Fans mourning the end of ITV's beloved detective drama Vera can find solace in a selection of binge-worthy crime shows featuring strong, female sleuths. Vera's final season aired in 2025 after a 14-year run, adapted from Ann Cleeves' novels and starring Oscar-nominated Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, who solved cases across North East England with the fictitious Northumberland & City Police.
Hetty Wainthrop Investigates
Before Vera, there was Hetty Wainthrop Investigates, starring British national treasure Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) as the titular sleuth. Set in Lancashire, Hetty cracks sinister cases with the help of her assistant Geoffrey Shawcross (Dominic Monaghan). The series is based on characters from David Crook's 1986 novel Missing Persons. Available on BBC iPlayer.
Mare of Easttown
Oscar winner Kate Winslet stars as troubled detective Marianne 'Mare' Sheehan, investigating the death of a young mother while grappling with her own messy personal life. The HBO series earned 16 Emmy nominations and critical acclaim for Winslet's Pennsylvania accent. Due to its popularity, a second season is in development. Available on Sky, NOW, and HBO Max UK & Ireland.
Unforgotten
This ITV crime drama follows police detectives Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) as they solve cold cases, unearthing long-buried secrets. Each season focuses on a different case with new cast members, including Mark Bonnar, Tom Courtenay, Alex Jennings, and James Fleet. Available on ITVX.
Ellis
Channel 5's gritty drama Ellis debuted in 2024, with a second season airing in 2026. Sharon D. Clarke stars as Detective Ellis, who along with partner Chet Harper (Andrew Gower), is parachuted into failing police investigations, often facing hostility from local forces. Available on Channel 5.
Prime Suspect
Helen Mirren's iconic role as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect (1991–2006) is a must-watch. Created by Lynda La Plante, the series follows Tennison's rise through the Metropolitan Police amid institutional sexism. A 2015 prequel, Prime Suspect 1973, starred Stefanie Martini but was cancelled after one season. Available on ITVX.
