No Room For Disappointment
Every great show needs a clear start and a strong end. BritBox specializes in this by offering short, excellent series packed with drama and excitement.
The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe
John Darwin faked his death in 2002 by vanishing during a canoe trip and left behind mounting debts and a staged obituary. The show reveals the absurdity of the hoax and Anne’s silent role as the wife. Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan portray the couple with remarkable control and precision.
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe - trailer HD by Cinefeel
Des
Rather than showing violence, the miniseries focuses on Dennis Nilsen’s psychology and police interviews. Nilsen confessed to killing multiple young men between 1978 and 1983. David Tennant’s restrained portrayal, shaped by Brian Masters’ book Killing for Company, earned him an International Emmy for his performance.
Des - It's a relief to get this off my chest by Silent Bird
The Beast Must Die
Frances Cairnes loses her son in a hit-and-run and poses as a novelist to infiltrate the suspected killer’s home. Based on the 1938 novel by Cecil Day-Lewis, the series blends psychological suspense with visual darkness, and Cush Jumbo and Jared Harris deliver deeply conflicted performances.
The Beast Must Die Limited Series Trailer | Rotten Tomatoes TV by Rotten Tomatoes TV
Life In Squares
This drama explores the personal entanglements of the Bloomsbury Group, including those of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. Aired in 2015, it shifts across decades and spotlights the group’s creative innovations and taboo-breaking relationships. With rich period detail and complex intimacy, it offers a rare glimpse into early 20th-century bohemia.
Vanessa Bell – Life In Squares || Vor í Vaglaskógi by Eve'sTheBest
Three Girls
In Rochdale, teenage girls were ignored by police despite repeated reports of abuse. This series retells their fight for justice through real survivor accounts. Maxine Peake and Lesley Sharp play two of the adults who finally took action. Three Girls won five BAFTAs, including Best Miniseries in 2018.
Three Girls - BBC Player by BBC Player
Time
Jimmy McGovern’s script leans into emotional honesty by capturing the emotional cost of confinement. The show explores moral dilemmas through the eyes of a teacher struggling behind bars, which also won the 2022 BAFTA for Best Miniseries. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham deliver devastating performances that reflect the harsh reality of the system.
Time | Sean Bean and Stephen Graham prison thriller | Trailer - BBC by BBC
Sherwood
Tensions from the 1980s miners’ strikes still echo in a quiet Nottinghamshire town when two murders stir old wounds. Writer James Graham notably draws from real cases and personal roots in Sherwood. The show weaves political history with suspense, led by standout turns from Lesley Manville and David Morrissey.
Sherwood | Trailer - BBC Trailers by BBC Trailers
The Long Shadow
Toby Jones and Katherine Kelly lead a cast that favors quiet realism over sensationalism. The series earned acclaim in 2023 for its nuanced portrayal of police oversight and the atmosphere of public fear. It reframes the Yorkshire Ripper case by spotlighting the victims rather than feeding the killer’s myth.
The Long Shadow Limited Series Trailer by Rotten Tomatoes TV
A Very English Scandal
The series won a BAFTA and brought renewed interest in the real case. Hugh Grant plays Jeremy Thorpe, a politician once seen as a future prime minister, while Ben Whishaw portrays Norman Scott. Their performances explore the courtroom drama and public spectacle surrounding the attempted murder trial.
A Very English Scandal: EXCLUSIVE TRAILER (UK) | Hugh Grant | Ben Whishaw - BBC by BBC
Stonehouse
In 1974, British MP John Stonehouse faked his death to escape disgrace and debt. The series plays out with a sharp edge, especially as Matthew Macfadyen spectacularly portrays the absurdity and panic of the Stonehouse’s lies collapsing. It premiered in 2023 on ITV and quickly became a standout on BritBox.
Stonehouse | Official Trailer (2023) | C Trailer by Book Valist
Gracepoint
The quiet of a California town shatters when a young boy’s body is found on the beach. This 2014 remake of Broadchurch brings David Tennant back as a detective—but this time with an American accent. It probes grief and the limits of small-town trust in 10 long episodes.
Gracepoint Official Trailer Fall 2014 by Grace Point
The Barking Murders
Originally titled Four Lives, the series aired in 2022 and drew praise for exposing investigative failures and systemic neglect of LGBTQ+ victims. Families who demanded justice after Stephen Port killed four young gay men are at the story’s heart. Stephen Merchant’s chilling performance anchors the narrative throughout.
Karen Pirie
When a cold case reopens in St Andrews, young detective Karen Pirie is handed the file. Based on Val McDermid’s books, the show blends procedural detail with personal stakes. Emer Kenny both writes and stars in the series, which earned praise for its sharp dialogue and fresh energy.
KAREN PIRIE (ITV) TRAILER by ME GUSTA CHANNEL
Magpie Murders
A murdered author leaves behind an unfinished manuscript with clues that echo real life. Lesley Manville plays the editor-turned-investigator unraveling this clever, layered mystery. Adapted from Anthony Horowitz’s novel of the same name, the series jumps between timelines and fiction to earn acclaim for turning genre expectations inside out.
Dalgliesh
In 1970s England, a poet-detective quietly solves grisly murders while wrestling with personal grief. Adapted from PD James’s novels, the show stars Bertie Carvel and pairs stark visuals with slow-building tension. Its literary roots and meditative tone set it apart from standard crime fare.
Dalgliesh (Bertie Carvel) (2021 TV Series) Trailer I by Mystery Stories
Father Brown
Set in the 1950s Cotswolds and starring Mark Williams, the series strikes a balance between moral depth and the charm of weekly mysteries. Father Brown, a perceptive village priest, solves crimes using empathy rather than force in stories that feel comfortably familiar. But they still manage to surprise.
Father Brown (Mark Williams) (2013 TV Series) Trailer by Mystery Stories
Sister Boniface Mysteries
Premiering in 2022, the series spins off from Father Brown and leans fully into its lead’s scientific smarts and quick wit. A Vespa-riding, wine-making nun solving crimes might sound absurd, but her cheerful, offbeat world is grounded in logic and a strong central performance.
THE SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES Series One Official Trailer by Square Elephant Productions
The Tower
A fall from a London high-rise raises more questions than answers, especially for DS Sarah Collins, who finds herself unraveling both the mystery and her doubts. Adapted from Kate London’s novels, the series premiered in 2021 with Gemma Whelan leading a tightly paced investigation.
The Tower - Trailer - ITV by FanCat
Honour
Banaz Mahmod’s murder in 2006 exposed shocking police indifference to honor-based violence. Keeley Hawes plays DCI Caroline Goode, who fights to uncover the truth. Based on case files, the ITV series presents a sobering examination of institutional blind spots and the consequences of systemic failure.
Honour Season 3 | Official Trailer by Viaplay International
The Pembrokeshire Murders
Decades-old murders in rural Wales were finally solved when modern forensic methods reopened the case. Luke Evans plays DCS Steve Wilkins, who used DNA and fiber evidence to track down the killer. First aired in 2021, the series highlights breakthroughs that reshaped British cold case investigations.
The Pembrokeshire Murders | Showmax Series by Showmax
Code Of A Killer
The series explores how pioneering forensic science clashed with courtroom tradition when a double murder in Leicestershire demanded new answers. DNA fingerprinting, pioneered by Alec Jeffreys—played by John Simm—cracked the case and reshaped policing. This breakthrough represented a major turning point in criminal investigations around the world.
Code of a Killer | Two-part Drama | ITV by ITV
The Secret
Colin Howell, a respected dentist and church elder, led a deadly double life. James Nesbitt plays Howell, who confessed to killing his wife and his lover’s husband. Premiered in 2016, the show examines how charisma and deception can mask deeply calculated acts of violence.
Joan
Set in Thatcher’s Britain, Joan explores how a woman’s past shaped her path to notoriety and reinvention. Sophie Turner plays real-life thief Joan Hannington, who used crime as a means to survive in 1980s London. The 2024 drama blends grit and vulnerability across pawnshops and backstreet dealings.
Joan Official Trailer | ITV by ITV
White House Farm
What looked like a murder-suicide at an Essex farmhouse became one of Britain’s most debated criminal trials. Based on police interviews and testimony, the series focuses on shifting suspicions around Jeremy Bamber. Stephen Graham and Freddie Fox lead a cast steering through a slow-burning courtroom thriller.
White House Farm | Official Trailer | BINGE by BINGE
The Sixth Commandment
Peter Farquhar’s quiet life ended in betrayal when a former student poisoned him for control over his will. Based on actual events, this 2023 series explores emotional manipulation and the unsettling calm of its setting. Timothy Spall’s performance deservingly earned widespread critical acclaim.
The Sixth Commandment | Trailer - BBC by BBC
Outrageous
The Mitford sisters were born into privilege, but their political paths tore them apart. This 2025 series traces how six siblings spanned fascism and literary fame, all under one roof. Blending archival accuracy with cinematic flair, it revives a family drama grounded in historical shockwaves.
BritBox Original | Outrageous | BritBox by BritBox
Until I Kill You
Until I Kill You premiered in 2024 on ITV and stars Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer, a nurse who survived an attack by serial killer John Sweeney. The series recounts her ordeal and recovery by highlighting how one woman’s courage helped bring a killer to justice.
Until I Kill You | KRO-NCRV | NPO Start by NPO Start trailers
The Bay
Lisa Armstrong supports grieving families as a liaison officer in the Morecambe Bay area. The setting adds atmospheric weight, which reflects the emotional complexity of each case. Strong local characters shape the drama, which explores how tragedy and community ties unfold beside the dynamic rhythm of the tide.
The Bay | Official Trailer by BritBox
Criminal Record
A phone call reopens an old murder conviction and compels two detectives to revisit a case they view from opposing worlds. Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi bring this Apple TV and ITV co-production to life with tense energy. The show explores legacy and how the past refuses to stay quiet.
Criminal Record — Official Trailer | Apple TV+ by Apple TV
The Miniaturist
Based on Jessie Burton’s bestselling novel, this 2017 adaptation stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her breakout UK role. The series builds a tightly paced gothic mystery from secrecy and confinement. At the story’s center is a dollhouse filled with clues to a young woman’s uncertain future.
The Miniaturist Trailer by MASTERPIECE PBS
Vanity Fair
Olivia Cooke commands the screen in this 2018 adaptation of William Thackeray’s classic by blending traditional costumes with a modern rhythm. Self-aware narration and sharp direction drive Becky Sharp’s unapologetic rise. She isn’t here to play fair—only to succeed, no matter the social cost.
VANITY FAIR Official Trailer (2018) Olivia Cooke, Series HD by ONE Media
Cranford
Adapted from Elizabeth Gaskell’s novellas, Cranford portrays life in a small English town facing social change. The series strikes a balance between warmth and insight, complemented by moments of sharp humor. Judi Dench leads a rich ensemble, and every scene reflects a deep affection for both the character and the setting.
Cranford: Dramatically British! by MarylandPublicTV
North And South
This 2004 BBC adaptation brings industrial England to life through Margaret Hale’s collision with the northern mill town of Milton. Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe lead a slow-burn romance built on class tension and social change. It gained massive fan acclaim and sold strongly on DVD.
North and South (2004) Trailer by SleepingSun
Emma (2009)
Romola Garai brings both charm and layered vulnerability to the role of Emma Woodhouse, while Jonny Lee Miller grounds the story with quiet strength as Mr Knightley. The miniseries radiates visual warmth, and its four episodes skillfully trace emotional growth, a quality rarely seen in adaptations.
Emma & Knightly - won’t you stay (2009) by Elisabeth Videoedits
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
A dying man’s final words—strange and unanswered—set two amateur sleuths on a puzzling hunt. This 2022 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, directed by Hugh Laurie, balances levity with suspense. Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton lead a stylish mystery that plays smart without losing its charm.
Doctor Thorne
Characters in this three-part 2016 series break the fourth wall to explain motives and expose hidden tensions. Julian Fellowes adapts Anthony Trollope’s novel with a lighter touch, which draws out class ambitions and romantic complications. Inheritance, both financial and emotional, quietly influences every turn of the story.
Doctor Thorne Trailer - Coming Soon to DVD & Digital HD by All Out Action
The Bletchley Circle
Post-war London serves as the backdrop for four former codebreakers who apply their wartime skills to civilian crime. This 2012 series turns domestic settings into suspenseful terrain. The cast’s quiet strength and sharp instincts challenge expectations of what mystery solvers should look like—or how they should operate.
The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco | Official Trailer | BritBox Original Series by BritBox
Collision
A fatal car crash unravels into five deeply personal stories, each with secrets waiting to surface. Created by Anthony Horowitz, the 2009 series uses a single event to explore grief and unexpected connections. Each episode peels back layers by revealing how lives collide beyond the accident itself.
Collision (2009) -Miniserie- Trailer Subtitulado by SomosCritica
Quiz
A coughing scandal on a quiz show turned into a courtroom spectacle that gripped audiences across the UK. Quiz reenacts the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? cheating trial, led by Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Sheen. The 2020 series explores the concept of truth and its influence on memory.
Little Boy Blue
The murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in 2007 shocked Liverpool. Little Boy Blue focuses on how police, led by DCI Dave Kelly (Stephen Graham), worked with the boy’s family to find justice. Aired in 2017, it was praised for its restraint and emotional integrity.
Little Boy Blue | Trailer | ITV | 2017 by Tommy Lee
Appropriate Adult
When serial killer Fred West was arrested, Janet Leach, a social worker, was assigned as his “appropriate adult”. Emily Watson plays Leach in this chilling BAFTA-winning drama. The series centers not on the killer but on the psychological toll of proximity to his confessions.
Appropriate Adult | Trailer | Encore | ITV by ITV
Manhunt
DCI Colin Sutton, played by Martin Clunes, cracks the Delagrange case not through flash but through meticulous, tireless work. Premiering in 2019, Manhunt drew praise for realism and returned for a second series. The story values patience over theatrics and sharp detail overdramatization.
Manhunt (TV Series 2019-2021) | trailer by MDB trailers
From Darkness
Haunted by a case she walked away from, a former detective finds herself drawn back into the shadows. Anne-Marie Duff anchors From Darkness with quiet intensity. The 2015 drama explores the weight of unfinished business and the emotional scars left by violence long past.
From Darkness: Trailer - BBC One by BBC
Parade’s End
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Christopher Tietjens, an honorable man caught in a world losing its sense of duty. Written by Tom Stoppard and based on Ford Madox Ford’s novels, this five-part epic spans love and war. Its BAFTA and Golden Globe nods reflect its rich emotional texture.
Parade's End | New TRAILER | Benedict Cumberbatch by Series Trailer MP
