With two compelling series, a troubled detective at its centre and a chilling murder investigation, Irvine Welsh’s Crime is a must-watch for fans of dark, character-driven crime dramas.

Some detective dramas capture the attention of audiences straight away, while others deserve far more recognition than they receive. Irvine Welsh’s Crime falls firmly into the latter category. This gripping ITV series, created from the work of the author behind Trainspotting, combines a disturbing criminal investigation with a deeply personal story about trauma, addiction and the pursuit of justice.

Starring Dougray Scott as Detective Inspector Ray Lennox, the drama offers a compelling alternative for viewers who enjoy the atmospheric storytelling and complex investigations of Shetland. Set in Edinburgh, it follows a detective whose determination to protect vulnerable people is matched by his own struggles with a painful past.

Across two intense series, Crime explores the darker side of human nature while examining the personal cost of confronting it. With John Simm playing a formidable adversary and a strong supporting cast bringing the story to life, this is the kind of series that can easily turn a quiet evening into a full-on binge-watch.

Both series are available to stream on ITVX. If you’re considering adding Irvine Welsh’s Crime to your watchlist, here’s what to know about its story, cast, trailer and where to watch it.

What Is Irvine Welsh’s Crime About?

Adapted from Irvine Welsh’s 2008 novel of the same name, Crime takes viewers to Edinburgh, where DI Ray Lennox investigates the abduction and murder of a young girl named Britney Hamil.

The case centres on a serial killer known as Mr. Confectioner, a dangerous figure whose crimes lead Lennox into an increasingly disturbing investigation. But Lennox is far from a conventional detective. Rather than simply following the evidence and closing cases, he is driven by a need to confront wrongdoing wherever he encounters it. His uncompromising approach often puts him at odds with the people around him.

As Lennox pursues Mr. Confectioner, he becomes determined to establish that the killer was responsible for Britney’s murder and for earlier crimes that had been wrongly attributed to an innocent man. The investigation becomes increasingly personal, testing both his professional instincts and his ability to remain in control.

When Lennox finally comes face to face with the killer, the balance of power is not what he expects. Mr. Confectioner recognises that the detective is battling private demons of his own and uses that vulnerability to his advantage.

With the investigation threatening to pull Lennox further into a downward spiral, he must confront the experiences he has spent years trying to overcome. Can he uncover the truth, bring the killer to justice and face his own troubled past before it consumes him?

The result is a tense, psychologically layered crime drama that places as much emphasis on the detective’s inner struggles as it does on the mystery itself.

What Happens in Series Two?

The second series, which premiered in 2023, returns to Lennox after he has had time to recover from the emotional and psychological toll of his previous investigation.

His respite doesn’t last long. When a senior figure from the establishment is discovered dead in a warehouse in Leith, Lennox is drawn into another investigation that soon points towards the work of a serial killer.

As more victims emerge, the case becomes increasingly disturbing. The deaths appear to be connected, suggesting that the person responsible is acting with a specific grievance rather than killing at random.

Once again, Lennox must navigate a complex investigation while dealing with the personal challenges that make his job so difficult. The second series continues to explore the tension between his determination to protect others and the vulnerabilities that threaten to undermine him.

What Has Dougray Scott Said About Ray Lennox?

Scott has offered insight into what drives his character, describing Lennox as a deeply flawed detective whose determination to stand up for vulnerable people stems from his own childhood experiences.

Speaking to ITV, the actor explained:

“I think you would call him some sort of very rough, fragile, avenging angel who is determined to give a voice to those people who don’t have a voice in society, and to protect the vulnerable. Stuff happened to him as a kid and so he went into becoming a copper because he felt that was the best way to avenge what happened to him as a child.

“What makes him a great copper also makes him a bad copper: he’s impetuous, he works off the cuff, he works on instinct. He’s left field – he’ll go down alleyways that no one else will go down in order to try and find the solution or the answer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work. But he’s passionate, deeply passionate about what he does.”

That contradiction lies at the heart of Crime. Lennox’s instincts and willingness to pursue leads others might overlook can make him an effective investigator, but his impulsiveness also puts him at risk. His determination to protect people who cannot protect themselves gives him a strong moral purpose, even as his unresolved trauma complicates his work.

Who Is in the Cast of Irvine Welsh’s Crime?

One of the series’ major strengths is its cast, led by Dougray Scott and supported by a collection of familiar television faces.

The main cast includes:

• Dougray Scott (My Oxford Year) as DI Ray Lennox
• Joanna Vanderham (The Paradise) as DS Amanda Drummond
• Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road) as Trudi Love
• Jamie Sives (Guilt) as DI Dougie Gillman
• Ken Stott (Rebus) as Chief Superintendent Bob Toal
• John Simm (Grace) as Gareth Horsborough
• Michael Abubakar (Trust Me) as DC Stuart McCorkel
• Gordon Kennedy (The Borderlands) as DI Eddie Rogers
• Derek Riddell (Payback) as Richie Gulliver
• Jonathan Kerrigan (In the Club) as Mark McKendrick
• Stuart Martin (In Flight) as Stuart Lennox
• Ellie Haddington (Motherland) as Avril Lennox
• Ewan Stewart (The Advocates) as John Lennox
• Laura Fraser (Mint) as Sally Hart

Scott anchors the series as the troubled lead detective, while Simm plays Gareth Horsborough, a key adversary in Lennox’s story. Together with the wider ensemble, the cast helps give the drama its tense atmosphere and emotional depth.

Is There a Trailer for Irvine Welsh’s Crime?

Yes. If you want to get a feel for the series before committing to both seasons, you can watch the official trailer below.

The trailer offers a glimpse of the drama’s dark tone and the unsettling investigation at its centre, making it a useful introduction for anyone considering adding the series to their watchlist.

Is Irvine Welsh’s Crime Worth Watching?

For viewers who enjoy detective dramas built around complicated characters and unsettling cases, Crime is well worth considering.

Stories about troubled detectives and difficult investigations are familiar territory on television, but this series distinguishes itself through its treatment of real and deeply traumatic issues. Addiction, abuse and childhood trauma are central to Lennox’s character, shaping the way he approaches his work and responds to the cases he encounters.

His personal history doesn’t remain neatly separated from his professional life. As the investigation progresses, memories and unresolved experiences begin to resurface, threatening his judgement and emotional stability. This makes the story feel grounded in the realities of human vulnerability rather than relying solely on the twists and turns of a fictional murder mystery.

The series can be a difficult watch, particularly because of its treatment of traumatic experiences and the harm inflicted on vulnerable people. Its darker themes are not easily brushed aside once an episode ends.

However, the performances, layered characterisation and tense storytelling make the drama compelling. Scott gives Lennox a combination of determination, fragility and unpredictability, creating a protagonist who is difficult to ignore even when his decisions are questionable.

If you prefer crime dramas that explore the people behind the investigations as much as the crimes themselves, Crime offers plenty to engage with. Its emotional weight may also leave you thinking about the story long after you’ve finished watching.

Where Can You Watch Irvine Welsh’s Crime?

Both series of Irvine Welsh’s Crime are available to stream on ITVX.

With two series to work through, there’s plenty for viewers looking for an absorbing detective drama to watch over several evenings.

What Other Detective Dramas Should You Watch?

If Crime appeals to you, there are other detective series worth adding to your list. Two recommendations are Case Histories and Chasing Shadows, both of which explore disturbing mysteries and investigations involving vulnerable people.

Case Histories

Starring Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie, Case Histories follows a private investigator whose work brings him into the lives of people searching for answers to unresolved mysteries from the past.

As Brodie investigates their cases, he often finds himself becoming personally involved and compelled to help those who need his support. Like Crime, the series combines mystery with character-driven storytelling, making it a strong option for viewers who enjoy detectives with a compassionate side.

You can watch Case Histories on U.

Chasing Shadows

Another option is Chasing Shadows, starring Reece Shearsmith as DS Sean Stone and Alex Kingston as his professional partner, Ruth Hattersley.

The pair investigate serial killers who target vulnerable people, following cases that lead them into some deeply disturbing territory. Its focus on tracking dangerous offenders and protecting those at risk makes it a natural recommendation for fans of Crime.

You can stream Chasing Shadows on ITVX.

Whether you’re drawn to the atmospheric mysteries of Shetland, the emotional complexity of Case Histories or the unsettling investigations in Chasing Shadows, Irvine Welsh’s Crime deserves a place on your crime drama watchlist. With Dougray Scott leading the cast and two series available to stream, it offers a gripping mix of psychological tension, challenging themes and a detective whose personal battles are every bit as compelling as the cases he takes on.