Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.goodhousekeeping.com
If you need a reliable, dogged detective in your life, look no further than DCI Banks. Set against the rugged Yorkshire landscape, the beyond brilliant ITV crime drama brings Peter Robinson’s much-loved novels to life – and, in our opinion, it’s even more watchable than Vera. Better still, you can watch it tonight.
Stephen Tompkinson first brought the straight-talking and slightly gruff DCI Banks to life in 2010. He’s joined by DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe), his headstrong colleague, and their very different approaches to policing make for a compelling partnership. Across five series, they tackle all sorts of gruelling crimes.
Ready to crack a case? Here’s everything you need to know about DCI Banks, including the cast, plot and how to watch it tonight.
What is DCI Banks about?
DCI Banks (played by Stephen Tompkinson) is a straight-talking, dogged detective who likes a drink and has a little bit of baggage – but his complicated personal life doesn’t get in the way of his determination to catch criminals. Set against the Yorkshire countryside, he works alongside headstrong DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) as they tackle a whole host of gruelling cases.
The pair have very different approaches and often butt heads. There’s an undeniable tension between them, which adds another layer to their complicated working relationship. Across five series, they work on everything, from armed robberies and serial killers to organised crime and arson attacks. The fifth and final series is the grittiest of all, with Banks heading into a woodland where there’s a shrine to a local girl who committed suicide – but the trusty detective soon uncovers a suspicious link to a local crime boss.
Stephen previously spoke to Digital Spy about what sets Banks apart from other television detectives. ‘His ordinariness. He’s not fighting Moriarty-type villains who leave clues behind each murder,’ he told the publication. ‘They’re just sort of believably brutal. The sort of banality of crime isn’t attractive and glamorous.’
Who’s in the cast of DCI Banks?
The cast of DCI Banks includes:
- Stephen Tompkinson (Vera) as DCI Alan Banks
- Andrea Lowe (Without Sin) as DS Annie Cabbot
- Caroline Catz (Doc Martin) as DI Helen Morton
- Lorraine Burroughs (Spell) as DS Winsome Jackman
- Jack Deam (The Long Shadow) as DC Ken Blackstone
Is DCI Banks any good?
Yes – if you’re a Vera fan, DCI Banks is an easy next watch. Both dramas combine atmospheric northern landscapes with complex murder cases and a fiercely dedicated detective at their centre. While DCI Banks covers gruesome crimes, it’s more believable than some grittier dramas, which is part of its strong appeal. The cases are easy to follow, the characters are well fleshed out and there are enough twists to keep you hooked in.
Is there a trailer for DCI Banks?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for DCI Banks below.
How can I watch DCI Banks?
You can watch DCI Banks now on ITVX.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
For a cosy detective drama, we’d suggest Agatha Raisin, in which PR-hotshot-turned-private-detective Agatha (Shetland’s Ashley Jensen) tackles crimes in the fictional Cotswold village of Carsely. Agatha Raisin is available to watch now on Acorn TV via Prime Video. If you fancy something grittier, we’d suggest Jack Irish. The Australian drama centres around a rugged private investigator who takes on a slew of gruesome murders and strange conspiracies. Jack Irish is available to watch now on Channel 4.
