Summer is the perfect time to settle into a great crime drama, whether you’re escaping the heat, enjoying some downtime, avoiding the sport, or simply looking for your next binge-watch. Watching from the sofa, the sun lounger or somewhere in between — here is my annual roundup of the mysteries, thrillers and cop dramas worth adding to your watchlist this June, July and August.

The Agency (Paramount+, 21 June 2026)

One of the year’s strongest spy thrillers returns as Michael Fassbender reprises his role as CIA operative Martian. Season two centres on a dangerous mole hunt within the agency’s London operation, while Martian continues his desperate efforts to save Samia. With undercover missions unfolding across Europe and Iran, and a cast that includes Jodie Turner-Smith, John Magaro and Saura Lightfoot-Leon, the new season raises the stakes considerably.

The Killings at Parrish Station (Stan, 24 June 2026)

Packed with twists — this new Australian mystery thriller begins with the brutal murder of four scientists at a remote desert research station in 1987. Detectives Georgia Cookie and Michael Thorne, played by Mia Wasikowska and Xavier Samuel, become consumed by the investigation, which appears to have links to the paranormal. Nearly four decades later, a series of copycat murders forces an older Georgia, now played by Heather Mitchell, back onto a case she never truly left behind.

Man on Fire (Netflix, out now)

Based on the acclaimed novels by A.J. Quinnell, Man on Fire stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a haunted former Special Forces operative hired to protect a young girl in Rio de Janeiro. When she is kidnapped, he launches a relentless mission through Brazil’s criminal and political underworld to bring her home. Also starring Alice Braga, Billie Boullet and Bobby Cannavale, the action-thriller delivers plenty of intensity while exploring grief, redemption and the lengths one man will go to keep a promise.

The Five-Star Weekend (Peacock, 9 July 2026)

Based on the bestselling novel by Elin Hilderbrand, The Five-Star Weekend stars Jennifer Garner as celebrated food writer Hollis Shaw, whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel following a devastating personal loss. Seeking a fresh start, she invites four friends from different stages of her life to a luxurious Nantucket getaway, but old tensions, buried resentments and long-held secrets soon rise to the surface. Created by Bekah Brunstetter, the star-studded cast also includes D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny and Timothy Olyphant. While more mystery-drama than traditional crime series, the combination of grief, secrets and an exceptional ensemble makes this one of the summer’s most anticipated new dramas.

Lucky (Apple TV+, 15 July 2026)

Anya Taylor-Joy leads this fast-paced crime thriller from Warrior and Banshee creator Jonathan Tropper. She plays a woman forced onto the run after a criminal score goes spectacularly wrong and her boyfriend disappears with the money. Expect sharp twists, bruising action sequences and plenty of suspense as she fights to stay one step ahead of the authorities.

The Hairdresser Mysteries (BBC One / BBC iPlayer, July 2026)

Cosy crime drama fans should keep an eye out for The Hairdresser Mysteries, a new BBC drama starring Sally Phillips, best known for Miranda and the Bridget Jones films. Set in a 1970s village, Phillips plays a sharp-witted hairdresser who finds herself investigating a series of mysteries hidden beneath the surface of her seemingly quiet community. With quirky characters, small-town secrets and plenty of charm, it looks set to appeal to fans of Ludwig, Death Valley and Beyond Paradise.

The Dark (ITV1 / ITVX, July 2026)

Adapted from G.R. Halliday’s novel From the Shadows, this six-part Scottish crime thriller stars Laura Donnelly and Mark Rowley as detectives hunting a serial killer across the Highlands. When the body of a young man is found eerily staged in the idyllic Scottish wilderness, detective Monica Kennedy fears it is only the beginning of a terrifying campaign that will strike at the heart of a rural community. As paranoia spreads, long-buried secrets emerge and residents begin to realise a killer may be hiding among them.

The Westies (MGM+, Coming Soon)

Set in New York during the 1980s, The Westies explores the violent power struggles within the notorious Irish mob against the backdrop of a booming city ripe for corruption. J.K. Simmons stars as Eamon Sweeney, the ruthless leader of the real-life gang, whose authority comes under threat from a younger generation eager to seize control. The series blends fact and fiction, weaving in figures such as mob boss John Gotti and the growing influence of organised crime around major construction projects. Also starring Tom Brittney (Grantchester), Allen Leech (Downton Abbey) and Titus Welliver (Bosch), this looks set to be one of the most compelling crime sagas on television.

Lanterns (HBO / Max, August 2026)

While technically a superhero drama, Lanterns is being pitched as a detective mystery first and foremost. Kyle Chandlerand Aaron Pierre star as Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, who uncover a dark conspiracy while investigating a murder with potentially huge consequences. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, it has already generated significant buzz ahead of its August launch.

Special Ops: Lioness – Season 3 (Paramount+, 2 August 2026)

Taylor Sheridan’s espionage thriller returns with Zoe Saldaña back as CIA operative Joe McNamara. As hidden networks and betrayals begin to surface, Joe finds her professional and personal lives colliding in dangerous ways. Returning stars include Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Kelly, with Ian Bohen joining the cast for the new season.

Anna Pigeon (USA Network, 7 August 2026)

Fans of hit series Untamed may love this new series. Based on Nevada Barr’s bestselling mystery novels, Anna Pigeon stars Tracy Spiridakos as a former city dweller who becomes a park ranger after a personal tragedy changes the course of her life. Determined to leave her past behind, Anna instead finds herself drawn into a series of crimes committed within America’s national parks, using her instincts and determination to uncover the truth. The series looks set to blend murder mystery, character drama and stunning wilderness locations. For fans of comfort-viewing detective dramas, this could be one of the summer’s most promising new arrivals.

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Vigil – Season 3 (Coming Soon)

The BBC has confirmed that Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie will return as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre for a third season of Vigil. This time the investigation moves to a remote Arctic research station after a member of a covert British special forces mission is found dead. With geopolitical tensions rising over energy resources in the polar region, the pair face one of their most dangerous cases yet.

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