BRITISH POLICE PROCEDURALS

You know how it goes…after a long day at work, you settle in on your couch for the evening. Maybe you pour a glass of wine, maybe a nice cup of tea, and you flip to an hourlong drama on your streaming platform du jour. But that’s when it happens. You hear the plucky young police detective call her commanding officer “boss” or, even worse, “sarge.” 

It’s a record scratch to your ears on what was supposed to be a relaxing evening in. Why can’t American drama series be a little more…quaint? A little more…pleasant to the ears? A little more…British? 

I asked myself the same question about a decade ago when one too many SVU episodes left my thirst for soothing mysteries with tidily wrapped up plotlines unquenched. And that’s when I discovered them…the type of series that would become the heavily accented answer to my prayers: the British police procedural. Why do I love these programmes to the point of obsession? Just a few reasons…

Job Titles

You won’t find any “sarge”s in a British police station. Instead, there are adorably named detective inspectors (DIs for short) and detective superintendents (DSs). Do they call their supervisor “boss”? Sometimes. But they’re far more likely to refer to them as “the gaffer” or “guv”. I mean…it’s so precious, right?

British Slang

Prepare yourself to be lulled into serenity by the dulcet tones of a plucky young DI asking her partner if he “fancies a cuppa” or wants to “pop down to the chippy” for some nourishment while they review a seemingly endless barrage of CCTV footage. 

Real-Looking People

Nary a veneer nor a botoxed forehead will grace your screen in a British police drama. It’s a refreshing respite from the torrent of nip-tucks on American TV.

Grounded Storytelling

You know when an American TV drama has run for more than a few seasons, how the stories become more and more unhinged? (I’m looking at you, Gray’s Anatomy) Rarely do British programmes continue beyond 2-3 seasons, challenging the writers to do some serious character building and storytelling in a shorter period of time. The result? Brilliantly unfolding mysteries with complex characters.

Serious Acting Chops

This is my impression of our conversation while you watch a British police procedural:

You: “Wait, is that that one guy from [insert prestige TV drama from the last 5-10 years]?” 

Me: YES

You: “Shut up! Is that Olivia Colman before she won an Oscar?” 

Me: YUP

You: “OMG! Is that that one lady who always plays the British lady in all the things?” 

Me: UH HUH

‘Nuff said.  

“Well gosh Shannon, you make a compelling argument, but there are so many…where should I start?” 

Well, dear reader, I’m glad you asked. Here’s a rundown of some of my faves, innit?

  • The Fall: Detective Superintendent Gillian Anderson vs. serial killer Jamie Dornan in a dark, sexy cat and mouse game. Watch it on Amazon Prime.

  • Broadchurch: Olivia Colman before her Oscar and David Tennant at his brooding best solving a child murder that rocks a small town. Watch it on Tubi.

  • Luther: Idris Elba might be a bad guy himself as he embarks on a self-destrictive journey to rid London of bad guys. Watch it on Hulu.

  • The Tunnel: A body is found in the Chunnel on the border of England and France. Two detectives - a grumpy old British man and a brilliant young Frenchwoman - must put aside cultural differences to solve it. Watch it on AMC+

  • Line of Duty: Binge-worthy British police drama at its best. A fictional internal affairs police unit investigates their own, taking down - in the show’s parlance - “bent coppers.” Watch seasons 1-4 on Amazon Prime, season 5 on AcornTV and season 6 on BritBox

  • Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes. It’s a no brainer. Watch it on Hulu.

Honorable Mentions: 

  • C.B. Strike

  • Collateral

  • Dept Q

  • Marcella

  • Criminal: United Kingdom

  • Scandinavian police procedurals (but that shit gets…dark) 

So pop on the kettle, grab a cuppa and turn on the telly for an addictive exploration of some of the best TV Britain has to offer. 

CSG Studio