Best mystery series
For mystery, British is the word. Unfortunately, because this is strictly a list of mystery series, the American series "Columbo" does not feature here. But Columbo has to be one of the best crime series ever made.
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- StarsDavid SuchetHugh FraserPhilip JacksonHercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, who has an impeccable knack for getting embroiled in a mystery, solves crimes along with Captain Hastings and Scotland Yard Chief Inspector James Japp.There are several seasons and none of them is worth missing. Beyond Christie's plots, the success of this undisputed number 1 series lies largely on the shoulders of David Suchet. In the final few seasons, the series deviated from the original Christie plots, yet the liberties taken with Poirot are not as high as with Marple.
- StarsAlan DaviesCaroline QuentinStuart MilliganJonathan Creek, a magician with a natural ability for solving puzzles, works from his home in a converted windmill. He uses his abilities to solve impossible crimes and mysterious murders.This features among the most intriguing and perplexing plots, yet all with a simple explanation. Focuses more on how dunnit than who dunnit. Caroline Quentin and Alan Davies are fun to watch together (sadly the pairing is limited to only the first two seasons).
- CreatorGlen A. LarsonLou ShawStarsJack KlugmanJohn S. RaginRobert ItoThe cases of a brilliant, if Irascible, coroner who investigates suspicious deaths which usually suggest murder.The best American mystery series I have found. Dr. Quincy is reminiscent of Dr. Joseph Bell, the real-life inspiration of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. What I particularly like about the series, other than the harmless humor, is that this has logically the most sound plots of all the series listed here - Dr. Quincy considers all alternatives and uses a lot of 'if' in his suppositions, instead of divinely arriving at the correct explanation among all possible ones.
- The original unadulterated 1980s series featuring Joan Hickson as Miss Marple - often named "Agatha Christie's Miss Marple". Joan Hickson was best suited to play the role of Miss Marple. Also, the original series remained faithful to Christie's plots. The recent Marple videos (featuring Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie) have taken liberties with the plots, sometimes distorting them altogether.
- CreatorMaureen JenningsCal CoonsAlexandra ZarownyStarsYannick BissonHelene JoyThomas CraigIn the 1890s, William Murdoch uses radical forensic techniques for the time, including fingerprinting and trace evidence, to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders.A well-crafted, well-acted Canadian series. Great plots and great on-screen chemistry among characters.
- CreatorCaroline GrahamStarsJohn NettlesJane WymarkBarry JacksonA veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young Sergeant investigate murders around the regional community of Midsomer County.Entangled (even if sometimes unbelievable) plots - lots of fun despite unconvincing detective work. John Nettles shines as Detective Barnaby.
- CreatorMark GatissSteven MoffatStarsBenedict CumberbatchMartin FreemanUna StubbsThe quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.A very modern approach to the character of the classic detective and his nemesis has made the series highly engaging and enjoyable.
- StarsShaun EvansRoger AllamJames BradshawSet from 1965 into the 1970s, the show follows Endeavour Morse in his early years as a police constable. Working alongside his senior partner DI Fred Thursday, Morse engages in a number of investigations around Oxford.The good points of Inspector Morse coupled with mid 20th century charm. Shaun Evans is quite a revelation. Also, the opera music helps the series quite a bit.
- CreatorBarbara MachinStarsTrevor EveSue JohnstonWil JohnsonDrama series following a team of detectives who investigate unsolved murders using modern technology.Fun to watch.
- StarsEssie DavisNathan PageHugo Johnstone-BurtA female sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne in the late 1920s, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger-sharp wit.Charming Australian series.
- CreatorAnthony HorowitzStarsMichael KitchenHoneysuckle WeeksAnthony HowellAs WWII rages, DCS Foyle fights his own war on the home-front; investigating crime on the south coast of England. Later series, see the retired detective working as an MI5 agent in the aftermath of the war.
- StarsDerek JacobiMichael CulverJulian FirthThe medieval era cases of a Crusader-turned-Monk who investigates mysteries in the Norman English town of Shrewsbury.
- StarsJohn ThawKevin WhatelyJames GroutChief Inspector Morse has an ear for Western classical music, a taste for beer, and a nose for crime. He and Detective Sergeant Robert Lewis solve intriguing cases in and around the Oxford area.
- StarsFelicity KendalPam FerrisRyan PhilpottSet amongst the stunning gardens of Europe, Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme, two professional gardeners, find themselves drawn into solving mysterious crimes.Simple plots but fun to watch. Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris add to the charm.
- StarsNathaniel ParkerSharon SmallLesley VickerageBritish crime investigation series based around aristocratic, Oxford-educated Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his working-class assistant Sergeant Barbara Havers.
- DirectorCharles BeesonStarsAmanda BurtonMatthew MarshPoppy MillerCommander Blake is still dealing with the aftermath of the James Lampton case. Not only has he pleaded not guilty to the murders for which he is accused, it now means that Blake will have to testify about their sexual relationship. With the added news coverage, Blake finds that the sister of one of Lampton's victims is now stalking her. Blake's own sister, who is terminally ill with cancer, moves in with her. In a separate case, a computer hacker who has gained access to online medical records and changing information is terrorizing St. Barnaby's hospital. His first victim is someone who had a severe allergy to nuts and the second is someone who is allergic to penicillin. The hacker threatens to kill one patient every 24 hours if he doesn't receive 20 million pounds.IMDB has this and other episodes of this TV series listed as individual TV movies. The series stars Amanda Burton in the lead role and has some very engrossing plots.
- StarsKenneth BranaghRichard McCabeJeany SparkUnable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate, Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships.
- StarsKevin WhatelyLaurence FoxClare HolmanDI Robert Lewis and DS James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.
- StarsJoel KellerMimi KuzykKathleen LaskeyBlue Murder is a Canadian crime television series featuring a Toronto based police squad investigating murders.Intriguing plots. Caroline Quentin charms.
- StarsBrenda BlethynJon MorrisonRiley JonesWith her caustic wit and singular charm, DCI Vera Stanhope leads her team as they face a series of captivating murder mysteries set against the breathtaking Northumberland landscape.
- StarsTrevor EveSusannah HarkerMichael ByrneSet in the 1930s, a former Scotland Yard detective is sent to colonial Kenya to head the new criminal investigation unit.This really needs to be re-aired - beautiful location and good performances.
- CreatorRichard HarrisStarsPeter DavisonSean HughesRob Spendlove"Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants, and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans.
- CreatorLynda La PlanteStarsKelly ReillyCiarán HindsShaun DingwallA team of dedicated detectives investigate gruesome murders across London.
- CreatorJimmy McGovernStarsRobbie ColtraneGeraldine SomervilleKieran O'BrienDr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a criminal psychologist. He is rather anti-social and obnoxious but he has a gift for solving crimes. Thus he is employed as a consultant by the Manchester Police.
- StarsHelen MirrenJohn BenfieldTom BellA female police detective investigates a series of serial murders while dealing with sexist hostility from her male comrades.
- CreatorLynda La PlanteStarsDavid HaymanDorian LoughVictoria SmurfitThe team of Det. Supt. Michael Walker, DI North, and DCI Connor follows each case from crime committed, through the pursuit of justice, to the law courts where the efforts of the force will be tested--sometimes to the breaking point.
- CreatorPeter FlanneryStarsMartin ShawLee InglebySimon HubbardWith the help of DS John Bacchus, Inspector George Gently spends his days bringing to justice members of the criminal underworld who are unfortunate enough to have the intrepid investigator assigned to their cases.
- CreatorNick CollinsStarsCaroline CatzLisa FaulknerJeremy SheffieldThe series focused on various murders in the fictional suburban English town of Middleford. The crimes are solved by two female police detectives, Inspector Kate Ashurst and Sergeant Emma Scribbins, aka "Ash and Scribbs".
- CreatorReginald HillStarsWarren ClarkeColin BuchananDavid RoyleSuperintendent Dalziel and partner DI Pascoe investigate murder, and find a bond forming between them despite their blatantly different personalities.
- StarsKenneth MoreDennis BurgessGraham CrowdenBased on the stories of G.K. Chesterton, a British Catholic Priest solves mysteries.
- CreatorBarry SimnerRob PurseyStarsOwen McDonnellDavid HerlihyRuth McCabeJack Driscoll moves back to the town on the west coast of Ireland where he was born. He takes over his retired father's Garda post, and solves different cases.
- StarsGeorge BakerChristopher RavenscroftLouie RamsayFrom cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.