10 best BBC crime dramas based on top-selling books – | UK News
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than getting misplaced in a great e-book – but it turns into even better when your favorite story is introduced to life. The BBC has long been celebrated for its compelling crime dramas, but many viewers could not realise that some of the broadcaster’s most acclaimed collection have drawn their inspiration from bestselling books.
By discovering tales and characters that readers have already fallen in love with, the BBC has gone on to elevate them through screen diversifications, creating some of the best collection on the market. From Agatha Christie’s timeless whodunits to the haunting fashionable mysteries of J.Ok. Rowling, we take a nearer look at 10 of the best BBC crime dramas tailored from some of the most profitable novels.
10. Wolf
Wolf follows DI Jack Caffery (performed by Ukweli Roach), a detective tormented by the decades-old disappearance of his brother. As his personal demons resurface, they unfold alongside a chilling hostage disaster that turns into central to the collection.
The six-part drama, launched in 2023, is based on the Jack Caffery novels by acclaimed crime author Mo Hayder. The first instalment, Birdman, was printed in 2000 and rapidly grew to become a bestseller, establishing Hayder as a highly effective new voice in crime fiction.
(Image: BBC)
9. Virdee
Virdee, which premiered on BBC One in early 2025, is based on the bestselling crime novels by AA Dhand. This six-part drama follows Detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair), a police officer in Bradford grappling with household rejection after marrying a Muslim. While his personal life is in turmoil, Virdee is tasked with monitoring down a killer focusing on the Asian neighborhood.
Dhand’s first novel in the collection, Streets of Darkness, was launched in 2016 and he went on to publish six more. Raving about the six-part collection online, one wrote: “Superb, intense suspense building storyline based in my hometown of Bradford. From intriguing to addictive! Absolutely love it.”
(Image: BBC)
8. Dublin illegal killings
Based on Tana French’s Dublin illegal killing Squad novels, the collection follows detectives Rob Reilly and Cassie Maddox, performed by eliminateian Scott and Sarah Greene, as they examine the homicide of a younger lady in Ireland’s capital. The gritty drama, praised for its surprising twists and intense storytelling has been hailed “one of the best crime shows out there”.
Dublin illegal killings aired on BBC One in 2019. The eight-part collection is offered to stream on Disney and BBC iPlayer.
(Image: PA)
7. Strike
Hailed as one of the best, Strike follows a former struggle veteran turned personal detective who leverages his specialised expertise from the Special Investigation Branch to deal with complicated circumstances that have stumped the police. The collection stars Tom Burke as Cormoran Strike and Holliday Grainger as Robin Ellacott.
Since its debut in 2017, Strike has aired six seasons, with all 19 episodes accessible on BBC iPlayer. Each season adapts one of J.Ok. Rowling’s bestselling Cormoran Strike novels, starting with The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013) and most just lately The Hallmarked Man (2025). The collection now contains eight books in complete.
(Image: BBC)
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