Nine 'masterpiece' crime dramas with perfect ratings including 'best show on TV'
Only a handful of crime dramas have earned perfect ratings.
Crime dramas have the ability to keep audiences completely hooked from the get-go, blending the perfect balance of grit, suspense and unforgettable storylines. While the genre has become a British staple, only a handful of series have garnered enough acclaim to earn a perfect rating from both critics and fans. From captivating whodunnits to brilliantly executed twists, here are nine crime dramas that can't get any better according to Rotten Tomatoes - and must be added to your watchlist as soon as possible.
This series follows Millie-Jean Black (Tamara Lawrence), a Jamaican-born police detective who is forced out of Scotland Yard and her troubled life in London. Returning to her place of birth, Mille joins the Jamaican Police Force, where she investigates missing person cases with her partner, Curtis (Gershwyn Eustache Jnr).
But Millie's life is thrown into turmoil when Scotland Yard detective Luke Holborn (Joe Dempsie) arrives at her doorstep, setting their investigations on a collision course. The five-part drama is available to stream for free on Channel 4.
Hailed the "best drama of the year", this Australian crime thriller follows cold case detective James Cormack (Travis Fimmel) as he investigates the murder of Isabel Baker, a young woman whose case has remained unsolved since 1994.
But when a time capsule, created and buried by her classmates, emerges 25 years later, it reveals new clues that prompt Cormack to reopen the investigation. The series was renewed for a second season in 2024, with both available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
Sometimes, a great crime drama is elevated by just a touch of comedy. Premiering in 2023, Deadloch follows detectives Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) as they investigate the mysterious death of a local man in a quiet town.
The murder coincides with the town's annual Winter Feastival and forces Dulcie and Eddie to navigate their drastically different investigative styles. The eight-part drama was renewed for a second season, set to premiere in March. Watch the perfectly-rated show on Amazon Prime now.
Adapted from Anthony Horowitz's bestselling novel of the same name, Magpie Murders tells the story of detective Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) as he investigates a mysterious death in 1955. In the present day, editor Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) receives the fictional manuscript of Magpie Murders, written by Alan Conway.
But when Susan discovers the final chapter is missing and Alan is found dead, she begins to suspect there's more to the story. The six-part series premiered in 2022 and can be found on BBC iPlayer.
Combining a neo-Western with a crime drama was always guaranteed to succeed. Based on the popular book series by C.J Box, Joe Pickett stars Michael Dorman as a game warden who relocates to Wyoming with his family to oversee the wilderness surrounding the Yellowstone National Park.
But when the body of a poacher is discovered, Joe uncovers a conspiracy tied to a wealthy family, forcing him to protect both his own family and the wildlife he's sworn to preserve. Both seasons can be streamed on Paramount .
With Game of Thrones author George RR Martin and Hollywood legend Robert Redford at the helm, Dark Winds was destined to captivate viewers. Set in 1970s Navajo Nation, the series is based on Tony Hillerman's acclaimed Leaphorn & Chee mystery novels.
Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and his new deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) are tasked with investigating a series of seemingly unrelated crimes, forcing them to confront both their pasts and beliefs. Season one can be streamed on Netflix, but catch all three on NOWTV.
Based on the bestselling novels by Sir Ian Rankin, this series follows a no-nonsense detective who investigates crimes in Edinburgh. When John Rebus' (Richard Rankin) brother Michael (Brian Ferguson) crosses the line to provide for his family, he is drawn into a dangerous conflict alongside his partner, DC Siobhan Clarke (Lucie Shorthouse).
Torn between loyalty and duty, he must decide whether to protect his brother, a former soldier, or ensure justice is served. The six-part series, hailed "the best show on TV", is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with filming for a second series expected to kick off in March.
A spin-off of the iconic Bosch, this 10-part police procedural drama is inspired by Michael Connelly's bestselling novels. Former homicide detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q) is appointed to lead the LAPD's cold case division, attempting to tackle the department's most complex investigations that have remained unsolved.
But as she attempts to get to the bottom of some of the city's oldest cases, she is forced to confront her own issues within the LAPD itself. Season one is available to stream on Amazon Prime - and get ready, because season two is on its way.
This Danish crime drama centres on Cecile (Marie Bach Hansen), a woman compelled to investigate the disappearance of her neighbour's au pair. But her determination to find out who is responsible leads to Cecile's own life being turned completely upside down.
The six-part series, described as "a masterclass in suspense", can be streamed on Netflix now.