June 5, 2024 – The BBC will open case files of the best detective and crime dramas this summer with a line-up of 17 titles crossing six decades, including classic and contemporary favourites from Law & Order, Dalziel and Pascoe, to Life on Mars, Line of Duty, Happy Valley and more. The season launches Wednesday 12 June at 10pm on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer with new episodes weekly.

Many titles will be preceded by brand new introductions from key cast and the creatives behind them, offering fresh insights and fond memories of these fan-favourites. First to be called to the stand to launch the season is Death in Paradise, introduced by writer Tony Jordan and original cast member Don Warrington. In addition, all 107 episodes of Death in Paradise are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The dramas in the season (A-Z) are:

Campion

Detective drama series adapted from the novels by Margery Allingham. Starring Peter Davison.

Dalziel and Pascoe

Gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill.

Death in Paradise

A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will.

• Watch Death in Paradise on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Happy Valley

Sally Wainwright’s northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.

• Watch Happy Valley on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Hinterland

Amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages, brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past. Atmospheric Welsh drama with Richard Harrington.

• Watch Hinterland on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Drama series about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers, based on the novels of Elizabeth George.

Jonathan Creek

Comedy drama series about a deviser of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Starring Alan Davies.

Law & Order

Four-part drama series about the British judicial system, originally broadcast in 1978 with a cast including Peter Dean and Derek Martin.

Life on Mars

Is he mad, in a coma… or has Detective Sam Tyler really travelled back in time? Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister.

• Watch Life on Mars on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Line of Duty

Jed Mercurio’s drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. With a cast including Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar.

• Watch Line of Duty on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Luther

Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther.

• Watch Luther on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

New Tricks

There’s no case too cold for these detectives. They’re anarchic, eccentric and old-fashioned – but they get things done. Warm-hearted drama with a host of familiar faces.

• Watch New Tricks on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Sherlock

Blunt, brilliant Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) teams up with war veteran Dr Watson (Martin Freeman) to solve impossible crimes.

• Watch Sherlock on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Shetland

The dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Uncovering secrets and lies from the past – detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell.

• Watch Shetland on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

The Cops

The acclaimed, provocative police drama set in the fictional Northern town of Stanton. Starring Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw.

Waking The Dead BELOW.

A cold case team unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson.

• Watch Waking The Dead on BBC iPlayer BELOW.

Wallander

Unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate, Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Starring Kenneth Branagh.

• Watch Wallander on BBC iPlayer BELOW.