“The Best Detective Drama Out There”: The Superb Series Shetland Fans Should Add To Their Watchlist

Fans of Shetland who enjoy atmospheric settings, emotionally charged mysteries and detectives with complicated pasts have another crime drama worth adding to their watchlist. Case Histories, the BBC series starring Jason Isaacs, combines gripping investigations with deeply layered characters, and both of its series are now available to stream on U.

First released more than a decade ago, the drama continues to attract praise from viewers who regard it as one of the finest detective series around. Its appeal lies in the balance between intriguing cases and the personal struggles of its central character, a private investigator who finds it difficult to turn away people in need of help.

At the heart of the story is Jackson Brodie, a former soldier and police officer whose own painful history shapes the way he approaches every new investigation. His determination to help others, even when doing so comes at a personal cost, makes him a compelling figure to follow.

With two complete series available to watch, here’s everything you need to know about Case Histories, from its intricate storylines and cast to where you can stream it.

What Is Case Histories About?

Adapted from Kate Atkinson’s popular novels, Case Histories follows Jackson Brodie (Jason Isaacs), a private investigator working in modern-day Edinburgh. Intelligent, persistent and deeply affected by his past, Jackson takes on cases involving people desperate to uncover the truth about events that have haunted them for years.

The first series premiered on BBC One in 2011 and consists of six episodes. Across the series, Jackson investigates the disappearance of a girl who vanished 30 years earlier, helps a mysterious woman searching for her niece and becomes involved in the troubles of a crime novelist caught up in a road rage incident.

Each investigation introduces a different set of characters and circumstances, giving the series plenty of variety while allowing Jackson’s own story to develop in the background.

He receives support from Detective Inspector Louise Munroe (Amanda Abbington), whose involvement proves valuable as the cases unfold. However, Jackson’s personal life is far from straightforward.

One of the defining tragedies of his past is the murder of his sister, Niamh, when they were both teenagers. The loss continues to haunt him, offering insight into his sensitivity towards other people’s suffering and his determination to find answers when others have been left with unanswered questions.

The series also explores Jackson’s complicated family life through his ex-wife, Josie (Kirsty Mitchell), and his young daughter, Marlee (Millie Innes). Josie frequently questions his parenting abilities, adding another layer of tension to a man already struggling to manage his professional responsibilities and personal demons.

A Second Series With Even Darker Mysteries

The drama returned in 2013 with a three-part second series, introducing another collection of cases rooted in secrets, grief and long-buried truths.

The opening storyline follows a woman who approaches Jackson in the hope of finding her birth parents. His investigation soon leads him into the murky world of police corruption and murder in 1979, uncovering a secret that has remained hidden for almost 35 years.

Other cases include a woman who suspects that her daughter’s horse-riding accident was actually murder, and a teenage boy determined to discover the truth about his mother’s death after growing up in the shadow of her killing.

These investigations reinforce the show’s central appeal: the mysteries often reach far beyond the immediate circumstances of a crime, drawing Jackson into the lives of people who have spent years searching for closure.

Jason Isaacs has also spoken about what makes Jackson such an unusual detective. In a BBC interview, the actor explained that his character rarely behaves in the way people might expect.

“He’s a very interesting guy, he almost never does things the way you expect him to,” Isaacs said.

He went on to describe Jackson as tough, determined, intelligent, sensitive, empathetic, ethical and driven, while acknowledging that the character is also damaged by his experiences.

Isaacs added that Jackson repeatedly encounters extraordinary people who ask for his assistance. Although he has plenty of reasons to refuse, he finds it remarkably difficult to walk away from someone who needs help.

That contradiction is central to Jackson’s character. His instincts often push him towards difficult situations, even when he would be better off keeping his distance.

Who Is In The Cast Of Case Histories?

Jason Isaacs leads the series as Jackson Brodie, supported by a cast that includes several familiar faces from British television.

The main cast includes:

• Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie, the troubled private investigator, known for The White Lotus.
• Amanda Abbington as Detective Inspector Louise Munroe, Jackson’s police contact, known for Sherlock.
• Millie Innes as Marlee Brodie, Jackson’s young daughter, known for Single Father.
• Zawe Ashton as Deborah Arnold, known for Fresh Meat.
• Natasha Little as Julia Land, known for Thirteen.
• Kirsty Mitchell as Josie Brodie, Jackson’s ex-wife, known for Casualty.
• Edward Corrie as Marcus Stewart, known for The Good Neighbour.
• Martin Stevenson as Archie Munroe, known for Waterloo Road.

The second series also features several notable additions:

• Victoria Wood as Tracey Waterhouse, known for Loving Miss Hatto and Eric & Ernie.
• James Cosmo as Len Lomax, known for Braveheart.
• Gary Lewis as Barry, known for Billy Elliot.
• Maurice Roëves as Ray Strickland, known for The Damned United.

Together, the cast brings the show’s collection of investigators, suspects, victims and troubled families to life, giving the individual mysteries an emotional dimension beyond simply identifying a culprit.

Is Case Histories Worth Watching?

For viewers who enjoy character-driven crime dramas, Case Histories has plenty to recommend it.

Edinburgh provides a striking backdrop for the investigations, while the stories themselves offer a mix of suspense, emotional complexity and unexpected revelations. Rather than stretching one mystery across an entire series, the show introduces new cases that keep the pace moving and the storylines varied.

Jackson is another major draw. His intelligence makes him an effective investigator, but his unresolved grief and instinctive desire to help others prevent him from becoming a conventional crime-solving hero. The tension between his professional skills and personal vulnerabilities gives the drama much of its emotional weight.

Fans of Shetland may particularly appreciate the combination of atmospheric locations, serious criminal investigations and characters whose personal histories matter as much as the cases they solve.

Whether you’re looking for another series to binge or simply want a detective drama with a strong central character, Case Histories is well worth considering.

How Can You Watch Case Histories?

Both series of Case Histories are available to stream on U.

With the original six-part series and the three-part follow-up available, viewers can follow Jackson Brodie’s investigations and personal struggles across both instalments.

What Other Detective Dramas Should You Watch?

If you’ve already watched Shetland or want another crime series to enjoy alongside Case Histories, there are other options worth exploring.

Scrublands

The BBC drama Scrublands follows investigative journalist Martin Scarsden, played by Luke Arnold, as he examines a shocking case involving a young priest who killed five parishioners seemingly without warning.

What begins as an investigation into the killings leads Martin towards the deeper mystery surrounding the events. The series puts journalistic investigation at the centre of its story, offering a different perspective on the crime-drama genre.

Scrublands is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Recipes For Love And Murder

For something with a warmer tone, Recipes for Love and Murder offers a different approach to crime-solving.

The series centres on Tannie Maria, a cook and agony aunt who becomes involved in solving crimes. Her investigations take her through a series of twists and turns, blending mystery with her interest in food and the problems people bring to her.

It provides a lighter alternative for viewers who enjoy crime stories but would prefer something less sombre than the darker mysteries found in Shetland and Case Histories.

Recipes for Love and Murder is available to stream on U.

With atmospheric mysteries, emotionally complicated characters and several ways to approach the crime-drama genre, these series offer plenty for viewers searching for their next television obsession.