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swap_horiz Z-Cars Alternatives

Looking for alternatives to Z-Cars? Compare the top TV Show options ranked by our AI scoring system.

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Z-Cars

Z-Cars

Z-Cars is a British police procedural television drama series originally broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1978. The show centered around mobile policing units investigating crimes in the fictional town of Newtown, mirroring real-world police practices within the United Kingdom. It’s notable for its...

7.6 Very Good

apps Top Z-Cars Alternatives

The top alternative to Z-Cars in 2026 is Sherlock with a score of 8.9/10, followed by Peaky Blinders (8.7) and Happy Valley (8.7).

1
Sherlock

Sherlock

Sherlock is a British crime drama television series adapting Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Benedict...

Classic Drama Detective Mystery
8.9 Excellent
2
Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders portrays a Birmingham-based criminal organization operating during and after World War I. The series depi...

Period Piece Historical Drama Gangster Noir
8.7 Excellent
3
Happy Valley

Happy Valley

Happy Valley is a British crime drama set in the Calder Valley of West Yorkshire. The series, created by Sally Wainwrigh...

Police Procedural Psychological Thriller Nordic Strong Female Lead
8.7 Excellent
4
Prime Suspect

Prime Suspect

The series follows Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Jane Tennison, a pioneering female detective inspector navigating the cha...

Police Procedural Psychological Thriller 1990S Strong Female Lead
8.6 Excellent
5
Life on Mars

Life on Mars

Life on Mars is a British drama series concerning a contemporary police officer who inexplicably finds himself stranded...

Time Travel Retro Detective Mystery
8.5 Excellent
6
Cracker

Cracker

Cracker is a British crime drama centered on Dr. Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a criminal psychologist collaborating with th...

Police Procedural 1990S United Kingdom Dark Drama
8.4 Excellent
7
Unforgotten on Masterpiece

Unforgotten on Masterpiece

Unforgotten is a British television drama focusing on London’s Metropolitan Police investigating historical murders and...

Detective Mystery Police Procedural Dark Crime
8.4 Excellent
8
Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes

Ashes to Ashes explores crime investigation through the lens of time travel. Detective Inspector Joe Martin investigates...

Time Travel Mystery Police Procedural Psychological Thriller
8.3 Excellent
9
Silent Witness

Silent Witness

Silent Witness is a British television drama exploring crime investigations through forensic pathology. The show follows...

Detective Crime Medical British
8.3 Excellent
10
Inspector Morse

Inspector Morse

Inspector Morse is a British television drama spanning thirty-three two-hour episodes, broadcast from 1987 to 2000. The...

Classic Intellectual Mystery Police Procedural
8.2 Excellent
11
Lewis

Lewis

Lewis is a British detective drama set in Oxford, following Detective Inspector Robert “Robbie” Lewis, formerly Sergeant...

Mystery Crime British Oxford
8.2 Excellent
12
The Missing

The Missing

The Missing is a British crime drama series centered around investigating missing persons cases. The show gained attenti...

Detective Mystery Crime Suspense
8.2 Excellent
13
The Sweeney

The Sweeney

The Sweeney followed Detectives Jack Regan and George Carter as they investigated armed robbery and violent crime within...

Crime Police Procedural Noir Gritty
8.2 Excellent
14
Vera

Vera

Vera is a British television drama series based on Ann Cleeves’ novels. The show centers around Detective Chief Inspecto...

Character Driven Mystery British Police Procedural
8.1 Excellent
15
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a detective drama set in 1920s Melbourne, adapting Kerry Greenwood’s novels. The serie...

Vintage Classic Australia Detective
8.1 Excellent
16
Ripper Street

Ripper Street

Ripper Street is a British drama set in Whitechapel, London, following police detectives investigating crimes in 1889. T...

Police London Detective Crime
8.1 Excellent
17
Inspector George Gently

Inspector George Gently

Inspector George Gently is a British crime drama set in the 1960s, focusing on the work of Inspector Gently and his team...

Classic Crime Police Procedural 60S
8.1 Excellent
18
New Tricks

New Tricks

New Tricks is a long-running British television drama focusing on a team of retired detectives who investigate previousl...

Detective Police Procedural Long Running Mature Audience
7.7 Very Good
19
The Bill

The Bill

The Bill is a long-running British television series depicting the daily operations of a London Metropolitan Police team...

Classic Police Detective Police Procedural
7.3 Very Good
20
Heartbeat

Heartbeat

Heartbeat was a British television drama depicting police work within the North Riding of Yorkshire during the 1960s. Pr...

UK Based Crime Family Drama Police Procedural
7.0 Very Good

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative Score vs Z-Cars Action
Sherlock
Sherlock
TV Show Classic Drama Detective
8.9 Excellent +1.3 Compare
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders
TV Show Period Piece Historical Drama Gangster
8.7 Excellent +1.1 Compare
Happy Valley
Happy Valley
TV Show Police Procedural Psychological Thriller Nordic
8.7 Excellent +1.1 Compare
Prime Suspect
Prime Suspect
TV Show Police Procedural Psychological Thriller 1990S
8.6 Excellent +1.0 Compare
Life on Mars
Life on Mars
TV Show Time Travel Retro Detective
8.5 Excellent +0.9 Compare
Cracker
Cracker
TV Show Police Procedural 1990S United Kingdom
8.4 Excellent +0.8 Compare
Unforgotten on Masterpiece
Unforgotten on Masterpiece
TV Show Detective Mystery Police Procedural
8.4 Excellent +0.8 Compare
Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to Ashes
TV Show Time Travel Mystery Police Procedural
8.3 Excellent +0.7 Compare
Silent Witness
Silent Witness
TV Show Detective Crime Medical
8.3 Excellent +0.7 Compare
Inspector Morse
Inspector Morse
TV Show Classic Intellectual Mystery
8.2 Excellent +0.6 Compare

See all TV Show ranked by score

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Z-Cars?
The top alternatives to Z-Cars in 2026 include Sherlock, Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, Prime Suspect, Life on Mars. Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.
How does Z-Cars compare to its competitors?
Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. Z-Cars scores 7.6/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Is Z-Cars worth it in 2026?
Z-Cars scores 7.6/10 in the TV Show category. We recommend comparing it with the 20 alternatives listed above to find the best fit for your needs.
What is the best free alternative to Z-Cars?
Several alternatives to Z-Cars offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.
Why should I switch from Z-Cars?
Common reasons users look for Z-Cars alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.
How many alternatives to Z-Cars are there?
Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to Z-Cars in the TV Show category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.
Which Z-Cars alternative has the highest rating?
Sherlock currently holds the highest rating among Z-Cars alternatives with a score of 8.9/10.
Can I use Sherlock instead of Z-Cars?
Sherlock is one of the top-rated alternatives to Z-Cars. While they serve similar purposes in the TV Show space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.
What is the cheapest alternative to Z-Cars?
Pricing varies among Z-Cars alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the TV Show category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.
How are Z-Cars alternatives ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.
Z-Cars vs Sherlock: which is better?
Z-Cars scores 7.6/10 while Sherlock scores 8.9/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Z-Cars vs Peaky Blinders: which is better?
Z-Cars scores 7.6/10 while Peaky Blinders scores 8.7/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Z-Cars vs Happy Valley: which is better?
Z-Cars scores 7.6/10 while Happy Valley scores 8.7/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

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