As a nation, there’s few things we love more than a battle between good and evil. And nothing encapsulates this winning formula better than our favourite police dramas.
The best thing about the nation’s favourite cop shows? All of our favourites are still available for free on Freeview and catch-up! So sit back, relax and enjoy as we delve deep into our archives. Expect plot twists, high-speed chases but above all - drama.
Luther
Luther is the kind of crime series you can watch time and again (trust us!). Thrilling and tense - it takes a deep dive into the world of work-obsessed detective John (Idris Elba) and his surreal relationship with psychopathic serial killer Alice (Ruth Wilson). After a spate of other dark and chilling cases that play out in London’s seedy criminal underworld, Luther becomes consumed with cracking each case. The award-winning drama is nail-biting, and completely binge-worthy
There’s five series available to watch on BBC iPlayer. And with rumours circulating of a new batch of episodes on the horizon, there’s no better time to visit, or revisit the carnage. We promise you won’t regret it!
The Fall
An utterly unmissable series for those who love the creepier style of police drama. The Fall, starring Jamie Dornan, centres on a serial killer who’s wreaking havoc upon the young women of Belfast. But like all good cop classics, the hunter is also being hunted, as a leading detective (Gillian Anderson) enters the fray. Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson is determined to find out the identity of the serial killer. What follows is a tantalising chase, with each party ready to outsmart the other; though the killer must also keep up his appearance of an everyday family man.
And due to seriously popular demand, BBC iPlayer pulled off a big coup by securing all three series of this modern classic. It’s not for the faint hearted, but if you’re into mind-boggling plot twists and nerve-wracking cliffhangers - then this is definitely the show for you!
White House Farm
Following one of the more famous crime cases in British history, White House Farm is every bit the edge-of-your-seat drama that the cast suggests it will be. And whether you’re familiar with the original case or not, the acting from the likes of Freddie Fox (Worried About The Boy), Gemma Whelan (Game Of Thrones) and Stephen Graham (Line Of Duty) is of such an impeccable quality, it’ll leave you thinking about each nuance of the case long after you’ve finished watching.
Despite being set in the mid-eighties, the subject themes are still just as relevant today. So, when you put a star-studded cast and a compelling storyline together, the recipe for success is there for all to see. Hear enough and want to check it out for yourself? Well head over to the ITV Hub for a slice of the action.
Deadwater Fell
Channel 4’s Deadwater Fell is “basically Broadchurch in Scotland” said Lucy Mangan in The Guardian and if you’ve seen the ITV hit, you’ll know that it’s some compliment. This four-part dark crime thriller starring David Tennant, Cush Jumbo, Matthew McNulty and Anna Madeley is gripping from minute-one, right until it’s finale. As a house fire devastates a close-knit community, after a seemingly happy family dies in the blaze. And as with all great police dramas, there are many suspects in the frame.
Want to see what the fuss is all about for yourself? Then head over to All 4 and join the ride. There’s no doubt you’ll be left wanting more throughout this short, but sweet thriller.
Happy Valley
Filming has begun on the third and final series of Sally Wainwright’s, multi-BAFTA award-winning BBC drama and it’s bittersweet to say the least! Sarah Lancashire returns to her iconic role of Sergeant Catherine Cawood for six new episodes. But, just how will the gripping police drama reach its finale? We’re still not sure. What we do know is - cliffhangers will definitely be on the menu.
Whether you’ve followed it from the beginning, or you’re joining for the first time, BBC iPlayer is the place to find out how the action draws to a close. We’ll be sad to see it end but as the saying goes “don’t be sad it’s over, but be grateful it happened at all” - and that’s exactly how we feel about this!
What do you think of our list? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, or if you have more to say, email us - we'd love to hear from you!