Manhunt (2019–2021) is a compelling British true-crime drama series starring Martin Clunes (best known for Doc Martin) in a career-highlight role as real-life Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton. Based on Sutton’s own memoirs, the show follows his dogged, methodical investigation into shocking murders and serial crimes that gripped the UK, delivering tense, procedural storytelling with emotional depth and unflinching realism.
The first series (3 episodes, aired January 2019 on ITV) centers on the 2004 murder of French student Amélie Delagrange, whose body was found on Twickenham Green with no immediate forensics, motive, or witnesses. Appointed Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Sutton painstakingly connects her death to two prior unsolved killings, uncovering that a serial killer—Levi Bellfield—is responsible. The series portrays the grueling police work, bureaucratic hurdles, personal toll on investigators, and the eventual arrest that brought justice after years of failure.
Clunes is widely praised as a “revelation” (The Telegraph) for his understated, no-nonsense portrayal of Sutton—a mild-mannered yet fiercely determined detective far removed from his comedic Doc Martin persona. Supporting cast includes Claudie Blakley as Sutton’s supportive wife Louise, Stephen Wight as DC Clive Grace, and others like Sule Rimi and Matthew Gravelle in key investigative roles.
The show earned massive viewership (averaging 8.7–9 million per episode, ITV’s biggest new drama launch since Broadchurch) and critical acclaim for its sensitive handling of real events, accurate procedural detail, and avoidance of sensationalism. It won BAFTA Cymru awards and holds strong audience scores on IMDb (around 7.5/10) and Rotten Tomatoes.
A second series, Manhunt: The Night Stalker (4 episodes, 2021), sees Clunes reprise the role as Sutton reviews the long-running case of the “Night Stalker”—a notorious serial rapist who terrorized southeast London for 17 years—applying the same relentless approach to finally catch the offender.
Available to stream on platforms like Acorn TV, Prime Video, AMC+, Disney+ (in some regions), and ITVX, Manhunt is perfect for fans of gritty police procedurals like Line of Duty, Broadchurch, or Unforgotten. Its focus on real detective work, justice for victims, and the human cost of investigations makes it a standout in the true-crime genre—intense, respectful, and utterly gripping.
