'Perfect' gritty Scottish detective series now free to stream as it finds new home
The beloved series has found a new home and is already impressing viewers.
An iconic Scottish TV series has found a new home - and it's free to watch. The long-running show has been branded "perfect" and is already impressing new viewers.
Legendary detective series Taggart is experiencing a major resurgence in the UK, with Channel 5 having acquired all 100 episodes of the gritty drama for its streaming service.
Thanks to a new deal with the show's creators, STV Studios, all 27 seasons of Taggart, which originally aired between 1985 and 2010, are available to watch for free.
The long-running drama, created by Glenn Chandler, follows the detectives of Strathclyde Police as they tackle complex murders across Glasgow.
It is celebrated for its gripping storylines, dark humour and authentic depiction of Glasgow's gritty streets. The series originally centred on Detective Chief Inspector Jim Taggart, played by Mark McManus, who coined one of the most recognisable taglines in TV history: “There’s been a murder…”
The show continued after McManus passed away, with his team carrying on investigations across the city and surrounding areas.
The show boasts an impressive 27 seasons, featuring a strong cast including McManus, Neil Duncan, Iain Anders, James MacPherson, Blythe Duff, and Colin McCredie.
Over the years, it also welcomed a host of notable guest stars, including several at the start of their careers, such as Robert Carlyle, Richard Madden, Dougray Scott, Jason Isaacs, Phyllis Logan, and Billy Boyd.
Traitors fans with a keen eye may also spot some contestants from this year's celebrity series, such as Mark Bonnar and Celia Imrie, as well as US host Alan Cumming.
The series was sadly axed in 2010, after 28 years and 110 episodes, following ITV producers' decision to focus on new and original dramas on the channel, leaving many life-long viewers devastated.
While Taggart originally aired on STV/ITV, it is now available to stream for free on Channel 5. The series has climbed into the streaming platforms Top 10 most watched programmes list, with fans and new viewers praising the series.
Taking to IMDb, one viewer wrote: "It's several years now since Taggart ended, and it's still a great watch.
"It spanned many years, and had different phases, in my opinion the early years with Mark McManus were the best; the dark, gritty writing, coupled with the charisma of the original Detective are a winning combination."
Another new viewer, gave their opinion on the series, writing: "Why do I like it so much? I love the gritty cinema-verite settings in Glasgow, the wonderful accents, the intriguing characters, the sardonic humour, the terrific music and theme song. It's perfect.
"But what I love most of all is the writing. Glenn Chandler's scripts are exceptional - movie length twisty-turny mysteries filled with red herrings and unexpected plot shifts, and usually leading to a payoff you didn't see coming."
A third fan recommend the series, stating: "If you want a gritty, sombre murder mystery with totally original ideas, Taggart is perfect for you."
Someone else said: "I've been working my way through the series and, you know what, this may be not only my favorite cop series, it may be my favorite TV series full stop," another fan wrote.
A fifth viewer took to X, formally known as Twitter, praising Taggart for being "one of the best detective series ever."
Cherry Vantreen, Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at 5 and Paramount UK, said: “Taggart is one of the UK’s most iconic detective dramas and we’re thrilled to welcome it to our line-up on 5. It’s a timeless favourite that perfectly complements our growing catalogue of quality drama boxsets.”
Camilla Cope, Commercial Director at STV Studios, said: “A generation has passed since Taggart’s original run came to an end in 2010, but the love for this iconic cornerstone of Scottish television history has never waned.
"Its gritty realism and authentic portrayal of Glasgow had a significant influence on future crime dramas – not just in the UK, but globally too. Taggart remains a hugely important part of STV Studios’ legacy and we’re delighted to have found the show a new streaming home on 5.”
Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.