Strike

A war veteran turned private detective operates out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street. Although wounded both physically and psychologically, his unique insight and background as a military police investigator prove crucial in solving complex crimes that have baffled the police. Based on the bestselling novels written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Strike (2017-2024) is a British crime drama series created by J.K. Rowling, Ben Richards and Tom Edge for BBC One, adapted from Rowling's bestselling novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Tom Burke plays Cormoran Strike, a former military police investigator who has come home from war with a damaged leg and deep psychological scars, and who runs a struggling private detective agency from a tiny office on London's Denmark Street. Holliday Grainger plays Robin Ellacott, the temp turned investigator whose sharp instincts make her his indispensable partner. Each season unfolds as a self-contained, tightly plotted murder case, with the duo chasing suspects through London's streets and interviewing an array of grieving families, shady associates and red herring witnesses. The engine is simple: Strike wants to crack the cases the police have failed to solve while his finances and his past keep pulling him back. The tone is brooding and intelligent, with dry wit between the leads and an undercurrent of melancholy. Six seasons of consistent mystery craft make it a strong pick for fans of Sherlock, Vera and Shetland who want a character driven British detective series with a human heart.

Viewers broadly find the series a well crafted, compelling crime drama whose lead and partner dynamic carries it, with audience ratings positive though slipping in the latest season.

• Sherlockbritish detective procedural tone, flawed investigator partnership, case-driven mystery
• Veraprivate investigator protagonist, london crime setting, serialized case mysteries
• Shetlanddetective with personal trauma, dry banter partnership, cold case mysteries
• Life on Mars (2006)ex-military investigator with physical wound, moody urban crime tone

Created by

J.K. Rowling, Ben Richards, Tom Edge

Release Date

2017-08-27

Episode runtime

58 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (282)

What is Strike about?

A wounded former military police investigator and his determined junior partner solve baffling London crimes from a cramped Denmark Street office.

What is Strike like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Strike as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Strike violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Strike as moderate.

What did critics think of Strike?

Viewers broadly find the series a well crafted, compelling crime drama whose lead and partner dynamic carries it, with audience ratings positive though slipping in the latest season.

Which shows are like Strike?

Shows with a similar feel include Sherlock, Vera, Shetland, and Life on Mars (2006).

How long is Strike?

Strike: 6 seasons, 19 episodes.

Is Strike still running?

Yes, Strike is still running.

Where can I watch Strike?

In United States, Strike streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Shahid VIP.