Why British Police Shows Are Better. When you take away guns and shootings, you have more time to explore grief, guilt, and the psychological complexity of crime. By Christopher Orr.

British crime and detective shows, from Line of Duty to The Fall, offer pulse-pounding police action, along with a dose of family drama.

These thriller shows from the U.K. are among the best in the genre, wrapping shocking murder-mysteries in a uniquely British ...