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Last updated on the 19 June 2025 by Maeve
Scottish crime dramas are a gripping and immersive genre of fiction that typically features compelling characters, intricate plots and atmospheric settings often in a picturesque landscape.
Crime (2021)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3
Detective Inspector Ray Lennox delves into the perplexing disappearance of a schoolgirl in Edinburgh. As he battles his own inner turmoil and copes with internal police conflicts, Lennox relentlessly strives to uncover the truth behind this unsettling case.
Top cast: Dougray Scott, Joanna Vanderham, Jamie Sives, Michael Abubakar, Angela Griffin, Laura Fraser, Sarah McCardie, Ken Stott, John Simm.
Rebus (2000)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5
Based on the novels by Ian Rankin, it follows Detective Inspector John Rebus as he tackles complex cases and his own personality in Edinburgh. With its gritty atmosphere and intricate plots, the show plunges into themes of corruption, morality and justice.
Top cast: John Hannah, Ken Stott, Sara Stewart, Gayanne Potter, Jennifer Black, Ron Donachie, Ewan Stewart, Brian McCardie.
Annika (2021)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3
A series that centres around the eponymous character, Annika Strandhed, a sharp-witted and unconventional detective inspector working with the Marine Homicide Unit in Glasgow. The show follows her as she investigates intricate cases while facing personal challenges and maintaining an unyielding dedication to justice.
Top cast: Nicola Walker, Silvie Furneaux, Katie Leung, Jamie Sives, Kate Dickie, Varada Sethu, Paul McGann, Saskia Ashdown, Hannah Donaldson.
Case Histories (2011)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9
“Case Histories” is based on the novels by Kate AtkinsonI it follows private investigator Jackson Brodie as he solves elaborate and interconnected mysteries in Edinburgh. With its blend of gripping stories, compelling characters and emotional depth, the show explores both the shadowy side of crime and personal journeys of redemption.
Top cast: Jason Isaacs, Amanda Abbington, Natasha Little, Zawe Ashton, Millie Innes, Kirsty Mitchell, Phil Davis, Adam Godley.
Taggart (1983)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4
“Taggart” is a Scottish detective series that first aired in 1983. Set in Glasgow, it follows the investigations of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Taggart and his team as they solve various murder cases. Known for its gritty atmosphere and multifaceted plots, “Taggart” became one of the longest-running detective dramas on British television.
Top cast: Mark McManus, Neil Duncan, Harriet Buchan, Robert Robertson, Iain Anders, Tom Watson, Alex Norton, Alastair Duncan.
Karen Pirie (2022)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.6
DS Karen Pirie is assigned to lead a review of a 25-year-old murder case in St Andrews after it gains attention through a true-crime podcast. As she goes deeper into the past, Pirie unearths new clues and suspects. However, as the investigation intensifies, with attacks on potential culprits, Pirie must race against time to identify the killer before more lives are endangered.
Top cast: Lauren Lyle, Emer Kenny, Chris Jenks, Zach Wyatt, Rakhee Thakrar, Ariyon Bakare, Kevin Mains, Gemma McElhinney, Steve John Shepherd.
The Loch (2017)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9
“The Loch” follows the investigation into a murder in the fictional town of Lochnafoy. As Detective Annie Redford and DCI Lauren Quigley burrow into the case, they uncover a web of secrets and evil forces lurking beneath the serene surface of Loch Ness.
Top cast: Laura Fraser, Siobhan Finneran, Don Gilet, John Sessions, Gray O’Brien, William Ash, Alastair Mackenzie, Oliver Greenall.
Shetland (2013)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3
“Shetland” is based on Ann Cleeves’ novels. Set in the remote Scottish Shetland Islands, Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez investigates shocking murder cases while attempting to balance his complicated personal life. With stunning landscapes as a backdrop, he uncovers dark secrets and faces unexpected challenges that test his resolve.
Top cast: Douglas Henshall, Alison O’Donnell, Steven Robertson, Mark Bonnar, Julie Graham, Ashley Jensen, Erin Armstrong, Lewis Howden, Anne Kidd.
Traces (2019)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
“Traces” follows Emma Hedges, a bright forensic science student who discovers her mother’s unsolved murder. Determined to find answers, she joins the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy. As she works on present cases, Emma also unravels dark secrets from her own past.
Top cast: Molly Windsor, Laura Fraser, Jennifer Spence, Martin Compston, Vincent Regan, Michael Nardone, John Gordon Sinclair.
