TV & Movies
8 Shows Like Line Of Duty For When You're Interested In One Thing & One Thing Only
With all the twists and turns you’re after in a good police drama.
As crime dramas go, the UK boasts some of the best of the genre (not up for the debate, in my opinion). BBC One’s Line Of Duty currently has the nation gripped as the series returned after an extended hiatus due to the pandemic. With AC-12 back to chasing bent coppers and rooting out corruption, it’s safe to say the thirst for crime dramas is at an all-time high. For crime buffs and hardcore “whodunnit?” enthusiasts, here are 8 British crime shows for fans of Line Of Duty.
Starring Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, Line Of Duty fans have been gripped (and sometimes puzzled) by the current series, which was heavily delayed due to the pandemic. So far, it’s been as epic as expected — however, with only a few episodes left, many are wondering which shows could possibly fill the LOD-shaped hole in their lives again. Luckily, there's a strong roster of British police crime dramas to keep you guessing, gripped, and downright terrified available at the moment. What’s more, some of the best amongst the best are more than a couple of seasons deep, meaning your binge-watching schedule could last more than a few days.
To start you off, here are 8 British crime shows perfect for fans of Line Of Duty.
Unforgotten
Chock full of twists and turns, ITV crime drama Unforgotten is famed for its didn’t-see-it-coming endings. Starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar as detectives Cassie Stuart and Sunil 'Sunny' Khan, the duo uncover gruesome murders that have remained unsolved for decades — and again, you just never see the twists coming. Series 4 of the BAFTA-winning detective series kicked off earlier this year, with another already confirmed.
Broadchurch
Set in a small Dorset seaside town, ITV BAFTA-winning Broadchurch sees detectives Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and Alec Hardy (David Tennant) attempt to solve the mysterious murder of a young boy. With two acting heavy-weights in tow, the hugely gripping series has a legion of fans. The fourth and final season of the drama aired last year and it’s more than worth watching from the beginning.
Happy Valley
It’s been close to five years since the second series of BBC One’s Happy Valley wrapped and signs say the wait for new episodes is almost over. Starring veteran actor Sarah Lancashire, the Yorkshire crime drama sees “strong-willed” police sergeant Catherine Cawood try to come to terms with her daughter's suicide. As the synopsis goes, just as she seems to be getting back on top of her life, she spots the man she believes drove her daughter to the brink. Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright says it’s likely Series 3 could air in 2022, until then it’s worth a re-watch.
Marcella
Anna Friel stars as a troubled but talented detective in the award-winning Scandi-noir-style drama series Marcella. Between investigating gruesome murders, dealing with a philandering husband, and a very dramatic new haircut in Series 3, it’s safe to say Marcella tends to have a lot on her plate throughout the show.
Bloodlands
James Nesbitt stars as a Northern Irish police detective on the hunt for a serial killer in the BBC 1 series Bloodlands. For starters, it’s been executive produced by Jed Mecurio, the man behind Line of Duty, so already a strong option for LOD fans. The new crime series aired earlier this year and saw the police detective grapple with a chilling old case. The Bloodlands series contains some serious WTF plot twists, perfect for those thirsting for a strong new whodunnit.
The Bay
Starring Morven Christie, ITV’s The Bay returned for season 2 earlier this year with a shocking new murder mystery to solve — it was a highly-anticipated return with more than a 7.2million people said to have watched the first series. Amongst the coastal backdrop, Christie plays Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong a family liaison’s office assigned to missing person’s cases. Filming for season 3 is already underway, however, Cobra star Marsha Thomason is set to replace Morven Christie in the drama.
Honour
For those who prefer true crime, Honour is a must-watch. Honour is a two-part crime drama telling the harrowing true story of Banaz Mahmood, an Iraqi Kurdish woman who was murdered by family after she left her abusive marriage for another man. The chilling series stars Keeley Hawes as DCI Caroline Goode, the officer who investigated the case. Line of Duty fans will remember Hawes’ star turn as DI Lindsay Denton in Series 2 & 3.
The Fall
Two words: Gillian Anderson. The celebrated actor is more than enough reason to watch The Fall but the jumpy plot has also kept fans gripped. Also starring Jamie Dornan, The Fall is a psychological thriller set in Northern Ireland. Anderson plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson who, per the synopsis, “battles her own personal demons as she tries to get into the head of a serial killer hiding behind a family-man facade.”
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