detective

Two whole seasons of a new imagining of a classic detective drama will be streaming for free before the year is out.

Fans of detective dramas need to add a “fabulous” series to their watchlists.

Fans of cosy crime and detective dramas like Vera are urged to keep an eye out for a detective series hailed as “superb” by viewers. Based on Georges Simenon’s iconic detective novels, the series follows a rising young detective in the Paris Police Judiciaire, who heads La Crim, the serious crime unit.

Unlike previous adaptations, the series is set in the present day and is produced by Playground, the team behind hit shows like All Creatures Great and Small and Wolf Hall. Maigret is the series in question and it stars Benjamin Wainwright as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret, the titular unconventional young detective rising up the ranks.

The Last Kingdom actress Stefanie Martini also stars as Louise Maigret, Maigret’s wife and confidante, who works as a psychiatric nurse. The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison stars as Sergeant Joseph Torrence.

UKTV has acquired the rights to two seasons of Maigret for its free streaming service, U and linear channel U&DRAMA. Season one premieres on U and U&DRAMA in December, and season two will follow in 2027.

UKTV teased: “In series one, Chief Inspector Maigret and his team of maverick but loyal detectives, Les Maigrets, solve a series of complex crimes in Paris. Maigret’s unconventional methods and unique sense of justice put him at odds with his superiors and the judicial system he is supposed to represent. Maigret must outwit some of Paris’s most cunning and violent criminals, while dealing with his own troubled past.”

Karin Marelle of UKTV and BBC Studios hailed Maigret “one of the most recognisable detective brands in the world“, while Simon Cox, who led on the acquisition of the series for Banijay Rights, said: “The series combines gripping mysteries and rich character storytelling all centred around one of crime fiction’s most iconic and enduring detectives.”

Fans took to IMDb reviews to share their thoughts on the series, with one hailing it “outstanding”, adding: “I have not been a fan of either the books or previous movies or shows about Maigret. So I came to this with no preconceived notions.

“Overall I found it an outstanding beginning to what I hope will be a long series. Well written, well-acted, and highly entertaining. Just a sort of thing that I was looking forward to take my mind off with many problems that we now see in our world.”

Another called it a “fabulous show”, sharing: “We are enjoying this programme ever so much! My mum and I are huge fans of the original Maigret and this is a great modern remake!

“I am not usually very enthusiastic about remakes, but this is an exceptionally good one. I can’t wait for more episodes, and hopefully many more seasons to come! Overall a great programme with a really fabulous cast.”

Another viewer said it was a “superb” watch, adding: “This iteration reminds me a lot of another detective series using British actors in a non-British setting, Vandervalk. Regardless, I thought the plotting, writing, acting, and direction was superb, especially in the last episodes of this first series.”

The series premiered on PBS Masterpiece in the US in October 2025, and on ABC Television in Australia in November 2025.

Series 1 of Maigret premieres on U and U&DRAMA in December and Series 2 will follow in 2027.

The unpredictable crime drama follows the puzzling deaths of four guests at a dinner party

MobLand star Emmett J. Scanlan is starring in a new murder mystery alongside Celebrity Traitors’ Sharon Rooney.

Channel 5 has released a first look at their upcoming thriller, An Impossible Way to Die, which follows two detectives who are tasked with uncovering the mysterious deaths of four guests at a dinner party.

The six-part series has been described as “gripping” by the broadcaster, and follows Sharon Rooney’s character, DS Katie Salter, whose quiet local policing life is upended when she is thrust into a high-pressure murder investigation with DI Niall Conway, played by Emmett J Scanlon.

Described as a character-driven, unpredictable drama exploring identity, protection, power, and corruption, the story will see DS Katie Salter “happily solving everyday crimes until fate drags her into an impossible murder mystery”.

The synopsis continues: “Four people sat around a table seemingly set for a dinner party – except they are all dead. The only clue is a scorpion crawling out of one of the victim’s mouths.”

It continues: “Salter is not your stereotypical damaged and tormented TV detective. Smart, diligent, and committed to her family, tensions quickly surface when Salter is partnered with DI Niall Conway, lead investigator on the case. Salter’s measured, grounded approach clashes with Conway’s all-consuming dedication to the job.

“At first, the two detectives appear fundamentally incompatible. Yet, as the investigation deepens and the pressure intensifies, Conway begins to recognise the value of Salter’s empathy, optimism, and instinctive understanding of people.”

The synopsis adds: “As the case grows increasingly impossible, secrets are unearthed and conspiracies emerge, lives are put at risk as the detectives race against time to connect seemingly disparate cases and unmask a killer before it’s too late.”

DS Katie Salter actress Sharon Rooney is best known for playing Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary and was recently seen competing in the latest series of The Celebrity Traitors. While Emmett J. Scanlan is famed for portraying Paul O’Donnell in Paramount+ crime series MobLand, his other recent roles include A Working Man, Gangs of London, and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.

Coldwater and Vigil star Lois Chimimba will star alongside Rooney and Scanlan, and will be joined by Black Mirror’s Jonny Lavelle and This Country’s Ashley McGuire.

The crime series is scheduled to air in 2027 and has been penned by Death is Paradise’s Jillian Mannion, alongside Ciara Conway, David Persiva, Robin Ganderton, and Rowena Johnson.

Adam Wimpenny serves as director for the thriller, which is executive produced by Clapperboard’s Mike Benson and Myf Hopkins. Amber Howorth also serves as producer

An Impossible Way to Die will air on Channel 5 in 2027