Public Eye has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available. 7 seasons of it means there is plenty to get through without ever feeling padded. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Alfred Burke leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Public Eye is worth clearing space for. At its heart, Public Eye understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Public Eye is a British television drama broadcast from 1965 to 1975 on ITV1. Produced by ABC Television for three series, and Thames Television for a further four, the programme follows the investigations and cases handled by the unglamourous enquiry agent Frank Marker. Credit to Alfred Burke for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. 7 seasons (1965–1975) gave the story room most shows never get. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Public Eye passes that test consistently. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find Public Eye proves them wrong. If you have already watched Hill Street Blues, Public Eye is a natural next step. 7 seasons is a lot, but the quality holds all the way through. Alfred Burke's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.

Public Eye wrapped up in 1975, created by Roger Marshall and Anthony Marriott — and 7 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.