Cosy crime is getting a new wave of fans as Gen Z turn to Miss Marple

Cosy crime is getting a new wave of fans

A poll of 2,000 adults found 73 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds are self-confessed fans of the sub-genre which focusses on puzzle-solving rather than graphic violence – more than any other generation polled.

It emerged 23 per cent of devotees within this age range prefer it to clubbing and late-night partying, while 21 per cent like it more than reality TV and 23 per cent favour it over dating apps.

The study by free streaming service U, which has a range of cosy crime dramas available, found the most appealing trait of such shows among this age group is the puzzle-solving aspect (43 per cent).

With the characters (37 per cent), the humour (29 per cent), the stress‑free nature (21 per cent), lack of brutality (20 per cent) and the comforting feeling (22 per cent) also part of the charm.

And collectively all these ingredients might explain why 59 per cent of Gen Zs consider the sub-genre to be “cool.”

Generational workplace expert Alex Atherton, who has teamed up with the TV channel and streaming service, said: "Cosy crime presents mentally engaging puzzle-solving that also respects Gen Z’s psychological brain space.

“It offers a different pace from the doom scroll and a soothing alternative to the horrors of 24/7 news - it is the entertainment equivalent of board gaming.

“This is all in contrast to the unsolvable systemic problems which affect Gen Z in their lives.

"These include a dire job market, sky-high cost of living and climate change.”

The study found 32 per cent of those who consume cosy crime have even hosted get-togethers with pals so they can watch their favourite dramas as a group.

While 54 per cent of those who read cosy crime novels "predominantly" read books within this genre.

Further to this, 46 per cent of those polled from this generation consider modern TV in general to be too stressful or intense.

And as such, 61 per cent intentionally seek out gentle or stress-free entertainment.

With 52 per cent doing so because it is comforting, 48 per cent because the current world is stressful and 34 per cent to unwind.

Alex Atherton added: “Cosy crime offers the reassurance of completion and closure - no big cliff-hanger at the end but instead the sweet spot of intelligent problem-solving.

“It’s sufficiently mentally engaging to keep an audience interested, but it is not so complex that every last second requires full concentration - it is a low-stakes cognitive workout.”

Carried out through OnePoll, the study also identified where in the UK the genre is most popular – and there are more fans in the West Midlands than anywhere else, with 69 per cent devotees.

This was just ahead of London (68 per cent) and Wales (also 68 per cent).

Andrea Amey, chief digital officer for U, makers of The Marlow Murder Club with season three available to watch from Wednesday March 18, said: “Cosy crime is no longer a niche comfort watch.

“It’s become a cultural touchstone for a new generation that’s actively choosing calm, clever storytelling over noise and intensity.”