Best BBC shows: All the best dramas on BBC iPlayer

This comedy-drama from Stephen Merchant aired its third season in 2024, seemingly wrapping up the tale which started with a group of disparate people on community service. Over the seasons they have fended off enraged drug dealers, started their own illicit business and even covered up a murder.

The series is both riotously funny at times but also has a lot to say, with its motley crew becoming like a family despite their differences. It features some strong character development and satisfying arcs across the seasons, and also includes a terrific performance from none other than Christopher Walken - what's not to love? - James Hibbs

Kin follows a Dublin crime family facing a seemingly impossible gangland war as their reserves and resources hit an all-time low. Will the importance of family triumph over the tide of betrayal and sin?

The series stars beloved actors such as Daredevil star Charlie Cox as recently-released Skinner family sibling Michael and Game of Thrones actor Aidan Gillen as the struggling Frank.

The drama boasts a bevvy of Irish talent across the board – with the rest of the cast rounded out by the likes of Peaky Blinders star Emmett Scanlan, The Tudors actress Maria Doyle Kennedy, and the illustrious Ciaran Hinds. Unmissable. – Lewis Knight

Small Axe is an anthology series from the critically acclaimed filmmaker Steve McQueen and follows a number of different stories about West Indian immigrants living in London during the 1960s up to the 1980s. The director helmed all five episodes of the series, but worked with Alastair Siddons and Courttia Newland on the stories for each chapter. Each chapter is a stunning illustration of how institutional racism has affected Black communities in the United Kingdom for decades., although Lovers Rock was seen as both a cultural celebration and a transfixing period tale of romance. The series starred an impressive array of actors, with performances from Letitia Wright and John Boyega being praised by critics across the globe for their roles in the episodes Mangrove and Red, White, and Blue respectively. John Boyega won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor, and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Leroy Logan, the founder of the Black Police Association. – Eammon Jacobs

Persistent sleepwalker Lorna Brady (Ruth Wilson) wakes one morning to find a corpse in her house. So, might she be responsible for the woman’s demise? And could Lorna also be linked to another case of untimely death being investigated by Dublin-based Detective Colman Akande (Daryl McCormack)?

Those are the central questions that run through this woozy and unsettling six-part thriller. But also hanging over it like a heavy shroud is the feeling of guilt, both on a personal and institutional scale, with Lorna’s deep-rooted trauma tied to Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries, the details of which are gradually shaded in for those unaware of this macabre scandal.

David Brown

Shaking up the regular format of many of the crime dramas we know and love, The Gone has its feet in both Ireland and New Zealand as we follow detectives from each country who are determined to get to the bottom of a missing couple's case.

Ronan Garvey (Simon Mead) and Sinead Martin (Rachel Morgan) seemingly vanish from a remote town in New Zealand, and that's where Dublin detective Theo Richer (Richard Flood) comes in. Despite resigning from the Garda after two decades of service, Theo is called in to help with the case - and when he travels to the other side of the world, he's faced with a small town that holds its own dark secrets. Surely, nobody just disappears without a trace... or can they? – Morgan Cormack

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has returned to his Birmingham roots once more for this new drama, which is set in the city during the 1980s, during the era of ska and two-tone music. It follows Dante, an aspiring poet who decides to form a band and put his words to music, while his family are also caught up in the dangerous political environment at the time.

Its blend of elements, themes and storylines might not suit everyone, but the series is earthy and authentic, with some impressive performances and a soundtrack to die for. Knight's projects have always got style and This Town is no different, but there is also an emotional core running through it which makes it worth checking out. - James Hibbs

Released back in 2021, Dopesick was always on course to be a thought-provoking and stark look at the American opioid crisis. While recently released Painkiller also tackled the same subject matter, Dopesick was a cut above and delivered stellar performances from Michael Keaton, Rosario Dawson and Kaitlyn Dever.

Rather than using medical jargon and confusing terms, Dopesick follows the lives of a local doctor, a young woman growing up in the Virginia mining community, a DEA agent investigating the rise in OxyContin use and a Purdue sales representative to tell a harrowing tale of addiction, greed and deceit. At eight episodes long, the series is far from the easiest of watches due to its heartbreaking stories, but is certainly gripping - and will leave you thinking for days after. – Morgan Cormack

This new drama doesn’t quite fit into your archetypal genre boxes, but is an ambitious series that forces you to take notice of its messaging. Across the three episodes, we see how the civil uprising in Port Talbot starts to envelop the Driscoll family in different ways. From a father who doesn’t initially want to be involved due to historical ties to a son whose previous numb state of mind is finally fired up after the unrest, we see how the series of events changes all their lives.

A directorial debut from Michael Sheen, who is otherwise known for his roles in Staged and Good Omens, the new series is also written by James Graham (Sherwood) and documentarian Adam Curtis. – Morgan Cormack

Can Shetland survive post-Jimmy Perez? Well, based on this first case to feature his successor Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen), I’d say yes. She very quickly forges a strong partnership with show stalwart Tosh (Alison O’Donnell) that feels like Scott and Bailey in scarves and sweaters. But let’s not forget that this is a series that’s always been as much about the scenery as its central character — and for those wanting more of those wild and windswept landscapes, all previous Douglas Henshall-starring episodes are available now. – David Brown

While this new series is set in a sixth form and framed around a cohort of students, this is a show that is well worth watching for everyone. We follow Jaheim (Josh Tedeku), Leah (Jodie Campbell), Toby (Sekou Diaby), Femi (Aruna Jalloh) and Omar (Myles Kamwendo) as they enter the prestigious and otherworldly universe of St Gilbert’s, a private boarding school that instantly makes them feel othered.

The people are snobby, the attitudes are ignorant and the undertones are racist, but we see how St Gilbert’s life affects all our boarders, while also exploring their general search for identity. A standout storyline comes in Leah, who is not only trying to get the school to take down an offensive painting, but also has hilarious and awkward escapades worthy of being in Sex Education as well as learning a thing or two about what genuine allyship means. More than anything, though, this series will genuinely make you laugh. – Morgan Cormack

If you’re a fan of The Tourist, you’ll likely be a fan of this six-part drama which comes from the Williams brothers – who are at the helm of both. The drama is led by Daisy Haggard (Back to Life) and Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) who find themselves at the centre of a quickly unravelling chain of criminal events when a major stash of cocaine is washed up in their seaside town and they take it.

Hoping to sell it on for some serious cash, the pair soon find out that it’s not that easy to penetrate the world of organised crime and soon find themselves being hunted by the very people who want their precious cargo back. Not your typical BBC drama, this one is peppered with dark humour and plenty of tension that’ll keep you hooked. – Morgan Cormack

Silent Witness is one of the longest-running police procedurals in the UK, and for good reason. Now in its 27th season and with Emilia Fox at the helm as Dr Nikki Alexander, the series has featured a revolving cohort of various detectives, forensic pathologists and investigators all dedicated to solving grisly cases that seem more complicated than the last. It’s genuinely astounding that the show hasn’t burnt out of ideas yet, but somehow, every season is filled with surprisingly confounding mysteries. Whether it’s unearthing the crimes of convicted serial killers or the assassination of a US diplomat, there’s a distinct variety in every single case.

And if you like a side of gore with your “whodunnits”, you’re in for a bloody treat. There’s severed limbs, internal organs and autopsies galore. And yet, it never feels over the top. If anything, it still feels remarkably grounded and timely. Although there’s been plenty of cast members over the years, and a stand-out performance comes from Liz Carr as Clarissa Mullery – a forensic examiner who happens to be a wheelchair user. Silent Witness didn’t just relegate her to a helpful member of the supporting cast, instead she was constantly a key part of the investigation, often providing answers where others stumble. Does the format occasionally get a little repetitive? Of course, but that makes its stories no less entertaining. – Eammon Jacobs/Morgan Cormack

The thrilling crime drama from World Productions returns for its second run with stars Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie.

The first outing of the blockbuster show followed murderous actions in the isolated environment of a submarine, leading Amy Silva (Jones) on a gripping race against time to discover the truth, while her on-off lover Kirsten Longacre (Leslie) grappled with their relationship difficulties whilst also pursuing avenues in the investigation.

The second run moves the action from Scotland to a fictional Middle Eastern country with which the UK has been developing a military drone programme. Topical and tense, this is BBC thrilling drama at its very finest. – Lewis Knight

This thriller, based on the Jack Caffery novel by Mo Hayder, comes from Steven Moffat’s production company Hartswood films and it shows – there are people held against their will and two parallel timelines, just like Inside Man, and a chilling figure in a gas mask, just like Doctor Who’s The Empty Child.

However, other than those surface-level aspects, Wolf is a truly unique drama, especially in its tone. The series jumps between genres, featuring elements of horror, thriller, crime drama and even comedy to tell its story of a detective haunted by his past and a family being terrorised, unaware as to why.

Ukweli Roach is phenomenal as detective Jack, making sure his storyline is just as compelling as the other, while Sacha Dhawan and Iwan Rheon are clearly having huge fun as the mysterious captors of a wealthy family. – James Hibbs

Back in the early 2000s, millions of viewers paid Sunday-evening visits to the picturesque Glenbogle estate. Almost 25 years on, this easy-going drama about a young laird is now online, so it’s possible to head to the Highlands whenever you like.

It remains escapist fare with the bonus of a twinkly-eyed role for Richard Briers. And those seeking further Scottish misadventures can find them in the Robert Carlyle-starring Hamish Macbeth, which is also part of the BBC comedy drama box sets that have been rescued from the archives.

David Brown

Anthony Horowitz knows the rules of the whodunnit better than most, and in this lovely Russian doll of a mystery he pulls those elements inside out to deliver a cracking story. Two, in fact. The first is set in the present as editor Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville) reads the latest typescript by author Alan Conway. But then, Conway’s tale – a 1950s-set story featuring his sleuth Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) – is brought to life. As both narratives start to merge, Pünd makes his presence felt in Susan’s life…

David Brown

After Happy Valley came to an end, fans were bereft, unsure where they would next see a crime drama of its pedigree in the near future. Then came The Gold.

Don’t get me wrong, the two are totally different beasts, in many ways they could not be more different. Where Happy Valley was a deeply character-based story, this was all about themes, about its exploration of Britain’s class-system in the ’80s.

The series dramatises the extraordinary true story of the Brink’s Mat robbery, featuring real-life figures alongside fictional and composite characters. It’s a complex, twisting narrative, which manages to deftly explain an elaborate situation and features some exceptional performances from the likes of Jack Lowden and Hugh Bonneville – James Hibbs

Screenwriter Sarah Phelps has adapted plenty of Agatha Christie works, and at the heart of this tragic true story she’s moulded into a four-part drama is a real-life antagonist as calculating and callous as any Christie killer. The pre-titles sequence states this is in memory of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin. The deaths of these elderly neighbours, in 2015 and 2017 respectively, were not initially thought to be suspicious. But one man was suspiciously close to both.

Timothy Spall conjures sympathy in spades as the quiet, fragile Peter – a well-respected scholar who lives a solitary and deeply religious life that only begins unravelling once he meets new student Ben (Eanna Hardwicke, exuding cold charm). Emotionally vulnerable, Peter is overwhelmed as the two embark on a relationship. But soon, Peter is having dizzy spells and hallucinating. Unbeknown to the host, he’s welcomed a parasite into his home. – Frances Taylor

Writer Jack Thorne is adept at tackling emotive subjects with depth and authenticity, creating stories that shine a powerful light into dark – and often uncomfortable – corners. Following the likes of National Treasure, Kiri and Help, his latest is this considered, devastating four-parter starring an outstanding Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen.

Nicci (Horgan) and Andrew (Sheen) are parents to Marnie (Niamh Moriarty), who has a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy. When her already-deteriorating health falls further, it prompts doctors to say that her care should be withdrawn. Her parents vehemently disagree, and the case ends up going to court.

Although there are some superfluous subplots along the way, the final episode’s denouement is as commanding, moving and unbearable as television can get. – Frances Taylor

Those who have followed the career of director Shane Meadows will recognise many of his hallmarks here. There’s the semi-improvised dialogue and that familiar focus on the left-behinds in society. But what’s entirely new is the setting – 18th century Yorkshire, a time when the weavers who feature in this wild true-life story are facing obsolescence thanks to the merciless force of the Industrial Revolution. What follows is a tale of resistance and forgery, masterminded by the mysterious David Hartley (the magnetic Michael Socha), who’s home for the first time in seven years with a stab wound in his gut and a dark secret in his soul. – David Brown

Idris Elba may be a global movie star these days, but he still found time to film five series of this smash-hit BBC One show. Luther sees Elba as the dedicated, obsessive and occasionally violent DCI John Luther, a genius murder detective whose brilliant mind is not immune to the darkness of his job. The series starts with him unable to imprison psychopath and murderer Alice Morgan, leading the two to solve crimes together while he fights his own terrible demons.

Luther has been a smash hit for the BBC over the last decade, with Elba repeatedly garnering rave reviews every time a new season premiered, and the dark tone credited with giving the show more weight and gravitas than most police procedurals. Critical praise has been unanimous – indeed the biggest criticism has been the length of the show, with only twenty-one episodes produced over five seasons.

Elba is the powerhouse of this series, but he’s joined by some fine company. His Dark Material’s Ruth Wilson makes a particularly memorable turn as psychopathic nemesis and companion Alice Morgan, with The Death of Stalin’s Dermot Crawley as the razor-sharp DCI Martin Schenk and comedian Michael Smiley as “Deadhead” Benny Silver. – Daniel Furn

A series that needs no introduction, but we’ll give it one anyway.

Happy Valley stars Sarah Lancashire as Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood. When we meet her in season 1, she’s investigating former prisoner Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton), whom she believes is responsible for the death of her daughter. The rivalry between these two incredible characters continues for two more outings, the last of which was released earlier this year and brought the story to a dramatic conclusion.

Indeed, Happy Valley season 3 was hailed as some of the best British television ever made, adding yet more prestige to the career of screenwriter Sally Wainwright – also known for Last Tango in Halifax and Gentleman Jack.

If you somehow missed its original run, do yourself a favour and watch now.

In what must have been the easiest commissioning decision of the year, the BBC has ordered a second series of this bracing Belfast-set procedural. And no wonder, as this first run is an admirably unvarnished take on life in the police force. It also feels, thanks to its febrile location, as though the daily patrols of officers can go horribly awry in an instant – a factor that keeps viewers on their toes during the tense interactions between those in unform (Richard Dormer and Sian Brooke, above centre, being two notable standouts) and the career criminals in their sights.

David Brown