MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > British crime dramas

British crime dramas

posted 6 years ago by GlenEllyn (21244)
41 replies | jump to latest

I came across this today. I admit to being a bit of an Anglophile – okay, maybe it’s more than a bit. I was a bit surprised to see how many of these I’ve watched.

1. Inspector Morse (1987-2000) Yes, first British crime drama I saw.
2. Foyle’s War (2002-15) Yes
3. Line of Duty (2012-) No
4. Endeavour (2012) Yes
5. Happy Valley (2014-) Yes
6. Vera (2011-) Yes
7. Miss Marple (1984-1992) Not yet, but plan to.
8. Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989-2013) Not yet, but plan to.
9. Shetland (2013-) Yes
10. A Touch of Frost (1992-2010) Yes
11. Midsomer Murders (1997-) Currently making my way through this one.
12. Lewis (2006-2015) Yes
13. Prime Suspect (1991-2006) Yes
14. New Tricks (2003-2015) No
15. Broadchurch (2013-17) 1st season only
16. Inspector George Gently (2006-17) Yes
17. Life on Mars (2006-7) No
18. Scott & Bailey (2011-16) No
19. Taggart (1985-2010) No
20. Strike (2017-) No

Which of these have you watched?

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2018-07-03/inspector-morse-named-the-greatest-british-crime-drama-of-all-time/

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I am a big fan of Uk drama also. seen the following:

line of duty
happy valley
poirot
shetland
broadchurch

others not listed

the fall
hinterland
marcella
doctor foster
the adventures of sherlock holmes
luther
top of the lake
wallander

[–] GlenEllyn (21244) 6 years ago

I think I read somewhere that Hinterland was on the "ballot" of 50 choices. I like it and I've seen the first season, started the second one, and hoping it won't be too long before the third one shows up on Netflix. I'm also waiting for the 4th season of Shetland. Love that show. I've seen all of Wallander, too. Good show - about as dark as I can go though. Another one I like is DCI Banks.

[–] easyrider (26) 6 years ago

Love the Brit Series.. .watched Marcella a couple of weeks ago! NOT a rollicking comedy!!!! Watched Hinterland, etc. Will not watch Sherlock Holmes.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is the 1980s series with Jeremy Brett as Holmes. Brett's portrayal is the best imo.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 6 years ago

Indeed hownos!! My opinion as well. My "first" screen Holmes is Rathbone, and I never thought ANYONE could top him, but Brett did and does. Superb actor in an utterly nuanced role.

I much love the CBS show "Elementary" with Jonny Lee Miller a SH. It's a cute show, but we are speaking of the Brits.
I tried, once, to watch Cumberbatch's iteration, but sadly, it stunk. He is way too hammy.

[–] GlenEllyn (21244) 6 years ago

I didn't care for Sherlock. I thought that the way Cumberbatch played him, he came across as arrogant and condescending. I think I got through 2 episodes before moving on to something else.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

WHAAA??? You left out Sherlock, one of the best series of all time????????????

😲

[–] GlenEllyn (21244) 6 years ago

Hey, it wasn't my list. Sherlock may have been on the "ballot" of 50 shows on which Brits voted.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Well okay then.

😎

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

You have to watch Poirot - one of my favorite shows of all time.

[–] Stratego (29549) 6 years ago

Poirot (probably my favourite), Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders. I've also seen quite a few of A Touch of Frost and New Tricks. A bit of Inspector Morse because my parents used to watch it, but I was never really a fan myself.

And also a few that aren't on the list.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

we agree on something.

[–] Stratego (29549) 6 years ago

Is this really the first time???

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Bryan Adams more or less.

[–] Stratego (29549) 6 years ago

Then we agree on TWO things! High five!🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

what is the next Poirot episode you are watching ??

[–] Stratego (29549) 6 years ago

Yesterday I watched "The Underdog".

[–] GlenEllyn (21244) 6 years ago

I was actually a bit surprised that Morse was #1. And surprised that Sherlock didn't make the top 20. I think Morse is an acquired taste these days. The plots were well done, but Morse himself was not necessarily likable, and some folks can't deal with its nearly non-existent technology (compared to today, of course). I watched most episodes several times in order to understand everything. It was the first British crime drama I watched.

[–] slimone (7996) 6 years ago

I've seen all of them except 3,5,17,18,20. Also a show called Trial and Retribution, and Cadfael, Luther, Wire in the Blood, Sherlock, Wallander, Poirot, Inspector Lynley, and Waking the Dead. Can't say I have a favorite. They were all excellent.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 6 years ago

LOVE THEM!
Morse
Lewis
Frost
Marple
Lynley
Foyle (not my fav)
Prime Suspect
Christie
Endeavor ( EXCELLENT)
Midsommer Murders
Masterpiece Theatre
Taggart _ is that the Scottish Coroner?
Cracker - our favorite Hogwart's Giant!
Poirot
Father Brown
Sherlock Holmes with the amazing Jeremy Brett - the best Holmes ever
Miss Fisher - saw only one an really disliked it
The Missing - only saw one
??? -can't remember the name, but the lead was a pregnant woman , who later has found out her small child is autistic

[–] easyrider (26) 6 years ago

I watched a few Miss Fisher episodes, then quit after she kept humping all the weird guys.....

[–] lennonforever (2453) 6 years ago

Yeah, did not like her nor the time period and isn't it Australia?

[–] croft_alice (12180) 6 years ago

Miss Marple
Sherlock
Midsomer Murders

[–] kspkap (13185) 6 years ago

Re: Inspector Morse
I cried at the end of “A Remorseful Day” (his name inserted into the title)😢. Morse definitely was a curmudgeon, but I liked him.

BTW, I subscribe to the Acorn TV channel.

[–] GlenEllyn (21244) 6 years ago

I watched the whole series about 9 years after it was first broadcast and not knowing that [spoiler]Morse dies at the end,[/spoiler] as soon as I saw the title, I had a feeling...yes, very moving episode.

[–] kspkap (13185) 6 years ago

I’m currently watching Endeavor, S-5 on my iPad using the local PBS app. In order to watch any I’ve missed from prior seasons I have to subscribe (pay) to Passport. My satellite, ROKU apps, & iPad apps are taking a big chunk out of my pocketbook so I won’t subscribe. CBS is charging now.

Re: Trial & Retribution, I’ve watched everyone. Why?🤷‍♀️ I don’t know because I can’t stand the in your face, chain smoking lead actor. The blonde b——h needs to be b—-h slapped! I suppose it was the stories that made me tune in to the program.

I definitely enjoyed Miss Fisher, Midsomer Murders (surprised anyone’s left alive! prefer John Nettles over Neil Dudgeon), Poirot, Foyle, Father Brown, Dr. Blake Mysteries (Aussie drama, love that accent!) not a fan of the new Sherlock, I keep seeing Cumberbatch as Khan and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins!

[–] lennonforever (2453) 6 years ago

We are watching Endeavor, well, just finished up with last season's last ep. Evans and Allam and all the cast are just so
exceptional! American ANYTHING just cannot compare to these shows. Yes,I realize we get the best of the best shows on PBS, but they are amazingly brilliant.

[–] kspkap (13185) 6 years ago

I subscribe to Netflix (Streaming & DVD), Amazon Prime, and The Acorn Channel. Between the three I can usually find something to watch...prefer the mysteries. I went into withdrawal after binge watching & finishing “Downton Abbey”! Those Brits sure know how to do drama! The cinematography is wonderful...the countrysides and the decades old huge homes/mansions. So many portraits on the walls. I’m just grateful sub-titles or CC is available otherwise I wouldn’t be able to understand the dialogue.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 6 years ago

Oh for sure! I wasn't interested in "Abbey" but 40 years ago, I watched the quintessential Brit drama that started it all- "Upstairs, Downstairs" probably the sort of prequel to Abbey ( not really, but same premise, elite and the servants).

You are so right about the settings, the mansions, the countryside, the EVERYTHING! SUPERIOR to ANYTHING the US can muster, even on the finest day.

Per CC - watching with is a must! We do that with just about anything at all.