The essential episodes of Murphy's Law

Watch these 13 in order and you've got Murphy's Law — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · September 24, 2001 · 1h 29m

    Murphy's Law (Pilot)8.0

    A team of undertakers moonlight as diamond thieves, and the bodies are stacking up. Detective Sergeant Tommy Murphy goes undercover and discovers a nefarious connection with Japanese heroin dealers. Meanwhile, team leader Hatcher plans the most audacious heist yet. Murphy has to hold his nerve in an epic final showdown.

  2. 02

    S01E02 · Top rated · April 28, 2003 · 1h 30m

    Electric Bill7.0

    Richard Mooney, London's most infamous kidnapper, is brought in, and the race is on for Murphy and Guthrie to get a confession in time to save his latest victim, Kate Jennings. To crack Mooney’s silence, Murphy is set up as a suspected terrorist and goes undercover into Bellview to befriend him. But when this master plan is unexpectedly threatened by the prison's very own protection racket, time seems to be running out for Kate.

  3. 03

    S01E03 · Season 1 peak · May 5, 2003 · 1h 30m

    Manic Munday10.0

    When world-famous Irish snooker player Mickey Munday comes under pressure to rig the outcome of his game in the forthcoming championships, Murphy and Guthrie go undercover to protect his life and find the culprit when he arrives in London. The stakes are raised for Munday when his long-lost love and daughter reappear in his life.

  4. 04

    S01E04 · Top rated · May 12, 2003 · 1h 30m

    Reunion7.0

    In the glittering world of the West End club scene, the head of security of a well-known East End gang is found murdered. Prime suspect: gang leader Carl Tate. In order to prevent another 'door wars', Murphy joins Tate's gang undercover, but when warfare escalates, Guthrie is compelled to join ranks on the doors of Tate's latest venture, X-Club.

  5. 05

    S01E05 · Top rated · May 19, 2003 · 1h 30m

    Kiss and Tell8.0

    Following a bungled attempt to close down an elaborate Russian crime-ring, Murphy and Guthrie find themselves embroiled in what appears to be a textbook crime of passion. An unknown blonde is busy murdering London's successful businesspeople. The only link is that all the victims are members of a state-of-the-art health club in the heart of the City.

  6. 06

    S03E01 · Season 3 peak · May 26, 2005 · 52m

    The Goodbye Look8.0

    Murphy is out posing as a criminal armourer to make an arrest. During the set-up he recognises Caz Miller, a man known for his connections to criminal gang leader and known cop-killer Dave Callard. Miller tells Murphy that he wants to kill another gang member called Richard Holloway. Murphy stops the planned arrest because he thinks he can gain Callard's trust and infiltrate the entire criminal organisation to take everyone out.

  7. 07

    S03E02 · Top rated · June 2, 2005 · 52m

    Disorganised Crime7.0

    Callard recommends Murphy to the McGeechan brothers. They plan to reactivate some assault rifles, but won't tell Murphy why they need them. Murphy knows they plan something big, but first he has to make sure his cover isn't blown.

  8. 08

    S03E03 · Top rated · June 9, 2005 · 52m

    Strongbox6.5

    Murphy tries to get counterfeit Euros for Callard, and asks fellow undercover officer Jill Calder for help. She has infiltrated an organisation that is printing the fake money. Together they try to set up a deal for both their clients and plan to make the big arrest during the handover.

  9. 09

    S03E04 · Top rated · June 16, 2005 · 52m

    Extra Mile7.0

    After months spent trying to nail gangster Dave Callard, suddenly Murphy has a bigger fish to fry: a wealthy hotelier called George Garvey with a taste for ethnic art. Murphy bumps into someone to whom Garvey's son owes a lot of money and manages to get closer to Garvey. To forget the pressure during work he starts to drink. It looks like only Ellie can save him now.

  10. 10

    S03E05 · Top rated · June 23, 2005 · 52m

    Boys Night Out3.0

    The operation against Callard builds to its conclusion as Murphy is hired to help complete a shipment of Afghan heroin into England. His undercover work could help secure the conviction, but Murphy's presence is demanded elsewhere, as a key prosecution witness in the High Court.

  11. 11

    S03E06 · Top rated · June 30, 2005 · 52m

    Hard Boiled Eggs and Nuts6.0

    Callard starts systematically destroying the forensic evidence. Murphy and Miller fear that he may want to destroy one or both of them too.

  12. 12

    S04E01 · Season 4 peak · August 27, 2006 · 1h

    Exile3.0

    Murphy is called back to work after a leave of absence to be at his mother's side. His new job is to attempt to get close to Drew and Billy Johnstone, vicious Belfast criminals now operating in Leicester. Murphy thinks he's found himself a way in when a drug deal goes awry.

  13. 13

    S05E03 · Series finale · October 3, 2007 · 1h

    Food Chain (Part Three)

    Now that Baker knows Murphy is a cop, he must race against the clock to find Kim before her secret is revealed too. However, local Chief Superintendent Bowry cares less about Kim's life and more about his own reputation and funding, and Murphy is forced to take desperate measures in his hunt for his missing friend.

Shows like Murphy's Law

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

  1. 01Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Grantchester2014–present·PBS PassportStreaming on NetflixEavesdropping on the life of Sidney Chambers, a charismatic, charming, crime-fighting clergyman, and his partner in crime Police Inspector Geordie Keating, became a highlight for the audience who revelled in their on…7.7
  2. 02Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of High Potential2024–present·ABCStreaming on HuluHigh Potential follows Morgan, a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective.7.4
  3. 03Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Castle2009–2016·ABCAlso on Amazon Prime VideoCastle follows Rick Castle who is one of the world's most successful crime authors.8.2
  4. 04Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of The Mentalist2008–2015·CBSStreaming on HuluPatrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation.8.2
  5. 05Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Elementary2012–2019·CBSAlso on Amazon Prime VideoElementary is a modern-day take on the classic Sherlock Holmes story about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases.8.3
  6. 06Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Dexter2006–2013·Paramount+ with ShowtimeStreaming on fuboTVHe's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.8.4
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