting company. The company did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Mike Christensen, an airport spokesman for Hollywood Burbank, said that neither the control tower nor the operations department, which tracks planes departing and arriving, have any record of the Southwest flight plunging in their airspace. Southwest said the flight continued to Las Vegas, 'where it landed uneventfully'. The airline said that it is working with the FAA 'to further understand the circumstances' of the event. The close call is the latest incident to raise questions about aviation safety in the wake of January's mid-air collision over Washington DC, that killed 67 people.
Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Death in Paradise star favourite to play lead detective in new Benidorm-based spin-off series
EXCLUSIVE: Channel 5 has announced a new Death in Paradise-style series called Death in Benidorm - and a former Death in Paradise star is the favourite to play the lead detective Neil Morrissey, known for his role as a murder suspect in Death in Paradise, is currently tipped to be the lead detective in the spin-off series, Death in Benidorm. Channel 5 unveiled plans for the new series earlier this week, which bears a striking resemblance to Death in Paradise but is set in Benidorm. The channel has yet to reveal when the series will air or who will star in it. However, the plot for Death in Benidorm revolves around Detective Dennis Crown, who "has swapped the chaos of the UK for a quieter life running a bar in Benidorm". The series teases: "But when tourists start turning up dead, he's reluctantly drawn back into detective work-egged on by his barmaid Rosa, a crime drama superfan," reports the Express. "With Dennis's real-world experience and Rosa's encyclopaedic TV knowledge, each episode sees the duo tackling a new murder in paradise, whilst trying to remain on the right side of the local Spanish cops." While no official announcements have been made, bookmakers have been speculating about who could play the lead detective, and Neil is the favourite. Neil has starred in popular shows such as Men Behaving Badly, Death in Paradise, and Line of Duty. He played murder suspect, Disco Biscuit, also known as Duncan Roberts, in the BBC drama starring Kris Marshall. Mike Reading, spokesperson at Betway, stated: "Neil Morrissey is the current favourite to be cast as the lead detective in Death in Benidorm. As a household name with a strong track record in other shows, Morrissey brings the right mix of humour, emotional depth and recognisability, if the producers are aiming to turn heads and draw in ratings." He went on to say: "Hot on his heels is Mark Benton, a Channel 5 favourite who could easily fit into the role of Dennis Crown. Benton's everyman appeal and proven charm in Shakespeare & Hathaway would slot perfectly into the tone of a light-but-meaningful coastal crime drama. "For now, though, the latest odds suggest it's Morrissey who looks most likely to be sipping sangria while solving sun-drenched secrets!". Death in Benidorm will air on Channel 5.
