Inspired by a true story. When these words appear on my TV screen before any crime drama, I am immediately hooked. These days, a vast catalogue of British dramas based on real-life events appears to be available. From gripping murder mysteries to complex psychological thrillers, we are truly spoilt for choice as a nation. But it's hard to narrow it down when you're searching for something on Netflix. Thankfully, the global streaming service has just added an ITV drama which I almost deliciously binged in one sitting when it first aired.

The Pembrokeshire Murders is not your typical whodunnit series. The three-part ITV drama, which was broadcast in 2021, is based on a Welsh serial killer and two unsolved double murders. For the first time, the dramatisation reveals all the key people who brought a monster to justice.

From the first scene, I was completely sucked in. This ITV series is the perfect example of how crime dramas should be done. It's proper cat and mouse stuff that doesn't go too over the top, and isn't let down by a weak script.

Each episode was just more and more fascinating. The first instalment is more of a tease of the horrific crimes that John Cooper committed during the 1980s. However, as the drama unfolded, tensions continued to mount.

With Luke Evans in the lead role of Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins, the cast is also sublime. Keith Allen is chilling as he takes on one of the most notorious serial killers, John Cooper. Both Evans and Allen act as the glue that holds this drama together, and their accents were also spot on.

Another reason why I loved this series was that it didn't include any cringey flashbacks. Not like a Poirot or Marple drama where there is a blood-spattered recounting of how the murders unfolded. It's instead just straightforward and simple. At its heart, there likely was an underlying sense of compassion for the victims.

The Pembrokeshire Murders is a respectful retelling. There is no oversensationalism. It's careful and elegant in its depiction of one of the worst serial killers in UK history. It might not be the greatest crime drama of all time, but it's certainly one of the most fascinating shows that had a complete hold on me from the very first scene.

The Pembrokeshire Murders can be streamed now on Netflix.