Whether you prefer gritty British police procedurals, Scandi noir, or sprawling US crime epics, there has never been a better time to be a crime drama fan in the UK. The challenge is knowing what to watch next — and where to watch it.
With Apollo Group TV UK, you have access to 55,000+ channels and 180,000+ on-demand titles, meaning virtually every critically acclaimed crime series is within reach. Here are our top picks for 2026.
The Best Crime Shows to Stream in the UK Right Now
The Responder
Intense British crime drama starring Martin Freeman as a morally compromised Liverpool police officer navigating corruption and personal crisis. Raw, brilliant, unmissable.
Happy Valley
Sally Wainwright's masterpiece. Three series of compulsive Yorkshire crime drama — Catherine Cawood is one of the greatest characters in British TV history.
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Gary Oldman leads this exceptional spy-thriller from Mick Herron's Slough House novels. Witty, tense and far superior to most British drama of the last decade.
The Wire (HBO)
If you haven't watched The Wire, stop everything. The definitive American crime drama — five seasons of unmatched storytelling about Baltimore's drug trade, police and politics.
Sherwood
A double murder in a former mining community reignites old wounds. This BBC two-part drama is one of the finest pieces of British TV in recent years.
True Detective: Night Country
Season 4 of the anthology series sends Jodie Foster to the Alaskan tundra for a bleak, atmospheric investigation that divides opinion but demands to be watched.
The Diplomat (Netflix)
A political thriller about a US ambassador to the UK — fast-paced, sharp writing, and genuinely funny between the tension. Season 2 delivered on every promise.
Broadchurch
ITV's defining drama. A child's murder in a Dorset seaside town. Three brilliant series that made Olivia Colman a household name globally.
Why Crime Drama Dominates UK Streaming Right Now
British crime drama has experienced a genuine golden age over the past decade. Shows like Happy Valley, Sherwood and The Responder are internationally acclaimed precisely because they do something US crime shows rarely achieve — they root the crime in specific place and community, making the social context as gripping as the investigation itself.
For UK viewers, there is the additional pleasure of recognition: the landscapes, the accents, the institutions, and the specific anxieties of contemporary British life. Few genres feel quite as distinctly British as the crime drama.
Where to Watch All of These in the UK
The frustration with modern streaming is fragmentation — Happy Valley is on BBC iPlayer, Slow Horses on Apple TV+, True Detective on HBO, The Wire on a different platform. Following your favorite shows increasingly means subscribing to five or six services simultaneously.
Apollo Group TV solves this problem. A single subscription gives you access to all UK broadcast channels, HBO, international streaming content, and an enormous on-demand library — so you never need to ask "what platform is that on?" again. Plans start from just $19.99/month.
What to Watch Next: Our Quick Picks by Mood
- For intense British realism: Happy Valley, The Responder, Sherwood
- For clever, witty spy-crime: Slow Horses, The Diplomat
- For long-form American prestige: The Wire, True Detective
- For cosy British crime: Broadchurch, Vera, Midsomer Murders
- For twisty modern thrillers: Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Trigger Point
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Happy Valley in the UK?
Happy Valley is available on BBC iPlayer. With Apollo Group TV, you get access to BBC iPlayer content through live BBC channels and catch-up, included in every plan.
Is Slow Horses available in the UK?
Slow Horses is an Apple TV+ original. Apollo Group TV's VOD library includes a wide range of international content — contact our support team via WhatsApp to check current availability.
Can I watch US crime shows like The Wire on Apollo Group TV?
Yes. Apollo Group TV's 180,000+ VOD library includes an extensive selection of US crime dramas including classics like The Wire, The Sopranos, and The Shield.
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