Top 10 Crime Dramas Similar to Dalziel & Pascoe

Description: Long-running forensic pathology drama combining medical investigation with criminal cases, often featuring multiple episode story arcs.

Fact: Originally focused on a single pathologist but evolved into a team format. The show's autopsy scenes are so realistic they're used in some medical training programs.

Description: A long-running British detective series set in picturesque rural villages, featuring intricate murder mysteries and a focus on community dynamics.

Fact: The fictional county of Midsomer was inspired by the real-life counties of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The show holds the record for the highest number of on-screen deaths in a British TV series.

Description: A period detective drama set during and after WWII, blending crime-solving with historical context and moral dilemmas.

Fact: The show was originally intended to run for only four episodes but proved so popular it continued for eight series. Many storylines were based on actual historical events from the war period.

Description: Features a no-nonsense female detective solving complex crimes in atmospheric Northumberland landscapes, with strong character development.

Fact: The series is based on novels by Ann Cleeves. The title character's distinctive hat and macintosh became so iconic they were displayed at the National Theatre in London.

Description: Police procedural focusing on two female detectives balancing demanding cases with complex personal lives, with realistic investigative details.

Fact: Created with input from a former Manchester police officer to ensure authenticity. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of female friendships in high-pressure jobs.

Description: Gritty crime drama set in Yorkshire, featuring a tough female police sergeant dealing with both professional cases and personal trauma.

Fact: The title refers to the local nickname for the Calder Valley due to its drug problems. The series was praised for its unflinching portrayal of working-class life and policing.

Description: A moody crime drama set in remote Scottish islands, combining police procedural elements with deep exploration of local culture and isolation.

Fact: The show is filmed on location in Shetland, with many locals appearing as extras. It's based on novels by the same author who created Vera.

Description: Groundbreaking police procedural featuring a determined female detective battling both criminals and workplace sexism in London.

Fact: The series was so influential it's credited with changing how women were portrayed in British police dramas. Each series followed one case from start to finish, a novel approach at the time.

Description: Psychological crime drama featuring a brilliant but flawed criminal psychologist solving complex cases with deep character studies.

Fact: The show was controversial for its graphic content and was nearly canceled after its first season. It pioneered the 'troubled genius' detective trope that became common in later crime dramas.

Description: Dark psychological thriller series about a clinical psychologist helping police solve disturbing serial killer cases.

Fact: Based on Val McDermid's Tony Hill novels. The title comes from a Ted Hughes poem about psychological trauma and resilience.