British Drama

by chuckyheggs | created - 29 Aug 2021 | updated - 07 Oct 2021 | Public
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1. Made in Britain (1982 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 76 min | Crime, Drama

After being sent to a detention center, a teenage skinhead clashes with the social workers, who want to conform him to the status quo.

Director: Alan Clarke | Stars: Tim Roth, Terry Richards, Bill Stewart, Eric Richard

Votes: 7,624

2. Little Voice (1998)

R | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

69 Metascore

A shy reclusive lady is convinced by an invisible entity to sing. Subsequently, she finds herself noticed by a sleazy talent agent and her talent being showcased on-stage. She also meets a kind but nervous man who becomes her best friend.

Director: Mark Herman | Stars: Brenda Blethyn, Jane Horrocks, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor

Votes: 17,186 | Gross: $4.60M

3. Made in Dagenham (2010)

R | 113 min | Comedy, Drama, History

65 Metascore

A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.

Director: Nigel Cole | Stars: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone

Votes: 16,074 | Gross: $1.09M

4. T2 Trainspotting (2017)

R | 117 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

67 Metascore

After 20 years abroad, Mark Renton returns to Scotland and reunites with his old friends Sick Boy, Spud, and Begbie.

Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle

Votes: 132,990 | Gross: $2.40M

5. Conduct Unbecoming (1975)

PG | 107 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

At a British Regimental party in Colonial India, the widow of Captain Scarlett is assaulted in the garden, and she accuses one of the newly arrived junior Lieutenants of the crime.

Director: Michael Anderson | Stars: Michael York, Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, Stacy Keach

Votes: 961

6. A Taste of Honey (1961)

Not Rated | 101 min | Drama

A pregnant teenage girl must fend for herself when her mother remarries, leaving the girl with only a new male friend for support.

Director: Tony Richardson | Stars: Rita Tushingham, Dora Bryan, Robert Stephens, Murray Melvin

Votes: 6,364

7. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)

Approved | 89 min | Drama, Romance

A rebellious, hard-living factory worker juggles relationships with two women, one of whom is married to another man but pregnant with his child.

Director: Karel Reisz | Stars: Albert Finney, Shirley Anne Field, Rachel Roberts, Hylda Baker

Votes: 9,288

8. Band of Gold (1995–1997)

290 min | Crime, Drama

In Bradford, England, several desperate streetwalkers team up to run the business for themselves. They must deal with competition, mobsters, moralists, psychos and cops, but at least now they have each other and a plan.

Stars: Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dickson, Samantha Morton

Votes: 758

9. Boys from the Blackstuff (1982)

50 min | Drama

Five unemployed men would do anything just to have a job in Thatcher's Britain.

Stars: Michael Angelis, Bernard Hill, Alan Igbon, Peter Kerrigan

Votes: 1,577

10. Brassed Off (1996)

R | 108 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

60 Metascore

The coal mine in a northern English village may be closing, which would also mean the end of the miners' brass band.

Director: Mark Herman | Stars: Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor, Stephen Tompkinson

Votes: 20,946 | Gross: $2.56M

11. Cold Feet (1997–2020)

TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

The show follows the lives of 30-something couples Adam and Rachel, Pete and Jenny, and David and Karen as they navigate love and life in Manchester.

Stars: James Nesbitt, Robert Bathurst, John Thomson, Hermione Norris

Votes: 4,810

12. Kingdom (2007–2009)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Drama

Solicitor Peter Kingdom runs a small Norfolk legal practice with apprentice Lyle and secretary Gloria, assisting eccentric locals. Peter lives with unstable sister Beatrice and recently lost half-brother Simon mysteriously.

Stars: Stephen Fry, Karl Davies, Celia Imrie, Tony Slattery

Votes: 2,959

13. Northern Lights (2006– )

60 min | Comedy, Drama

Colin and Howie are constantly feuding best friends who marry sisters Jackie and Pauline, making them into brothers-in-law. Can their relationships survive their feuding as it seems they will not stop and do everything to outdo each other?

Stars: Mark Benton, Robson Green, Nicola Stephenson, Sian Reeves

Votes: 185

14. Goodnight Mr Tom (1998 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 101 min | Drama, Family, War

A shy and quiet World War II evacuee is housed by a disgruntled old man, and they soon develop a close bond.

Director: Jack Gold | Stars: John Thaw, Nick Robinson, Annabelle Apsion, Thomas Orange

Votes: 4,918

15. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Passed | 118 min | Drama, Family

88 Metascore

At the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.

Director: John Ford | Stars: Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp

Votes: 26,494

16. If.... (1968)

R | 111 min | Crime, Drama

In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.

Director: Lindsay Anderson | Stars: Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick, Christine Noonan

Votes: 25,197

17. Chancer (1990–1991)

TV-14 | 55 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A business adviser uses all means necessary to help his friends out of financial ruins. However he has a moral code. Also, his unresolved family past won't leave him alone.

Stars: Clive Owen, Simon Shepherd, Susannah Harker, Leslie Phillips

Votes: 453

18. Monarch of the Glen (2000–2005)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle.

Stars: Alexander Morton, Susan Hampshire, Hamish Clark, Dawn Steele

Votes: 3,783

19. Armchair Thriller (1978–1981)

25 min | Crime, Drama, Horror

Suspense and mystery-themed anthology series.

Stars: Frank Duncan, James Bolam, Maria Aitken, Zena Walker

Votes: 256

20. Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (2002)

106 min | Comedy

After her husband's death and being forced into a nursing home, a woman starts looking for independence.

Director: Ian Sharp | Stars: Pauline Collins, Peter Capaldi, Anna Wilson-Jones, Gwenllian Davies

Votes: 869

21. Armchair Theatre (1956–1974)

60 min | Drama

This show was a British television drama anthology series of single plays that ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by Associated British Corporation, and from mid-1968 by Thames Television.

Stars: Harry H. Corbett, Paul Whitsun-Jones, Billie Whitelaw, Neil McCallum

Votes: 246

22. BBC Play of the Month (1965–1983)

120 min | Drama

Monthly anthology series featuring televised versions of plays.

Stars: Charles Gray, Eric Porter, Jeremy Brett, Lally Bowers

Votes: 178

23. ITV Play of the Week (1955–1974)

90 min | Comedy, Drama

An anthology series from the U.K., from 1955 to 1974, producing about five hundred ninety-minute episodes from Granada Television.

Stars: Derek Francis, Alfred Burke, Arthur Hewlett, Esther Lawrence

Votes: 93

24. ITV Playhouse (1967–1982)

Comedy, Drama

Anthology series of dramatic works.

Stars: Michael Bryant, William Simons, Katherine Barker, Geoffrey Palmer

Votes: 88

25. ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969–1974)

78 min | Drama

Anthology series of dramatic works.

Stars: Michael Balfour, Madoline Thomas, Diane Cilento, Jim Dale

Votes: 98

26. ITV Television Playhouse (1955–1967)

60 min | Drama

Richard O. Sullivan as a child genius in the play "Honour Bright".

Stars: Campbell Singer, Thomas Heathcote, Richard Caldicot, June Brown

Votes: 66

27. Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

R | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

71 Metascore

Laura Henderson (Dame Judi Dench) buys an old London theater and opens it up as the Windmill, a performance hall which goes down in history for, amongst other things, its all-nude revues.

Director: Stephen Frears | Stars: Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Guest, Will Young

Votes: 16,454 | Gross: $11.03M

28. Pennies from Heaven (1978–1979)

450 min | Drama, Musical, Romance

A travelling sheet music salesman with an uptight wife throws everything away for the love of an innocent school teacher in the romantic spirit of the music he loves, that bursts into his life in full song-and-dance numbers.

Stars: Cheryl Campbell, Bob Hoskins, Gemma Craven, Kenneth Colley

Votes: 1,209

29. Play for Today (1970–1984)

75 min | Comedy, Drama

A British television anthology drama series that aired on BBC1 between 1970 and 1984.

Stars: Alison Steadman, Nigel Hawthorne, Tony Caunter, David Daker

Votes: 392

30. Skins (2007–2013)

TV-MA | 46 min | Drama

The story of a group of British teens who are trying to grow up and find love and happiness despite questionable parenting and teachers who would rather be friends (and lovers) than authority figures.

Stars: Kaya Scodelario, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Murray

Votes: 93,114

31. Soldier Soldier (1991–1997)

TV-14 | 50 min | Drama

Drama following the life of the officers and men of the King's Own Fusiliers regiment, during their home lives, training exercises and battles.

Stars: Ben Nealon, Robson Green, Jerome Flynn, Rosie Rowell

Votes: 945

33. Starter for 10 (2006)

PG-13 | 92 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

69 Metascore

Set in 1985, working-class student Brian Jackson (McAvoy) navigates his first year at Bristol University.

Director: Tom Vaughan | Stars: James McAvoy, Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall, Joseph Friend

Votes: 25,085 | Gross: $0.21M

34. The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006)

60 min | Comedy, Drama

The story follows Mrs Ros Pritchard, a successful manager of a supermarket. When a couple of politicians make a spectacle of themselves outside her shop, Ros decides to stand for election herself.

Stars: Jane Horrocks, Steven Mackintosh, Jodhi May, Jemma McKenzie-Brown

Votes: 521

35. The Brothers (1972–1976)

50 min | Drama

Robert Hammond has died while "doing the deed" with his secretary and mistress Jennifer, and now his three sons have inherited the family trucking company, and each one will try to run the business in his own way.

Stars: Jean Anderson, Robin Chadwick, Jennifer Wilson, Derek Benfield

Votes: 142

36. The Charmer (1987)

312 min | Drama

A drama series set in 1930s Britain, detailing the exploits of Ralph Gorse, a conman, seducer and murderer.

Stars: Nigel Havers, Bernard Hepton, Rosemary Leach, Fiona Fullerton

Votes: 250

37. The Flying Swan (1965– )

45 min | Drama

This partially lost sequel to "The Royalty" (1957) follows day to day happenings in one particular hotel.

Stars: Margaret Lockwood, Julia Lockwood, Molly Urquhart, Hugh McDermott

Votes: 14

38. The Fifteen Streets (1989 TV Movie)

104 min | Drama, History, Romance

In northern England around 1900, the worker John O'Brien lives near poverty in a small house in the worker's district. He falls in love with Mary, the teacher of his highly intelligent ... See full summary »

Director: David Wheatley | Stars: Owen Teale, Sean Bean, Anny Tobin, Leslie Schofield

Votes: 573

39. The Magdalene Sisters (2002)

R | 114 min | Drama

83 Metascore

Three young Irish women struggle to maintain their spirits while they endure dehumanizing abuse as inmates of a Magdalene Sisters Asylum.

Director: Peter Mullan | Stars: Eileen Walsh, Dorothy Duffy, Nora-Jane Noone, Anne-Marie Duff

Votes: 28,466 | Gross: $4.89M

40. When the Boat Comes In (1976–1981)

50 min | Drama, History

Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Great 1920s Depression and trade union activists.

Stars: James Bolam, James Garbutt, Jean Heywood, John Nightingale

Votes: 487

41. Vera Drake (2004)

R | 125 min | Crime, Drama

83 Metascore

Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain--a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.

Director: Mike Leigh | Stars: Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent, Heather Craney, Richard Graham

Votes: 26,859 | Gross: $3.75M

42. The Wednesday Play (1964–1970)
Episode: Up the Junction (1965)

72 min | Drama

Fragments of the life of three working-class women, and the people around them, in South London in the 1960s. Scenes in homes, streets, pubs, prison and their workplace cover family, friendship, romance, sex, and abortion.

Director: Ken Loach | Stars: Carol White, Geraldine Sherman, Vickery Turner, Tony Selby

Votes: 260

43. Troubleshooters (1959–1960)

30 min | Adventure

The Troubleshooters is an American 26-segment half-hour adventure/drama television series starring Keenan Wynn as Kodiak and Bob Mathias as Frank Dugan. The show aired on NBC. The stories ... See full summary »

Stars: Keenan Wynn, Bob Mathias, Robert Fortier, Carey Loftin

Votes: 43

44. Trainspotting (1996)

R | 93 min | Drama

83 Metascore

Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends.

Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd

Votes: 725,842 | Gross: $16.50M

45. The Wednesday Play (1964–1970)

75 min | Drama

Series of one-off plays made by BBC television, which gave breaks to a wide range of writers and directors in the late 1960s, such as Dennis Potter, Ken Loach, David Mercer, and John ... See full summary »

Stars: Edwin Brown, Neville Smith, Tony Selby, Ken Jones

Votes: 132

46. Mogul (1965–1972)

50 min | Drama

Adventure drama series based around the fictitious Mogul Oil Company and the exploits of its chief "troubleshooter", Peter Thornton (Ray Barrett).

Stars: Geoffrey Keen, Philip Latham, Ray Barrett, Robert Hardy

Votes: 92

47. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

M/PG | 116 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

An eccentric Scottish schoolteacher's extravagantly romantic ideas about life--and love--overly impress her young pupils and bring her into conflict with her school's conservative headmistress.

Director: Ronald Neame | Stars: Maggie Smith, Gordon Jackson, Robert Stephens, Pamela Franklin

Votes: 9,863

48. Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1995)

30 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery

Horror stories by Edgar Allen Poe dramatized and introduced by horror actor Sir Christopher Lee.

Stars: Christopher Lee, Graham Armitage, Ian Paton, Bozidar Alic

Votes: 98

49. Kinky Boots (2005)

PG-13 | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

57 Metascore

A drag queen comes to the rescue of a man who, after inheriting his father's shoe factory, needs to diversify his product if he wants to keep the business afloat.

Director: Julian Jarrold | Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton, Sarah-Jane Potts, Jemima Rooper

Votes: 21,484 | Gross: $1.82M

50. The Full Monty (1997)

R | 91 min | Comedy, Drama

75 Metascore

Six unemployed steel workers form a male striptease act. The women cheer them on to go for "the full monty" - total nudity.

Director: Peter Cattaneo | Stars: Robert Carlyle, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Addy, Wim Snape

Votes: 114,134 | Gross: $45.95M

51. Carrie's War (1974)

25 min | Family

Carrie and Nick Willow have been sent to the countryside and are taken in by the Evanses with their Auntie Lou and the scary Mr. Evans. The Willows are quite happy there. They like to go to... See full summary »

Stars: Juliet Waley, Andrew Tinney, Tim Coward, Aubrey Richards

Votes: 58

52. Glorious 39 (2009)

R | 129 min | Drama, History, Mystery

The adopted daughter of a privileged British politician uncovers a family secret in the weeks leading up to World War II.

Director: Stephen Poliakoff | Stars: Romola Garai, Eddie Redmayne, Juno Temple, Toby Regbo

Votes: 5,701

53. Blue Murder (2003–2009)

Not Rated | 138 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Single mother DCI Janine Lewis struggles with the problems of bringing up four children while leading her team of detectives in solving high-profile murders.

Stars: Caroline Quentin, Ian Kelsey, Paul Loughran, Nicholas Murchie

Votes: 1,857

54. Taggart (1983–2010)
Episode: Compensation (2004)

TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

The team travel to rural Fenmore after a farmer is suspiciously killed in a house fire, but find few clues and the villagers unwilling to offer any information.

Director: Alan Macmillan | Stars: Blythe Duff, John Michie, Alex Norton, Colin McCredie

Votes: 65

55. Bergerac (1981–1991)

TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Recovering alcoholic and divorced father of a young daughter, DS Jim Bergerac is a true maverick who prefers doing things his own way, and consequently doesn't always carry out his investigations the way his boss would like.

Stars: John Nettles, Terence Alexander, Sean Arnold, Mela White

Votes: 2,229

56. Between the Lines (1992–1994)

50 min | Crime, Drama

British police drama following the team at the Complaints Investigation Bureau - the unit that polices the police.

Stars: Neil Pearson, Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond, Tony Doyle

Votes: 632

57. C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985–1987)

Crime, Drama

An all-female detective outfit, the "Eyes Enquiry Agency", is formed as a front for the Home Office's new security operation the Covert Activities Thames Section (or "C.A.T.S." for short). ... See full summary »

Stars: Jill Gascoine, Leslie Ash, Don Warrington, Tracy-Louise Ward

Votes: 213

58. Cribb (1980–1981)

90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

The Victorian era cases of Detective Sergeant Cribb of Scotland Yard's newly formed Criminal Investigation Department.

Stars: Alan Dobie, William Simons, David Waller, Alfie Curtis

Votes: 161

59. Dalziel and Pascoe (1996–2007)

TV-14 | 120 min | Crime, Mystery, Drama

Superintendent Dalziel and partner DI Pascoe investigate murder, and find a bond forming between them despite their blatantly different personalities.

Stars: Warren Clarke, Colin Buchanan, David Royle, Jennifer James

Votes: 3,307

60. Crocodile Shoes (1994)

55 min | Drama

Jimmy Nail stars in the drama series about a Geordie factory worker who writes country songs and looks for his big break in the music industry.

Stars: Jimmy Nail, James Wilby, Sammy Johnson, Mike Elliot

Votes: 291

61. Dixon of Dock Green (1955–1976)

Crime, Drama

Constable George Dixon and his colleagues at the Dock Green police station in the East End of London deal with petty crime, successfully controlling it through common sense and human understanding.

Stars: Jack Warner, Peter Byrne, Geoffrey Adams, Arthur Rigby

Votes: 311

62. Filth (I) (2013)

R | 97 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

56 Metascore

A corrupt, junkie cop with bipolar disorder attempts to manipulate his way through a promotion in order to win back his wife and daughter while also fighting his own inner demons.

Director: Jon S. Baird | Stars: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots

Votes: 115,852 | Gross: $0.03M

63. Foyle's War (2002–2015)

TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

As 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.

Stars: Michael Kitchen, Honeysuckle Weeks, Anthony Howell, Ellie Haddington

Votes: 18,277

64. Gideon C.I.D. (1964–1966)

60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Follows Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard and his family life.

Stars: John Gregson, Alexander Davion, Daphne Anderson, Richard James

Votes: 312

65. Hamish Macbeth (1995–1997)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Hamish Macbeth is a police constable in the small Scottish town of Lochdubh, who occasionally bends the rules when it suits him or when it can help some of his fellow eccentric townsfolk.

Stars: Robert Carlyle, Ralph Riach, Brian Pettifer, Stuart Davids

Votes: 2,422

66. Z Cars (1962–1978)

TV-14 | Crime, Drama

A gritty drama which follows the work of the police force in the fictional town of Newtown in the North of England.

Stars: James Ellis, John Slater, Douglas Fielding, Bernard Holley

Votes: 382

67. New Scotland Yard (1972–1974)

60 min | Crime, Drama

Detectives at New Scotland Yard solve extraordinary, mysterious crimes.

Stars: John Woodvine, John Carlisle, Michael Turner, Clive Francis

Votes: 70

68. Inspector Lewis (2006–2015)

TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

DI Robert Lewis and DS James Hathaway solve the tough cases that the learned inhabitants of Oxford throw at them.

Stars: Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman, Rebecca Front

Votes: 15,885

69. Midsomer Murders (1997– )

TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A veteran Detective Chief Inspector and his young Sergeant investigate murders around the regional community of Midsomer County.

Stars: John Nettles, Jane Wymark, Barry Jackson, Neil Dudgeon

Votes: 39,473

70. Ripper Street (2012–2016)

TV-MA | 59 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

The streets of Whitechapel are the haunt of Detective Inspector Edmund Reid and his team of officers, who aim to maintain law and order in a place once terrorized by Jack the Ripper.

Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Adam Rothenberg, MyAnna Buring, Jerome Flynn

Votes: 22,513

71. New Tricks (2003–2015)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Three retired police officers are drafted in to solve cold cases, with a touch of comedy and drama

Stars: Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong, James Bolam

Votes: 8,784

72. Rebus (2000–2004)

TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Set in Edinburgh, the mercurial Detective Inspector John Rebus's investigations lead him through the city's ancient beauty and into its more sinister quarters.

Stars: Ken Stott, Claire Price, Jennifer Black, Gregor Gillespie

Votes: 2,247

73. Inspector Lewis (2006–2015)
Episode: Reputation (2006)

TV-PG | 93 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

DI Robert Lewis teams up with DS James Hathaway to look into the murder of an Oxford mathematics student.

Director: Bill Anderson | Stars: Charlie Cox, Sophie Winkleman, Colin Starkey, Jack Ellis

Votes: 2,811

74. Sweeney! (1977)

98 min | Action, Crime, Drama

When one of his informants is murdered, Detective Inspector Jack Regan is drawn into a deadly political game. He is soon a marked man and, after being framed, is suspended from duty. This doesn't stop him searching for the truth.

Director: David Wickes | Stars: John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, Barry Foster, Ian Bannen

Votes: 1,605

75. The Gentle Touch (1980–1984)

TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama

The adventures of tough lady cop Maggie Forbes.

Stars: Jill Gascoine, William Marlowe, Paul Moriarty, Brian Gwaspari

Votes: 307

76. Luther (2010–2019)

TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

John Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.

Stars: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown

Votes: 154,384

77. Prime Suspect (1991)

TV-14 | 104 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A female police detective investigates a series of serial murders while dealing with sexist hostility from her male comrades.

Stars: Helen Mirren, John Benfield, Tom Bell, Craig Fairbrass

Votes: 9,230

78. Prime Suspect 2 (1992)

102 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison's (Dame Helen Mirren's) investigation of a murder is complicated with the unexpected participation of her secret lover in her detective unit.

Stars: Helen Mirren, Colin Salmon, John Benfield, Jack Ellis

Votes: 4,109

79. Prime Suspect 3 (1993)

104 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Assigned to a Vice squad, Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison (Dame Helen Mirren) investigates a child murder and discovers a sinister link to the police.

Stars: Helen Mirren, Tom Bell, Karen Tomlin, David Thewlis

Votes: 4,006

80. Maigret (1959–1963)

50 min | Crime, Drama

Televisations of the Maigret novels by Georges Simenon.

Stars: Rupert Davies, Ewen Solon, Helen Shingler, Neville Jason

Votes: 375

81. The Chinese Detective (1981–1982)

50 min | Crime, Drama

Detective Sergeant John Ho, a maverick British Chinese police officer, solves crimes in and around London's docklands while dealing with occasional prejudice and distrust within the police force.

Stars: David Yip, Derek Martin, Arthur Kelly, Larrington Walker

Votes: 130

82. Hot Fuzz (2007)

R | 121 min | Action, Comedy, Mystery

81 Metascore

An overachieving London police sergeant is transferred to a village where the easygoing officers object to his fervor for regulations, all while a string of grisly murders strikes the town.

Director: Edgar Wright | Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy

Votes: 535,423 | Gross: $23.64M

83. Inspector Morse (1987–2000)

TV-14 | 3,431 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Chief 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.

Stars: John Thaw, Kevin Whately, James Grout, Peter Woodthorpe

Votes: 14,365

84. Inspector George Gently (2007–2017)

TV-MA | 89 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

With 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.

Stars: Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby, Simon Hubbard, Lisa McGrillis

Votes: 8,529

85. Rockliffe's Babies (1987– )

TV-14 | 50 min | Crime, Drama

Series featuring the tough and experienced Det. Sgt. Alan Rockcliffe, and his squad of young and enthusiastic plain-clothes PCs.

Stars: Ian Hogg, Joe McGann, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Bill Champion

Votes: 105

86. Special Branch (1969–1974)

60 min | Action, Crime, Drama

Groundbreaking British police drama series following the exploits of the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police: an elite group of officers tasked with protecting London from spies, terrorists, and subversives.

Stars: Derren Nesbitt, George Sewell, Morris Perry, Fulton Mackay

Votes: 195

87. Van der Valk (1972–1992)

120 min | Crime, Drama

Cynical Dutch Detective Commissaris and his colleagues investigate murders, kidnappings, and political corruption.

Stars: Barry Foster, Michael Latimer, Joanna Dunham, Susan Travers

Votes: 538

88. The Sweeney (1975–1978)

TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Crime, Drama

Jack Regan and George Carter are hard-edged detectives in the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police. They pursue villains by methods which are underhanded and often illegal, frequently violent and - more often than not - successful.

Stars: John Thaw, Dennis Waterman, Garfield Morgan, John Alkin

Votes: 2,654

89. Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987–2000)

TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

From 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.

Stars: George Baker, Christopher Ravenscroft, Louie Ramsay, Ken Kitson

Votes: 693

90. The Robbie Coltrane Special (1989 TV Special)

50 min | Comedy

A comedy special starring Robbie Coltrane as a variety of different characters.

Director: Geoff Posner | Stars: Jane Booker, Robbie Coltrane, John Fortune, Roland Gift

Votes: 25

91. The Professionals (1977–1983)

TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

Bodie and Doyle, senior agents of the British intelligence service CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their handler George Cowley fight terrorism and similar high-level crimes.

Stars: Gordon Jackson, Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins, Bridget Brice

Votes: 3,661

92. The Chief (1990–1995)

50 min | Drama

Focussing on the politics at the top of a typical English police force in its continual battle to solve the problems the times, in this case the fictional Eastland of East Anglia.

Stars: Gillian Martell, Martin Shaw, Karen Archer, Dean Lepley

Votes: 106

93. Maigret (1992–1993)

TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

From Montmartre to the remote French countryside, Maigret encounters the dark side of the human psyche. Yet, he manages to maintain both compassion and a sense of humor as he explores the complex motives that lie behind every crime.

Stars: Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Hutchings, Jack Galloway, James Larkin

Votes: 1,100

94. No Hiding Place (1959–1967)

60 min | Crime, Drama

Tales of Scotland Yard centering on a detective team. A sort of halfway house between "Dixon of Dock Green" and "'Z' Cars." The detectives are still 1950s-style with good elocution and ... See full summary »

Stars: Raymond Francis, Eric Lander, Johnny Briggs, Michael McStay

Votes: 97

95. Endeavour (2012–2023)
Episode: Pilot (2012)

TV-14 | 98 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Young Endeavour Morse joins Inspector Fred Thursday's investigation into the disappearance of a schoolgirl named Mary Tremlett.

Director: Colm McCarthy | Stars: Michael Matus, John Light, Flora Montgomery, Patrick Malahide

Votes: 4,945

96. The Blue Lamp (1950)

Approved | 84 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

The daily routine of two London Policemen is interrupted by a killer.

Director: Basil Dearden | Stars: Jack Warner, Dirk Bogarde, Jimmy Hanley, Robert Flemyng

Votes: 2,537

97. The Bill (1984–2010)

TV-14 | Crime, Drama

Police drama series following officers and detectives from Sun Hill Police Station in East London.

Stars: Graham Cole, Jeff Stewart, Trudie Goodwin, Simon Rouse

Votes: 4,106

98. Prime Suspect 5: Errors of Judgement (1996)

100 min | Crime, Mystery, Romance

Superintendent Tennison (Dame Helen Mirren) investigates a seemingly straightforward drug murder that she believes is linked to a smugly smooth crime boss.

Stars: Helen Mirren, John Brobbey, Julia Lane, David O'Hara

Votes: 3,020

99. Prime Suspect: The Lost Child (1995 TV Movie)

101 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Superintendent Jane Tennison (Dame Helen Mirren) orchestrates a search for an abducted baby, but events take a turn for the worse when personal emotions cause complications.

Director: John Madden | Stars: Helen Mirren, Beatie Edney, Robert Glenister, Lesley Sharp

Votes: 3,032

100. Let Him Have It (1991)

R | 115 min | Crime, Drama, History

This drama reveals the controversial postwar 1950's London murder trial that sent an intellectually challenged young man to the gallows for a murder he did not commit.

Director: Peter Medak | Stars: Tom Courtenay, Christopher Eccleston, Eileen Atkins, Rebecca Eccleston

Votes: 3,801



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