BBC rolls out classic crime dramas over the summer

There’s a lot (a LOT) of live sport on British TV this summer, and we’re already seeing the effects of that on linear schedules.

The BBC has come up with a novel way to help fill in the game without spending a fortune on commissioned series. Yes, repeats. But repeats of classic crime dramas, which is obviously of interest to us.

A whole host (not sure what the collective noun is for crime dramas) is being rolled out, and there are some really great ones we haven’t seen for a while:

Campion

Detective drama series adapted from the novels by Margery Allingham. Starring Peter Davison.

Dalziel and Pascoe

Gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill.

Death in Paradise

A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will.

Happy Valley

Sally Wainwright’s northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.

Hinterland

Amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages, brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past. Atmospheric Welsh drama with Richard Harrington.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Drama series about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers, based on the novels of Elizabeth George.

Jonathan Creek

Comedy drama series about a deviser of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Starring Alan Davies.

Law & Order

Four-part drama series about the British judicial system, originally broadcast in 1978 with a cast including Peter Dean and Derek Martin.

Life on Mars

Is he mad, in a coma… or has Detective Sam Tyler really travelled back in time? Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister.

Line of Duty

Jed Mercurio’s drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. With a cast including Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar.

Luther

Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther.

New Tricks

There’s no case too cold for these detectives. They’re anarchic, eccentric and old-fashioned – but they get things done. Warm-hearted drama with a host of familiar faces.

The Cops
The acclaimed, provocative police drama set in the fictional Northern town of Stanton. Starring Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw.

Waking The Dead
A cold case team unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson.

Wallander

Unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate, Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Starring Kenneth Branagh.

The season starts on Wednesday 12 thJune at 10pm on BBC Four, and all series are available to watch on iPlayer.