When it comes to captivating TV shows, PBS has always delivered with its selection of British series. Long before streaming services and cable networks discovered the treasure trove of British drama, PBS helped introduce these exceptional series to American audiences. In fact, some of them have even earned their place among the best PBS shows of all time. While this month’s selection might not reach the heights of those classics, they still offer compelling stories and high-quality entertainment.
This September, PBS brings us three British crime dramas, with one being a fresh new season. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the usual PBS offerings, be sure to check out the other new shows airing this month. Or, if you’re feeling nostalgic, revisit the fantastic shows that graced our screens last August. If intriguing mysteries are your cup of tea, then these three series are sure to satisfy.
Ridley
‘Ridley’ shares some similarities with the beloved comedy ‘Monk,’ though it lacks the comedic touch of Tony Shalhoub. In this series, Alex Ridley (Adrian Dunbar), a former police detective, struggles to cope with the tragic death of his wife and child, leading to a nervous breakdown. He reinvents himself as a jazz club owner and musician, but his former protégé, D.I. Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh), convinces him to revisit his detective skills and consult on some of her most perplexing cases. While details about season 2 are still unfolding, we know that Ridley’s new batch of cases will take him on an exciting journey, from the atmospheric moors to the pulsating energy of an illegal rave. ‘Ridley’ occupies a prime slot on PBS’s September schedule, so mark your calendars.
Moonflower Murders
‘Moonflower Murders’ features Lesley Manville, known for her role in ‘The Crown,’ as Susan Ryeland. Susan is a former crime novel editor who yearns for a quiet life with her fiancé, Andreas (Alexandros Logothetis). Their dream of running a hotel in Crete takes an unexpected turn when they’re approached by the parents of Cecily Treherne (Amy Griffiths), a woman who has vanished in Britain. Cecily believed that a novel by Alan Conway (Conleth Hill) held the key to solving a baffling cold murder case before her disappearance. Since Susan edited Alan’s novel, Cecily’s parents urge her to return to the United Kingdom to locate their daughter and unravel the mystery that has stumped the police.
Van der Valk
It would be a disservice to say that all British crime dramas are alike. ‘Van der Valk’ proves that point. Instead of being set in the United Kingdom, this standard detective show takes place in the Netherlands, offering a refreshing change of scenery. Perhaps we can call it a win for diversity? Like the previous seasons, each installment of ‘Van der Valk’s’ fourth season consists of three 90-minute episodes, essentially the length of a TV movie. Marc Warren returns as Piet van der Valk, joined by Maimie McCoy as his partner, Lucienne Hassell. This season, the duo and their team confront a formidable crime family led by a powerful older woman while trying to solve perplexing murder cases. In doing so, they might unearth some uncomfortable memories from Piet’s past.
