The Best British Crime Shows to Stream Right Now This September

Fall TV Season Means One Thing: Murder

Summer is nearly in the rearview mirror, which means streamers are packing their fall programming slates with dead bodies, inquisitive detectives, and head-scratching whodunits. And if you know where to look, September 2026 is genuinely one of the best months in recent memory for British crime drama. Critics and streaming guides have zeroed in on 44 must-watch titles available right now — a list that spans cozy mysteries, gritty procedurals, and everything in between.

British streamers like BritBox and PBS on Prime Video have the best crime shows, and that's especially true in September. Whether you're a lifelong Anglophile or simply someone who appreciates a well-crafted whodunit, the sheer depth of quality programming available this fall is staggering. Two titles in particular stand out from the crowd.

Maigret: The Detective You Didn't Know You Needed

Cool cop Jules Maigret, played by Benjamin Wainwright, is what you'd get if Hercule Poirot and Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson had a child — a badass with a sharp mind and a sharper sense of justice. As the leader of an elite police unit known as La Crim, he investigates Paris' most notorious crimes, knowing the city like the back of his hand and using that knowledge to catch criminals others can't.

The series runs six episodes , and this adaptation stands apart by setting the story in present-day Paris, offering a gritty yet stylish take on crime-solving in a modern metropolis. Each case Maigret tackles reveals not just the criminal's secrets but also the deeper struggles of human nature — he walks a fine line between professional duty and personal challenges, uncovering truths that often come at a heavy cost. For viewers who have grown tired of the same recycled detective archetypes, Maigret feels like a genuine breath of fresh air.

Tommy & Tuppence: Agatha Christie Gets a Modern Makeover

Leading BritBox's Fall 2026 slate is *Agatha Christie's Tommy & Tuppence*, a modernized take on Christie's beloved crime-solving duo starring Antonia Thomas, Josh Dylan, and Imelda Staunton. It premiered on September 15 — Christie's 136th birthday — kicking off BritBox's month-long "Eras of Agatha Christie" celebration.

Actress Tuppence Cowley and crime novelist Tommy Beresford are a former couple who reunite at a wedding when a fellow guest is killed. Their attempts to prove the police have the wrong person in custody lead them to become amateur investigators, with the aid of Tommy's aunt Ada, who used to run a detective agency. Based on stories and novels by Agatha Christie, *Tommy & Tuppence* isn't your usual crusty Christie adaptation — set in the present, this series drags the Jazz-era title characters into 2026, where social media is just as powerful a tool as a magnifying glass.

Imelda Staunton plays Aunt Ada as "a wry, retired private detective who loves her nephew, Tommy, because he never undermines her — only a fool would do so." Starring Antonia Thomas as the impulsive Tuppence and Josh Dylan as the well-meaning Tommy, this breezy mystery brings playful romance, screwball comedy, and sharp modern wit to London's twistiest cases.

A Golden Age for British Crime Fans

Beyond these two standouts, BritBox has even more in store this fall: David Mitchell returns for *Ludwig* Season 2 on October 13, while Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth reunite for *Death Valley* Season 2 on November 17. Also on the way are *Time* Season 3, starring David Tennant, and the fourth season of *Blue Lights*.

The broader list of 44 recommended titles makes one thing abundantly clear: British crime television is not just holding its own against American prestige drama — it's setting the pace. With legacy franchises being reinvented for modern audiences and fresh voices bringing new energy to the genre, fans of clever storytelling and atmospheric mystery have never had more to choose from. The only real problem? Deciding where to start.