Thanks to a combination of Netflix, Hulu, Hoopla, Amazon Prime, and Acorn TV I've been able to binge some entertaining series this summer. Some were new to me, other I watched over again, but they are all lovely. And somewhat gruesome. And contain DELIGHTFUL accents.
1. Midsomer Murders: a contemporary drama showcasing the villages of Midsomer county. Began airing in 1997 and based on a book series by Caroline Graham. Main character DCI Tom Barnaby has a rotating cast of Detective Sergeants, and when he retires in season 14 his cousin DCI John Barnaby takes over. Great storylines, not usually gory but some of the murders are rather inventive, and there is awesome character development for the main cast. You're able to skip around if you don't watch to watch it all the way through without getting too confused. Currently on season 19 and here has never been a shortage of male eye candy. Celebrity guest stars include: Tom Ellis, Orlando Bloom, Hugh Bonneville, Olivia Colman, Peter Capaldi, Henry Cavill, Toby Jones, Jenny Agutter, and Colin Farrel. All seasons available on Netflix, Acorn, and Hoopla.
2. Foyle's War: period drama set during WWII in the town of Hastings, a southern point of England that was prone to invasion during the war. DCS Christopher Foyle is widowed and working as a policeman in Hastings, joined in his detection work by Detective Sergeant Paul Milner and his driver Samantha (Sam) Stewart. Sam and Foyle have a witty, almost paternal relationship that lasts throughout to entire series (there are 9), where Milner takes his leave after season 6. Foyle has a son in the RAF, Andrew Foyle, who is HANDSOME and who you may recognize from Downton Abbey Other celebrity guest stars are: Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Emily Blunt, John Mahoney, James McAvoy, Peter Capaldi, Charles Dance, Andrew Scott, and Corin Redgrave. This show is best to watch from beginning to end. All seasons available on Netflix, Hoopla, and Acorn TV.
3. Inspector George Gently: period drama taking place in the 1960s in Northern England. (Northern accents = may want the captions on.) Loosely based on the novels by Alan Hunter. Titular character George Gently is an older Inspector come up from London after his wife is murdered by a mobster. Gently's Sergeant is John Bacchus (who is charming, misogynistic and a bit racist) and the two butt heads but do have an evolving mentor-mentee-partners relationship. Eight seasons, and you'll DEFINITELY need to watch on order of original airing. This series is more gruesome and I do have to cover my eyes as times. Guest stars include: Louise Brealey, Phil Davis, Mark Gatiss, Richard Armitage, Kevin Doyle, Shaun Evans, Brendan Coyle, James Norton, Mark Williams, and Jemma Redgrave. All seasons available on Hoopla and Acorn TV, first three available on Hulu.
4. Endeavor: period drama which serves as a prequel for the Inspector Morse series. Takes place during 1960s-70s in Oxford, England, when Endeavour Morse is a young constable. Five series so far and the character development/ backstories require you to watch the episodes chronologically. Morse (who prefers being referred to by his last name) went to Oxford and is incredibly intelligent, being interested in languages and classical music, but rather than becoming a professor he enters the police force. Becomes close with his superior, Chief Inspector Friday, and his family. Not many celebrity guest stars in this show, but you do often recognize actors from the British Television World. Unfortunately, this show is only available on DVD through your local library (if you want it for free, anyway) but trust me, it is WORTH IT.
5. Agatha Raisin: contemporary drama based on the novels by MC Beaton. Set in the Cotswolds, Agatha Raisin is a frustrated, yet endearing, middle-aged public-relations agent who moved from London when she sold her public-relations and took early retirement. Agatha rankles some of her new neighbors but also discovers that she has a knack for solving crimes. Only 1 season so far, but IMDB tells me that there is going to be a second. SO adorable, colorful, and funny... very much like Pushing Daisies but with British accents and less pies. Not grim and no celebs, and only available on Acorn TV.
6. Happy Valley: a coworker told me about this contemporary drama and I don't know why I took so long to watch it! Way more grim than the other shows, but gripping, intense, and bingeable in the extreme. Two seasons so far with another to come next year, this show takes place in Northern England (so again, captions are your friend here!) and revolves around Catherine Cawood, a police sergeant who took a professional demotion after her daughter dies and Catherine decides to adopt and raise her grandson. Catherine lives with her ex-addict sister Clare, who will also be recognized from Downton Abbey. I can't summarize much else without giving things away, but trust me when I say you need to watch this from beginning to end as soon as possible. You may recognize: James Norton, Kevin Doyle, Shirley Henderson, and Matthew Lewis. Available on Netflix.
7. Vera: this one took me a few episodes to get into, but my mom loved this contemporary drama from the off. DCI Vera Stanhope works in Northumberland (CAPTIONS, people. Learn to love them!) and wears awesome, outdated, layered dresses and bad hats while she solves murders on her patch. Accompanied by her sergeant Joe Ashworth (whose kids' names Vera can never remember), Vera stalks about in her big muddy Jeep and big muddy wellies. Dark humor prevails rather than the lighthearted comedy of other shows in the list and I have had to close my eyes sometimes. I missed a handful of episodes when mom binged a season without me, but I was able to follow along fairly well anyway since there is less significance on character development and more emphasis on the current case. Celebrity guests include: Brenda Blethyn, Julie Graham, Gina McKee, and Judy Parfitt. Available to watch on Acorn TV.
8. Father Brown: based on the short stories by G.K. Chesterton, watch the more recent version with Mark Williams (aka, Arthur Weasley) from 2013-now. In Kembleford in the 1950s, Father Brown is a Roman Catholic priest who solves murders in his community, which the police force don't usually appreciate. His housekeeper Mrs. McCarthy and friends Lady Felicia, Sid Carter, and Bunty assist Father Brown with his sleuthing. The costumes and locations are fantastic and the accents are posh enough that you can understand everyone :) There are 8 seasons with another upcoming and you can choose to binge or skip around with this show. Celeb sightings include: Louise Brealey, James Wilby, James Fleet, and Laura Main. You can watch on Netflix and Acorn TV.
9. No Offence: contemporary drama set in Manchester, England, following DI Viv Deering and her team as they search for murderers and other ne'er-do-wells. In each of the 2 seasons currently available, there is an arc with a main case and several smaller crimes tucked within that may or may not fit together. Viv is unconventional, foul mouthed, and takes no crap. She also wears different colored leather jackets in each episode. I want to be her when I grow up. Viv gets along with her team in general and they'd do anything for each other when it counts, but they definitely go through some drama and minor betrayals. Watch these chronologically and don't skip any, since there are details and pertinent revelations every few scenes. Not super graphic, but sexual violence is prevalent in the first season. You may not recognize anyone since there are no really famous cast members. Available on Acorn TV.
10. Murdoch Mysteries: the latest season, 11, was just released! This period drama is based on novels by Maureen Jennings and takes place in Toronto, Canada during the early 20th century so it isn't *technically* a British crime drama, but it is no less amazing. A bit cheesy at times but cool cameos by historical figures throughout, as well as beautiful costumes and witty dialogue. You don't necessarily have to watch all of the episodes in order, but if you skip ahead there will be spoilers about some characters' love lives :) Because it has gone on for so long the murders get more and more original and a few get spooky, but for the most part the show is very PG. Detective William Murdoch works in Stationhouse 4 and his fellow policemen- Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, Constable George Crabtree, Constable Henry Higgins- as well as the {female!} city coroner Dr. Julia Ogden combine forces to fight crime and corruption in the local government. Famous guest stars include: Samantha Bond, William Shatner, Victor Garber, Brendan Coyle, Megan Follows, and Edward Asner. Available on Netflix, Hoopla, Hulu, and Acorn TV.
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