Iconic Scottish Crime Drama Taggart Returns to Streaming With All 27 Seasons Available on Channel 5

After captivating crime drama fans for nearly three decades, Taggart is giving viewers the chance to revisit one of Scotland’s most enduring television series. All 27 seasons of the classic detective drama are now available to stream on Channel 5’s online platform, bringing its full collection of Glasgow murder mysteries back to audiences.

Originally broadcast on ITV, the series ran from 1983 to 2010 and became one of the UK’s longest-running television dramas. Created by Glenn Chandler, it follows detectives working in the Maryhill CID of Strathclyde Police as they investigate disturbing crimes across Glasgow.

Known for its intricate mysteries, gritty atmosphere and memorable Scottish characters, Taggart developed a loyal following throughout its run. More than 16 years after its final episode aired, the drama continues to inspire affection among viewers who grew up watching its investigations unfold.

The Legacy of DCI Jim Taggart

The series began life as a three-part miniseries titled Killer, which aired in September 1983. Following its success, the programme was commissioned as a full series and renamed after its central character, Detective Chief Inspector Jim Taggart.

Played by the late Mark McManus, the hard-bitten detective became the face of the show. His famously blunt introduction to a new case — “There’s been a murder…” — remains one of British television’s most recognisable catchphrases.

McManus died in 1994, but the series continued without its original star, retaining the Taggart name and introducing new leading detectives as the years went on.

Actor James MacPherson took over as DCI Michael Jardine, continuing the programme’s central investigations after McManus’s death. When MacPherson departed in 2002, Alex Norton joined the cast as DCI Matt Burke, taking charge of the team.

These changes allowed the drama to evolve while maintaining the crime-solving format that had made it popular with audiences.

A Showcase for Scottish Acting Talent

Alongside its long-running central characters, Taggart featured numerous guest stars, including actors who would later establish successful careers.

Among the notable names to appear in the series were Robert Carlyle, Richard Madden, Dougray Scott, Jason Isaacs, Phyllis Logan and Billy Boyd.

The show’s enduring appeal also owes much to its supporting cast, whose performances helped bring its detectives and the people caught up in their investigations to life.

For anyone keen to revisit the series, all 27 seasons are now available on Channel 5’s streaming service.

Fans Remember a Crime Drama That Stood the Test of Time

The return to streaming has prompted fans to look back on the programme and discuss what made it so memorable. In a recent Reddit discussion, viewers shared their favourite memories and praised the show’s writing, characters and atmospheric portrayal of Glasgow.

One fan described it as the greatest British television detective series, highlighting the strength of the central group of Jim Taggart, Michael Jardine and Jackie Reid. They also praised the earlier stories, which often unfolded over several episodes and allowed for more intricate plots and deeper character development.

Another viewer paid tribute to McManus, saying his weathered appearance made him convincing as a detective who had spent decades dealing with crime on Glasgow’s toughest streets.

Others recalled individual episodes that had stayed with them for years, with one fan singling out the supporting cast alongside McManus’s performance. Another simply called the programme a classic.

One particularly dedicated viewer revealed that they had spent all of 2022, 2023 and part of 2024 searching for every episode on DVD. Although they had yet to watch the entire collection, they said they particularly enjoyed the later instalments, which they found darker in tone.

The continuing enthusiasm underlines the lasting place Taggart holds in British crime television, with its blend of complex investigations, distinctive characters and uncompromising Glasgow setting still resonating with audiences.

All 27 seasons of Taggart are available to stream on Channel 5 now.