Pbs Mysteries And Crime Dramas To Binge Before Halloween

Leo Migdal

-Dec 11, 2025, 1:17 PM

pbs mysteries and crime dramas to binge before halloween

ThinkTV Passport is an added benefit of station membership, offering extended access to 1,500+ episodes of your favorite PBS shows. Your favorite PBS and ThinkTV programs anytime, anywhere. Home » Blog » PBS Mysteries and Crime Dramas to Binge Before Halloween Eek! We’re T-minus one week from Halloween and, here at ThinkTV, we’re soaking up every spine-chilling moment of the spooky season. And what better way to get in the spirit than with some PBS binge watching?

ThinkTV Passport offers access to a sweeping collection of gripping mysteries and crime dramas – the perfect way to keep your scare factor high while discovering wickedly-addictive new favorites or rewatching and catching up... From 1900s Vienna and Victorian London, to mid-century Paris and modern-day England, and even the quiet, idyllic Riverside town of Marlow, these series will take you across the pond, around the world and beyond... No matter where you find yourself transported, each show delivers the thrill and suspense you’re craving this season with unpredictable, complex investigations into each town’s most chilling and puzzling crimes. And don’t worry, we made sure to throw in a few lighthearted mysteries for anyone in favor of a cozier vibe this fall, like The Marlow Murder Club on Masterpiece. Calling all supersleuths! Unlock the secrets of crime-solving brilliance with the top detective series on PBS.

From MASTERPIECE, Walter Presents, and other PBS series, these unique and diverse detectives are bringing their investigative talent on a thrilling journey through intricate plots and unexpected twists. Immerse yourself in the art of investigation and join our exceptional detectives as they solve the most challenging cases in these mystery shows available on passport! Discover more on our Mystery and Crime Show collection. After the passing of her father, Eliza Scarlet defies societal expectations and becomes the first-ever female detective in Victorian London. Alongside her childhood friend, professional colleague, and potential love interest Detective Inspector William Wellington, a.k.a. “The Duke,” they run her father's detective agency.

Miss Scarlet and The Duke solve the mystery of her father’s passing while juggling their relationship in this MASTERPIECE series. British Asian police woman, D.I. Rachita Ray, faces a challenging case when a young Muslim man is murdered in a suspected honor killing. Despite doubts about her promotion to the homicide unit as a token hire, Rachita navigates cultural complexities and gender barriers. The investigation takes its toll, and this gripping four-part series follows D.I. Ray's relentless pursuit of justice amidst personal and professional obstacles.

Kevin Whately stars as Inspector Lewis, the former working-class foil to the erudite Detective Inspector Morse, in this captivating show on MASTERPIECE. Together with his cool, cerebral partner Detective Sergeant Hathaway, Lewis tackles murder and mayhem in the seemingly-perfect academic haven of Oxford. In a partnership forged through loyalty and mutual – though often grudging – respect, Robbie Lewis untangles lies and murky motives with his combination of instinct and experience while James Hathaway, with his wit... Together, they struggle with procedural dilemmas and existential questions about their futures – on the force and in their personal lives. When most of us think of PBS series, our minds go to what is actually under the Masterpiece banner. Yes, PBS has given us many treasures over the last 50-plus years, including Frontline, NOVA, Sesame Street, The Joy of Painting, and Arthur, but it’s also brought us great British period pieces and crime...

Those have, over the years, mostly been part of Masterpiece Theater, Masterpiece Classic, Masterpiece Mystery, and Masterpiece Contemporary. Thankfully, now, it’s just Masterpiece. But like so much in the streaming world, just because you once saw these shows on PBS doesn’t necessarily mean you can find them there today (RIP forever, OG Anne of Green Gables miniseries). However, there are two routes you can take to watch the bulk of the best that Masterpiece has to offer. Route 1: If you are an Amazon Prime subscriber, there are a lot of great series already included in your Prime Membership. You can also choose to pay for the PBS Masterpiece add-on via Amazon Prime (additional $5.99/month), which offers a host of great options.

And/or, you can choose to pay for the Britbox add-on (additional $8.99/month) for access to yet another lengthy list of BBC shows. Route 2: If all of that sounds too pricey or complicated, you can instead download the PBS Passport app. The content is free if you are a current PBS donor (at $60/year or $5/month levels, typically, though levels vary by location). This gives you an expanded version of what you currently see on PBS, including full seasons of your favorite shows before they have aired weekly. It’s also a good mix of what you can find on the Amazon/Britbox/Masterpiece services below (Passport links are found throughout this list), and includes Sherlock, which is not included with those other services. You can also watch current Masterpiece programming for free via PBS.org!

Let’s face it: we all love a good old-fashioned mystery. The twists, the turns, and the heartbreak have made it one of the most enduring genres for a reason. But where to start? Which mysteries are the most memorable, the most complex, and the most enduring? Whether you’re a fan of classic whodunnits like those pioneered by Agatha Christie, or you’re into something a bit darker and more modern like The Missing and Baptiste, you can’t go wrong with a... The Brits have excelled at producing thoughtful, gripping, and exciting mysteries for decades.

Thankfully, some of the very best British crime shows are available to watch on PBS Masterpiece, so sit back, relax, and let us help you pick your next unforgettable mystery series. Intrigue, bewilderment, and suspense await! If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric period piece, look no further. Endeavour is one of the best British crime dramas of the 21st century, perfectly capturing what was so beloved about the original Inspector Morse and Inspector Lewis series but elevating the material at the... Shot on location in Oxford, Endeavour’s mysteries are complex, intriguing, and sometimes downright heartbreaking, and the relationship between Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) and Fred Thursday (Roger Allam) is wonderfully layered. Unforgotten is brilliant for two reasons: the cold case mysteries are incredibly gripping and emotionally intricate, and the partnerships between the show’s lead detectives, DI Sunil Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola...

Though the detectives often lose themselves in their cases, the series never forgets about their personal lives, too, creating a well-rounded cast of characters in an undeniably memorable British crime drama. Unforgotten has recently been renewed for a sixth season, so there’s no better time to immerse yourself in this series. Our 2023 list of best crime, mystery and thriller shows on PBS Masterpiece includes must-watch series such as Miss Scarlet and The Duke as well as Vienna Blood. PBS Masterpiece is always known for introducing high quality crime and mystery shows to American audience, so we’re quite excited to bring you this year’s edition. Note: Mystery Tribune’s Watch Lists provide a comprehensive coverage of all major streaming services and their notable shows and movies in crime, mystery and thriller space. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43610" src="https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-1024x682.jpg" alt="23 Best Crime, Mystery And Thriller Shows on PBS Masterpiece 2023 Edition frankie drake" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-290x193.jpg 290w, https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-770x513.jpg 770w, https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-360x240.jpg 360w, https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-500x333.jpg 500w, https://mysterytribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23-Best-Crime-Mystery-And-Thriller-Shows-on-PBS-Masterpiece-2023-Edition-frankie-drake-1155x770.jpg 1155w,...

This drama series, set in stylish 1920s Toronto, follows the female-only agency Drake Private Detectives, led by the eponymous Frankie Drake and her partner Trudy Clarke. Incorporating a brand of justice that doesn’t always follow the law, Frankie and Trudy investigate mysteries and crimes that either the police refuse to take on, or that their clients cannot take to the... Against a backdrop of social change, radical politics and jazz music, the series is immersed in both the real Toronto of the 1920s and the world of mystery and suspense conjured by creators Carol... From Masterpiece period dramas and mysteries, inspirational documentaries, foreign dramas, and more, find out the best of what PBS Passport offers and how to help your local PBS station. PBS Passport is a unique streaming service because it’s a member benefit to supporters of the not-for-profit organization, PBS. So, when you donate to PBS, you’re given access to the extended version of the PBS Video streaming app – which includes more than 1000 PBS programs to watch.

There is much to discover, from quality PBS Passport shows like Finding Your Roots to period dramas on PBS Passport like Poldark. But what exactly is PBS Passport, how do you gain access, is it worth it, and how do you navigate the best of what to watch on PBS passport? PBS Passport is, in simple terms: a gift to supporters of the PBS Non-Profit Organization. CET Passport is an added benefit of station membership, offering extended access to 1,500+ episodes of your favorite PBS shows. Your favorite PBS and CET programs anytime, anywhere. Home » Blog » PBS Mysteries and Crime Dramas to Binge Before Halloween

Eek! We’re T-minus one week from Halloween and, here at CET, we’re soaking up every spine-chilling moment of the spooky season. And what better way to get in the spirit than with some PBS binge watching? CET Passport offers access to a sweeping collection of gripping mysteries and crime dramas – the perfect way to keep your scare factor high while discovering wickedly-addictive new favorites or rewatching and catching up... From 1900s Vienna and Victorian London, to mid-century Paris and modern-day England, and even the quiet, idyllic Riverside town of Marlow, these series will take you across the pond, around the world and beyond... No matter where you find yourself transported, each show delivers the thrill and suspense you’re craving this season with unpredictable, complex investigations into each town’s most chilling and puzzling crimes.

And don’t worry, we made sure to throw in a few lighthearted mysteries for anyone in favor of a cozier vibe this fall, like The Marlow Murder Club on Masterpiece. PBS is usually reliable when you need a period mystery series or a crime drama with enduring stories and fascinating plots. That’s true most of the time, but definitely not always. If you don’t have the time to wade through the detective stories or mystery series and you want some advice, here’s what I recommend — and what I don’t. Subscribe to Only Murders In The Inbox to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Pbs Mysteries And Crime Dramas To Binge Before Halloween

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