There's no shortage of mystery shows out there—from procedurals to comedies to dark and gritty crime dramas. And any true mystery fan is surely subscribed to AcornTV and the wonderful offerings on tap there.
But if you're new to the streaming service or just looking for something you might have missed, it can be difficult to pick which incredible show to start. There are so many!
What is Acorn TV?
For those not in the know, Acorn TV is a streaming service that brings a cultivated collection of television programming to audiences in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Featuring original shows as well as exclusive programming, Acorn TV presents content that hails from Commonwealth countries, such as Britain, Australia, Canada, and more.
While this service focuses heavily on the crime and mystery genres, it also features dramas, comedies, and documentaries.
Accessing Acorn TV is easy! All you need to do is go to their website or download their app. You can even add it as a channel on Amazon Prime Video.
How much is Acorn TV?
With so many competing and overlapping streaming services, it’s important to do what you can to protect your wallet. Especially considering some major services are constantly hiking up their subscription fees.
So how much is Acorn TV? Only $7.99 a month!
Looking for an even better deal? Grab an annual subscription for $79.99 and watch 12 months for the price of 10.
If you’re still on the fence, Acorn TV offers a free seven-day trial to explore it’s wonderful offerings.
What are the 10 best shows on Acorn TV?
We at Murder & Mayhem know it can be hard to find shows that are a good match, so we've put in the work to help you out. Here are 10 of the best mystery shows streaming now on AcornTV—plus two bonus hits, in honor of their great annual subscription deal.
Recipes for Love and Murder
An Acorn original, this gripping mystery takes place in South Africa.
Tannie Maria (Maria Doyle Kennedy) loves cooking and eating—but she's missing real romance in her life. When a woman who wrote to her advice column is found brutally murdered, Tannie Maria teams up with rookie journalist Jessie September (Kylie Fisher), to the annoyance of police detective Khaya Meyer (Tony Kgoroge).
Their investigation stirs up excitement, trouble, and maybe a little something extra.
This gripping show has recently added a second season!
Detectorists
The Danebury Metal Detecting Club consists of Andy (Mackenzie Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones). These eccentric fellows spend their days meticulously tracking through tracks and open fields.
The work may be tedious, but the reward of uncovering treasure in the English countryside? As fulfilling as it is unlikely…
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Based on the books of the same name by Kerry Greenwood, this flashy period piece is set in Melbourne in the late 1920s.
Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) is a female sleuth—and a modern woman navigating a male dominated world. Taking on cases with glamor, wit, and a pearl-handled pistol, answers—and admirers—are never far away.
Mrs Sidhu Investigates
Caterer Mrs. Sidhu (Meera Syal) has more than a talent for food. She has a hunger for mystery.
When she strikes up an unofficial partnership with grim DCI Burton (Craig Parkinson), it seems they're an even better pairing than cheese and wine.
Queens of Mystery
Matilda Stone (Florence Hall/Olivia Vinall) is a forever-single 28-year-old woman. She also solves crimes with her three crime-writing aunts, Cat (Julie Graham), Jane (Siobhan Redman), and Beth (Sarah Woodward).
In the beautiful English village of Wildemarsh, it seems there's no shortage of murder.
Doc Martin
Spanning 79 episodes, this series follows Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes), a brilliant yet socially inept doctor. After developing a sudden fear of blood, Martin moves from London to the idyllic village of Port Wenn in Cornwall to be a general practitioner.
The mysteries in this series are of a medical nature, but no less gripping.
Wire in the Blood
This British crime drama ran from 2002 to 2009, racking up 31 episodes.
The story follows psychologist Dr. Tony Hill (Robson Green) who wields his own dark side to step inside the minds of murderers and victims alike to aid the police in Northern England.
If you're a fan of Val McDermid, Hill is based off several of her characters.
Darby and Joan
This delightful mystery series from Australia is an Acorn original.
After the suspicious death of her husband, English Nurse Joan Kirkhope (Greta Scacchi) sets out to find answers. Along the way, she meets retired Australian policeman Jack Darby (Bryan Brown), who's in the midst of evading his past.
The two pair up as their drawn into a series of mysteries across the Australian outback.
Midsomer Murders
First premiering in 1997, Midsomer Murders is still going strong today, with 144 episodes under its belt.
The series follows a veteran Detective Chief Inspector—originally DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles), but now DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) as of 2011—and their respective Sergeant. The pair investigate murders in the quiet countryside community of Midsomer County.
The Brokenwood Mysteries
This New Zealand crime drama started back in 2014, and currently has seven seasons and counting with a total of 36 episodes.
Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd(Neill Rea) is brought to the small town of Brokenwood for a case, but finds himself charmed by the area. However, as good as he may be at his job, he has trouble fitting in amongst the community.
Hinterland
This Welsh crime drama ran from 2013 to 2016, amassing 13 episodes across its three seasons.
The show follows DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington) as he tries to find redemption amidst solving murders. To help him along is DI Mared Rhys (Mali Harries), a local who knows the region like the back of her hand.
Mystery Road: Origin
A prequel series to Mystery Road, this is yet another recent Acorn original.
Set in 1999, the show follows young officer Jay Swan (Mark Coles Smith), who has just arrived at his new station—in the town where his estranged father happens to live. As he investigates a series of robberies, he meets a woman who is going to change his life: Mary (Tuuli Narkle).
