Late to the party I know, but have just finished all the Strike series and loved it. Detective dramas are ten a penny but decent ones with a great, well acted lead character with a back story are more rare.
Liked Luther, Mallorca files, also Midsomer, Dalziel and Pascoe etc. as they all had something extra about them - either characters or a little humour etc.
Ideas much appreciated. Have already tried Shetland, Hinterland, Ridley and they are not in the same class or are too dark/gritty