August is off to a strong start for crime drama fans, with a blockbuster new season of Lioness and other returning favourites, plus an intriguing new mystery set against the backdrop of Jamaica’s colonial past. Fans of HBO’s hit Get Millie Black will find plenty to like here, with another richly layered story where personal history, family secrets and questions of justice collide.

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

Taylor Sheridan’s hit 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 Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Kelly add further star power, while Ian Bohen joins the cast for a new season that promises more high-stakes missions and international intrigue.

Van der Valk – Season 5 (ITV1 & ITVX, 2 August 2026, 8pm)

Marc Warren returns as Amsterdam’s sharp-witted detective Piet Van der Valk for what the cast has described as an “elevated” new season. This time, the Dutch detective tackles a fresh set of complex cases, including the murder of a scientist on the verge of a groundbreaking cancer treatment and the disappearance of a famous singer. Expect the stylish visuals, clever twists and compelling investigations that have made the reboot such a hit.

Possession (Sky Atlantic & NOW, 6 August 2026)

This atmospheric five-part thriller filmed in Jamaica and the UK, stars the talented Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Claudia, an ambitious lawyer who travels to Jamaica to challenge an inheritance claim involving a wealthy British family and a local resident. The case takes a disturbing, supernatural turn when Claudia realises the disputed estate is the same plantation that has haunted her nightmares for years. Co-starring Jonny Lee Miller, Sheldon Shepherd and Bel Powley, the series explores the lasting impact of colonial history.

Anna Pigeon (USA Network, 7 August 2026)

Fans of Untamed may want to add this one to their list. Based on Nevada Barr’s bestselling 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, she instead finds herself investigating murders and unexplained deaths across America’s national parks. Blending mystery, character drama and spectacular Calgary wilderness settings, this looks like one of the summer’s most promising new detective series.

He Had It Coming (BBC iPlayer, 8 August 2026)

This eight-part Australian black comedy begins when an awkward scholarship student and a social media influencer vandalise a university statue during a protest. The following morning, they discover the body of a murdered athlete at its base and quickly become prime suspects. Forced to clear their names, the unlikely pair launch their own investigation while navigating campus politics, social media scrutiny and a growing list of suspects. The cast includes Lydia West, Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Liv Hewson, with the series mixing murder mystery, dark humour and contemporary social commentary.