Move over Sherlock Holmes and Columbo, there's a new queen of crime-solving on the television throne. Fresh analysis has officially crowned Jessica Fletcher, the beloved amateur sleuth from Murder, She Wrote, as the small screen's most successful detective of all time.
The Methodology Behind the Mystery
The definitive ranking was compiled by the Freeview channel Great Mystery, which undertook the colossal task of calculating the number of on-screen murders solved by iconic TV detectives. The research spanned more than 70 years of television history, scrutinising episodes from legendary figures like Hercule Poirot and Inspector Morse to modern-day investigators.
The results were startling. Portrayed by the late Angela Lansbury, Jessica Fletcher first graced screens in 1984 and continued her investigations for 12 series until 1996. In that time, in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine, she cracked an astonishing 268 cases, placing her firmly at the top of the list.
The Top Sleuths Revealed
Claiming a respectable second place is Dr. Mark Sloan from Diagnosis Murder, played by Dick Van Dyke. Alongside his detective son Steve (portrayed by Van Dyke's real-life son Barry), the medical examiner solved 178 crimes over eight seasons.
In third position is the charismatic Thomas Magnum from Magnum P.I., with Tom Selleck's character solving 154 cases during the show's original eight-series run from 1980 to 1988. He is closely followed by The Mentalist's Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), who cracked 151 cases.
The research also identified a prestigious "100 crimes solved club," which includes:
- Adrian Monk (141)
- Father Brown (130)
- Jim Rockford (123)
- Theophilus 'Kojak' (118)
- Miami Vice's Crockett and Tubbs (114)
Surprising Slumps and Viewer Preferences
Some legendary names ranked surprisingly low. Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot solved 70 televised murders, while the raincoat-clad Lieutenant Columbo managed 69. Other favourites like Jim Taggart (34) and Miss Marple (23) also featured lower than many might expect.
The study, part of the Great TV Network relaunch, also polled British audiences. It found that 46% of Brits find classic sleuths like Fletcher more engaging than modern counterparts such as DCI Luther. Furthermore, 35% stated the puzzle-solving element is their favourite part of a murder mystery.
A significant 82% of viewers prefer to uncover the killer themselves at the end, rather than having the culprit revealed early. This thinking viewer's approach is complemented by a desire for comfort, with 58% rewatching favourite crime shows because they feel "cosy and comforting."
Catering to a Forgotten Audience
This shift towards classic programming addresses a clear demand. Great TV's recent 'The Upper Third' report found that the UK's 55-and-over age group—approximately 22 million viewers—feels largely ignored by modern television, despite watching an average of three hours and 42 minutes daily. A quarter (26%) of these mature viewers feel overlooked by today's producers.
In response, Great Mystery is currently airing all 268 episodes of Murder, She Wrote and will honour Dick Van Dyke's recent 100th birthday with a special morning of Diagnosis Murder and Murder 101 on Freeview channel 50.
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director for Great!, said: "Jessica Fletcher is proof that classic sleuths do it best – and her extensive number of closed cases proves she's an enduring hit with TV viewers. Brits have spoken loud and clear - they want the cosy comfort and intrigue of classic mysteries."
The channel's September relaunch on Freeview 34 already features other classics like Rising Damp and the Carry On films, signalling a dedicated return to beloved, comforting television for a significant portion of the British audience.
