You Can’t Miss These 10 Best Shows on Acorn TV

To get deeper into the process of discovering the best Acorn TV originals, it is important to select your type of genre. Many hidden gems on Acorn TV will make your day a perfectly enjoyable one, with a perfect choice without wasting any time. The shows that I am listing in this blog will make you curious to know the end, regardless of whether you are a new watcher or a seasoned streamer.

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What are Acorn TV Shows?

Before you delve into the blog, let’s know what Acorn TV shows exactly refer to.

It has a strong emphasis on mysteries, crime dramas, period pieces, and character-driven stories. Acorn TV shows are a carefully chosen selection of high-end television series and movies from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other international markets that are only available on the Acorn TV streaming service.

Top 10 Acorn TV Shows for Fans of British Drama

Here are some of the top shows that you can watch:

1. Midsomer Murders

It is one of the most popular British crime dramas that has been followed since 1997. It is set in the country of Midsomer, where the beautiful villages hide the dark secrets, and there the murder rates are very high. Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby is aided by different sergeants, such as Gavin Troy and Jamie, to solve weird murder cases, such as a village fete filled with a harmful environment, as well as ritualistic ones.

Some of the cast members include:

Neil Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby
John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
Daniel Casey as Gavin Troy
Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter
Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby
Isabel Shaw as Betty Barnaby

2. Dalgliesh

It is a crime drama, a television adaptation of the novels by P.D. James. The story shows the role of a poetic and bold Detective Chief Inspector, Adam Dalgliesh, who investigates intricate murders. In the three seasons, he solves mysteries such as the suspicious death of a nurse at a hospital, the violent murder of a priest in the seminary who had some dark secrets, and the stabbing of a barrister with a suspicious client obsessed with her daughter. Dalgliesh, working with both DS Kate Miskin and others, is a detective in the procedural style, with an analytic approach to psychology and peerless in every adaptation.

Some of the cast members include:

Bertie Carvel as Adam Dalgliesh
Carlyss Peer as Kate Miskin
Clarie Goose as Dr Emma
Alistair Brammer as Daniel Tarrant

3. Harry Wild

The show is based on the story of Harriet “Harry” Wild, a recently retired Dublin literature professor, who finds that her talent for investigation after being mugged by a teenage street boy, Fergus Reid. She teams up with her teenage mugger, Fergus, forming an amateur detective duo that tackles cases, often with literary twists, leaving the official police force behind as they uncover clues others miss, much to everyone’s surprise. In four seasons, their crime-solving relationship is full of banter and a combination of home-style crime-solving and family drama to prove that age is no obstacle to crime-solving success.

Some of the cast include:

Rohan Nedd as Fergus Ried
Jane Seymour as Harry Wild
Stuart Graham as Ray Tiernan
Kevin Ryan as Charlie Wild

4. My Life Is Murder

This is one of the best mysteries show on Acorn TV. The story shows Alexa Crowe, who is a retired detective who transforms into a private detective. Drawn reluctantly back into cases by her ex-boss, DI Kieran Hussey (Season 1) or Detective Harry Henare (subsequent seasons). Alexa used to work alongside a tech-savvy data analyst, Madison. In five seasons of My Life Is Murder, her procedural adventures are a combination of humor and heart, and twists in sunlit cityscapes.

Some of the cast members include:

Ebony Vagulans as Madison
Lucy Lawless as Alexa Crowe
Rawiri Jobe as Harry Henare
Bernard Curry as Detective Inspector Kieran Hussey

5. Murdoch Mysteries

Its name itself hints that it is a crime mystery-based drama. This was set in Toronto, and it revolves around a detective, William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary. He was advancing the science of forensics throughout the murders, such as fingerprinting, blood examination, lie detectors, and trace evidence, among other techniques. With the help of coroner Dr. Julia Ogden, his odd constable George Crabtree, and rough Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, Murdoch solves different cases. It is a mix of procedural puzzles, historical whimsy, and changing personal romances over the 18+ seasons in the name of science in a colorful period drama.

Some of the cast include:

Helene Joy as Dr. Julia Ogden
Thomas Craig as Inspector Thomas Brackenreid
Jonny Harris as George Crabtree
Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch

6. Foyle’s War

This takes place in and after World War II, with Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle investigating the murders on the south coast of England in the middle of the war. With his driver, Stewart, he solves cases of espionage and black market profiteering. Over 9 series, subsequent series are set in post-war, retaining the procedural accuracy with a historical richness.

Some of the cast include:

Michael Kitchen as Christopher Foyle
Honeysuckle Weeks as Samantha Stewart
Anthony Howell as Paul Milner
Ellie Haddington as Hilda Pierce

7. The Gone

The plot revolves around a small New Zealand town, from which the Irish couple, named Ronan Garvey and Sinead Martin, have disappeared. Dublin detective Theo Richter partners with local Maori cop Diana Huia in the case to find out that there is blackmail, drugs, evil, and even family feuds between protesters. Sinead is alive, but Ronan is dead, so Irish journalist Aileen Ryan investigates further.

Some of the cast include:

Richard Flood as Theo Richter
Acushla-Tara Kupe as Diana Huia
Carolyn Bracken as Aileen Ryan
Rachel Morgan as Sinead Martin
Simon Mead as Ronan Garvey

8. The Crow Girl

It shows the DCI Jeanette Kilburn and psychotherapist Dr. Sophia Craven working together in Bristol to track a serial killer who is killing young men. The victims are found in suitcases with a crow symbol. With the clutter of bodies growing, Sophia struggles to cope with her own history. The show unveils unpleasant truths and leaves season 2 on a cliffhanger.

Some of the cast include:

Eve Myles as DCI Jeanette Kilburn
Katherine Kelly as Dr. Sophia Craven
Dougray Scott as DI Lou Stanley
Victoria Hamilton as Superintendent Verity Pound

9. The Brokenwood Mysteries

It stars Detective Senior Sergeant Mike from Brokenwood. Partnered with the by-the-book Detective Kristin Sims, he tackles quirky cases like a wine critic fermenting in a vat, a golfer blistered in a bunker, or ghostly farm slayings using unorthodox methods. It has a sharp intuition amid small-town secrets, feuds, and dark underbellies across 11 seasons.

Some of the cast include:

Fern Sutherland as Kristin Sims
Neill Rea as Mike Shepherd
Cristina Serban Ionda as Gina Kadinsky
Nic Sampson as D.C. Sam Breen

10. Irish Blood

It is a crime drama starring Los Angeles divorce lawyer Fiona Fox. Haunted by her father’s abandonment on her birthday, she uncovers suspicious clues tied to childhood memories. Fiona allies with gym owner Musa and young cop Roisin to probe shady dealings. It is full of family secrets, murders, and a shocking killer twist in this six-part show.

Some of the cast include:

Alicia Silverstone as Fiona Fox
Ruth Codd as Garda Róisín Doherty
Wendy Crewson as Mary
Leonardo Taiwo as Musa
Simone Kirby as Una Murphy

IMDb Rating of Each Show

Title	Ratings
Midsomer Murders	7.9/10
Dalgliesh	7.6/10
Harry Wild	7.2/10
My Life Is Murder	7.5/10
Murdoch Mysteries	8.2/10
Foyle’s War	8.6/10
The Gone	6.9/10
The Crow Girl	6.8/10
The Brokenwood Mysteries	7.9/10
Irish Blood	6/10

Conclusion: How to Choose the Best One?

While you are choosing the best one, I think you must first find out about what your taste or your mood is at that time. It may be a lighthearted drama, a dark psychological thriller, or a family mystery. If you want something to watch for weeks, choose long-running series; if you want a short, intense binge, choose shorter, tightly written shows. Lastly, choose the one whose main characters and atmosphere captivate you the most after watching the first episode of two or three competitors.