There’s no denying that we’re a nation of crime obsessives. With the most popular series revolving around either police investigations or gritty gangland wars, we can’t get enough of following those who sit on the right, or wrong, side of the law. If you, like us, love nothing more than a brilliant mystery, we've previewed all the upcoming series (and gone back to some old favourites) to bring you the best picks this week.
From a hard-hitting series that’s even better than Unforgotten to the latest instalment of Jimmy McGovern’s moving prison series and a dark psychological thriller, there’s something for everyone. So, remotes at the ready, here are the nine exceptional crime dramas to watch this week on Netflix, ITV, the BBC and more.
Time
The third instalment of Jimmy McGovern’s is essential viewing. This series takes us to a young offenders’ institution outside Liverpool, where we meet Bobby Bailey (David Tennant). He’s a troubled prison officer trying to tackle his drinking problem and come to terms with his wife leaving him, while handling the chaos of managing the teenage inmates. Meanwhile, the prison’s chaplain, Marie-Louise (Siobhan Finneran), faces a crisis of faith after a random act of violence. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Steeltown Murders
This series, which we think is better than Unforgotten, dramatises the investigation that finally identified the ‘Saturday Night Strangler’ after advances in DNA technology reopened one of Wales’s most harrowing cases. The drama brings us to Port Talbot in 1973, where the community is gripped by fear after the brutal killings of three teenage girls. DCI Paul Bethell (Philip Glenister) is determined to uncover the culprit but, despite a huge manhunt, the case remains unsolved. Fast-forward three decades and a breakthrough in forensic science offers fresh hope for the victims’ families as police undertake one of the UK’s biggest DNA screening operations. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
This City Is Ours
Series 2 is finally here! After the first series’ explosive finale, our favourite Liverpudlian gangster Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) is back. The last series saw him swap the grey clouds of Merseyside for the sunny skies of Spain with his pregnant fiancée Diana (Hannah Onslow). But their peace and quiet is short-lived. A former member of the firm, Ozzie Thompson (Shaun Evans), gets out of prison looking for compensation, and Colombian cartel member Felipe Guzman (Álvaro Morte) is looking to avenge his little brother’s death. Series 1 of This City Is Ours is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. Series 2 will air on Sunday 25 October at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Protection
![new pictures for itv and itvxprotectionepisode 2pictured: siobhan finneran as liz nyles.this photograph is (c) new pictures productions and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsfor further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/806bda4b-1f74-4aad-b99d-1112ae1b9d2d.jpg?crop=0.6667160201362156xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "new pictures for itv and itvxprotectionepisode 2pictured: siobhan finneran as liz nyles.this photograph is (c) new pictures productions and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsfor further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com")
Starring Siobhan Finneran and Katherine Kelly, Protection follows Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (played by Siobhan), who finds herself at the centre of a security breach in her witness protection unit. Liz is compromised by an illicit affair with a colleague and must race against the clock to find the truth, protect her family – and her lover. Available to watch now on ITVX.
Pierre
David Harewood is phenomenal as the lead in this legal thriller. Pierre (played by David) is a burnt-out West London duty solicitor who’s juggling the pressure of keeping his family financially afloat while carrying out his calling, helping underprivileged defendants get fair representation. But after the suspicious death of a young Black client, Michael (Ezrae Maye), Pierre begins to unravel a chilling web of institutional corruption. Available to watch now on Channel 4.
Karen Pirie
The Dr Martens-wearing detective Karen Pirie (Lauren Lyle) is a formidable detective – and you certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her. Based on Val McDermid’s bestselling novels, the series follows Karen as she investigates cold cases across Scotland. The first series centres on the 25-year-old unsolved murder of a barmaid, and the second series is about a 1984 kidnapping of her heiress and her son. Both series are brilliantly gripping, and ITV has just announced the third series – making it the perfect time to catch up. Available to watch now on ITVX.
Blue Lights
It’s been a whirlwind series so far for Constables Grace Ellis (Siân Brooke), Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff) and Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin). Three years into their jobs as response officers, the trio are operating at their limit, and the streets of Belfast face a whole new threat they can barely control. Meanwhile, the murder of Gerry Cliff exposes long-buried secrets that send shockwaves through both the police and criminal underworld. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
The Northumbria Mysteries
Missing Grantchester? This is the perfect replacement, with Grantchester’s very own Robson Green leading the cast. The eight-part series transports us to the rugged Northumberland countryside, where we meet unlikely crime-solving duo Joe Ruby (Robson) and Rose (Liz White). Rose is an Oxford-educated DI, she has a sharp mind and an ice-cool disposition. As for her partner, Joe, he’s a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been marred by mistakes and missed opportunities. The odd-couple pairing must combine their very different skill sets and unravel a series of perplexing crimes. The Northumbria Mysteries will air on BBC One on Friday 23 October at 2pm. The first four episodes will arrive on BBC iPlayer on the same day.
Lupin
Omar Sy is back as the charming gentleman thief Assane Diop in the fourth part of the hit French crime thriller. Assane remains in prison and he’s determined to serve his sentence and get back on the straight and narrow. He has made a promise to his son that they’ll go and meet their family in Senegal. However, a copycat thief carries out a series of museum heists, framing Lupin for the crimes. There’s only one way he can prove his innocence, and that’s by donning the costume once more to catch the culprit. Will he succeed? Lupin series 4 will be available to watch on Netflix from Friday 23 October, with all eight episodes arriving at once.