Unmissable crime dramas to watch this Christmas

When you’re a child, Christmas is all about receiving presents. But as an adult, the festive period is more about spending time with loved ones – although the odd scarf or bottle of plonk is always welcome. And what better way to spend time together than by crowding round the telly and watching a crime drama? Below, we’ve rounded up the best crime TV to watch between Christmas and the New Year…

Harlan Coben’s Missing You
Where to watch it: Netflix
When it’s on: 1st January 2025

Netflix carries on its wildly successful collaboration with thriller writer Harlan Coben with this adaptation of his book, Missing You. Detective Kat Donovan, played by Slow Horses‘ Rosalind Eleazar, attempts to unravel a host of mysteries tied to her old fiancé’s sudden reappearance after 11 years. The series, as with other Coben adaptations, features a str-studded cast. Look out for Lenny Henry, Richard Armitage, Ashley Walters, Steve Pemberton, Marc Warren and James Nesbitt. Oh, and Busted’s Matt Willis too.

Strike: The Ink Black Heart
Where to watch it: BBC One
When it’s on: From 16th December

Still from the new season of Strike, featuring Holliday Grainger and Tom Burke

Returning to BBC One this Christmas, Strike continues the story of the eponymous Cormoran Strike (played perfectly by Tom Burke) and his investigative partner Robin Ellacott (the equally excellent Holliday Grainger). Based on J.K. Rowling’s sixth crime novel under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym, this four-part drama explores the dark side of internet culture as Strike and Robin investigate the murder of a cult cartoon creator who was targeted by a mysterious online figure.

Out There
Where to watch it: ITV1
When it’s on: January 2025 (exact date TBC)

ITV1’s flagship crime drama for Christmas 2024 stars Martin Clunes as Nathan Williams, a widowed farmer struggling with grief while trying to protect his teenage son from shady outside forces. Set in rural Wales, the show delves into the impact of the county lines drug operations infiltrating quiet communities. Directed by Marc Evans, this intense thriller promises a raw, emotional journey about modern rural crime.

Dexter: Original Sin
Where to watch it: Paramount+
When it’s on: Available now

It’s been a good few years for Dexter fans who thought their favourite serial killer was consigned to the telly bin. Two years ago, the sequel series Dexter: New Blood graced our screens. And now, from mid-December, prequel series Dexter: Original Sin comes our way. Patrick Gibson plays the young forensic analyst/serial killer. Christian Slater, Christina Milian, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Joe Pantoliano co-star.

Black Doves
Where to watch it: Netflix
When it’s on: Available now

Keira Knightley in the new Netflix series Black Doves

If you’ve gorged on the Apple TV+ spy thriller Slow Horses these past couple of years, Black Doves should make for a great Christmas gift. Keira Knightley is spy-for-hire Helen Webb, who teams up with fellow spy, the debonair-but-deadly Sam Young (played by 007’s quartermaster and the voice of Paddington, Ben Whishaw), to uncover a conspiracy tied to London’s criminal underworld and a global crisis. Happy Valley‘s Sarah Lancashire plays Helen’s manipulative handler, Reed.

Death In Paradise: Christmas Special
Where to watch it: BBC One
When it’s on: 25th December 2024

Don Gilet is the new detective in Death in Paradise

The latest Christmas special of this gentle, long-running and popular Caribbean-set detective series introduces a new lead investigator and star. Replacing Ralf Little is Don Gilet (EastEnders, Sherwood). As former Met officer DI Mervin Wilson, Gilet plays a no-nonsense Londoner – which obviously isn’t a style suited to the relaxed surroundings of the charming, sun-drenched island of Saint Marie.

Beyond Paradise Christmas Special
Where to watch it: BBC One
When it’s on: 27th December 2024

Still from the Christmas episode of Beyond Paradise

If you like Death in Paradise, you’ll no doubt be a fan of its spin-off, too. Beyond Paradise features the original star of the show, Kris Marshall, who reprises his role as DI Humphrey Goodman. Like the show it’s based on, this also has its own festive special, with DI Goodman investigating an alleged haunting in a small town in Devon.

1992
Where to watch it: Netflix
When it’s on: Available now

Still from the new Netflix show 1992, including a ‘Curro’ doll

Following her husband’s mysterious death in a catastrophic explosion, Amparo (Marian Alvárez) embarks on a desperate quest for the truth. Her only ally is Richi (Fernando Valdivielso), a troubled ex-cop-turned-security-guard battling alcoholism. As the investigation unfolds, eerie patterns emerge. The most bizarre is that each charred victim is found alongside a ‘Curro’ doll, the mascot of the Seville Expo ’92.

The Sticky
Where to watch it: Prime Video
When it’s on: Available now

This six-part series, released on 6th December, follows Ruth Landry (the wildly underrated Margo Martindale), a maple syrup farmer, who teams up with a Boston mobster (Chris Diamantopoulos) and a laid-back French-Canadian security guard (Guillaume Cyr) for a daring heist of Quebec’s maple syrup reserve. Jamie Lee Curtis guest stars and serves as an executive producer.

Vera
Where to watch it: ITV1
When it’s on: 1st January 2025

We have good news and bad news for fans of Brenda Blethyn’s Vera. The good news? The Ann Cleeves adaptation returns this Christmas with two new episodes. And the bad? They’re set to be the last ever instalments of the much-loved detective series. Ta-ra, pet!

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Which of these telly crime shows are you planning on incorporating into your festive viewing schedule? Let us know in the comments below…