It’s set to be a washout week, so what better excuse to stay inside with some brilliant television? We’ve gone on a sleuthing expedition across the globe to uncover the best series. Whether you’re a cosy crime addict or prefer something a little darker, we’ve found something for every kind of armchair detective.
From a Sherlock rival to the return of Sally Lindsay’s fantastic sun-soaked sleuthing show and a plane-crash whodunnit – we’ve put together the ultimate mix. So, remotes at the ready, these are the seven 5-star mystery series to watch this week on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
Elementary
This Sherlock rival swaps modern-day London for New York City. Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) is a recovering addict who suffered a monumental fall from grace while working as a consultant for Scotland Yard. His father forces him to live with a sobriety sponsor across the pond, Dr Joan Watson (Lucy Liu). She’s also had her own setback, she was a successful surgeon until making a huge mistake. Sherlock resumes his work as a police consultant in the Big Apple and Joan has no choice but to help her volatile sponsor. Don't be put off by the American setting, it's every bit as brilliant as it's English predecessor. Available to watch now on Channel 4.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries
Our favourite amateur sleuth Jean White (played by Sally Lindsay) is back for another series of antiques and mysteries in sunny St Victoire. The latest instalment will begin with her and her taxi driver partner, Dom (Steve Edge), about to walk down the aisle. But nothing can prepare them for the obstacles that crop up along the way (think mind-boggling murder cases and the return of a troublesome gangster). Will they finally tie the knot? Series 5 is arriving on Thursday 29th October at 9pm on Channel 5.
The Hairdresser Mysteries
There's something about the comfort of sitting in the salon chair that makes us air absolutely all of our dirty laundry, and hairdressers have the honour (or burden) of hearing it all. The show follows hairstylist Lily Petal (Sally Phillips), a former a city slicker who swaps her modern London salon for a 1970s-style hairdresser in the village of Blossom Vale. When a series of vigilante murders takes hold of the community, Lily’s position as an ear to the ground helps her and her assistant Clary (Charlotte Jordan) assist the local police team and get to the bottom of the mysterious cases. It’s fantastically fun and cosy. The Hairdresser Mysteries is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Blue Murder Motel
Set in New Zealand, two former detectives Vinny (Michala Banas) and Cole (Brett Tucker) are hoping to live out their retirement dreams and open a charming hotel in Mōwai Bay. They’re only weeks into their venture when a body is found on the property. So much for a quiet life. The pair dust off their notebooks and help the local police get to the bottom of the it – but that’s just the beginning of their new case load. Blue Murder Motel is available to watch now on ITVX.
Anna Pigeon Mysteries
Meet Anna Pigeon, a national park ranger who dedicates her life to protecting America’s wilderness. Anna (Tracy Spiridakos) solves crimes that take place within Glacier National Park. But before embracing the great outdoors, she was a proud New Yorker. When her husband was murdered, she couldn’t cope with the trauma and made a drastic fresh start. But it’s not exactly a peaceful life. Anna gets wrapped up in a whole series of mysteries – starting with the discovery of a fellow ranger’s body. Anna Pigeon Mysteries is available to watch now on U.
His & Hers
Anna (Tessa Thompson), a once-successful TV news anchor, has retreated from her friends and career to live in isolation. But when she hears about a murder in her sleepy hometown of Dahlonega, Georgia, something is reignited within her and she starts digging. Meanwhile, her estranged husband, Detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), grows suspicious of her involvement and launches an investigation of his own. But as they follow separate trails, buried secrets begin to surface. Can either of them be trusted? Available to watch now on Netflix.
Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue
From Foyle’s War to the Susan Ryeland series, crime writer Anthony Horowitz is the master of making excellent mysteries – and his plane-crash thriller is no exception. Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue centres around a plane crash in the Mexican jungle. The plane plummets to the ground, and it soon becomes apparent that there's a murderer amongst them. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks and culminates in a jaw-dropping reveal. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.