Looking for a really good crime/mystery series that isn't just a dreary cop drama

[Greensleeves]

I hated Happy Valley, can't stand lightweight crap like Vera, but loved In The Woods, Line of Duty, Smother, Inside Man and Bloodlands

I seem to have reached that point where I've either seen everything or don't fancy it...can anyone point me to any hidden gems? I like cop/procedural stuff as long as there's a human narrative outside the police element, a good mystery or historic crime/cold case etc. It needs to be intelligent and well-written.

Any recs?

Slow Horses but that’s on Apple tv

Blue Lights https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f2cxpr/blue-lights

And if you dont mind sub titles Spiral. Unfortunately not currently available on BBC iPlayer.

The Tower series 1 still available https://www.itv.com/watch/the-tower/10a1570/10a1570a0001 - Series 2 have just started on ITV1.

Unforgotten

Sorry meant to add, a bit slow and in a sense a bit historical the remake of Dalgliesh but cant remember which channel.

Hidden, Welsh crime drama if it's still on iplayer

Have you watched The missing or Baptiste? They are good, a bit different to normal.

the fall? or the tourist?

Shakespeare & Hathaway? Definitely the lighter end of things but I really like it. Same with Death in Paradise.

New Tricks for the cold case aspect?

Band of Gold, absolutely stellar. Hunt for a murderer but main focus is on the women and their lives, with the police thrown in occasionally!

I assume you’ve watched The Killing?

Might be too light but have you tried only murders in the building?

Wolf is definitely different.
Unforgotton, Shetland, Strike, Spooks(old but good) Annika

id be interested in something like that too.

Very different, but how about Only Murders in the Building? Very funny / sweet and I love Steve Martin.

Have you watched the strike series on bbc1?

I loved The Fall

London Kills https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m00069k3/london-kills has a strange back story but focuses on the work of a murder sqad

Many apologies I've misread what OP is looking for, ie NOT cop dramas so ignore everything I have posted!

Magpie Murders with Lesley Manville

Sixth Commandment - a really moving story about a con man and murder. Focuses mainly on the victims rather than the procedure. It's on iplayer in four parts.

Really sad case.

Strike?

I second Strike, Hidden, Blue Lights, Unforgotten, Magpie Murders, and The Tourist.
also Whitechapel And No Offence - police procedural, I found it v funny.

Assume you've already seen The Wire?

Blue lights
The tower
Trigger point

The Chestnut Man
Trom

The night agent on Netflix was good. Very twisty and well written.

True Detective (first series - where I discovered Woody Harrelson really can act)

You lost me at ‘I hated Happy Valley’ SACRILEGE!!!

Just started The Night Agent on Netflix. Seems promising but I’m confused already (doesn’t take much for my baby brain tbf 😂)

I've just started Sharp Objects on Sky/Now TV
Based on a book by Gillian Flynn.
It's good so far.