Cosy shows that aren't too cosy?

[Thematic]

I renovate houses for a living and spend a lot of time doing things like decorating. I like to binge watch box sets in the background whilst I work. I need shows that are easy to follow without always having to be looking at the screen so tend to enjoy things which are quite 'cosy' as they don't have too much action, and that are dialogue driven. I'm looking for my next watch. I've recently finished Last Tango in Halifax which I really enjoyed, and have been watching an old show, 2000 Acres of Sky, which I'm also quite liking. I quite like cosy shows with a little humour, like Detectorists and crime mysteries like The Chelsea Detective, Ludwig, Poirot, Slow Horses and Death in Paradise. I'm looking for some recommendations for more shows I might like. I like cosy but not TOO cosy - for instance I really didn't like Shakespeare and Hathaway or Agatha Raisin as they were a little too silly for me, and I'm not mad keen on what I think of as 'girly' stuff like Call the Midwife. I like a few lighter US detective shows like The Rookie and Magnum PI, and have a weak spot for naff old detective shows like Hart to Hart and Diagnosis Murder.

So hit me up with some more suggestions please. Older shows that can be binge watched would be good as I like to watch one show back to back till I've watched everything going - obscure is fine, but more than one series would be good. I have most of the streaming services.

Thanks!

Poldark
Downton Abbey
The Cleaner (comedy about a crime scene cleaner, bit of dark humour, but mostly about the characters he meets/his life so I'd still call it fairly cosy)
Benidorm
All Creatures Great and Small
Darling Buds of May
Another vote for Northern Exposure

Grantchester (excellent in the seasons based on the actual books, still pretty good up until James Norton left, I don't rate it from then on but others do).
Downside is that it looks lovely too (landscapes, Fifties clobber etc) so might be distracting!

And this may sound odd, but Shetland; quite gritty in terms of the crimes and situations, but the tone is quite cosy. Again, the glorious landscapes might be a bit distracting, I suppose.

Also Annika. TV series but was adapted from a radio show; I only know the TV show but it might be worth seeking out the radio one. Again, crime but sort of cosy, lots of relationship stuff, quite funny.

If you like American shows try Seinfeld. I’m binge watching ATM. Clever writing.

Gilmore Girls? This is us?

For cosy try Virgin River

Barchester Chronicles is brilliant. It’s all up on Daily Motion:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x86ffa2

It might sound dry but it is addictive and awesome!

Sadly I've seen all of these. I didn't much like Psych, but really liked all the others. Any other suggestions?

Psych isn’t as good as the others, tbf. Have you seen:

• Leverage (the old series, not the new nonsense)
• Eureka
• Hustle

Have you watched Ludwig yet? Perfect combo of smart and cosy for me.

Ooh, Warehouse 13!

Leverage yes, loved it. Hustle I liked for a bit but thought it jumped the shark quite early on and I lost interest. Eureka no, I'll look it up.

I've tried Grantchester a couple of times but just couldn't get into it. It seemed so slow. Does it speed up at all?

Shetland and Annika I've watched already. Both good, probably preferred Annika as I liked the slight humour of it with the direct to camera stuff. Though I preferred the later Shetland with Ashley Jensen.

Yes, absolutely loved it!

Loved it but wached it (and Life on Mars) years ago unfortunately. Maybe a second watch though!

A bit girly for me. I tried it, but couldn't get into it.

I like Seinfeld but it's somehow not the right kind of thing for when I'm working - I prefer something with a story - drama really, even if it's light.

As you're more focused on dialogue have you tried Audible or Radio 4 Extra/downloads?
Rumpole
Charles Paris Mysteries
Ian Rankin/Rebus
Inspector Dover

I used to love that show. I watched them all when I was a teenager. Might consider a rewatch!

It's something about the personalities, there's a bit of humour to it, even if the theme is gritty. That's the kind of vibe I like. Either gritty with humour, or humorous with some grit. It's why I liked Last Tango in Halifax - seemings cosy but with really dark themes.

Bones and Elementary have been watched already. Both very good!

I love it, but we've seen them all!

Brothers & Sisters on Disney? Live Sally Field in that.

I listen to loads of audiobooks when I'm driving, but I like to have something to look up at when I'm working, even if I'm not watching all the time. It gives me some company.

Thanks, but I'm afraid I absolutely hated Downton with a passion and All Creatures and Darling buds are just too cosy for my tastes. I like a bit of grit to my cosyness.

Gilmore Girls I've watched and quite liked but This is Us I really hated I'm afraid. Too soppy.

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murder she wrote