UK Crime-Drama Release & Availability Tracker: Returning Series, Confirmed Dates & Where to Watch

Which British crime dramas are returning in the UK, when can you watch them, and where? Many renewal headlines announce a commission months or years before a UK broadcaster confirms a transmission date, or quote US premiere dates that do not apply to UK viewers. This maintained hub is verified by Nigel Kent (Checked weekly every Monday by Nigel Kent against official UK broadcaster press packs (BBC Media Centre, ITV Press Centre, Channel 4 Press, Apple TV+ UK, Netflix UK) and verified UK trade reporting.) to separate confirmed UK broadcast and streaming dates from unconfirmed renewals.

Maintained UK Crime-Drama Release & Availability Overview

Slow Horses — Season 5 (Complete / Available in UK)

UK Release & Platform: 24 September 2025 (All 6 episodes now streaming in the UK) on Apple TV+ UK (6 × 45–50m episodes (~4.5 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Suits viewers who want sharp, darkly comic British espionage with a self-contained six-episode story arc rather than a sprawling procedural.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: Season 5 Adapts Mick Herron’s London Rules and is complete on Apple TV+ UK. Season 6 and Season 7 have been commissioned by Apple TV+, but Apple has not yet confirmed a UK premiere date for Season 6. (Source: Apple TV+ UK Press).

Unforgotten — Series 6 (Complete / Available in UK)

UK Release & Platform: 9 February 2025 (Complete boxset available on ITVX) on ITV1 & ITVX (6 × 45m episodes (~4.5 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Ideal for viewers who prefer patient, character-driven cold-case investigations where four seemingly unconnected lives gradually converge around a historical crime.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: Series 6 aired on ITV1 in February 2025 and remains available as a full boxset on ITVX. ITV recommissioned Unforgotten for Series 7, which is in production with no confirmed UK transmission date yet. (Source: ITV Press Centre).

Dept. Q — Season 1 (Complete / Available in UK)

UK Release & Platform: 29 May 2025 (Complete 9-episode boxset streaming in the UK) on Netflix UK (9 × 50–60m episodes (~8 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Suits viewers looking for a gritty Scottish detective thriller with a longer 9-episode commitment and basement cold-case team dynamics.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: Edinburgh-set adaptation starring Matthew Goode released all 9 episodes simultaneously on Netflix UK in May 2025. Netflix has not yet confirmed a Season 2 premiere date. (Source: Netflix UK Media Center).

Shetland — Series 10 (Confirmed Upcoming UK Date)

UK Release & Platform: 4 November 2026 (BBC One weekly broadcast & BBC iPlayer) on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (6 × 60m episodes (6 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Suits viewers who enjoy atmospheric, slow-burn island mysteries where close-knit community tensions matter as much as the forensic clues.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: BBC One commissioned Series 9 and Series 10 together in a double-series order starring Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell. Series 9 is available in full on BBC iPlayer ahead of the autumn Series 10 slot. (Source: BBC Media Centre).

Blue Lights — Series 3 (Date Unconfirmed (In Production / Post))

UK Release & Platform: Date Unconfirmed (Filmed in Belfast; exact BBC One transmission date TBC) on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (6 × 60m episodes (6 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Best for viewers wanting an urgent, grounded frontline response-policing drama set in contemporary Belfast rather than a traditional whodunnit.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: BBC officially commissioned Series 3 and Series 4 together. While production returned to Belfast, the BBC has not yet published a confirmed weekly air date for Series 3; Series 1–2 remain streaming on BBC iPlayer. (Source: BBC Media Centre).

Sherwood — Series 3 (Announced / Renewed (No UK Date))

UK Release & Platform: Announced / Recommissioned (UK filming & broadcast date unconfirmed by BBC) on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (6 × 60m episodes (6 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Suits viewers looking for politically resonant British state-of-the-nation crime drama rooted in Nottinghamshire social history.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: BBC confirmed a third series written by James Graham following the conclusion of Series 2, but neither casting schedules nor a UK transmission window have been announced yet. (Source: BBC Media Centre).

Ludwig — Series 2 (Date Unconfirmed (In Production / Post))

UK Release & Platform: Date Unconfirmed (Recommissioned by BBC; UK air date not yet scheduled) on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (6 × 60m episodes (6 hours total)).

Who It Suits: Ideal for viewers who want a lighter, puzzle-driven cosy detective mystery with episodic cases alongside an overarching family disappearance.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: BBC officially commissioned Series 2 with David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin returning in Cambridge. Exact UK broadcast dates remain unconfirmed; Series 1 is available in full on BBC iPlayer. (Source: BBC Media Centre).

Line of Duty — Series 7 (Announced / Renewed (No UK Date))

UK Release & Platform: Unconfirmed (No official BBC greenlight or UK air date announced) on BBC One & BBC iPlayer (Series 1–6 streaming now) (Series 1–6 available now; Series 7 episode count unconfirmed).

Who It Suits: Suits viewers seeking high-stakes police anti-corruption thrillers and long-form interrogation room drama across Series 1–6 on BBC iPlayer.

Verification & Uncertainty Note: Despite frequent cast interviews discussing interest in an AC-12 return, the BBC Press Office has NOT officially commissioned Series 7 or confirmed any production dates. Treat tabloid release-date rumours as unverified. (Source: Radio Times UK Reporting).