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Why has crime become one of the most common and favored genres in a television series? It is human nature to be curious about criminal behaviors and want to know the ‘who’, ‘what’, and ‘where’ of criminal acts. Humans, for a long period of time, have been trying to study criminals to better understand how they think.
With the continued success of popular crime TV shows like Fargo and Peaky Blinders, it's clear that some series have made a huge impact on both audiences and critics alike over the past few years. Many shows have given a deeper insight into what might make criminals tick and possible reasons why they’ve chosen to commit heinous acts. While some best crime series focus on the criminals themselves, others show the investigative side of crime; catching the criminals. From an extensive list of brilliant crime shows to select from, there are some that have stood out as the best crime shows of the 21st century, all featuring the excitement, complexity, and criminally good stories that fans have come to love.
30 'Castle' (2009–2016)
Created by Andrew W. Marlowe
Image via ABC
Nathan Fillion stars as a successful crime novelist, Rick Castle, who teams up with an NYPD detective, Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) to help solve a series of murders that copy crimes out of Castle's books. As the two work together, they realize their unusual partnership is pretty effective, leading to them partnering up on more grizzly homicides and crimes.
Castle was one of the most popular crime shows that also had a touch of comic relief and sentiment that made it highly successful. While crime is the main focus of the show, it also features personal side stories and even romance between the two main characters that kept audiences dedicated to the show for eight seasons. Castle is the perfect crime show for those who are fans of the genre who also prefer a lighthearted tone and has a nice balance of crime and comedy at an entertaining level. – Andrea Ciriaco
Release Date March 9, 2009
Directors Andrew W. Marlowe
Seasons 8
Writers Andrew W. Marlowe
29 'Black Bird' (2022)
Created by Dennis Lehane
Image via Apple TV+
Based on an incredible true story, long-time criminal, Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), is looking at a ten-year prison sentence until he's approached by the FBI to try and gain the trust of a suspected serial killer, Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), in exchange for a lighter sentence. As Kenne agrees and successfully befriends Hall, he's sent down a dangerous path that leads him to Hall's inner darkness and true sadistic nature.
Black Bird is based on the novel In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption written by Keene, who managed to connect with Hall, who is suspected of committing dozens of brutal murders of young women across the Midwest. Both Egerton and Hauser give phenomenal performances that are bone-chilling and full of unwavering suspense. Black Bird effectively captures Keene's harrowing mission while also facing other potential dangers behind bars and the crucial information he gathers from one of America's most mysterious killers. – Andrea Ciriaco
Black Bird
Release Date July 8, 2022
Directors Dennis Lehane
Seasons 1
28 'The Blacklist' (2013–2023)
Created by Jon Bokenkamp
Image via NBC
James Spader stars as a former government agent turned high-profile fugitive, Raymond "Red" Reddington, who agrees to work for the FBI to hunt down his blacklist of mobsters, criminals, and spies, on the condition that he works with criminal profiler, Liz Keen (Megan Boone). While Keen has no ties or connection to Reddington, she agrees and soon finds herself learning to think and act like some of the world's most notorious criminals.
The Blacklist is a cryptic crime series featuring Spader in one of his finest television roles to date. The show portrays an intricate balance of crime and mystery surrounding both the main characters and the various fugitives the duo set out to find and bring to justice. Spader and Boone complement each other, creating a fascinating dynamic that keeps audiences guessing episode after episode why Spader's character was so insistent on working specifically with the young profiler, adding a heightened level of mystery to the exceptional crime series. – Andrea Ciriaco
Release Date September 23, 2013
Directors Jon Bokenkamp
Seasons 10
27 'Only Murders in the Building' (2021–)
Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman
Image via Hulu
When a murder occurs in an Upper West Side apartment building, three strangers (Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, Martin Short) work together to solve the crime and end up producing one of the most popular crime podcasts. As they put the clues together and follow a mysterious trail of breadcrumbs, the trio not only solves the crime but develops a wholesome friendship that leads them all to massive success.
Only Murders in the Building is a comedy-filled crime show that is currently in its fourth season and follows an unlikely trio of sleuths who crack some of the toughest cases and manage to stay out of trouble at the same time. With notable guest stars such as Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, and Shirley MacLaine, Only Murders in the Building is considered to be one of the best crime shows, featuring incredible writing and spectacular performances by the overall cast of colorful characters. – Andrea Ciriaco
Release Date August 31, 2021
Seasons 4
26 'Mare of Easttown' (2021)
Created by Brad Ingelsby
Image via HBO
When a young girl is found murdered in a small town, detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) investigates, following every lead and clue while also trying to resolve her personal trauma and life without falling apart. As she conducts her investigation, she soon uncovers a series of dark secrets surrounding those closest to her and eventually realizes that the killer is someone in her own backyard.
Mare of Easttown is a riveting miniseries that centers around a small, tight-knit community in the wake of an unexpected murder that has everyone on edge. Winslet delivers an emotional and enthralling performance as the elusive detective who is in the process of picking up the pieces of her life after suffering a horrific tragedy while still maintaining a professional, composed appearance for those around her. Mare of Easttown is essentially a mystery within a mystery that requires viewers to keep a sharp eye on even the smallest detail and leads to a shocking and unexpected suspect that no one ever saw coming. – Andrea Ciriaco
Release Date April 18, 2021
Seasons 1
25 'Good Girls' (2018–2021)
Created by Jenna Bans
Image via NBC
Good Girls is a gripping crime dramedy on NBC that takes a look at what happens when three fed-up suburban mothers do illegal things to get quick cash. What starts as a desperate attempt to get some fast money lures them into a maelstrom of crime, fraud, and risk as they become ensnared with a dangerous gang.
Good Girls is a top-notch crime show due to its darkly humorous plot with amazingly high drama stakes. The appeal of Good Girls lies in humanizing the main characters who have fallen into crime for varied reasons. The series goes even further and gives an outlook on what people are willing to do to care of their families and to secure their future. Sadly, the show only lasted for four seasons, although many fans think that Good Girls should have been renewed.
Release Date February 26, 2018
Creator(s) Jenna Bans
Seasons 4
24 'How to Get Away With Murder' (2014–2020)
Created by Peter Nowalk
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Image via ABC
How to Get Away with Murder is a high-strung, high-voltage legal thriller. Following the life of Professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), the show takes a look at her thrilling cases, as well as the murder that upends her life. Her loyal students also get involved, and they navigate the complexities of the legal system, with secrets spilling out and alliances crumbling and reforming.
The show is a must-watch for those who crave a captivating legal drama with a twist. The series excels at weaving intricate plots and suspenseful storytelling, constantly going back and forth between timelines to tell the full story. Witnessing Annalise wield the legal system alongside her students, each of whom is grappling with their own ethical dilemmas, makes for a fascinating exploration of justice and the blurred lines of morality.
Release Date September 25, 2014
Seasons 6
23 'Criminal Minds' (2005–)
Created by Jeff Davis
Image via CBS
Criminal Minds is a long-running procedural drama going deep into the minds of some of the most sinister, dangerous criminals. The series follows the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI as they are charged with the task of profiling and catching serial killers. They review a new case and use their knowledge to predict criminal behavior in a way that is beyond human mental limits.
Where Criminal Minds elevates to the top tier of crime shows is the psychological profiling, which almost gives viewers an in-depth and all-too-chilling perspective of criminal behavior. The key here is the format through which various stories can be told, each taking its unique twist to help keep things fresh and alive. Some of the most chilling episodes of Criminal Minds highlight some of the most horrifying characters on TV. All in all, the show goes beyond the procedural genre and shows the camaraderie of the main characters and their backstories.
Release Date September 22, 2005
Seasons 17
22 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2000–2015)
Created by Anthony E. Zuiker
Image via CBS
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is considered by viewers a revolutionary TV show due to its use of forensic science and the most serious attention to detail. Set in Las Vegas, a flock of crime scene investigators solves the most complicated cases in town by applying high technology and scientific methods. In the show, William Petersen stars as Dr. Gil Grissom, the chronological yet cryptic team leader of the Las Vegas Police Department
CSI redefined what a procedural crime show should be. The detailed depiction of autopsies and the utilization of groundbreaking technology were unlike anything seen before. By weaving intricate mysteries with meticulous scientific analysis, CSI made for a captivating and intellectually stimulating watch for viewers worldwide.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Release Date October 6, 2000
Directors Richard J. Lewis
Seasons 15
21 'Bones' (2005–2017)
Created by Hart Hanson
Image via Fox
Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) work together to solve crimes using only the remains of victims in Bones. Part crime procedural and part forensic anthropology, the show puts a spotlight on how the main characters Bones and Booth use forensic evidence to identify the victim, reconstruct the crime scene, and track down the culprit.
The analytical mind of Brennan and the gut instincts of Booth sometimes seem to be at loggerheads with each other but become an unbeatable body when put together. This is what makes Bones different — it not only focuses on the forensic anthropology aspect of crime solving but also takes a look at the personal and professional challenges of the main characters. The show's quirky supporting cast, affectionately known as the "squints," adds another layer of charm and heart to the show.
Release Date September 13, 2005
Directors David Boreanaz
Seasons 12
20 'Line of Duty' (2012–2021)
Created by Jed Mecurio
Image via BBC One
An underrated jewel in the crown of modern British crime television, Line of Duty has no small amount of boldness, changing up the story of each season while also juggling cast members to focus on different stars in each season. Each season transpires within the ranks of a fictionalized version of the police force, following the efforts of an anti-corruption squad as they look into possible cases of corruption within the force. Even as the characters alternate and change, a common thread is the pursuit of “H”, a high-ranking official in the police who is actively involved with organized crime.
While the latter half of the series was met with mixed reviews and tentative audience satisfaction, the first three seasons are nothing short of television brilliance. Line of Duty became renowned for the intensity of its interrogation sequences, some of which took up over 40 minutes of their episodes and are lauded not only as many of the best moments of the series, but as some of the greatest interrogation scenes ever put to screen. —Ryan Heffernan
Line of Duty
Release Date June 26, 2012
Creator(s) Jed Mercurio
Seasons 6
19 'Gomorrah' (2014–2021)
Created by Roberto Saviano
Image via HBO Max
A heart-pounding crime series from Italy, Gomorrah ran for five seasons across its seven-year run, and was made all the more confronting due to its basis on Roberto Saviano’s investigative journalism book of the same name released in 2006. Set in the aftermath of the arrest of a Naples crime boss, it follows the vicious in-fighting that erupts as an ambitious member of the gang enters into a power struggle against the boss’ spoiled though driven son.
There is a certain flavor to the series that fans of earlier crime shows like The Sopranos will instantly recognize, but Gomorrah is able to avoid being familiar through its grueling commitment to authenticity and its frightful, violent bleakness. It sits comfortably among the greatest international crime series ever made, one that was able to amass a global fanbase throughout its run. —Ryan Heffernan
Gomorrah
Release Date May 6, 2014
Creator(s) Roberto Saviano
Cast Salvatore Esposito , Marco D'Amore , Ivana Lotito , Arturo Muselli , Mimmo Borrelli
Seasons 5
18 'Luther' (2010–2019)
Created by Neil Cross
Image via BBC One
Among the finest crime series to have ever come from Britain, Luther is an ever-intriguing detective show that thrives with Idris Elba’s magnetic lead performance and its balance of serialized crime drama and ongoing narrative threads. It focuses on the titular DCI John Luther (Elba), a brilliant homicide detective who specializes in investigating the most heinous active serial killers in London. His work is only made more complex as his unusual methods invite derision within the force while his tumultuous personal life constantly impacts his profession.
While the series undeniably peaks throughout its second and third seasons, Luther remains a compelling and surprising crime drama throughout the entirety of its run, even if that run is frustratingly lean with just 20 episodes across its five seasons. Still, it stands as one of the defining crime series of the 2010s, and even transitioned to feature films with 2023's Luther: The Fallen Sun co-starring Andy Serkis and Cynthia Erivo. —Ryan Heffernan
Luther
Release Date May 4, 2010
Writers Neil Cross
Seasons 5
17 'Money Heist' (2017–2021)
Created by Álex Pina
Image via Netflix
It's hard to imagine that one of the most popular crime shows ever made, Money Heist, almost never became an international hit. On the verge of being canceled by the Spanish network Antena 3, Netflix acquired rights for the series that went on to become a massive hit around the world. The series chronicles a group of well-written characters led by The Professor (Álvaro Morte) as they infiltrate and steal from financial institutions. No matter how perfect the plan for the heist is, however, things can still go horribly wrong.
The show became a global phenomenon, with fans everywhere singing their own versions of "Bella ciao" and wearing the Dali masks from the series. Fans loved the series for its high-stakes heists that are meticulously planned by the Professor and prepared for by the entire group. Its drama is even more exciting, as it's rooted in mistakes and messy feelings along the way. Money Heist has won numerous accolades and even inspired a South Korean adaptation (Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area) and a Netflix spin-off series (Berlin).
Release Date May 2, 2017
Writers Álex Pina , Javier Gómez Santander
Cast Álvaro Morte , Darko Perić , Fernando Cayo , Maria Pedraza , Paco Tous , Rodrigo De la Serna , Enrique Arce , Belén Cuesta , Pedro Alonso , Hovik Keuchkerian , Jaime Lorente , Esther Acebo
Seasons 3
16 'Broadchurch' (2013–2017)
Created by Chris Chibnall
Although Broadchurch only ran for three seasons, they were enough to prove its worthiness as one of the best crime drama shows of the 21st century. Set in the titular fictional English town, the show's story follows a murder investigation of an 11-year-old Danny Latimer (Oskar McNamara), led by D.I Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and D.S Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman).
Broadchurch was able to turn what seems like an ordinary murder-mystery plot line into something with a lot of substance. It was able to tie in everything seamlessly; the everyday struggles of police detectives and their imperfections, the grief of losing a loved one, and the inevitability of trust and betrayal. Plus, Tennant and Colman have incredible chemistry that really makes their characters' development obvious as the series progresses.
Broadchurch
Release Date March 4, 2013
Seasons 3
Main Genre Drama
15 'Pushing Daisies' (2007–2009)
Created by Bryan Fuller
Image via Warner Bros. Television
Aside from being a legendary comedy-drama, Pushing Daisies is also a fantastic crime series that follows Ned (Lee Pace), a pie-maker who can bring dead things to life just by touching them. Alongside the PI Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) and his colleague Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth), Ned begins to use his unique skill to solve murder cases. Learning what murder victims saw or heard in their last moments becomes invaluable for seeking justice for them.
Balancing wit, humor, and a wholly unique premise, Pushing Daisies is still a must-see show nearly two decades since it first aired. It never takes itself too seriously, but also manages to get viewers invested in its characters' stories, which eventually evolve beyond their comedic aspects. It's unfortunate that it ends on a notoriously frustrating unresolved TV cliffhanger that fans are still discussing to this day, with many likely still holding onto hope that a revival will bring the series' distinct premise and heart back.
Pushing Daisies
Release Date October 3, 2007
Seasons 2
14 'Hannibal' (2013–2015)
Developed by Bryan Fuller
Despite its brief three-season run and being canceled by NBC due to low viewership, Hannibal has been dubbed one of the greatest but most underrated shows of all time. The complex dynamic between criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and psychiatrist – and cannibal – Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) makes a strong foundation for the series. With Will Graham being an FBI special investigator and Dr. Lecter being who he is, the duo develop a strange but engrossing connection.
There are high expectations in reinventing classic characters such as Hannibal. But the show developer, Bryan Fuller, and the production team have successfully executed their stylized reinterpretation of Hannibal with incredible performances from the actors. Hannibal is one of the best versions of the story that has been nominated for and won awards from Emmy Awards, Saturn Awards, and Critics’ Choice Television Awards, solidifying its status as one of the best crime TV shows ever.
Release Date April 4, 2013
Seasons 3
13 'Ozark' (2017–2022)
Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams
Ozark quickly became part of the most renowned crime drama TV shows after its release, eventually earning a whopping total of 45 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Directed by and starring Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde alongside Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde, the show depicts the couple's move with their children to the Lake of the Ozarks after a violent encounter with a drug cartel. Soon, Marty and Wendy become successful criminals, finding new and creative ways to outsmart the cartel they're supposed to be working for.
It's a riveting series with excellent character transformations, most notably Ozark local Ruth Langmore's storyline, which earned Julia Garner three wins for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Ozark always keeps fans on their toes, throwing one stressful situation after another at the morally complex Byrdes, whose situation escalates dramatically. It's their characters' transformation from vulnerable and terrified individuals to powerful and unapologetic villains that are at the heart of the series.
Release Date July 21, 2017
Directors Bill Dubuque
Seasons 4
12 'The Shield' (2002–2008)
Created by Shawn Ryan
Image via FX
With its unflinching depiction of police violence and the lens with which it explores such themes as corruption and the abuse of authority, The Shield is one of the most defining police series of the early 2000s. In fact, it is quite possibly among the most underrated series in regard to the rise of the golden era of television as well as the stronger, more evocative focus such series were able to present to audiences.
It follows a faction of the LAPD known as The Strike Team, a gang of corrupt cops who, led by Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), abuse their expansive parameters and engage in illegal methods to uphold the law while also covering up their crimes and finding ways to make money. Morally challenging, daring with its narrative, and completely comfortable presenting confronting sequences to viewers, The Shield is among the finest cop shows ever made. —Ryan Heffernan
The Shield
Release Date March 12, 2002
Seasons 7
11 'Mindhunter' (2017–2019)
Created by Joe Penhall
Image via Netflix
It is natural for anyone to be fascinated by the nature of crime and the criminals behind them. Viewers want to understand how criminals think or why they choose to commit their crimes. It is one of the reasons why Mindhunter – one of the best crime TV series of all time – is a marvel at exploring the psychology behind the minds of the world’s most notorious criminals.
Instead of the typical treatment criminals get in which they are viewed as wild and irrational, two FBI agents (Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany) interview them and try to understand them as humans. This approach lends a more intense and realistic atmosphere to the series, which also dramatizes real-life serial killers like Edmund Kemper and Charles Manson. Of course, Mindhunter features how methodical, psychopathic, and twisted these murderers can be in its unique take on a police procedural that delves into the psychological aspect of a crime.
Release Date October 13, 2017
Seasons 2
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