Us Weekly has compiled a list of 22 standout series available on Acorn TV for December 2025, emphasizing British television's strengths in mystery and drama. The recommendations include cozy mysteries and gripping thrillers, spotlighting both new releases and long-running favorites. Viewers seeking consistent quality in international programming will find plenty to explore on the platform.
Acorn TV continues to deliver reliable British content, distinguishing itself from competitors like BritBox through its focus on engaging narratives. Published on December 21, 2025, Us Weekly's roundup features a mix of genres, with a strong emphasis on crime dramas set in picturesque locales.
Among the highlights are 'Signora Volpe,' where former spy Sylvia Fox, played by Emilia Fox, investigates crimes in Italy while navigating personal relationships. The series prioritizes character-driven stories over graphic violence, appealing to fans of relaxed pacing. Similarly, 'Whitstable Pearl' follows single mother Pearl Nolan, portrayed by Kerry Godliman, as she balances running a seafood restaurant with detective work in a coastal town, drawing comparisons to 'Father Brown' for its light tone.
Other notable entries include 'The Gone,' a New Zealand-set disappearance mystery praised for integrating Māori culture, and 'The Light in the Hall,' a Welsh anthology series returning for a second season with emotionally charged storytelling. Newer additions like 'Murder Before Evensong,' adapted from Richard Coles' novel, explore community secrets through Canon Daniel Clement's investigation, while 'Queens of Mystery' blends humor and whodunits involving a detective and her novelist aunts.
Longer-running shows such as 'Midsomer Murders,' spanning nearly 30 years with its whimsical village crimes, remain staples. 'Irish Blood,' starring Alicia Silverstone as a lawyer uncovering family secrets in Ireland, has been renewed for a second season. 'The Madame Blanc Mysteries' offers comedic sleuthing in France, with its fourth season premiering in July 2025.
The list also covers diverse tales like the family drama 'Summertide' in South Africa, the thriller 'Safe House' with Christopher Eccleston, and ethical dilemmas in 'Best Interests' featuring Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen. Additional series such as 'Harry Wild,' 'Dalgliesh,' 'My Life is Murder,' 'A Remarkable Place to Die,' and 'Delicious' round out the selections, providing options for various moods from suspense to comedy.
This curation underscores Acorn TV's role in bringing lesser-known British and international gems to global audiences, encouraging binges amid the holiday season.