British Crime Drama · Acorn TV Original · 2025–present
Art Detectives
Season 1
Stephen Moyer
Heritage Crime Unit
Season 2 Renewed
Stephen Moyer stars as art-loving DI Mick Palmer of the Heritage Crime Unit — a real department within British policing dedicated to crimes involving art, antiques, and cultural heritage — paired with straight-talking new partner DC Shazia Malik (Nina Singh). Together they investigate murders connected to Old Master paintings, Banksy street art, medieval manuscripts, and other high-value collectibles, in a case-of-the-week format that's a deliberate throwback to traditional British mystery. Art Detectives has been renewed, with a two-part special arriving in December 2026 followed by a full six-episode second season in 2027. Art Detectives streams on Acorn TV in the US — see British TV Hub's guide to where to watch British TV in the US.
Best For
Fans of a Fresh Angle on the Case-of-the-Week Format
Viewers who like traditional episodic mystery but want a distinctive hook — here, every case is tied to the world of art, antiques, and forgery rather than standard street crime.
Art CrimeCase-of-the-Week
At a Glance
ToneLight, curious
PaceModerate
Similar ToThe Chelsea Detective, Grace
Real Department
Based on a Real Police Unit
The Heritage Crime Unit at the center of the show is based on a genuine specialist department within British policing dedicated to art and antiquities crime.
Grounded Premise
At a Glance
BasisReal Heritage Crime Unit
Content Note & Verdict
Cozy, Character-First Mystery
Art Detectives keeps its murders relatively bloodless, favoring character dynamics and the specifics of the art world over graphic crime. British TV Hub's verdict: a genuinely fresh, well-cast addition to the cozy mystery genre.
Family-FriendlyRecommended
At a Glance
ContentMild, family-friendly
VerdictRecommended
Where to watch in the US
Acorn TV
Season 1 available · Two-part special coming December 2026 · Six-episode Season 2 follows in 2027 · Subscription required
Watch on Acorn TV →
Free option: Not currently available free in the US
Streaming availability in the US can change. Check the linked service for the current season and episode selection. Checked September 2026.
Where to Start
Series Premiere (2025)
The two-episode premiere introduces DI Mick Palmer and his new partner DC Shazia Malik as they investigate the theft of a valuable 18th-century Chinese vase from a London auction house.
Series Premiere2025
At a Glance
Watch OrderNot required, case-of-the-week
Premiere FormatTwo-episode launch
Lead
Stephen Moyer
DI Mick Palmer — an art-loving detective heading the Heritage Crime Unit, also navigating a budding romance with museum curator Rosa and the reappearance of his notorious-forger father.
Lead Detective
At a Glance
RoleDI Mick Palmer
Lead
Nina Singh
DC Shazia Malik — Mick's straight-talking new partner, hired at the start of the series despite knowing little about art at the outset.
Detective Constable
At a Glance
RoleDC Shazia Malik
Recurring
Sarah Alexander
Rosa — a museum curator and Mick's romantic interest across the season.
Museum Curator
Recurring
Larry Lamb
Ron — Mick's charismatic father and one of Britain's most notorious art forgers, whose sudden reappearance complicates Mick's cases and personal life alike.
Mick's Father
Fresh Premise
A Genuinely Different Angle on Crime
Rather than another standard murder squad, Art Detectives builds its cases around forgery, theft, and the specific greed and obsession of the art world, giving each episode a distinct flavor.
Art World
At a Glance
PremiseArt & antiquities crime
Performance
Stephen Moyer's Return to British TV
Moyer, known internationally from True Blood, brings easy charm and charisma to the role, in a homecoming to the kind of British mystery genre he started out in decades earlier.
Stephen Moyer
At a Glance
LeadStephen Moyer
Format
A Genuine Case-of-the-Week Throwback
Unlike many newer mysteries built around season-long arcs, Art Detectives returns to fully episodic storytelling, with each case wrapped up cleanly by episode's end.
Episodic Mystery
At a Glance
FormatCase-of-the-week
Setting & Filming
London Story, Belfast Production
Art Detectives is set in the London art and antiques world but filmed largely in Belfast and across Northern Ireland, with landmarks like Belfast's Ulster Museum doubling for London auction houses on screen.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
At a Glance
SettingLondon
Filmed InBelfast & Northern Ireland
Premise
Is the Heritage Crime Unit a real thing?
Yes. The show's Heritage Crime Unit is based on a genuine specialist department within British policing dedicated to crimes involving art and antiquities.
Quick Answer
BasisReal police unit
Status
Is Art Detectives coming back for Season 2?
Yes. A two-part special arrives in December 2026, followed by a full six-episode Season 2 in 2027.
Quick Answer
StatusRenewed
NextChristmas special, Dec 2026
Streaming
Where can I watch Art Detectives in the US?
Acorn TV is Art Detectives's home in the US, with Season 1 available to stream.
Quick Answer
PrimaryAcorn TV
Filming Location
Where is Art Detectives filmed?
Art Detectives is filmed in Belfast and across Northern Ireland, standing in for its London setting.
Quick Answer
Filmed InBelfast, Northern Ireland
Fact-checked and streaming availability checked September 2026. Spot an error or an outdated streaming link? Let us know via the contact page.