Best British Thriller TV Shows

This page is updated regularly. Subscribe, so you don't miss new recommendations. The list of "Best British Thriller TV Shows" contains films with the following parameters. Style: captivating, detective, serious, crime drama, tense and suspenseful. Plot: investigation, murder, murder mystery, police, criminal, police investigation, feminist, deadly, serial killer and danger. Genre: Thriller, Drama and Crime. Country: UK, USA and France.
Best British Thriller TV Shows
Best British Thriller TV Shows
TOP TV Shows: Taboo (2017), The Take (2009), Des (2020), Strike (2017), The Escape Artist (2013), Luther (2010), The Fall (2013), Traces (2019), The Night Manager (2016), Doctor Foster (2015), Sherlock (2010), Death in Paradise (2011), Prison Break (2005), The Stranger (2020), Liar (2017), Gold Digger (2019), Rillington Place (2016), Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989), Riviera (2017), Inside No. 9 (2014).

List of Best TV Shows

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
 8.3
 148K
Taboo (2017)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 59 min.
TV show
Story: Adventurer James Keziah Delaney returns to London from Africa in 1814 along with fourteen stolen diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father.
Style: serious, suspenseful, disturbing, stylized, rough ...
Plot: murder, british empire, family business, dark secret, incest overtones, brother sister incest, witchcraft, greed, investigation, conspiracy, homecoming, obsession ...
Time: 19th century, 1810s, georgian era, victorian era, regency period
Place: england, britain, syria, united kingdom, london ...
Is relevant ?
 7.7
 9K
The Take (2009)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 180 min.
TV show
Story: Freddie Jackson is just out of prison. He's done his time, made the right connections and now he's ready to use them. His wife Jackie dreams of having her husband home but she's forgotten the rows and the girls Freddie can't ...
Style: serious, captivating, rough, bleak, realistic ...
Audience: boys' night
Plot: mob boss, mafia, respect, power struggle, relatives, british, betrayal, criminal heroes, gangster, crime boss, ex convict, victim ...
Time: 80s, 20th century, 90s
Place: england, london, east end london
Is relevant ?
 7.6
 20K
Des (2020)
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 143 min.
TV show
Story: The story of one of the most infamous cases in UK criminal history, that of serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Told through the prism of three men, the series explores the personal and professional consequences of coming into contact with a man like ...
Style: detective, tense, suspense, suspenseful, disturbing ...
Plot: true crime, serial killer, detective inspector, police, murder, gay interest, murderer, death, chase, police investigation, murder investigation, who done it ...
Time: 80s, year 1983
Place: united kingdom, london
Is relevant ?
 7.9
 24K
Strike (2017)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: A war veteran turned private detective operates out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Although wounded both physically and psychologically, his unique insight and background as a military police investigator prove crucial in solving ...
Style: detective, tense, suspenseful, serious, talky ...
Plot: investigation, private detective, multiple suspects, female partner, mind game, private investigator, danger, antisocial behavior, police investigation, riddles and clues, misfit, alienation ...
Time: future, 2010s
Place: oxford university, united kingdom, britain, london, england
Is relevant ?
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The Escape Artist (2013)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 180 min.
TV show
Story: A chilling and bloody legal thriller that explores the line between law and justice. Will Burton, a talented junior barrister of peerless intellect and winning charm, specialises in spiriting people out of tight legal corners. He is in high demand ...
Style: serious, tense, suspenseful, intellectual, detective ...
Audience: teens
Plot: legal, lawyer, lawsuit, hotshot lawyer, courtroom drama, lawyers and clients, law firm, murder, revenge, danger, jury, mistrust ...
Time: 21st century
Place: england, scotland, london
Is relevant ?
 8.4
 153K
Luther (2010)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: A dark psychological crime drama starring Idris Elba as Luther, a man struggling with his own terrible demons, who might be as dangerous as the depraved murderers he hunts.
Style: detective, psychological thriller, atmospheric, tense, rough ...
Audience: boys' night
Plot: uncover truth, murder, talented, police detective, police investigation, psychopath, police, forensics, crime investigation, law enforcement, tough law enforcer, cop ...
Time: 2000s, 2010s, 21st century
Place: london, england, united kingdom, europe
Is relevant ?
 8.1
 118K
The Fall (2013)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: When the Police Service of Northern Ireland are unable to close a case after 28 days, Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson of the Metropolitan Police Service is called in to review the case. Under her new leadership, the local detectives must ...
Style: psychological thriller, psychological, captivating, serious, tense ...
Plot: serial killer, female detective, police detective, police investigation, policewoman, forensics, victim, crime investigation, violence against women, police, cop, female protagonist ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: ireland, europe, northern ireland, united kingdom, belfast
Is relevant ?
 7.0
 6K
Traces (2019)
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 45 min.
TV show
Story: Set against the stunning Scottish landscape in and around Dundee, three compelling female characters — Emma Hedges, Prof. Sarah Gordon and Prof. Kathy Torrance — join forces to uncover the truth about an unsolved murder case that's very ...
Style: detective, atmospheric, disturbing, captivating, tense ...
Plot: murder, police investigation, escapades, danger, friendship, destiny, society, disorder, forensics, forensic, police officer, criminal ...
Place: scotland
Is relevant ?
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The Night Manager (2016)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 346 min.
TV show
Story: Former British soldier Jonathan Pine navigates the shadowy recesses of Whitehall and Washington where an unholy alliance operates between the intelligence community and the secret arms trade. To infiltrate the inner circle of lethal arms dealer ...
Style: serious, suspense, tense, realistic, suspenseful ...
Audience: boys' night, teens
Plot: espionage, spy, arms dealer, undercover, corruption, working undercover, secret service, arms dealing, british secret service, violent, betrayal, murder ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: europe, switzerland, morocco, spain, london ...
Is relevant ?
 7.6
 22K
Doctor Foster (2015)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: A woman suspects her husband of having an affair. After following several lines of inquiry far more unravels including a streak of violence below the surface.
Style: emotional, captivating, serious, tense, realistic ...
Plot: extramarital affair, adultery, female protagonist, infidelity, mature woman, life turned upside down, husband wife relationship, female doctor, couple relations, family relations, love and romance, family problems ...
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
 9.1
 990K
Sherlock (2010)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 88 min.
TV show
Story: A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.
Style: clever, detective, witty, captivating, serious ...
Audience: teens
Plot: sherlock holmes, investigation, private detective, murder mystery, genius, mastermind, friendship, british, murder, mind game, riddles and clues, prodigy ...
Time: 2000s, 2010s, 21st century
Place: london, england, scotland yard, afghanistan, britain ...
Is relevant ?
Death in Paradise (2011)
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, France
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Detective Inspector Richard Poole is transferred to Sainte Marie, an island in the Caribbean. Totally unsuited to the Caribbean way of life, Richard hates the sun, sea and sand and isn't used to the Sainte Marie style of policing. Working with ...
Style: realistic, captivating, stylized, semi serious, detective ...
Plot: investigation, police detective, police investigation, lifestyle change, murder, island, whodunit, investigator, suspicion, new job, multiple suspects, murder investigation ...
Time: 2010s, 2020s, 21st century
Place: caribbean, fictional island
Is relevant ?
 8.3
 575K
Prison Break (2005)
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 44 min.
TV show
Story: Due to a political conspiracy, an innocent man is sent to death row and his only hope is his brother, who makes it his mission to deliberately get himself sent to the same prison in order to break the both of them out, from the inside out.
Style: exciting, tense, suspenseful, serious, realistic ...
Audience: boys' night, teens
Plot: prison, fugitives, escape, prison life, conspiracy, determination, confined, fbi, scheme, brother, self sacrifice, siblings relations ...
Time: 2010s, 2000s, 21st century
Place: chicago, california, texas, usa
Is relevant ?
 7.3
 60K
The Stranger (2020)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 363 min.
TV show
Story: A web of secrets sends family man Adam Price on a desperate quest to uncover the truth about the people closest to him.
Style: mind bending, clever, detective, serious, realistic ...
Audience: chick flick, boys' night
Plot: riddles and clues, mysterious stranger, infidelity, hacker, husband wife relationship, drug use, memory loss, high school football, secrets, betrayal, family relations, investigation ...
Time: future, 21st century
Is relevant ?
 7.1
 11K
Liar (2017)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 45 min.
TV show
Story: A teacher and a surgeon are rocked by scandalous accusations after they enjoy a seemingly innocent date.
Style: psychological thriller, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, tense ...
Plot: liar, accusation, british police, police, investigation, police investigation, female police detective, rape accusation, single parent, surgeon, ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship, couples ...
Time: 2010s
Is relevant ?
 6.7
 3K
Gold Digger (2019)
Genre: Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Gold Digger tells the story of wealthy 60 year old Julia as she falls in love with Benjamin, a man 25 years her junior. As this six part series progresses the impact their unconventional relationship has on her family is explored and the secrets of ...
Style: suspense, captivating, enigmatic, psychological thriller, scenic
Plot: older woman younger man relationship, parents and children, lie, love and romance, money, rivalry, betrayal, mental disorder, feminist, desire, distopia, lgbt ...
Place: london
Is relevant ?
Rillington Place (2016)
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 58 min.
TV show
Story: In 1950, Timothy Evans was hanged for the murder of his baby daughter Geraldine. The police also believed that he had killed his wife Beryl. But to his final moments Evans protested his innocence. Three years later, a gruesome discovery at 10 ...
Style: bleak, melancholic, realistic, dark, atmospheric ...
Plot: serial killer, true crime, murder, mentally unstable, hidden identity, british, murderer, criminal, male female relationship, psycho killer, investigation, killer ...
Time: 1940s, 1950s, 20th century
Place: england, london
Is relevant ?
Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min.
TV show
Story: From England to Egypt, accompanied by his elegant and trustworthy sidekicks, the intelligent yet eccentrically-refined Belgian detective Hercule Poirot pits his wits against a collection of first class deceptions.
Style: clever, detective, realistic, captivating, serious ...
Audience: kids
Plot: private detective, investigation, whodunit, murder, murder mystery, who done it, private investigator, murder investigation, danger, multiple suspects, uncover truth, riddles and clues ...
Time: 1930s, 20th century
Place: england, united kingdom, london
Is relevant ?
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 6.7
 9K
Riviera (2017)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: After newlywed Georgina's billionaire husband Constantine is killed in a yacht explosion, she is shocked to discover the fortune and lifestyle he maintained was surrounded by violence, lies and murder. She soon must step out of her comfort zone ...
Style: emotional, captivating, disturbing, serious, exciting
Audience: chick flick, girls' night
Plot: murder, female protagonist, money laundering, blackmail, deception, obsession, secrets, organized crime, false identity, husband wife relationship, forgery, female nudity ...
Time: 21st century
Place: french riviera
Is relevant ?
 8.5
 19K
Inside No. 9 (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min.
TV show
Story: An anthology of darkly comic twisted tales, each one taking place behind a door marked 'number 9'.
Style: anthology, surreal, offbeat, semi serious, psychological thriller ...
Plot: supernatural, surprising revelation, surrealism, dark humor, hotel room, impostor, mission, mental illness, storytelling, halloween, satire, illness ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: london, england, britain
Is relevant ?
Apple Tree Yard (2017)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 230 min.
TV show
Story: Dr. Yvonne Carmichael has a high-flying career, a beautiful home, and a loving family. But appearances can be deceptive, and when she is approached by a charismatic stranger, she soon finds herself taking risks that she had never dreamt of before.
Style: psychological, touching, captivating, sincere, art house ...
Plot: lost love, british government, female scientist, rape victim, married, scientist, rape, mental disorder, lover lover relationship, brutal murder, murder trial, rapist ...
Is relevant ?
 7.3
 10K
Baptiste (2019)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: Julien Baptiste delves into the criminal underworld of the red light district and uncovers a complex web of deceit and lies.
Style: detective, captivating, exciting, suspenseful, suspense ...
Audience: boys' night, chick flick
Plot: murder, private detective, criminal underworld, investigation, gangster, retired cop, missing girl, niece, hitman, dutch mafia, danger, human trafficking ...
Time: 21st century
Place: england, amsterdam
Is relevant ?
 7.9
 23K
The Capture (2019)
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: When soldier Shaun Emery's conviction for a murder in Afghanistan is overturned due to flawed video evidence, he returns to life as a free man with his young daughter. But when damning CCTV footage from a night out in London comes to light, ...
Style: suspense, captivating, detective, crime drama, intense ...
Plot: investigation, twists and turns, murder, capture, police, stalking, evidence, police officer, suspicion of murder, ex soldier, lawyer, forensics ...
Time: future
Is relevant ?
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 7.8
 16K
Wallander (2008)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, Sweden, Germany, USA
Duration: 90 min.
TV show
Story: This drama follows Inspector Kurt Wallander – a middle-aged everyman – as he struggles against a rising tide of violence in the apparently sleepy backwaters in and around Ystad in Skane, southern Sweden. Based on the international best-selling ...
Style: bleak, detective, tense, suspenseful, psychological ...
Plot: police detective, murder investigation, police investigation, police, loneliness, whodunit, life is a bitch, small town, depression, drinking problem, nordic, murder mystery ...
Time: future, 2000s, 2010s, 21st century
Place: scandinavia
Is relevant ?
And Then There Were None (2015)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 172 min.
TV show
Story: Ten strangers, drawn away from their normal lives to an isolated rock off the Devon coast. But as the mismatched group waits for the arrival of the hosts – the improbably named Mr and Mrs U.N. Owen – the weather sours and they find themselves ...
Style: twist ending, suspense, psychological, suspenseful, talky ...
Plot: murder mystery, whodunit, island, isolation, plot twist, murder, survival, investigation, bully comeuppance, trapped, accusation, death ...
Time: 1930s, year 1939, 20th century
Place: britain, united kingdom, europe, england
Is relevant ?
 8.1
 67K
Slow Horses (2022)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
TV show
Story: This quick-witted spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
Style: disturbing, tense, funny, captivating, crime thriller ...
Plot: reconnaissance, team, crime investigation, agent, cia agent, misfit, secret agent, prospector, investigation, espionage, british intelligence, unlikely hero ...
Time: future, 2020s
Place: london, england, united kingdom, britain
Is relevant ?
 7.3
 2K
Exile (2011)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 180 min.
TV show
Story: Exile is a British psychological thriller television series dealing with the topic of Alzheimer's disease against a background of corruption. It stars John Simm and Jim Broadbent and was broadcast on BBC One. The series received varyingly ...
Style: psychological, tense, realistic, serious, captivating ...
Plot: parents and children, mental illness, homecoming, haunted by the past, family relations, life is a bitch, life turned upside down, mental health, murder mystery, investigation, father son relationship, dementia ...
Time: 21st century
Place: england, europe
Is relevant ?
 8.7
 634K
Black Mirror (2011)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story: A contemporary British re-working of The Twilight Zone with stories that tap into the collective unease about our modern world.  Over the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to ...
Style: serious, philosophical, thought provoking, anthology, clever ...
Audience: teens, family friendly
Plot: technology, dystopia, twists and turns, human nature, satire, dystopian future, social decay, society, computers and web, media satire, alternate reality, media ...
Time: future, 2010s, near future
Place: england, london
Is relevant ?
McDonald & Dodds (2020)
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min.
TV show
Story: Two detectives, DCI McDonald and DS Dodds, who seemingly have nothing in common, are thrown together and forge a rumbustious friendship and entertaining partnership in this two-part British detective drama miniseries set in modern-day Bath.
Style: tense, detective, suspense, disturbing, intellectual ...
Plot: female police detective, police, law enforcement, odd couple, police detective, murder mystery, detective sergeant, partner, who done it, partners against crime, friendship, uncover truth ...
Time: future
Place: europe
Is relevant ?
 8.5
 64K
Happy Valley (2014)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 1059 min.
TV show
Story: Happy Valley is a dark, funny, multi-layered thriller revolving around the personal and professional life of Catherine, a dedicated, experienced, hard-working copper. She is also a bereaved mother who looks after her orphaned grandchild.
Style: serious, tense, detective, realistic, suspenseful ...
Plot: policewoman, police investigation, police, police protagonist, investigator, kidnapping, investigation, british police, whodunit, law enforcement, criminal, police station ...
Time: 2010s, 2020s, 21st century
Place: yorkshire, england, northern england
Is relevant ?
Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
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