The detectives of H Division on “Ripper Street”. (Photo: BBC America)
Ripper Street
This period mystery series takes place in the East End of London in 1889, six months after the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. And before you get too excited about the prospect of a historical mystery about the investigation of the Ripper case – don’t. This is not that show.
Ripper Street actually focuses on the investigations of the H Division of the London Police Department. This is the police precinct that was charged with maintaining order in the Whitechapel district in the days and weeks following the Ripper’s crimes. The area is teeming with the poor and dispossessed, and crime is rampant, with everything from gangs to drug dealers to Ripper copycats.
Matthew Macfadyen stars as a forward thinking detective with a tragic past, because every mystery needs some sort of tortured hero. He’s joined by Adam Rothenberg as a U.S. Army surgeon and former Pinkerton detective, as well as Jerome Flynn as the muscle of their group. While they attempt to solve various mysteries, they all also struggle with very personal troubles, most of which have to do with drink and women (prostitutes or otherwise).
Number of Seasons: 4
Where to Watch: Netflix (Only three seasons are available on Netflix right now. Season 4 only came out on DVD at the end of September, so give it a few weeks.)