The “Exceptionally Good” British Detective Drama Fans of Shetland and Midsomer Murders Need to Stream
While standard police procedurals typically begin at a crime scene with a body, the most chilling investigations often start somewhere far less definitive: a missing person file. For viewers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven mysteries like Shetland, the 2014 ITV miniseries Chasing Shadows provides a compelling, psychological twist on the British detective formula.
Starring Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9) and Alex Kingston (ER, Doctor Who), the four-part drama explores the intersection between missing persons and serial predators, delivering a tight, suspenseful watch that can easily be completed in a single weekend.
A Missing Persons Unit with a Dark Mandate
Instead of a standard homicide squad, Chasing Shadows embeds viewers within a specialized missing persons field unit. The premise hinges on a grim investigative reality: serial offenders frequently target vulnerable individuals whose disappearances might initially be miscategorized as voluntary runaways or suicides.
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DS Sean Stone (Reece Shearsmith): Obsessive, blunt, and socially inept, Stone displays characteristics of undiagnosed neurodivergence. While his lack of empathy frequently alienates superiors and colleagues, his ability to detect subtle behavioral patterns and statistical anomalies allows him to see serial patterns where others see isolated files.
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Ruth Hattersley (Alex Kingston): An analyst with the Missing Persons Bureau, Hattersley serves as Stone’s vital human tether. Practical, empathetic, and grounded, she translates Stone’s analytical leaps into actionable policing while navigating the human grief left in the wake of each disappearance.
The series splits its four-episode run across two distinct two-part mysteries:
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Case 1 (“Only Connect”): The disappearance of a 16-year-old girl leads the duo into the dark corners of online suicide forums, uncovering a predator orchestrating deaths from behind a screen.
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Case 2 (“Off Radar”): The sudden vanishing of Stephen Eli, a respected lawyer and single father, prompts an investigation that points toward a serial killer who is already supposedly locked away in an institution.
Moving Beyond the Traditional Whodunit
Actor Reece Shearsmith noted that the project’s unique angle—tracing missing persons rather than following conventional forensic breadcrumbs—was the primary factor that drew him to the script. Rather than answering who committed a murder, the drama builds tension around whether the victim is still alive, raising the emotional stakes for both the characters and the audience.
The production is further elevated by an accomplished supporting ensemble of recognizable British talent:
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Noel Clarke as DCI Carl Prior
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Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton) as Angela Bale
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Don Warrington (Death in Paradise) as CS Harley Drayton
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Lynda Baron (Open All Hours) as Maggie Hattersley
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Letitia Wright (Black Panther) as Taylor Davis
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Susan Lynch (Happy Valley) as Dr. Ellesmere
Where to Watch & Companion Recommendations
All four episodes of Chasing Shadows are currently streaming on ITVX, making it an accessible, low-commitment binge.
For viewers looking to expand their British mystery watchlist, two other series offer compelling alternative tones:
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Hinterland (BBC iPlayer): A noir-infused Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington as DCI Tom Mathias, set against the windswept, brooding landscapes of Aberystwyth—ideal for fans of Shetland’s isolated atmosphere.
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My Life Is Murder (Acorn TV / Prime Video): Starring Lucy Lawless as former detective turned private consultant Alexa Crowe, this Melbourne-set procedural pairs clever puzzle-solving with a lighter, charismatic edge for those seeking a break from grim serial-killer thrillers.
