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Unforgotten, containing six seasons and 36 episodes, continues to be a favorite among crime show fans because of its complex cases and detailed investigations. Unlike other investigative TV shows, Unforgotten focuses on cold cases. This makes it all the more interesting because new clues are hard to come by, and the team has to dig deep to uncover the truth to give loved ones closure.
Unforgotten has witnessed some cast changes over the years, but fortunately for fans, it hasn't lost its luster. From season one to four, Sanjeev Bhaskar's DI Sunny Khan works alongside DCI Cassie Stuart, portrayed by Nicola Walker. But from season five onwards, he is joined by Sinéad Keenan's DCI Jessie James instead.
While fans of Unforgotten wait for new episodes of season six to air, they should check out the engrossing British crime shows on this list that are equally compelling and suspenseful.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
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Vera, Strike, and six other British crime shows like Unforgotten that boast complex cases and characters
1) Silent Witness (1996)
Unforgotten is interesting to watch because the cases the team handles aren't easy to solve. The same is the case with the crimes witnessed in Silent Witness, containing 28 seasons and 248 episodes.
In this British crime show, the focus is on skilled forensic pathology experts who have to study the corpses recovered from various crime scenes to uncover clues that can help identify the cause of death. It boasts an ensemble cast that includes Amanda Burton, Emilia Fox, Tom Ward, David Caves, and many more.
The way the show uses clever red herrings to keep viewers guessing is commendable. Like Unforgotten, Silent Witness thrives on fast-paced plots elevated by shocking twists, well-developed characters, and intelligent dialogue.
Where to watch: Episodes of Silent Witness can be viewed on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Roku.
2) New Tricks (2003)
The team in Unforgotten re-opens old cases that haven't been solved. The characters in New Tricks also undertake fresh investigations into previously unsolved cases. Containing 12 seasons and 107 episodes, this British crime show stars Alun Armstrong, Amanda Redman, James Bolam, Denis Lawson, and others.
The show focuses primarily on the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad, a fictional division within London's Metropolitan Police Service on a mission to find fresh clues that can help solve unsolved crimes. The fact that every episode brings a new case gives fans something new to look forward to each time.
Like Unforgotten, the narrative of New Tricks allows plenty of space for character development, which adds to the viewing experience. It also helps that the central characters have great on-screen chemistry.
Where to watch: New Tricks is available for streaming on Hulu, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
3) Lewis (2006)
Like Unforgotten, Lewis showcases how detectives must always think on their feet when it comes to complicated cases. In the show containing nine seasons and 33 episodes, the central characters, Detective Inspector Robert Lewis and Detective Sergeant James Hathaway are portrayed by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, respectively.
Set in Oxford, this British show follows the duo as they solve tricky cases using their quick wit and wisdom gained from experience. A spin-off of Inspector Morse, which aired between 1987 and 2000, Lewis thrives on suspenseful plots that are difficult to predict.
It is also interesting to see the working partnership between Lewis and Hathaway, who aren't exactly best buds but still manage to support each other professionally to solve cases quickly and competently.
Where to watch: Lewis can be streamed on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
4) Vera (2011)
The audience finds the team in Unforgotten endearing because they are passionate about finding answers. The same determination can also be witnessed in the lead character of Vera, containing 14 seasons and 54 episodes. Based on Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope novels, this British crime show stars Brenda Blethyn in the lead.
Blethyn plays Vera, a detective chief inspector nearing retirement. Even though she is not the easiest person to get along with, it cannot be denied that she has a bright mind and routinely helps her team come to insightful conclusions that make it easier to find the perpetrators.
Blethyn's compelling performance steals the show. Vera, like Unforgotten, also boasts striking cinematography that adds to the mysterious and gripping vibe of the plot.
Where to watch: Episodes of Vera are available on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
5) From Darkness (2015)
In Unforgotten, the team has to use old information and newly uncovered clues to solve the cases. The same method is followed by the protagonist of From Darkness, which contains four episodes. In the lead is Anne-Marie Duff, who plays Claire Church, a former police officer who wants to escape the violence she has witnessed on the job.
However, when she is pulled back into an investigation that hints at the reemergence of a serial killer who hasn't been identified yet, Claire has to do everything in her power to find answers before the body count shoots up.
In many ways, From Darkness is similar to Unforgotten because it also focuses on the people affected most by the heinous crimes. The way the narrative balances the emotional aspect without letting it overshadow the investigation, and vice versa, is commendable.
Where to watch: From Darkness is available for streaming on Prime Video.
6) Strike (2017)
The cases in Unforgotten are not straightforward, but the team always finds a way to see them in a new light and uncover fresh clues. Similarly, Strike's protagonist also has a way of unearthing new leads that the police have been unable to find. Containing six seasons and 19 episodes, it stars Tom Burke in the lead.
In this show, based on J. K. Rowling's Cormoran Strike, Burke plays the titular character, a war veteran turned private detective. He draws on his experiences from his time at the Special Investigation Branch to help solve particularly taxing cases. He is assisted by Holliday Grainger's Robin Ellacott.
The complex storytelling, similar to Unforgotten, is one of the biggest draws of Strike. Burke and Grainger do a great job of making their characters compelling and relatable.
Where to watch: Episodes of Strike can be viewed on Disney+, HBO, Apple TV+, and Prime Video.
7) Traces (2019)
The team in Unforgotten feels connected to all the cases they work on, but for the lead character in Traces, the case at hand is very personal. Containing two seasons and 12 episodes, it stars Molly Windsor as Emma Hedges, a young lab technician who moves back to her hometown with a renewed motive to find out the identity of the person who murdered her mother.
Emma receives assistance from Sarah Gordon and Kathy Torrance, portrayed by Laura Fraser and Jennifer Spence. They are forensic professionals working at the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy.
Like Unforgotten, Traces amps up the tension with each episode and helps keep viewers glued to the screen. The cast comes through in terms of immersive performances and perfectly portrays the complexities of their characters.
Where to watch: Episodes of Traces are available on Prime Video.
8) A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2024)
One of the things that comes through in Unforgotten is that unsolved cases can be especially traumatic for family and loved ones because they find it harder to move on. This same emotion can also be felt strongly in the narrative of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, which is based on Holly Jackson's novel.
Containing six episodes to date, the show was renewed for a second season last year. In the lead is Emma Myers, who plays Pip Fitz-Amobi. Intelligent and resourceful, Pip decides to re-investigate an old case involving a girl from her school as her EPQ topic. When she starts getting closer to the truth, she realizes that the actual investigation was flawed.
Like Unforgotten, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder can maintain the suspense till the very end. The show also benefits from well-developed characters hiding secrets underneath their unassuming exteriors.
Where to watch: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is available for streaming on Netflix.
These well-made British crime shows, like Unforgotten, feature layered storytelling with clever twists and turns that will keep the audience guessing.
