Are you wondering, “What are the best Crime Drama TV shows available in New Zealand?” If so, wonder no more, for this article, we’ll share the best crime dramas on BBC iPlayer.
Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is geo-blocked and inaccessible in New Zealand. If you try to watch BBC iPlayer in New Zealand, you will encounter an error message that reads, “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues”.
The only way to bypass its restrictions and access BBC iPlayerin New Zealand is with the help of the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, ExpressVPN. With a VPN of such quality, you will access BBC iPlayer and watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer.
Crime Dramas bring a unique blend of entertainment you can’t find anywhere else. They bring the suspense that captivates viewers by offering a taste of the darker aspects of human behavior. If you are a fan of the genre, BBC iPlayer is the go-to platform for the best crime drama series. You can also discover other titles from the iPlayer content like you can watch The Little Drummer Girl in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer.
Are you looking to watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer but don’t know where to start? If so, below are the best crime dramas worth watching on BBC iPlayer.
How To Watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer?
Here are the steps to watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer using ExpressVPN:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN. We highly recommend it because of its fast-speed servers!
- Set up and log into the ExpressVPN app.
- Connect to a British server (preferably East – London) from the list.
- Now head over to BBC iPlayer, Sign in, and start streaming Crime Dramas on BBC iPlayer in New Zealand for free without buffering.
Note: If you don’t have a BBC iPlayer subscription in New Zealand; it’s very easy to register for a BBC iPlayer account.
After registration, you can also watch BBC One Live stream in New Zealand, and if you’re done binge-watching then you can also cancel BBC iPlayer account by following our easy guide.
What Are the Best Crime Dramas to Binge Watch Right Now?
If you want to watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer, you will be spoilt for choice because the platform is filled with this genre. However, we have made a list of the best crime dramas worth watching on BBC iPlayer. Here is the list of crime-drama series you shouldn’t miss out on.
1. Snowfall (2017)
Genre: Crime Drama
Directors: Alonso Alvarez, Ben Younger
Major Cast: Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta
Runtime: 44 minutes
Year of Release: 2017
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 6 Seasons, 61 Episodes
Snowfall is a TV crime drama series set in the 1980s in the United States during the Crack Cocaine epidemic. The show’s main protagonist is Franklin Saint, who is still living with his mom but looking to find a way to make it in life.
Franklin sees an opportunity that would change his life entirely but one that his mother wouldn’t approve of. Will Franklin let the opportunity pass? Snowfall is one of the best crime-drama series on BBC iPlayer.
2. We Hunt Together (2020)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directors: Jon Jones, Carl Tibbetts, Rebecca Rycroft
Major Cast: Eve Myles, Hermione Corfield, Babou Ceesay
Runtime: 45 minutes
Year of Release: 2020
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 2 seasons, 12 Episodes
We Hunt Together is a classical cat-and-mouse story. It revolves around Baba and Freddy.
After Freddy accidentally finds herself in the gent’s toilets, she encounters Baba, a nightclub toilet attendant. After the encounter, the two experience a strong connection with each other. What they do not know is that they both have a darker side.
It’s one of those shows that will keep you engaged from the first episode to the last. You can watch all the episodes on BBC iPlayer.
3. Peaky Blinders (2014)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Directors: Anthony Byrne, Colm McCarthy, Tim Mielants
Major Cast: Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2014
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 6 Seasons, 36 Episodes
After successfully serving in the British Army during World War 1, Thomas Shelby and his brothers returned to Birmingham. There, Thomas leads the most feared criminal group called “Peaky Blinders.”
The gang has already dominated the whole city of Birmingham, and now, Thomas’s ambition is to go beyond the borders.
If you are a true crime drama fan, Peaky Blinders is a must-watch. It’s one of the best crime drama series on BBC iPlayer.
4. Blue Lights (2023)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Gilles Bannier
Major Cast: Sian Brooke, Nathan Braniff, Katherine Devlin
Runtime: 57 Minutes
Year of Release: 2023
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 6 Episodes
Blue Lights is a show that revolves around rookie police officers Grace Ellis, Annie, and Tommy. They are working in one of the most violent cities in the world, in Belfast. Being a frontline officer in this city comes with unexpected pressures and dangers.
Will the rookie police officers make it through the probation in one of the dangerous cities?
Blue Lights is among the best crime-drama series on BBC iPlayer.
5. Happy Valley (2014)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Sally Wainwright
Major Cast: Sarah Lancashire, James Norton, Siobhan Finneran
Runtime: 58 minutes
Year of Release: 2014
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 3 Seasons, 18 Episodes
Meet Catherine Cawood, a straightforward police sergeant in Yorkshire Valley. Even though her personal life is a mess, that doesn’t stop her from being the best cop in the rural Yorkshire valley. However, when a staged abduction goes out of control, Catherine becomes involved in a serious case bigger than her rank.
Will Catherine leave it for the qualified ones, or will she go against the odds and tackle the case her self?
6. Luther (2010)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Sam Miller
Major Cast: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2010
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 5 Seasons, 20 Episodes
John Luther is one of the best police officers. He solves difficult cases, which mostly involve serial killers and murder cases. However, he’s still human, and his dark side of humanity catches up with him when tracking down murderers. This results in some of his superiors seeing him as a problem rather than a solution.
How will Luther cope with the situation? To find out, you should watch Luther on BBC iPlayer.
7. Annika (2021)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Philip John
Major Cast: Nicola Walker, Jamie Sives, Katie Leung
Runtime: 47 Minutes
Year of Release: 2021
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 2 Seasons, 12 Episodes
After her teenage daughter joins her new school, Annika decides to lead the Marine Homicide Unit. It’s not long before a coastguard in Clyde discovers a body. By the looks of it, a harpoon was used to kill the victim.
Her number one suspect is the owner of the boat that is used to take tourists to hunt whales. However, everything changes when unexpected events occur.
Annika is an interesting crime drama series worth watching on BBC iPlayer.
8. Steeltown Murders (2023)
Genre: Crime, Drama, History
Director: Marc Evans
Major Cast: Sion Alun Davies, Aneurin Barnard, Steffan Rhodri
Runtime: 57 Minutes
Year of Release: 2023
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 4 Episodes
If you want to watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer, then you should put Steeltown Murders on your watch list. After three young women were killed in the Port Talbot area, their murders were left unsolved but never forgotten. After 30 years, DCI Bethall decided to re-open the case and find the serial killer responsible for the murders.
With the advanced technology, DCI Bethall is keen to use it and apprehend the man who has stayed hidden for 30 years. Will justice prevail?
9. Silent Witness (1996)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Thaddeus O’Sullivan
Major Cast: Emilia Fox, William Gaminara, David Caves
Runtime: 49 Minutes
Year of Release: 1996
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 26 Seasons, 238 Episodes
Silent Witness is a crime drama series produced by the BBC. It revolves around a team of scientists who decide to investigate murder cases and use their skills to apprehend the people who are responsible.
It’s an exciting series that involves scientific research to solve murder cases and one that is definitely worth watching.
10. Sherwood (2022)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Clio Barnard
Major Cast: Adam Hugill, Lorraine Ashbourne, Perry Fitzpatrick
Runtime: 56 Minutes
Year of Release: 2022
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 6 Episodes
An already broken community is shattered by two unexpected murders, resulting in one of the biggest scandals in British history. In an attempt to solve the murders that occurred and bring peace to the community, spies are deployed to perform undercover policing and seek the needed information.
11. Vigil (2021)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Directors: Andy De Emmony, Isabelle Sieb, James Strong
Major Cast: Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2021
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 6 Episodes
After the Scottish fishing boat disappeared, and then death on a nuclear submarine created tension between the police, Navy, and British security services. DCI Amy Silva is called to look into the matter, for it is believed there is a connection between the missing boat and the death that occurred.
While investigating the matter, DCI Amy Silva discovers a plot threatening Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Is her life now in danger?
12. Line Of Duty (2012)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: John Strickland
Major Cast: Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2012
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 6 Seasons, 36 Episodes
Line of Duty revolves around detective “Steve” Arnott. He’s a skilled firearm officer who headed the operation to catch an Islamic terrorist.
However, his team entered the wrong apartment and, by mistake, shot an innocent man. Arnott didn’t cover the carelessness and could no longer work with his unit. He was transferred to AC-12, a unit made to uncover police corruption. Will Arnott protect the dirty cops or fight for the badge?
13. Time (2021)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Directors: Lewis Arnold, Andrea Harkin
Major Cast: Siobhan Finneran, Sean Bean, Stephen Graham
Runtime: 59 minutes
Year of Release: 2021
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 3 Episodes
After accidentally killing an innocent man, Mark Cobden is overwhelmed with guilt behind bars in one of Britain’s prisons. Due to the crime he committed, Mark was sentenced to four years in prison.
While there, he meets a caring prison officer named Eric. Unfortunately, one of the dangerous inmates identifies Eric’s weakness. Now, Eric has to choose between his principles and the love of his family. Will Mark step in and help the caring Eric?
14. The Responder (2022)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directors: Tim Mielants, Fien Troch
Major Cast: Martin Freeman, Adelayo Adedayo, Warren Brown
Runtime: 57 minutes
Year of Release: 2022
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 5 Episodes
The Responder revolves around Chris Carson and his rookie police officer, Rachel Hargreaves. Chris is going through a lot, and he’s trying to save his marriage while at the same time keeping his head up on the job. His rookie partner just adds a new layer to his stress.
However, they both come to realize that for them to survive the series of night shifts in Liverpool, they must work together.
15. Better (2023)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directors: Jonathan Brough, Pier Wilkie
Major Cast: Leila Farzad, Samuel Edward-Cook, Andrew Buchan
Runtime: 59 minutes
Year of Release: 2023
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 5 Episodes
Meet DI Lou Slack, the best detective in the crime-solving business. However, her success revolves around a dark secret she has kept for a long time. After a stressful duration, Lou decides to make things right and undo what she did 20 years ago.
However, it won’t be easy, considering she must betray a dangerous drug lord she worked for.
16. Hinterland (2015)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Directors: Ed Thomas, Gareth Bryn
Major Cast: Richard Harrington, Mali Harries, Alex Harries
Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
Year of Release: 2015
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 3 Seasons, 13 Episodes
DCI Tom Mathias moves to Aberystwyth, Wales, to start fresh and forget about his London past. While there, he’s assigned to work with the intelligent DI Mared Rhys. The two form a good working relationship, solving extreme murder cases. Will Tom’s past come back to haunt him?
17. Shetland (2013)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Directors: Jan Matthys, Thaddeus O’Sullivan
Major Cast: Alison O’Donnell, Douglas Henshall, Steven Robertson
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2013
Number of Seasons/Episodes: 7 Seasons, 38 Episodes
Shetland revolves around DI Jimmy Perez and his crew as they investigate crime in a close-knit island community. His team has to find new ways of policing due to the inhospitable environment in this remote area.
The show’s storyline comes from the bestselling novels Raven Black, Blue Lightning, Dead Water, and Red Bones.
18. McMafia (2018)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: James Watkins
Major Cast: Yoalah Brinson, Merab Ninidze, James Norton
Runtime: 1 hour
Year of Release: 2018
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 8 Episodes
Alex Godman is a British. He has spent his life attempting to distance himself from his Russian family’s notorious past. He has built his legitimate business and created a life with his girlfriend, Rebecca.
However, when a murder brings his family’s past to light, Alex must confront his values and step into the criminal underworld to protect his loved ones.
19. Hidden Assets (2022)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Directors: Thaddeus O’Sullivan, Kadir Ferati Balci, Christian Langlois
Major Cast: Simone Kirby, Charlie Carrick, Wouter Hendrickx
Runtime: 50 mins
Year of Release: 2022
Number of Seasons/Episodes: Season 1, 6 Episodes
Emer Berry, an Irish detective, heads to Antwerp after evidence from a raid connects a small-time drug dealer to several bombings in Belgium. In Antwerp, she teams up with Christian de Jong, an anti-terrorist squad member, to unravel a complex web of an international conspiracy.
Wrap Up
If you were looking for what to watch on BBC iPlayer, the above are the best crime dramas worth watching on BBC iPlayer. However, to Watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer, you must use an ExpressVPN because BBC iPlayer is geo-blocked and inaccessible in New Zealand.
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform in the UK that allows you to access live and on-demand content such as BBC Parliament and BBC Bitesize. However, you must have a BBC iPlayer account and a valid UK TV license to access it.
If you delete BBC iPlayer account, all the information you provided will be lost entirely. To reaccess BBC iPlayer, you must register afresh.
The platform is compatible with many devices, which means you can watch BBC iPlayer on Android and access BBC iPlayer on Chromecast. to watch Crime Drama in New Zealand on BBC iPlayer.