ITV's Vera concluded its 14-year run in 2025, leaving fans searching for similar gritty crime dramas. The series, based on Ann Cleeves' novels, starred Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, solving cases in North East England. Here are five alternative shows featuring formidable female detectives.
Hetty Wainthrop Investigates
Before Vera, there was Hetty Wainthrop Investigates, starring Patricia Routledge as a sleuth tackling dark cases in Lancashire. Aided by assistant Geoffrey Shawcross (Dominic Monaghan), the series is based on David Crook's 1986 novel Missing Persons. Available on BBC iPlayer.
Mare of Easttown
Kate Winslet stars as Detective Marianne 'Mare' Sheehan, investigating a young mother's death while grappling with a turbulent personal life. The HBO series earned 16 Emmy nominations and critical acclaim for Winslet's Pennsylvania accent. A second season is in development. Stream on Sky, NOW, or HBO Max UK & Ireland.
Unforgotten
This ITV drama follows Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and partner Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) as they solve cold cases. Each season features a new case and guest stars like Mark Bonnar and Tom Courtenay. Available on ITVX.
Ellis
Channel 5's Ellis stars Sharon D. Clarke as a detective who, alongside partner Chet Harper (Andrew Gower), assists struggling local police investigations. Launched in 2024, its second season aired in 2025. Watch on Channel 5.
Prime Suspect
Helen Mirren's iconic role as DCI Jane Tennison, one of the Met's first female detective chief inspectors, aired from 1991 to 2006. The series, written by Lynda La Plante, follows Tennison battling sexism and solving gruelling cases. A 2015 prequel, Prime Suspect 1973, starred Stefanie Martini but was cancelled after one series. Stream on ITVX.
