The WORST episodes of Strike

Every episode of Strike ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Strike!

Cormoran Strike, a war veteran turned private detective operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street, is wounded both physically and psychologically. His unique insight and his background as an SIB Investigator prove crucial in solving three complex cases, which have eluded the police.

Last Updated: 12/15/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Continuing
Episode 1
star
7.61
362 votes

#1 - Episode 1

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/30/2020

Strike and Robin investigate the blackmail of a government minister and the case of a strangled child.

Directors: Susan Tully
Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 1
star
7.63
1060 votes

#2 - Episode 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/27/2017

Cormoran Strike, an injured war veteran turned PI, and secretary Robin Ellacott seek the truth surrounding the mysterious death of supermodel Lula Landry.

Directors: Michael Keillor
Writer: Ben Richards
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.68
933 votes

#3 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/28/2017

Strike makes a breakthrough. Robin is offered a permanent job in HR but is reluctant to take it.

Directors: Michael Keillor
Writer: Ben Richards
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.69
343 votes

#4 - Episode 2

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/31/2020

Strike and Robin fear their witness could be in danger and must act quickly.

Directors: Susan Tully
Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.69
225 votes

#5 - Episode 2

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/12/2022

The investigation takes a dangerous turn as a disturbing piece of evidence leads Robin and Strike into London’s underworld. Robin risks her life by pursuing a vicious suspect.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 1
star
7.69
242 votes

#6 - Episode 1

Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/11/2022

Strike is approached by a woman asking for help to find her mother, Margot Bamborough, who went missing in 1974 when a psychopathic serial killer stalked the streets.

Directors: Susan Tully
Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
7.70
355 votes

#7 - Episode 3

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/6/2020

Robin discovers a startling truth close to home. The government minister’s blackmailer becomes the prime suspect in the case, but Robin and Strike believe there was an accomplice.

Directors: Susan Tully
Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 1
star
7.75
787 votes

#8 - Episode 1

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/10/2017

War veteran turned private investigator Cormoran Strike investigates the disappearance of a provocative author. Robin is caught between Strike and Matthew's hopes.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
7.75
219 votes

#9 - Episode 3

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/18/2022

Spurred on by the father of a young woman who also went missing in the 1970s, the detectives attempt to outwit an incarcerated serial killer who may hold the key to the case.

Watch Now:Amazon
Episode 1
star
7.78
550 votes

#10 - Episode 1

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/25/2018

A dismembered leg sent to Strike's office sends both his and Robin's lives into disarray, forcing them to confront spectres from their pasts.

Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.82
528 votes

#11 - Episode 2

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/4/2018

Strike and Robin's partnership reaches breaking point as Robin's wedding approaches, and they disagree about how to ensnare a man who abuses children.

Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 4
star
7.83
351 votes

#12 - Episode 4

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/13/2020

Robin admits the truth to Strike, and a valuable clue helps them solve the case.

Directors: Susan Tully
Writer: Tom Edge
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
7.83
931 votes

#13 - Episode 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/3/2017

Long-buried secrets are revealed, putting Strike and Robin in danger as they close in the killer.

Directors: Michael Keillor
Writer: Ben Richards
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.85
757 votes

#14 - Episode 2

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/2017

Delving deeper into the hidden meanings and concealed secrets of Bombyx Mori, Strike and Robin scour all corners of London's literary world to unmask the killer.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 4
star
8.03
234 votes

#15 - Episode 4

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/19/2022

Strike realises that Margot’s killer is responsible for many other murders that have gone undetected, and lays a trap.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV