The British television industry has produced dozens of amazingcrimedramasin recent years.Peaky Blindersis now considered one of the best shows ever made while projects likeTop BoyandGangs of Londonhave also received praise for their dense plots, stylish use of violence, blockbuster-level cinematography, and well-developed characters.
Regrettably, there are a few other awesome crime dramas that haven’t created a buzz outside the United Kingdom. Various factors have contributed to this, including their lack of availability on the biggest American streaming platforms and the use of lesser-known casts. Hopefully, their popularity will surge with time but for now, any viewer who sacrifices their time to watch them is unlikely to regret it.
10McMafia (2018)
James Norton is better known for his performance in thepropheticBlack Mirrorepisode, “Nosedive,” yet he does an even better job in BBC One’s mob-related drama,McMafia. Norton stars as Alex Goldman, a genial investment bank manager who initially does his best to stay out of his family’s criminal activities only to be pulled in when someone close to him gets murdered.
Such a trajectory echoes that of Michael Corleone inThe Godfather: Part III, butMcMafiasparkles more by ensuring there is some form of heterogeneity when it comes to the hoodlums. From Russian mobsters to black market dealers in Zagreb, the show introduces as many supporting characters as possible, and they all perfectly squeeze themselves into the eight episodes. It’s the kind of story that deserves multiple seasons, but viewers will be able to consume what’s available.
9The Take (2009)
Most ofTom Hardy’s best performanceshave come in movies and the accolades are proof of that, but the British actor has been equally good in TV shows. Fans are unlikely to ever forget Alfie fromPeaky Blindersand once they are introduced to Freddie Jackson fromThe Take,they are likely to also adore him because of his ability to intimidate others with a mere stare.
In the Sky1 series, Freddy walks out of prison ready to construct a new criminal realm but finds himself having to deal with a lazy cousin who is seeking to ride on his reputation, and a Don eager to control him while behind bars. The Don is played by Brian Cox (Logan Roy fromSuccession) — an actor who is an expert at channeling the condescending nature of his characters. Besides that, complex family challenges keep popping up, leaving Freddie wondering whether he should give up his lawbreaking ways to protect his wife and children.
8The Last Panthers (2015)
Sky Atlantic’sThe Last Panthersfits perfectly into the crime-gone-wrong category. A group of criminals plans a stickup and just as everything appears to be going well, fate throws a curveball. One of them gets shot, an innocent girl is killed, and immature disagreements develop. Later on, other powerful figures are introduced, making the show more intriguing.
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It all feels like a longer version ofReservoir Dogs, but the barbarity is only used sparingly. Furthermore, the cops aren’t as amateurish inThe Last Panthersas they are in the Tarantino flick. They keep sniffing, and their work becomes easier because the robbers happen to have other enemies. And as wild as the story seems, it has real-world inspirations as there used to be actual Balkan jewel thieves known as the Pink Panthers.
7Gangsters (1976 – 1978)
LikePeaky Blinders,Gangstersis set in Birmingham and has a very diverse cast that’s a true reflection of the city’s multicultural underworld. It revolves around former SAS soldier John Kline who tries to clean up his life but is forced to go undercover to help weed out criminal elements.
Compared to other crime shows,Gangstersis artistic, since it features numerous references to other genres. Some episodes are a hodgepodge of film noir, western, and kung fu while others add some form of surrealism. There are a few instances of self-referencing too, making this one ofthe most meta TV shows ever made. Besides that, viewers will find it hard to forget instances where characters break the fourth wall and walk off the set.
6Southcliffe (2013)
Southcliffeis the kind of crime show that leaves fans with multiple questions, yet it still feels conclusive. In it, a local handyman goes on a shooting spree after being assaulted and humiliated by a soldier. He is then revealed to have killed himself though it’s constantly hinted that this might not be the case.
The Channel 4 series is the perfect quick binge since it only stretches to four episodes. Most of the running time is spent digging into the trauma of the families affected, something many other crime dramas often fail to do. In addition to that, a non-linear narrative structure is adopted, enabling the show to cover multiple characters from different perspectives all at once.
5Taboo (2017)
TabooreunitesPeaky Blinderscreator Steven Knight with Tom Hardy, and it is all about the intertwining of business with crime in 18th-century London. Unsurprisingly, the tone is similar to that of the more popular BBC One show. Interestingly, the series is written by Tom Hardy’s father, Chips Hardy.
Despite the talented names involved and a presence in the US (thanks to the FX network,)Taboonever became a hit. Even so, casual viewers will cherish the gritty characters and tense storylines just as much as Steven Knight and Tom Hardy fans will. When it comes to the performances, Hardy doesn’t shine alone either. The entire main cast keeps up with him, hence each character feels likable.
4Snatch (2017 – 2018)
When cinephiles hearSnatch, they think about one ofGuy Ritchie’s best movies, but there is an amazing crime drama based on it. This small-screen project isn’t as star-studded as the motion picture, but it offers much of the same thrills. It doesn’t try to copy the source material either, hence there are a couple of series-exclusive characters and subplots.
The main storyline revolves around scammers who find themselves dealing with organized crime figures after coming into possession of a truck full of stolen gold. Similar to Guy Ritchie’s masterpiece, there are plenty of jokes here, so the show never feels too dark. Most importantly, the characters are well-fleshed out, making it easier for audiences to sympathize with them.
3The Shadow Line (2011)
Chiwetel Ejiofor stars inThe Shadow Lineas an amnesiac detective who has a bullet lodged in his head. He is tasked with investigating the recent murder of a drug baron who had just been released from prison, but he isn’t the only one keen on finding the culprit. Underworld figures happen to be conducting parallel investigations, and their methods aren’t as decent as his.
The BBC Two series thus keeps hopping between the lawman’s activities and those of organized crime members. There are dozens of shocking twists along the way, soThe Shadow Lineremains addictive throughout its seven episodes. Additionally, the finale of this short-and-sweet TV offering is the kind that will leave viewers scratching their heads for a while.
2Hatton Garden (2019)
Elderly men in their 60s and 70s are unlikely to be singled out as suspects when £14 million goes missing. Interestingly, the criminals inHatton Gardenare within this age bracket and they are extremely smart. To ensure their activities don’t raise any attention, they chose to conduct their heist during a 4-day Easter weekend.
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Viewers are thus treated to a crime drama that is defined by its attention to detail and neat coordination. These particular criminals understand all the risks, so they work quietly without any violence or major in-fighting. The events are based on an actual robbery that took place during the sleepy long Easter weekend in London
1Riviera (2017 – 2020)
InRiviera, life is good for art curator, Georgina, until her billionaire husband suddenly dies in a yacht accident. Initially, it seems like there is no foul play, but she soon discovers a larger criminal conspiracy involving people she believes to be friends. While digging up more truths, she also does her best to stay alive.
Generally,Rivieraimpresses in many ways, but viewers will mostly appreciate the cinematography. Every single thing looks beautiful and clear. After all, this is a show with lots of ocean views and constantly showcases beautiful highways and roads. There is plenty of family drama too, all stemming from tantrums by layabout children and secrets from affairs.
