Shubhabrata Dutta
Detective television shows always manage to raise the innate investigator we all have within us. The reason why people find detective shows so engaging is that there’s enough space to explore a wide variety of themes and genres. While some shows depend heavily on style, creating a noir-ish and violent narrative, others rely on pure substance.
From the grimy ‘Mindhunter’ to the cerebral ‘Sherlock,’ detective shows contain many narratives. Detective series have been the staple of most television networks due to their high viewership. Recently, Netflix has done a great job producing original works and bringing in other shows to a broad international audience.
29. Entrapped (2022- )
‘Entrapped’ is a Nordic noir detective series created by Baltasar Kormákur. It serves as the third season of the series ‘Trapped.’ Set in a deep-frozen coastal town in Iceland, it revolves around the Chief of Police Andri Ólafsson (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) and Officer Hinrika Kristjánsdóttir (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir) who investigate the mysterious murder of a cult member which seems to be connected to a biker gang and a woman who disappeared years ago. Dark, gritty, and thrilling, ‘Entrapped’ gets its charm primarily due to its small-town setting that keeps everything tied together. You can stream it here.
28. Judge Dee’s Mystery (2024-)
‘Judge Dee’s Mystery’ is set in China during the Tang dynasty (7th century-10th century) under the rule of Empress Wu Ze Tian. She picks Judge Dee, aka Di Ren Jie (based on real-life personality Di Renjie, a statesman at Tang court), to become one of her most trusted advisors but before that, he has to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the Empress’ phoenix seal and other subsequent cases in Peng Lai, which require his investigative skills to be solved. The series is based on a set of books by Robert Van Gulik, who got inspired after translating the Chinese crime novel ‘Di Gong An’ into English. Directed by Li Yun Liang, ‘Judge Dee’s Mystery’ brings together interesting cases, great characters, and effective camera work to give us a rare detective series that dates back to imperial times. The cast includes Zhou Yi Wei, Wang Li Kun, Zhong Chu Xi, Zhang Jia Yi, Jason Kang, and You Yong. You can stream the series here.
27. Dead Boy Detectives (2024- )
‘Dead Boy Detectives’ offers a unique angle at the detective genre. It follows best friends Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), both ghosts, who run the Dead Boy Detective Agency. The boys, accompanied by Crystal (Kassius Nelson), who is a clairvoyant, help ghosts whose cases the living left unsolved while trying to hide from Death and Hell. However, supernatural clientele means high stakes, and hiding from Death and Hell isn’t easy either. Based on the DC Comics characters of the same name by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner, ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ picks up after the events of Netflix’s ‘The Sandman,’ also created by Gaiman. Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Donna Preston reprise their roles as Death and Despair from ‘The Sandman’ respectively. You can stream ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ here.
26. Collateral (2018)
Set in London, this 4-part detective thriller miniseries is created by David Hare. It follows Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie (Carey Mulligan), whose investigation into the murder of a pizza delivery guy in South London takes her to the city’s dark underbelly. In the endeavor, she is joined by her partner-in-crime Detective Sergeant Nathan Bilk (Nathaniel Martello-White). With a complex plot incorporating MI5, politics, and conspiracy, ‘Collateral’ makes it clear that there is no such thing as random. You can watch the series here.
25. The Indian Detective (2017)
‘The Indian Detective’ is a crime drama series starring Russell Peters as Doug D’Mello, a charming Canadian detective of Indian descent. The show follows Doug as he unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation while visiting his father in Mumbai. With a blend of humor and intrigue, the series explores cultural clashes and unexpected connections, providing a unique perspective on crime-solving. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mumbai, ‘The Indian Detective’ weaves together elements of mystery, comedy, and cultural exploration, offering a refreshing take on the traditional crime drama genre. You can watch it here.
24. Bodies (2023)
Crafted by Paul Tomalin, ‘Bodies’ is a British limited series at the intersection of crime and science fiction, exclusively tailored for Netflix. Drawing inspiration from the 2015 DC Vertigo graphic novel, the narrative unfolds with the discovery of a lifeless body on London’s Longharvest Lane. The twist lies in the recurrence of this event across four distinct years – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 – sparking separate detective investigations. As each timeline unravels, the series intricately weaves together disparate cases, culminating in interlinked investigations with profound consequences that transcend time and leave a lasting imprint on the fabric of the narrative. You can watch it here.
23. Deadwind (2018-2021)
‘Deadwind’ is a Nordic noir detective drama created by Rike Jokela, Jari Olavi Rantala, and Kirsi Porkka. The series follows police detective Sofia Karppi (Pihla Viitala), who returns to her job with a heavy heart, having lost her husband recently. At home, she is responsible for her son, Emil, and stepdaughter, Henna. As she tries to bury herself in the investigation of her first case to rid herself of the pain, she has trouble balancing life at home and work, affecting her relationship with her children and her new partner, Detective Sakari Nurmi (Lauri Tilkanen).
The series has three seasons, each bringing the detective duo a new and more complex case of murder and mystery. ‘Deadwind’ is a grim show, and rightfully so. The environment adds to the compelling plot, which brings about a certain satisfaction as it builds. You can watch it here.
22. Stay Close (2021)
Based on the 2012 namesake Harlan Coben novel, ‘Stay Close’ is a miniseries that revolves around three people: suburban mother Megan Pierce, disillusioned photographer Ray Levine, and tortured police detective Michael Broome. Megan now has everything she ever wanted — a wonderful family with a loving man. But the past tends to come back. When she was younger, Megan was known as Cassie and worked as a stripper at a club called Vipers. She and Ray were in a relationship, and her sudden disappearance devastated the latter. Meanwhile, Michael is haunted by his past and the failure to solve the mystery involving the sudden disappearance of a man named Stuart. When someone else disappears 17 years later, all three protagonists find themselves invariably connected. To explore the plot further, you may watch the show here.
21. Capitani (2019-2022)
‘Capitani’ revolves around detective Luc Capitani, who finds himself assigned to the murder case of a teenage girl in Luxembourg’s Manscheid village. However, being an “outsider” to the place, he faces immense hostility and uncooperativeness, forcing him to enlist the help of a local policewoman. With the duo investigating the murders, they are soon drawn deep into a pit full of deceit, lies, and secrets, which force them to face their conscience with the revelation of the truth. Feel free to check out the series here.
20. The InBESTigators (2019)
Here is something great for the younger audience who are keen on watching a series in this genre. ‘The InBESTigators’ is an Australian television series that follows a detective agency run by children. With their office in Ezra’s (Aston Droomer) backyard and led by Maurie (Anna Cooke), they come together with their set of skills to solve mysteries in the neighborhood. The other two members of the team are Kyle (Jamil Smyth-Secka), who is athletic and also Ezra’s best friend, and Ava (Abby Bergman), known for her impressive social skills. You can check out the show here.
19. Giri/Haji (2019)
‘Giri/Haji’ is a British television series set in Tokyo and London with dialogues in Japanese as well as English. The title of the show translates to ‘Duty/Shame.’ Kenzo Mori (Takehiro Hira) is a detective from Tokyo who goes to London in search of his brother Yuto (Yosuke Kubozuka), who is presumed dead but also accused of murder. The murder that Yuto is associated with could start a deadly gang war in Tokyo. As Kenzo tries to get to the bottom of it all, he has to face some of the most dangerous bigwigs of the underworld in London and take care of his family back in Tokyo at the same time. You can watch ‘Giri/Haji’ here.
18. The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-)
Based on American author Michael Connelly’s book series about Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael “Mickey” Haller, ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ follows Mickey as he replaces a recently killed colleague in a high-profile murder trial where the defendant is a tech billionaire. As Mickey prepares to defend his client, he is helped by his former wife and legal aid, Lorna, and his go-to investigator, Cisco. The series alludes to Mickey’s past when he was forced to deal with his grief and addiction. At the start of the season, Mickey hires a young woman named Izzy to drive him around. Izzy, like Mickey in the past, deals with addiction issues. As the series progresses, Mickey begins to suspect that his client might have been lying to him all along. You may watch ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ here.
17. Seven Seconds (2018)
Adapted from Russian filmmaker Yuri Bykov’s crime drama ‘The Major’ (2013), ‘Seven Seconds’ follows the African American citizens and Caucasian cops in Jersey City as they get involved in investigating the death of a young black boy. A limited series spanning over ten episodes, ‘Seven Seconds’ is a taut show that not only develops upon the crime and investigation but also explores themes of race relations and societal alienation. Created by Canadian screenwriter Veena Sud, the show is replete with classy performances, for which Oscar-winning actress Regina King went on to win a Black Reel Award for Television and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series. You may stream the show here.
16. The Sinner (2017-2021)
‘The Sinner’ is a detective anthology series developed by Derek Simonds. Its first season is the TV adaptation of Petra Hammesfahr’s 1999 novel of the same name. In season 1, police detective Harry Ambrose tries to figure out whether Cora Tannetti, a woman who grew up in a family of religious fanatics, is guilty of killing a man. It is a rather open-and-shut case, as there is overwhelming evidence that she has done what she is being accused of. And yet, Ambrose insists that there must be something in her past that can explain her current behavior. In the subsequent seasons, Ambrose investigates the death of a young couple in his hometown, a fatal vehicular accident in Upstate New York, and the apparent suicide of a young woman in Maine. You can watch the series here.
15. 1983 (2018)
‘1983’ is a Polish crime drama about a law student, Kajetan Skowron, essayed by Maciej Musiał, and a cop, Anatol Janów, played by Robert Więckiewicz, who, decades after a 1983 terrorist attack, tries to expose a conspiracy that’s kept Poland as a police state and the Iron Curtain standing. Created and written by Joshua Long, the show is built on a gripping, edgy narrative. Netflix’s first original Polish series, ‘1983,’ is a nice blend of a historical narrative and crime drama, as it develops upon Polish communism and expands over the conspiracy. With just eight episodes comprising the first, ‘1983’ can be quickly completed within a day. You may watch the show here.
14. Marcella (2016-2021)
This ITV series focuses on the eponymous detective who returns to her duty as a police officer after a long interval and immediately starts focusing on a triple murder case. As Marcella investigates further, she realizes this is the work of a serial killer. While she tries to track down this killer to the best of her ability, Marcella herself suffers from random blackout episodes whose cause remains unresolved. In the latter seasons, the gruesomeness of the crimes that Marcella has to solve increases, and so do her personal problems. The use of lights in this series creates a rather chilling mood and makes this series a compelling watch. Feel free to check it out here.
13. Unbelievable (2019)
‘Unbelievable‘ is an incredible miniseries based on a series of heinous real-life rapes that took place in Colorado and Washington State between 2008 to 2011. Borrowing heavily from the 2015 article, An Unbelievable Story of Rape, by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, as well as their 2018 book, A False Report, the series follows the police taking on a rape complaint. However, the supposed victim suddenly recanting her complaint leads to controversies that accuse the victim of lying. That is when two detectives take up the strange case and begin unraveling a sinister web of crime that will keep the audience glued to the screen till the very end. So, if you want to experience it too, you can check out the show here.
12. The Good Cop (2018)
‘The Good Cop’ revolves around father-son duo Big Tony and TJ, who appear to be entirely different from each other. Although former cop Big Tony is loveable at heart, honor is not his strong suit, and he disagrees well with the rules. On the other hand, his son TJ is quite a stickler for them and highly upright when it comes to his duty. With Big Tony serving a seven-year sentence on a corruption conviction, the police department refuses to stay in contact with him. However, depending on his father for street experience, TJ enters a strange partnership, leading to some incredibly hilarious and, at times, emotional moments. You can watch ‘The Good Cop’ here.
11. The Night Agent (2023- )
For Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), his job as an FBI agent couldn’t get more boring. Manning an emergency line in case an agent in the field calls, Peter has to sit and wait for his shift to get over. But when it rings, it’s not from an agent but a woman named Rose (Luciane Buchanan) whose loved ones have just been killed by two people who are now trying to kill her. As he tries to help her stay alive, he finds himself getting pulled into a conspiracy filled with clues that end up connecting the White House chief of staff and even the vice president. ‘The Night Agent’ is created by Shawn Ryan, who based it on Matthew Quirk’s novel of the same name. You can stream the series here.
10. Catching Killers (2021-2023)
A true crime docuseries that chronicles the horrifying details provided by the investigators who have been in charge of cases of serial killers that terrorized neighborhoods. There is no way to overstate such crimes, and by throwing light on the cases, we are not subjected to the extraordinary efforts of the officials and their emotions but also the workings of the minds of the killers. Each episode is bound to make you wonder how a human can commit such a crime as the investigators did. You may stream ‘Catching Killers’ here.
9. Paranoid (2016)
‘Paranoid’ is an intriguing crime mystery drama show that follows a team of detectives from the fictional town of Woodmere. After finding a woman stabbed to death in a children’s playground, the team finds themselves drawn into a sinister investigation that unravels a dark conspiracy and gets more complex at every turn. Adding to the mystery, an unidentified man keeps sending mysterious clues and leads that seem integral to the killer’s identity. You can watch the series here.
8. Crime Stories: India Detectives (2021)
Created by N Amit and Jack Rampling, ‘Crime Stories: India Detectives’ is a docuseries that showcases four violent crimes, one in each of the four episodes, which are tackled by the Bengaluru city police in India’s own Silicon Valley. From trafficking to extortion to sex work, the series explores the underbelly of Bengaluru through the eyes of those who work to prevent these crimes. The harsh reality hits hard as we see loved ones crying and sometimes even the cops. But don’t be fooled by this. The show has no regard for emotions and goes all in on the genre it aims to be a part of, i.e., crime. If you are up for a raw experience, you can watch the show here.
7. Dexter (2006-2013)
With 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and 10 Golden Globe nominations (out of which it has won two), among many other accolades, ‘Dexter’ is one of the most popular TV shows ever. Based on Jeff Lindsay’s eponymous novel series and adapted for the screen by James Manos Jr., the series follows Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police forensic analyst by day and a serial killer by night. Michael C. Hall plays the titular role, subtly balancing two lives, wherein if criminals cannot be brought to justice legally, thanks to corruption, Dexter applies his own law while making sure that the two lives don’t get mixed. Alongside Hall, we also have Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, and Lauren Vélez in significant roles. You can stream the series here.
6. Criminal (2019)
‘Criminal’ is a collection of four different TV shows under one single umbrella, with each of them taking place in a completely different country- France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. The approach the makers of this series have taken is rather bold. The story of each country runs for three episodes, and each of them focuses on a criminal being interviewed by the police. Even though each season’s cast comprises actors and actresses from that particular country itself, the filming was done in one single studio in Madrid, Spain. The locations have also been kept to a minimum, with each story being set in a single interrogation room, a darkroom from which there is a one-way view inside the interrogation room, and a hallway or outside. It is tough to create a proper story and tell it suitably within such a small confinement, but the makers of this series have done a fantastic job in this regard. Feel free to check it out here.
5. Dark Winds (2022- )
A brilliant and gripping detective drama that incorporates themes of the supernatural, ‘Dark Winds’ is created by Graham Roland. Set in the Navajo Nation in the 1970s, the series follows Navajo Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), and newbie deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) as they investigate a string of murders that seem to suggest that some supernatural force is at play.
Shifting between past and present, the series’ depiction of the Navajo culture is praiseworthy and the way it is used to carry forward the narrative makes ‘Dark Winds’ a rare detective drama. It is based on Tony Hillerman’s ‘Leaphorn & Chee’ novel series and has been honoured by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). You can stream the show here.
4. The Blacklist (2013–2023)
‘The Blacklist’ follows Raymond “Red” Reddington, essayed by James Spader, a former U.S. Navy officer who has turned into a high-profile criminal and is on the FBI hit list. Bizarrely, he voluntarily surrenders to the FBI after evading capture for decades. However, he sends a proposition where he has the list of the most dangerous criminals in the world that he has compiled over the years, which he’ll hand over in exchange for immunity from prosecution. In addition, he insists on working solely with a rookie FBI profiler, Elizabeth Keen, essayed by Megan Boone. The show is smartly written, and it perceptively develops upon the procedural elements. A critical darling, most critics have immensely appreciated the dark tonality and James Spader’s engaging performance as the notorious criminal. You can check out the show here.
3. Young Wallander (2020-2022)
The origin story of an overly-popular character, ‘Young Wallander,’ revolves around newly graduated detective Kurt Wallander in his early twenties. Documenting his growth from a rookie into the seasoned detective we know him to be, the series shows how Wallander personally witnesses a terrifying hate crime in his neighborhood. With a determination to hunt down the perpetrator, Wallander involves himself in the investigation, which, in turn, helps him gain valuable experience and develop facets of his character as he turns into a veteran officer of the law. You can watch ‘Young Wallander’ here.
2. Mindhunter (2017 –2019)
Adapted from the non-fiction crime book ‘Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit’ (1995), written by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker, ‘Mindhunter’ is set in the early days of criminal psychology in 1977. It revolves around FBI agents Holden Ford, essayed by Jonathan Groff and Bill Tench, played by Holt McCallany, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, who founded FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit within the Training Division at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
The show then portrays their horrifying interviews with imprisoned serial killers that help the FBI to catch and understand such future potential serial killers to understand how they think, with the hope of applying this knowledge to solving ongoing and future cases. Developed by the modern master of thriller and suspense, David Fincher, ‘Mindhunter’ has all the classic Fincher elements that make for an engaging watch. You may watch it here.
1. Monk (2002–2009)
With eight Emmys, one Golden Globe, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, ‘Monk’ is a singularly unique detective series on Netflix. We follow Tony Shalhoub’s Adrian Monk, who was once a brilliant detective at the San Francisco Police Department. Unfortunately, the murder of his wife led to the development of his obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and multiple phobias that cost him three years. Currently, Monk works as a private investigator, solving complex cases with his keen observation skills while trying to solve the case of his wife’s murder. Equally humorous and intriguing, ‘Monk’ is created by Andy Breckman. You can stream the show here.
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