With so many streaming services out there, full of so many choices, sometimes the best shows easily get lost in the shuffle. Known for its treasure trove of British mysteries, thrillers, and crime procedurals like Broadchurch, Midsomer Murders, The Fall, and Sherlock, many more hidden gems are flying deeply under the radar on BritBox. While some shows might be massively popular in the UK, such as Line of Duty, Vera, or Shetland, when it comes to global recognition, they don’t always get the recognition they deserve! Whether you’re a mystery buff or love a good character-driven series, these 10 underrated shows are long overdue for a spot on your watchlist!
Top 10 Underrated Shows on BritBox
Line of Duty
Created by Jed Mercurio, Line of Duty is a serialized police drama centered on AC-12, an anti-corruption union that investigates misconduct within the police force. While each episode does focus on a different case, you’ll soon realize the overarching plot focuses on a deeply embedded criminal conspiracy!
This series stars Vicky McClure (DCI Kate Fleming), Martin Compston (DS Steve Arnott), Adrian Dunbar (Superintendent Ted Hastings), as well as Thandiwe Newton (DCI Roz Huntley), Keeley Hawes (DI Lindsay Denton), and others who become central figures throughout the series’ various seasons.
With Hastings’ old school, no-nonsense approach, Fleming’s brilliant undercover work, and Arnott’s impulsivity and smarts, alongside the series’ incredible plot twists, long-form storytelling, and jaw-dropping cliffhangers, Line of Duty is one of the most intense police dramas out there!
While this show is considered quite popular in the UK, you’ll find that it unfortunately does not extend the same popularity internationally. This is a huge shame, because this series, with its themes of institutional corruption, bureaucracy, power, loyalty, and secrecy, along with the intense interview scenes that work to break psychological defenses, should make it number one on anyone’s next must-watch list!
Silent Witness
One of the few strong female-led procedural dramas, Silent Witness has been producing for over two decades, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon! Kicking off in 1996 with female lead Dr. Sam Ryan, played by Amanda Burton, Silent Witness is a more grounded, character-driven procedural. It does an outstanding job of blending science with deeply emotional human stories.
Taking the reins of the powerful female lead in season eight, Emilia Fox plays Dr. Nikki Alexander, an intelligent, passionate, and empathetic forensic pathologist with a strong moral center. Fox is joined by actors William Gaminara (Dr. Leo Dalton), Tom Ward (Harry Cunningham), and David Caves (Jack Hodgson) throughout the years, all of whom bring their own intelligence, commitment, and emotional backstories to the show that unfold alongside the crimes they’re helping to solve.
With the ultimate theme of truth through evidence, justice, and morality, as well as science vs. emotion, Silent Witness is also known for its slow-burn that in the end packs quite an emotional punch, and because many of the stories are told across two 60 minute parts, you’re able to go much deeper into the plot and the characters, giving room for both forensics and emotion to play pivotal roles across all the storylines.
While Silent Witness is one of the UK television’s longest-running scripted dramas, when it comes to international viewership, it still manages to fly below the radar. With an evolving cast that allows the show to stay fresh over so many years and its scientific depth, it offers such a rich experience for those willing to stick with it. If you enjoy intelligent, morally complex dramas with real emotions woven in, Silent Witness is one of the top 10 underrated shows for you!
Vera
Based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, and streaming on BritBox since 2011, Vera follows the investigations of a no-nonsense detective who solves crimes across Northumberland. When it comes to what makes Vera so special, all that needs to be said is Brenda Blethyn, the actress who brilliantly plays DCI Vera Stanhope! She defies every single stereotype you can think of when it comes to what someone might assume a compelling detective should look like. She’s deeply empathetic, yet very private, and while her appearance might be a little different from what’s expected, her razor-sharp mind is what makes her an incredibly masterful detective.
Vera couldn’t do it all on her own, though, as she has the emotional support of character DS Joe Ashworth in the early seasons, played by David Leon, who is a very loyal family man and an excellent detective. Midway through the entirety of the show, we’re introduced to DCI Aiden Healy, played by Kenny Doughty, who brings a more modern approach to policing, which creates an incredible generational contrast to their dynamic and investigations. Finally, DC Jacqueline “Jac” Williams, played by Ibinabo Jack, is a forensic specialist who brings a whole other level of brilliance to the team!
Utilizing powerful themes such as justice rooted in empathy, isolation, and class struggles, Vera lets her intuition lead her to the truth and focuses more on why people are committing these crimes and how families and communities try to cope with grief and secrets. You’ll notice the show is far more character-driven than it is action-heavy.
Loyal fans of the show will quickly tell you how much you’re missing out on exceptional storytelling that combines a gruff detective with unwavering empathy and insight. Yet worldwide, people are still missing out on this powerhouse, mostly because of its quieter tone and how it doesn’t fit the traditional mold. However, this is exactly what makes the show so special and why it deserves a top spot on your watch list as one of the 10 underrated shows!
Father Brown
Set in the 1950s, and based on the short stories of G.K Chesterton, Father Brown rarely gets the same respect from mainstream crime fans that it gets from its loyal following, which is a shame considering how witty and clever the show is.
Father Brown is a mild-mannered Catholic priest with a strong intellect and a deep understanding of human nature as he helps to solve murders in his parish of Kembleford. What makes this show so different is that he doesn’t use a badge to solve these crimes. Instead, Father Brown (Mark Williams) uses empathy and morality and wants to be able to save these souls instead of arresting them, while still respecting the law.
In the show, you’ll find him working alongside Inspector Mallory (Jack Deam), who originally finds Father Brown’s interference in cases to be a major problem, but eventually realizes that to solve the cases, he is going to need his help. You’ll also find Father Brown accompanied by Sid Carter (Alex Price) and Lady Felicia Montague (Nancy Carroll), both of whom try to assist and sometimes unknowingly complicate Father Brown’s investigations in their own way using their own unique talents.
Father Brown, through the show’s core themes of redemption, morality, faith, justice, and human nature, as well as how it dives into the social and psychological effects of a post-war Britain, is a gentle, charming, period-focused cozy mystery series. The fact that it is more quiet and gentle is one of the reasons why it’s so severely underrated as it doesn’t appear to be as sophisticated as one might want it to be, however, when you give it a chance, you’ll realize gentle storytelling does not mean simple and just because it’s not high-tech, does not mean it’s not a piece of brilliant television.
Shetland
While less underrated than other series you’ll find on this list, the moody and emotionally layered Shetland is still severely under-watched. Using mysteries with a life of their own, location as its own character, and slow, atmospheric pacing, Shetland follows Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) as he investigates serious crimes in a small community of the Shetland Islands. It uses slow-burn storytelling and emotionally resonant writing as it evolves from a classic police procedural to a more introspective crime drama as the seasons go on.
Henshall and his empathetic approach to cases are joined by other series regulars such as Alison O’Donnell, who plays DC Alison “Tosh” McIntosh, and Steven Robertson, playing DS Sandy Wilson. Both bring their local knowledge and sharp ambition to the show. In season eight, Ashley Jensen joins the show as DI Ruth Calder, bringing in a new tone and energy, but the show keeps its original magic of emotional depth.
A visually stunning and character-driven drama, Shetland, doesn’t rely on plot twists to be great, as its introspection and emotion do that. With important core themes like isolation and community, grief, trauma, healing, and truth with consequences, it’s hard to understand how a show of such unique brilliance is not on everyone’s watch list on a global level.
Miss Marple
When most people first think of Agatha Christie adaptations, it’s Poirot that comes to mind first, not Miss Marple; however, it absolutely deserves the same spotlight. Staying faithful to the source material, and following a quiet, yet brilliant woman detective, who is constantly underestimated, Miss Jane Marple, a spinster living in the beautiful village of St. Mary Mead.
Something that sets this show apart from the rest is that BritBox provides multiple adaptations of these stories! For instance, Joan Hickson plays Marple as a very prim and proper perceptive woman who can be ruthless when uncovering the truth. Also, there is a more modern era where Miss Jane Marple is played by either Geraldine McEwan or Julia McKenzie, and these women add a little more mischief and compassion to the character. No matter who the actress is behind the character, Miss Marple is always underestimated by everyone, which is why she always comes out on top!
Just as cleverly plotted as other Agatha Christie-related television shows, Miss Marple is still highly underrated. Despite her strong emotional intelligence and the series’s sharp storytelling with complex motivations, the global audience has yet to give this mystery series a true chance, which means many mystery fans are missing out on one psychologically intriguing, female-led series that manages to hold your attention without all the violence and glamor!
MI-5
Known as Spooks in the UK and MI-5 elsewhere, this espionage-based series is rightfully considered one of the most intense spy thrillers of the time! Unfortunately, it is often overlooked everywhere other than the UK. This series takes high stakes, bold action through every episode, and unlike many other television series, no one in the show is ever safe, no matter how important the character might be, which speaks to its more realistic high-pressure format compared to other TV series of a similar idea.
When I said no one is safe, I meant it, as this series has an evolving dynamic with many cast changes over its 10-year run. Some of the most notable cast and characters include Tom Quinn, played by Matthew Macfadyen in the first couple of seasons; Harry Pearce, played by Peter Firth, in all ten seasons; Adam Carter, portrayed by Rupert Pentry Jones; Ros Myers, played by Hermione Horris; and Lucas North, played by Richard Armitage.
One thing this show does brilliantly is its theme of moral ambiguity. When watching, many times you’ll find yourself asking just how far you’d go to protect your country because there are no easy choices, and the characters are constantly being faced with intense ethical dilemmas. The series is also strong in its themes of sacrifice, loyalty, trust, betrayal, and, of course, political threats like terrorism, political corruption, and foreign interference.
Being a very character-driven drama, despite all the action, high stakes, and fast-paced environments, it’s a mystery all its own how this series never caught global recognition the way it became a hit in the UK. If intense political thrillers with a strong side of emotional and ethical depth are for you, then so is MI-5 on BritBox!
Scott & Bailey
A series created by women, about women, and driven by incredibly powerful female leads, Scott and Bailey are tragically left out of conversations when discussing any top-tier British cop show.
This police procedural, which ran from 2011 to 2016, centers on the personal and professional lives of two female detectives, DC/DS Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones) and DC/DS Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp), who work in the Manchester Metropolitan Police’s Major Incident Team. This Sally Wainwright-created series digs deep into character psychology, workplace politics, and the complications of detective work.
This underrated show manages to portray women in policing without stereotyping. Scott and Bailey struggle with mental health, relationships, and family while doing taxing police work and keeping their friendship central to the plot. They show this with raw honesty and emotional depth.
Scott & Bailey uses dialogue-driven realism, realistic tones, and complex interpersonal dynamics while expertly navigating not just crime but also the emotional and psychological impact of those crimes. Those who enjoy real, raw, and deeply character-driven series are missing out on one incredible piece of television!
Whitechapel
Running from 2009 to 2013, this chilling crime series, created by Ben Court and Caroline Ip, is set in the gritty East End of London and follows a modern-day homicide unit that investigates crimes that have strange connections to infamous historical murders such as Jack the Ripper. Whitechapel does an amazing job of fusing a police procedural with historical horror!
Throughout the series, DI Joseph Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones, an ambitious detective with a strong case of OCD, and DS Ray Miles (Phil Davis), an old-school detective work together to solve these eerie crimes, but they don’t get along at first as you’ll quickly notice Chandler is better with evidence than people and Miles is incredibly skeptical of Chandler. You’ll also be introduced to Ripperologist and historical crime expert Edward Buchan, played by Steve Pemberton, who starts as just a civilian consultant but eventually becomes a very important team member with his ability to provide valuable insights into the motives of the modern murders.
Obsession, from Chandler’s OCD, Buchan’s crime knowledge, and the killer’s focus on recreating past murders, drives every single character throughout the series. Another major theme seen throughout the series is trauma and mental health, which are shown with excellent empathy, not just when it comes to Chandler’s struggles, but the team as a whole, because these high-profile investigations take quite a toll.
Given its very unique atmosphere, it’s a mystery to many how Whitechapel never became a mainstream hit. The show’s historical angle sets it apart from other cop dramas, so if you love a good dark series with strong, intellectual storytelling, there is no reason for Whitechapel not to be on your watchlist!
DCI Banks
Based on Peter Robinson’s novels, DCI Banks is commonly overshadowed by the “louder” police procedural shows across various platforms. However, its consistent complex cases and emotional grounding make it one series on BritBox that deserves a top spot on your must-watch list.
Based in Yorkshire, DCI Banks follows Alan Banks (Stephen Tompkinson), a seasoned detective chief inspector, as he investigates various violent and emotionally challenging crimes. It doesn’t just show the crime, though, instead, it shows the emotional and ethical consequences for everyone involved in that crime, which makes it different from other, more fast-paced thrillers. Other notable characters working alongside DCI Banks are DI Helen Morton (Caroline Catz) and DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe), who are sharp, instinctive, and intuitive partners who each bring something different to the series as well as bring a different perspective on partnership with Banks.
A case-driven but character-focused series that follows core themes like justice vs. the system, loneliness and isolation, and the emotional repercussions of crime, DCI Banks is full of far heavier and more meaningful stories than one might think, so when it comes to underrated shows that deserve a chance, consider DCI Banks to be one worth exploring!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a longtime fan of British TV or just ready to dive into a world of gripping storytelling, complex characters, and emotional intrigue, BritBox has far more to offer than most people realize, and it goes far beyond their biggest titles. These 10 underrated shows might be overlooked, but they are undeniably excellent, and it would be such a shame to let them stay under the radar and off your watchlists. So get cozy and fire up BritBox to find out what you’ve been missing. You never know which one of these 10 underrated shows might end up being your new favorite!
