Like with most things, crime TV plays across a spectrum of quality, with some series so good that they’re part of an elite group of shows everyone should watch at least once in their life. While crime TV can, at times, feel formulaic or overly familiar, the best crime shows are able to balance their most thrilling elements with personal stakes, keeping viewers invested as the characters move from one danger to another. Crime TV often needs to bring in story points outside of the actual crime to round out their plots, which is where the material is often elevated.

As more crime TV is made and shows continue to find their way into the canon, there are an elite few that viewers should invest in watching for both enjoyment and context. With many shows taking cues from past greats, watching other shows as a lens or a general reference can be part of the TV viewing experience as a whole. Despite there being a ton to choose from in the world of crime TV, there are a few shows that every viewer, whether they’re a casual enjoyer or a die-hard fan, should watch at least once in their lifetime.

10

Mindhunter

As one of the only shows that’s delved into the world of early criminal profiling, Netflix’s Mindhunter is one of a kind. Unlike the more modern Criminal Minds, Mindhunter looks at the trio who established the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Following Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff), Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), and Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), the series looks at criminals rather than crimes, using the crimes themselves as more of a backdrop than a mystery. The show’s interwoven character dynamics and high emotional stakes make it a masterclass in holding tension, and despite its short run, Mindhunter is considered a great.

Release Date

2017 – 2019

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Joe Penhall

Directors

David Fincher, Carl Franklin, Andrew Dominik, Andrew Douglas, Asif Kapadia, Tobias Lindholm

Writers

Joe Penhall, Jennifer Haley, Joshua Donen, Courtenay Miles, Carly Wray, Pamela Cederquist

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  Holt McCallany

  Bill Tench

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  Munro M. Bonnell

  CMF Doctor

9

Broadchurch

Patrick Redmond / © ITV/BBC America / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Broadchurch, named after and based in a fictional English town on the coast, follows two detectives through one of the most harrowing cases of their careers. Comprised of three short seasons, Broadchurch starred Olivia Colman as Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller and David Tennant as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, each dealing with a quickly unraveling case that has their sleepy area up in arms. While Broadchurch is a captivating show with slow, meticulous procedural storytelling surrounding a heartbreaking circumstances, the series is most notable for its incredible ensemble work. The cast of Broadchurch sets a standard that’s rarely met by others.

Release Date

2013 – 2017

Network

ITV1

Showrunner

Chris Chibnall

Directors

Euros Lyn, James Strong

Writers

Louise Fox

8

Narcos

Netflix’s Narcos, a crime drama that starts off telling the story of Pablo Escobar before branching out to a wider scope, is one of the best depictions of cartel-based crime on screen. Starring Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar, the series is widely recognized for Pedro Pascal’s appearance throughout as DEA agent Javier Peña, who is tasked with bringing down Escobar. Throughout the show’s three seasons on Netflix, Narcos became a show that viewers were obsessed with. Although it was somewhat formulaic in its story, the performances, especially Pascal’s, drove Narcos through its run and ensured it wouldn’t be quickly forgotten.

Release Date

2015 – 2017

Network

Netflix

Directors

Andrés Baiz, Josef Kubota Wladyka, Fernando Coimbra, Gerardo Naranjo, Guillermo Navarro

Writers

Andrew Black, Julie Siege, Nick Schenk, Dana Calvo, Clayton Trussell, Zachary Reiter, Allison Abner, Adam Fierro, Steve Lightfoot, David Matthews

7

Fargo

An anthology series based on the film of the same name, Fargo ran on FX for five seasons. What’s most distinct about Fargo is the fact that each season turns over a whole new story, and while they’re all typically set in the Midwest, each story has a slowly unwinding criminal element that will eventually unravel into chaos. With each season bringing in heavy hitters for the cast, including Landman’s Billy Bob Thornton, Hacks’ Jean Smart, and most recently, Ted Lasso’s Juno Temple and Stranger Things’ Joe Keery, Fargo is able to tell bigger, bolder stories with highly skilled professionals.

Release Date

2014 – 2024-00-00

Showrunner

Noah Hawley

Writers

Noah Hawley

Franchise(s)

Fargo

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6

Mare Of Easttown

An HBO original miniseries, Mare Of Easttown stars Kate Winslet as the titular Mare, a detective named Marianne Sheehan. Weaving through a heavy load of personal turmoil as Mare copes with the disappointments and tragedies in her own life, she investigates the recent murder of a teenage mother without the support of her once-supportive hometown. The series, which saw Winslet nominated for several awards, rests on her performance as a woman who knows how to do her job well, but isn’t finding her way. Weaving a difficult crime with personal stakes, the show is a masterclass in a slow build.

Release Date

2021 – 2021-00-00

Network

HBO

Showrunner

Brad Ingelsby

Directors

Craig Zobel

Writers

Brad Ingelsby

5

Sherlock

MovieStillsDB

BBC’s Sherlock, which ran for four seasons throughout the 2010s, stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a modern day Sherlock Holmes who solves mysteries around London. Assisted and at times agitated by Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman), Sherlock’s seasons each run through a fascinating mystery that only Sherlock seems fit to solve. Known for its modern touch, Sherlock feels less like a TV series and more like a selection of TV movies strung together to complete a set. The chemistry between Cumberbatch and Freeman is electric throughout Sherlock, often so much that the cases can fall to the wayside if they’d like.

Release Date

2010 – 2017-00-00

Showrunner

Steven Moffat

Directors

Steven Moffat

4

The Wire

The Wire, an HBO series that spanned throughout the early 2000s, explores the innerworkings of Baltimore, Maryland and its sometimes difficult relationship with law enforcement. What makes The Wire a must-watch, other than its compelling performances, is its incredible structure. Each season of the wire looks at a different institution within Baltimore, exploring it thoroughly and creating new stakes. Experimental and incredibly done, The Wire looks at institutional dysfunction through a lens that does its best to tell the whole story before critiquing its subjects. A masterclass in how to shape an inventive narrative, The Wire is consistently top tier.

Release Date

2002 – 2008-00-00

Network

HBO

Showrunner

David Simon

Directors

Ernest R. Dickerson, Ed Bianchi, Steve Shill, Clark Johnson, Daniel Attias, Agnieszka Holland, Tim Van Patten, Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Brad Anderson, Clement Virgo, Elodie Keene, Peter Medak, Rob Bailey, Seith Mann, Christine Moore, David Platt, Dominic West, Gloria Muzio, Jim McKay, Leslie Libman, Milcho Manchevski, Robert F. Colesberry, Thomas J. Wright

Writers

Richard Price, Joy Lusco, Rafael Alvarez, Dennis Lehane, David Mills, William F. Zorzi, Kia Corthron

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  Dominic West

  Jimmy McNulty

• 

  Lance Reddick

  Cedric Daniels

3

Bosch

An adaptation of Michael Connelly’s book series, Bosch focuses on the titular Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver), an LAPD detective with a dark past. What makes Bosch one of the best crime shows of the modern era has less to do with the crimes it depicts, and more to to do with Bosch himself. Welliver’s performance throughout the series and its spinoff, Bosch: Legacy, is a slow-rolling look at the work of a methodical, brilliant investigator. Bosch is always able to figure things out, but takes his time in doing so in a way that pushes the audience to be patient.

Release Date

2015 – 2021-00-00

Network

Prime Video

Showrunner

Eric Ellis Overmyer

Directors

Alex Zakrzewski, Ernest R. Dickerson, Patrick Cady, Aaron Lipstadt, Adam Davidson, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Kevin Dowling, Neema Barnette, Tim Hunter, Zetna Fuentes, Christine Moore, Jim McKay, Laura Belsey, Matt Earl Beesley, Phil Abraham, Roxann Dawson, Sarah Pia Anderson, Stephen Gyllenhaal, Tara Nicole Weyr, Thomas Carter, Hagar Ben-Asher

Writers

Jeffrey Alan Fiskin, Tom Bernardo, Elle Johnson, John Mankiewicz, Shaz Bennett, Alex Meenehan, Katie Pyne, Osokwe Vasquez, Lolis Eric Elie, Jessica Kivnik, Mitzi Roberts

2

Breaking Bad

AMC’s Breaking Bad has been called one of the greatest of all time, and for good reason. Starring Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a chemistry teacher who turns into a drug lord after receiving a cancer diagnosis, the series depicts the rise and fall of a true anti-hero. While Breaking Bad leans into the crime elements of its genre, it also plays into the dramatic side of the story, with characters’ personal stakes getting warped by their criminal behavior. An incredible narrative, Breaking Bad offers career-defining performances and a truly captivating story that belongs on the crime TV Mt. Rushmore.

Release Date

2008 – 2013-00-00

Showrunner

Vince Gilligan

Directors

Vince Gilligan, Michelle Maclaren

Writers

Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, Vince Gilligan, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Thomas Schnauz

1

The Sopranos

As one of the most well-known crime dramas of all time, The Sopranos’ ambitious six-season run is one of the best in modern TV history. Following New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) as he rises in the ranks of his family’s organization, the series watches as Tony’s personal and professional lives meld, transforming him as he comes to grips with the world he’s been born into. Aside from its strong performances, The Sopranos uses a mix of styles to tell its story, making it consistently fun and fresh to watch. HBO’s biggest hit series should be required viewing.

Release Date

1999 – 2007

Network

HBO

Showrunner

David Chase

Directors

Tim Van Patten, John Patterson, Alan Taylor, Jack Bender, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Attias, David Chase, Andy Wolk, Danny Leiner, David Nutter, James Hayman, Lee Tamahori, Lorraine Senna, Matthew Penn, Mike Figgis, Nick Gomez, Peter Bogdanovich, Phil Abraham, Rodrigo García

Writers

Michael Imperioli, Jason Cahill, Lawrence Konner, David Flebotte, James Manos, Jr., Salvatore Stabile, Toni Kalem, Mark Saraceni, Nick Santora

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  James Gandolfini

  Tony Soprano

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