The British-French crime drama The Tunnel has been hailed by fans as "the best crime drama ever watched," drawing comparisons to acclaimed series like Breaking Bad and The Wire. The series, which originally debuted on Sky Atlantic in 2013, stars Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy as detectives Karl Roebuck and Elise Wassermann.
Plot and Premise
The two investigators join forces to hunt down a serial killer who leaves the upper half of a French politician and the lower half of a British prostitute in the Channel Tunnel at the exact midpoint between France and the UK. This gripping premise has captivated audiences, leading to high praise on platforms like Reddit and IMDb.
Fan Reactions and Critical Acclaim
On Reddit, a user searching for "crime series similar to Vera" was recommended The Tunnel. Another fan enthusiastically confirmed: "I loved The Tunnel! So great." On IMDb, one viewer described the series as "magnificent," adding: "A magnificent, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat drama series. Superbly acted, in especial, by Stephen Dillane."
Another fan wrote: "I'm astonished that not everyone gives this show a 9 or a 10. The only American TV shows I've watched that are comparable in quality would be Breaking Bad and The Wire. The Tunnel has the perfect set-up, compelling acting not only by the leads but by the whole cast, multiple levels of meaning and allegory, and outstanding production values."
A third devotee declared it was "without question the best crime drama I've ever watched," while a fourth chimed in: "Brilliant work on every level. The Tunnel is one of the best programmes I have seen to date. My only complaint is that there aren't more seasons."
Adaptation and Availability
The Tunnel is an adaptation of the 2011 Danish-Swedish crime series The Bridge. Season 1 is available to stream on Prime Video, while Season 2 is on NOW. The show's tight writing, brilliant performances, and superb cinematography—capturing the frigid atmospherics of the Calais-Dover regions—have earned it a dedicated fan base.
