12 top Netflix shows for Broadchurch fans

Hinterland

So you like TV crime shows about close-knit communities rocked by violent crimes, featuring hard-nosed police types and shady locals, all with slightly funny accents, do you? Well, may we recommend the BBC’s Hinterland (also known as Y Gwyll in its native Wales). There have been three series of this dark and moody Aberystwyth-set drama made to date. You can catch series one and two on Netflix now.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

On the face of it, there might not be too many similarities between a programme about two mardy detectives set in Dorset and one featuring the glamour of a sassy 1920’s flapper from Melbourne. But dig down and you’ll find the adventures of aristocratic private investigator Phryne Fisher (as featured in a set of novels by Australian author Kerry Greenwood) chime a little with the world of Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller. Alright, so we’re stretching a little with this one, but hey – it’s about solving murders and we like it. And so will you.

IMDb Rating: 8.4

Bodyguard

Broadchurch was event TV, real watercooler stuff. Few crime dramas enrapture an entire nation. Writer Jed Mercurio’s do, though. Line of Duty is his most famous and best-loved work, but 2018’s Bodyguard isn’t far behind.

The tale of an illicit affair between the Home Secretary (played by Keeley Hawes) and one of her principal protection officers (Richard Madden), this was a huge hit with audiences that saw peaks of 11 million viewers on BBC One when televised.

IMDb Rating: 8.1

Wallander

Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander novels are big news in the crime fiction world, as you no doubt know. In the telly world, the British adaptations – starring none other than world famous thesp Sir Kenneth Branagh – are pretty big news too. But for a real feel of the originals, the Swedish versions are where you should head. Krister Henriksson takes on the eponymous role and what we really like about them is that each episode is feature length, giving a true cinematic feel to this Ystad-set series.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Top of the Lake

Stunning scenery, a child taken from its family and suspicions galore, this stunning six-parter is a nice companion piece to Broadchurch in theme and atmosphere. What we particularly love about Top of the Lake is that it’s lent true cinematic panache by its director, The Piano’s Jane Campion. The acting talent is top class too, with Mad Men’s Elizabeth Moss and the incomparable Peter Mullan leading the way. If it escaped your radar back in 2013, Netflix is – very kindly – allowing you to see to that now at the press of a few buttons.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Paranoid

Indira Varma, Robert Glenister and Lesley Sharp star in this British crime drama which first came to TV fans attention back in September of 2016. In it, detectives investigate a GP that’s knifed to death in a children’s playground. Suspects mount up and a conspiracy involving a German pharmaceutical company is uncovered.

This ITV original may rely somewhat on the odd cliche here and there, but it’s altogether a solid – if slightly silly – watch. The full eight episodes of the solitary series of Paranoid are up on Netflix now and provide an entertaining watch for anyone that enjoyed the twists and turns of Broadchurch.

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Marcella

Another crime thriller from ITV’s stable, this Anna Friel-starring two-season affair sits somewhere between Broadchurch and a typical Scandi Noir. Friel is Detective Sergeant Marcella Backland, a no-nonsense London copper who takes her work tracking down serial killers very seriously indeed.

There’s a certain lack of subtlety about the lead character’s methods and Marcella as a series, but in terms of twists and shocks and drama, you’d be hard pressed to find another British crimer that plays with audience expectation quite as much.

IMDb Rating: 7.4

The Break

In its home country of Belgium, The Break is known as La Trêve (‘The Truce’). Yoann Blanc stars as Detective Yoann Peeters, a perennially rather glum police type who moves back to his childhood hometown with his daughter after the death of his wife. Series 1 sees him search for the murderer of a football player at his local club, while its follow-up has Peeters fighting to clear a man’s name after a miscarriage of justice.

There’s not much light here, but it’s a powerful drama that’s at its very best when revealing the prejudices and attitudes of small communities. The sad bear-like Blanc is also a huge talent in the central role.

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Bitter Daisies

Lieutenant Rosa Vargas (Maria Mera) is a Civil Guard officer in the Spanish police who’s sent out to a rural community in the north of the country to investigate the disappearance of a young woman. As these things so often tend to do, it quickly turns into a search for a serial killer.

This Galician crime drama is a little by-the-numbers but does have the odd flourish and unique idea that makes the six episodes worth catching. There’s enough wry humour and high drama to keep any Broadchurch fan happy. As well as some rather seedy and kinky subplots. Watch out for those.

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Perfume

This 2018 foreign language series takes its inspiration from both Patrick Süskind’s beautifully deranged book and the 2006 film based on it, both called Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.

An odd tale of a serial killer driven by his extremely refined olfactory system, the major difference here in the television version is that the action takes place in modern-day Germany. There are six parts to this critically well-received series and a second run planned.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Bordertown

Despite what we just said about Finnish TV crime dramas, there is another show from that chilly country that Broadchurch enthusiasts might enjoy. Sorjonen or Bordertown is a crimer set in Lappeenranta, a town that borders Finland and Russia – hence the name. It follows a grizzled-looking detective as he hunts down a serial killer, but – that said – it’s a slightly lighter take on the genre than most Scandinavian efforts. Fans of Hardy and Miller’s occasional banter will enjoy the caustic sense of humour our lead – Kari Sorjonen (played by Ville Virtanen) – often displays.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Vexed

This BBC police procedural may not be as dark as Broadchurch, but if you love the chemistry and bickering between DS Alec Hardy and DI Ellie Miller, then you might well dig the relationship that Toby Stephens and Lucy Punch’s lead characters have in this comedy-drama. It’s irreverent, daft, and well made. If ever-so-slightly silly.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Think we’ve missed any perfect Netflix shows for Broadchurch fans? Let us know in the comments below…

Looking for some reading recommendations? Check out our list of books perfect for Broadchurch fans!