22/06/2026
Jonathan Creek, a BBC One mystery series that ran until 2016, blends courtroom-style logic with theatrical misdirection in a string of seemingly impossible crimes. Alan Davies leads as the title investigator, tackling cases that unfold in carefully staged settings, often far from the usual urban crime scene.
Created by David Renwick, the show is built around locked-room puzzles and procedural investigation, with each episode designed to dismantle murders that appear to defy basic rules. The central hook comes from Creek’s background in theatrical illusion design, which shapes how he spots the gaps in a case and follows the clues to their source.
Its enduring draw is the way it turns classic mystery structure into a modern puzzle format, pairing methodical investigation with the craft of misdirection. With Sarah Alexander as Polly Creek, the series remains a go-to for viewers who enjoy mysteries where the solution depends on how the world was staged.