The Lakes has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available. Across 2 seasons, the show has had time to find its rhythm and keep it. 12 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. John Simm sets the tone, and the ensemble matches it scene for scene. Available now — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The Lakes arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The Lakes treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. The Lakes is a mystery drama created and written by Jimmy McGovern for BBC1. The first series – comprised of four episodes – broadcast from 14 September to 5 October 1997. A second series of ten episodes ran from 10 January to 14 March 1999. John Simm and Charles Dale lead a cast that never lets the mystery feel thin. It ran for 2 seasons (1997–1999), and the writing holds up across every one of them. What makes The Lakes hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, The Lakes will keep you hooked. Fans of The Survivors will recognise the sensibility here immediately. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. John Simm'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.

The Lakes wrapped up in 1999, created by Jimmy McGovern — and 2 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.