10 Best British TV Detectives Of All Time, Ranked
British crime shows are chock-full of some of the most memorable detective characters the medium has to offer, and these are the best of the bunch.
1. David Tennant's Alec Hardy, from the show Broadchurch, is often praised as one of the most compelling British TV detectives due to his complex character arc and relatable portrayal by the actor.
2. Olivia Colman's Ellie Miller, also from Broadchurch, is considered one of the best female TV detectives of all time, characterized by her grounded nature, deep human connection, and deep portrayal by Colman, who won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy for her performance.
3. John Simm's Sam Tyler, from the show Life on Mars, is a hard-boiled cop who time travels to the 1970s, bringing a unique perspective and complex nature to the detective genre.
4. Keeley Hawes' Alex Drake, from the show Life on Mars (Ashes to Ashes), inherits the character from Sam Tyler and expands on his mysterious world, with the addition of a fantasy element that further distinguishes her from other British TV detectives.
5. Adrian Dunbar's Ted Hastings, from the show Line of Duty, is a charismatic and capable leader of Anti-Corruption Unit 12 who investigates and exposes corrupt cops within the police force, despite facing multiple personal and professional challenges.
6. Helen Mirren's Jane Tennison, from the show Prime Suspect, is a defining example of strong female police detective protagonists in the early 1990s, winning two of her four Emmys for her powerful and nuanced portrayal of a tough, tenacious cop.
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