Two People Plunge From A London Tower Block. Hours Later, A Police Officer Vanishes Without A Trace. And What Follows Is A Crime Mystery Viewers Have Called One Of The Most Gripping In Years. 😱 It Begins With A Shocking Double Tragedy. But Before Investigators Can Make Sense Of What Happened, Another Disturbing Disappearance Turns The Case Into Something Far More Complicated. As The Investigation Deepens, The Clues Grow Stranger, Suspicions Begin To Shift And The Connections Between The Incidents Become Increasingly Difficult To Ignore. This Gripping British Crime Drama Builds Its Tension One Revelation At A Time, Drawing Viewers Into A Web Of Unanswered Questions, Hidden Motives And Secrets That Refuse To Stay Buried. Two Falls. One Missing Officer. And A Mystery That Only Gets Darker The Closer You Get To The Truth. If You Love British Crime Thrillers That Keep You Guessing Until The Pieces Finally Connect, This One Deserves Your Attention — Because The Most Disturbing Part May Be What Nobody Saw Coming.

The Tower: ITV’s Gripping Detective Drama Is Perfect for Your Next Binge-Watch

With three series packed with complex mysteries, tense investigations and standout performances, The Tower remains a compelling choice for crime drama fans.

If you’re looking for a detective drama that will keep you guessing until the very end, ITV’s The Tower deserves a place on your watchlist. Starring Gemma Whelan as Detective Sarah Collins, the crime series explores the darker side of policing through disturbing cases, complicated investigations and secrets that gradually come to light.

Although The Tower first arrived on ITV five years ago, its gripping storylines and strong performances have helped it stand the test of time. With three series now available to watch, it’s an ideal choice for anyone in the mood for an absorbing crime thriller.

The story begins with a shocking incident in south-east London. A veteran police officer and a teenage Libyan refugee fall to their deaths from the top of a tower block. On the rooftop, rookie police officer PC Lizzie Adama (Tahirah Sharif) and a five-year-old boy are found alive. But the mystery deepens when Lizzie disappears just hours later.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Collins (Gemma Whelan) is tasked with finding the missing officer and establishing what happened that day. As she investigates the deaths and searches for answers, she must piece together a troubling chain of events involving two police officers and two children.

With its intricate mysteries and high-stakes investigations, The Tower offers plenty to keep viewers hooked. Here’s everything you need to know about the series, from its story and cast to where you can watch all three instalments.

What is The Tower about?

Based on Kate London’s Metropolitan book series, The Tower follows Sarah Collins, a dedicated Metropolitan Police detective who takes on challenging cases that often reveal unsettling truths.

The first series centres on the deaths of a veteran beat police officer and a teenage girl, both of whom fall from a tower block in south-east London. Two people survive the incident: rookie officer Lizzie Adama and a five-year-old boy.

However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn when Lizzie vanishes within hours of the tragedy. Sarah must find her before she comes to serious harm while also trying to establish what led to the fatal incident.

The questions are difficult and disturbing. What brought two police officers and two children to the rooftop? What happened in the moments before the deaths? And why did Lizzie disappear?

As Sarah works to uncover the truth, the case becomes a complex investigation that tests her ability to navigate the realities of police work.

What happens in series two and three?

The story continues across two further series, which aired in 2023 and 2024, expanding the show’s investigations while bringing its central characters back for more challenging cases.

The second instalment, The Tower II: Death Message, explores two stories of violence against women, one rooted in the past and the other unfolding in the present. The series reunites viewers with the returning characters as the investigations develop.

Series three moves the story forward by nearly two years. Sarah is called to investigate the brutal stabbing of a teenage boy, but the case soon draws her into conflict with a major undercover police operation carrying significant stakes.

Each series brings a different mystery to the forefront, while continuing to follow Sarah’s work and the challenges she faces as a detective.

Gemma Whelan on preparing for her role

Gemma Whelan’s performance as Sarah Collins is one of the series’ key strengths. However, the actor admitted to ITV that she knew relatively little about the day-to-day responsibilities of a Detective Sergeant before taking on the role.

To prepare, she spoke extensively with author Kate London and consulted Claire Job, a detective who was present on set. The production also included extras with previous experience as detectives, police officers and paramedics, giving Whelan opportunities to learn from people familiar with the realities of the job.

Speaking about the experience, Whelan explained that these conversations allowed her to ask questions about police work, professional behaviour and the situations officers encounter.

She also learned about the practical details that help make the series’ portrayal of police procedures more convincing. One example involved removing a forensic suit, a process she initially understood incorrectly.

A police officer on set pointed out that the suit should have gone directly into an evidence bag. The experience helped Whelan understand the importance of the chain of command and the correct handling of evidence to prevent contamination.

These behind-the-scenes lessons gave the actor a clearer understanding of police procedures and helped her approach the role with greater authenticity.

Who stars in The Tower?

The series features an ensemble cast led by Gemma Whelan and Tahirah Sharif, whose performances help bring the show’s tense investigations to life.

The main cast includes:

Gemma Whelan (Killing Eve) as DS Sarah Collins/DI Sarah Collins
Tahirah Sharif (The Haunting of Bly Manor) as PC Lizzie Adama/DC Lizzie Adama
Emmett J. Scanlan (How To Get To Heaven From Belfast) as Inspector Kieran Shaw
Jimmy Akingbola (Bel-Air) as DC Steve Bradshaw
Michael Karim (Jekyll and Hyde) as PC Arif Johar
Laurie Delaney (The A Word) as Mary Shaw
Karl Davies (Happy Valley) as DCI Tim Bailie/DCS Tim Bailie
Ella Smith (Ray & Liz) as DC Elaine Lucas/DS Elaine Lucas
Bobby Lockwood (House of Anubis) as DC Lee Coutts
Robin Morrissey (Cloud Atlas) as PS Fred Thompson

Together, the cast brings depth to a story that balances personal challenges with the pressures of complex police investigations.

Is there a trailer for The Tower?

Yes. If you want a preview before settling in for a full series, you can watch the trailer featuring Gemma Whelan in the third instalment.

The trailer offers a glimpse of the show’s tense atmosphere and the demanding investigations that await Sarah Collins in series three.

Is The Tower worth watching?

For fans of fast-moving detective dramas built around intriguing mysteries, The Tower is well worth considering.

The series combines unsettling crimes with layered investigations, giving viewers plenty of questions to follow as Sarah works towards uncovering the truth. Its tense storytelling has also drawn comparisons to Line of Duty, making it an appealing option for viewers who enjoy police dramas with complicated cases and mounting pressure.

Gemma Whelan and Tahirah Sharif are particular highlights, delivering performances that give the central story emotional weight while keeping the focus on the investigation.

With three series available, there’s plenty to watch for anyone looking for a crime drama to get absorbed in.

Where can you watch The Tower?

All three series of The Tower are available to stream on ITVX.

What other detective dramas should you watch?

If you’ve finished The Tower and are looking for another mystery to dive into, there are several other crime dramas worth exploring.

Case Histories

Fans of Shetland may enjoy Case Histories, which follows Jackson Brodie, a former soldier and police officer played by Jason Isaacs.

The series sees Brodie tackle a range of unconventional cases, with complex investigations shaped by the people and circumstances involved.

Scrublands

For a mystery set far from the familiar surroundings of British police dramas, Scrublands offers a different kind of investigation.

The series follows investigative journalist Martin Scarsden, played by Luke Arnold, who travels to Riversend, a remote and fictional Australian town, to pursue a story.

One year earlier, a young priest killed five parishioners. As Martin investigates the incident, he discovers that the story holds a larger mystery than he initially expected.

Whether you prefer the layered police investigations of The Tower, the unconventional cases in Case Histories or the journalist-led mystery of Scrublands, all three offer compelling options for your next crime-drama binge.