When you think aboutAgatha Christie, a few things probably come to mind.
There’s her title as the Queen of Crime and her status as the bestselling fictionauthorof all time.
Poirot and Marple are also well acquainted withquaint, sleepy English neighborhoods disrupted by violentcrimes.
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Maybe one of her standalone novels left an impression, likeThe Pale Horseor thenightmare-inducingAnd Then There Were None.
In short,Christie’s influence on the crime genrecan’t be overstated.
Even her homiest brain-twisters incorporate complex characters affected by World War I and its fallout.
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There was no one quite like Dame Christie, butBritish television has plenty of worthy successors.
Not to spoil the surprise, butAnthony Horowitzis a name you’ll see again on this list.
The creator oftheMidsomer Murdersseriesand a prolific author,Foyle’s Waris Horowitz’s longest-running series.
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Don’t worry the episodic mysteries drive half the action.
BeanandBlackadder, you don’t.
Atkinson is nearly unrecognizable in these four feature-length adaptations of authorGeorges Simenon’s JulesMaigretnovels.
Maigret, a Chief Inspector from France, strikes an impressively distinct figure with his pipe and bowler hat.
Simenon’s 75 novels are considered some of the genre’s finest works.
First published in the 1930s,Maigret exists in conversationwith Poirot and other detectivesof the era.
His intuition gets the job done, and his morality has deep roots.
Compassionate and philosophically astute,Brown solves criminal casesbecause he vowed to serve those in need.
In some cases, that includesthe perpetrator and the victim.
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Rough around the edges, Morse has shrewd instincts and a drive for justice.
Evans does an excellent job honoring Thaw’s gruff competence and gravitas while making the younger Morse his own.
Decades later, she endeared herself to a new generation as the indomitable Lady Olenna Tyrell inGame of Thrones.
In between those career-defining moments, Rigg charmed her way throughThe Mrs Bradley Mysteries.
A skilled psychoanalyst,Adela picks up the crucial details others overlook without abandoning human empathy.
Despite her contributions to the mystery world,Gladys Mitchell’sMrs Bradleyseries remains underrated.
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Roderick Alleyn is one of the Golden Age of detective fiction’s original gentleman detectives.
Born into an upper-class and aristocratic background, Alleyn is affluent, elegant, and strikingly good-looking.
Almost 100 years and over 30 books later,Marsh is considered a queen of crime alongside her inspiration.
As secrets unravel, the tight-knit community is rocked by suspicion and grief.
The investigation exposes hidden truths, testing relationships and uncovering the town’s dark underbelly.
Right before his retirement, bestselling author Alan Conway (Conleth Hill) dies.
Magpie Murdersrespectfully and lovinglyparodies Christie and her peers.
Besides the wonderful Susan,Horowitz’s story-within-a-story framing makesMagpie Murdersa true standout.
NEXT:The 27 Best British Crime Shows on Netflix Right Now
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In a small coastal town, detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller investigate the tragic death of a young boy. As secrets unravel, the tight-knit community is rocked by suspicion and grief. The investigation exposes hidden truths, testing relationships and uncovering the town’s dark underbelly.
Image via PBS Masterpiece
