Do you prefer cozy British whodunits, staple American television with the FBI involved, or a fresh take on the classic literary character, Sherlock Holmes? With these detective shows that will keep you hooked from start to finish, you’ll find all of these and more. You might even discover new shows you haven’t heard of before or be reminded of something you’ve had on your watchlist for a while.
All of these detective shows (and, to be honest, the best detective shows) have one thing in common: the exceptional ability to keep you glued to the screen from beginning to end. With these shows, you’ll notice that not all of them have ended yet, heightening the excitement for new episodes and seasons.
‘Father Brown’ (2013–Present)
Father Brown is now the longest-running daytime drama in BBC history, having aired over one hundred episodes and still going strong, demonstrating its enduring comfort appeal. It’s not gritty or shocking, just endlessly watchable television, the kind that feels like a hot cup of tea (or cocoa if tea isn’t your thing). Mark Williams is excellent as the unassuming detective-priest, and the show’s pacing makes it an ideal palate cleanser between heavier dramas. It’s cozy, but it’s also addictive; each episode is a well-crafted mini-mystery that respects your intelligence while tucking you in for a relaxing night of binge-watching.
In the sleepy Cotswolds village of Kembleford, Father Brown (Williams) rides around on his bicycle, solving murders with a combination of keen insight, empathy, and a surprisingly sharp grasp of criminal psychology. He’s a Catholic priest first, a detective second, and his approach to crime is to understand the sinner rather than simply catch the culprit. Adapted from G.K. Chesterton‘s short stories, the show is packed with period details, witty humor, and deeply satisfying whodunit episodes. With a fantastic recurring cast, Father Brown presents a new case every episode, always with a moral compass pointing towards redemption.
‘White Collar’ (2009–2014)
White Collar was a hit for USA Network, running for six seasons and sparking persistent revival rumors, which culminated in a recently confirmed reboot featuring the majority of the original cast. Matt Bomer‘s charisma is undeniable, and the supporting cast, including the late, great Willie Garson as Neal’s partner-in-crime Mozzie, is universally adored. White Collar works because it never gets too dark or too silly but always gets right to the emotional core: an unlikely friendship between a man who believes in the law and a man who has spent his life breaking it. It’s a show you’ll fire up for the detective/mystery aspect and keep watching for the heart.
White Collar follows the charming and brilliant con artist Neal Caffrey (Bomer), who escapes from a maximum-security federal prison with only months left on his sentence and is quickly caught by the same FBI agent who put him there, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). But Neal has a proposal: make him a consultant for the FBI’s white-collar crime division, and he’ll use his criminal genius to help catch other, more serious criminals. The chemistry between Bomer’s irresistible criminal and DeKay’s frustrated detective is what drives this glittering, fashionable caper-of-the-week series. Stretched into six seasons, it’s Catch Me If You Can with sleek suits, art forgery, hidden treasures, and the never-ending suspense of a con artist who might be planning his own great escape.
‘Poker Face’ (2023–2025)
Poker Face came with a bang since Rian Johnson‘s reputation as a detective/mystery creator was still fresh after the Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion. Poker Face‘s first season was a critical success, with praise for its clever reimagining of the mystery-of-the-week formula. Each episode features a parade of fantastic guest stars as killers who vastly underestimate Natasha Lyonne‘s seemingly befuddled Charlie Cale. The show is a sun-drenched, retro-chic journey through America’s strange margins, anchored by Lyonne’s effortlessly cool performance. It’s a rare detective show that makes you feel like you’re simply hanging out with a very perceptive friend who also happens to solve murders.
Poker Face follows Charlie Cale (Lyonne), a woman on the run who possesses a supernatural ability: she can tell when someone is lying, though she’s not sure why. Running from a dangerous casino owner, she moves from one dusty roadside town to the next, working odd jobs in casinos, barbecue joints, and dilapidated motels while stumbling across a murder every week. The show is reminiscent of the great “howcatchem” shows of the 1970s, such as Columbo, in which the crime is revealed right away; the fun is watching Charlie uncover alibis with her great instincts and observation skills.
‘Young Sherlock’ (2026–Present)
Young Sherlock debuted on Prime Video in March 2026 and quickly became a global streaming hit, earning rave reviews and a quick second season renewal. Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays the young Sherlock Holmes with heart and energy, and the show’s gorgeous period production design creates a visual feast. Critics have praised its balance of intellectual deduction and genuine adventure, and Guy Ritchie’s signature style ensures that even the quietest scene hums with tension and a sense of playfulness. The cast is exceptional, with Tiffin’s uncle Joseph Fiennes playing Sherlock’s father, Silas, but the standout is Irish actor Dónal Finn, who portrays James Moriarty in a compelling and utterly captivating performance.
Ritchie’s return to Arthur Conan Doyle‘s world is a high-energy origin story in which Sherlock Holmes is portrayed as a brilliant, reckless nineteen-year-old employee at Oxford University, rather than a student. Young Sherlock finds the future consulting detective dealing with his first major mystery after Princess Shou’an’s (Zine Tseng) scrolls containing priceless scrolls of Sun Tzu‘s The Art of War are stolen. There is no Watson either—the show delves into Holmes’ origin story with Moriarty where rifts become more apparent over time—but the chemistry between Tiffin and Finn is so strong that you’ll wish<strong their story could last a little longer.. It’s a Sherlock who is still learning how to fight and demonstrates empathy, heart, and affection drawing a distinction betweenBenedict Cumberbatch’s sociopath andRobert Downey Jr.’s rambling chaos.
‘Bosch’ (2014–2021)
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