Crime shows are some of the most popular on TV and in history. Despite most of them using a similar formula, they always feel innovative and are greatly beloved by audiences, especially crime fans who love to spend their nights watching a brand-new mystery unfold. The classics of the crime genre, from Poirotto CSI, are never dull, but what if you’re sick of watching the same stuff over and over?
There are so many crime shows out there that it’s very likely you haven’t seen them all; can you imagine how many lifetimes that’d take? Some you may not have even heard of, but that’s OK—we’re here to fix that. Here are the crime shows you’ve probably never heard of, and number one is truly a masterpiece.
10
‘Briarpatch’ (2020)
Despite a strong lead performance by Rosario Dawson, a greatly put-together ensemble, and a beautifully moody, noir tone, Briarpatchwas canceled after only one season; this left many fans at the time feeling like the show didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Its unique blend of crime, thriller, and mystery is depicted in a remarkable, almost Lynchian atmosphere and provides a refreshing alternative to traditional police procedurals. Sam Esmail served as executive producer, while Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) directed the pilot episode.
Briarpatch was based on the novel of the same name by Ross Thomas and follows Allegra Dill (Dawson), a determined investigator, who returns to her small Texas hometown after her sister is killed in a car bombing. What begins as a murder investigation evolves into a journey through the town’s deep corruption, tangled conspiracies, and surreal noir drama. If you enjoy small-town noir with moral ambiguity, oddball characters, and creeping dread, Briarpatch is a true hidden gem, though, of course, you’ll have to get used to the fact that it’s a one-season wonder.
9
‘Rellik’ (2017)
Rellik is a show that takes risks few crime shows take. The series is told entirely in reverse chronological order, forcing you to piece together an investigation of serial murders from their final moments. The story unfolds in reverse, with characters becoming younger and clues revealing themselves through the crooked storytelling. Rellik‘s creators, brothers Jack and Harry Williams, talked about making Rellik a show that depicts the twisted storytelling style as a look into the past, like starting at this moment and then retracing the origin of what’s happening now. The word “rellik” is “killer” spelled backwards.
Rellik follows detective Gabriel Markham (Richard Dormer) pursuing a serial killer who attacks victims with acid; while that happens, Gabriel also deals with personal demons, guilt, and trauma. The backward narrative structure is entertaining, but also disrupts our understanding of time and cause. Rellik is a daring and innovative crime drama which you’ve probably never heard of; though the reviews were mixed because of the backwards storytelling, it’s still a super fun watch. If you want a crime show that plays with format and meaning rather than sticking to tropes, this is your secret weapon.
8
‘Too Old to Die Young’ (2019)
Too Old to Die Young is not your typical crime show; it’s a slow, arthouse noir with neon-soaked visuals. It was created by Nicolas Winding Refn, whose signature directing style is neon-clad and artistic, and Ed Brubaker, a comic book writer and screenwriter (DC, Vertigo, Marvel, Dark Horse). The show is often dreamlike and brutal, sometimes boasting a hallucinatory tone. However, for those who enjoy crime dramas that push the envelope and embrace existential dread, it’s an unforgettable and unique viewing experience.
Too Old to Die Young revolves around Martin Jones (Miles Teller), a morally compromised Los Angeles deputy sheriff who gradually falls into the underworld of cartel violence, vigilantism, and spiritual decay. The show also follows other characters and their moral journeys through the underbelly of Los Angeles, like Martin’s young girlfriend, Janey (Nell Tiger Free), FBI agent Viggo Larsen (John Hawkes), and a healer, Diana (Jenna Malone). Too Old to Die Young divides audiences, and where some see a masterpiece, others see chaos, but it’s unique for its audacity and inspiration.
7
‘The Åre Murders’ (2025)
The Swedish crime-mystery series, The Åre Murders, is a relatively new Netflix show and a part of their growing Nordic noir library. If you liked The Chestnut Man, Valhalla Murders, and Deadwind, you’ll definitely love The Åre Murders; critics praised the show’s tone, late-winter Scandinavian landscapes, and its moody and foreboding atmosphere, claiming it has “all the hallmarks of a great Nordic Noir.” The Åre Murders is a promising addition for fans of slow-burn mysteries, morally gray characters, and a sense of isolation and dread.
The Åre Murders revolves around detective Hanna Ahlander (Carla Sehn), who relocates from Stockholm to Åre, a remote ski resort town, to investigate the case of a missing girl. However, the case becomes more complex, involving secrets and bad histories of local big names and faces; as Hanna dives deeper, she’s also more and more in danger herself. The narrative takes wild turns, but Hanna is a brilliant lead with a strong sense of justice and morals. Whether or not you’re a fan of Nordic Noir, as a fan of crime shows, you’ll enjoy this one immensely.
6
‘The Tunnel’ (2013–2017)
The Tunnel is a British-French crime series based on the Danish-Swedish show, The Bridge(Bron/Broen); since Bron is one of the greatest Nordic crime shows of all time, every one of its adaptations has had big shoes to fill—and each has fortunately succeeded. While the premise takes the “cross-border serial killer” story, The Tunnel has a tense atmosphere, strong character dynamics, and complex moral questions, with a focus on political and social injustice. It’s a crime thriller with scope and depth, and the chilling tone lingers throughout its three seasons.
The Tunnel follows two detectives, Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wassermann (Clémence Poésy), who work together to investigate a gruesome discovery: the upper half of a French politician and the lower half of a British prostitute discovered in the Channel Tunnel, at the midpoint between France and the UK. The investigation becomes a multinational hunt for a serial killer who gets the nickname “Truth Terrorist” because of his politically motivated crimes. The Tunnel is a must-see for fans of European noir and, well, fans of the original series, too.
5
‘Underbelly’ (2008–2022)
Underbelly is an Australian crime drama anthology series that explores real-life crimes, with each season focusing on a different aspect of the criminal underworld. The show’s storytelling style is gritty and often feels like a documentary, evoking the real-life stories it was based on. The show went on for a while and was one of the most popular crime shows in Australia that continuously garnered viewership; it’s a great ensemble effort based on the works of various journalists who chronicled some of the biggest criminals in Australian history.
Underbelly focuses on a different crime story in each season, and depicts gang violence, corruption, and the consequences of crime in a brutal, raw, and sometimes unflinching manner. For viewers interested in organized crime, gritty realism, or true crime-inspired drama, Underbelly offers a powerful and often overlooked ride through one of the darker chapters of modern crime history. The show also added four TV movies to its universe, and several international adaptations were planned and released.
4
‘The Capture’ (2019–2022)
The Captureis a gripping crime/conspiracy thriller with a unique twist. It combines traditional crime drama elements with contemporary concerns such as surveillance, identity manipulation, and twisted reality. It distorts trust and truth by combining technology and moral ambiguity; as a viewer, you are constantly questioning what is real, which makes the show incredibly exciting. The Capture has two seasons and 18 episodes, and once you’re done watching, well… You’ll probably be trying to find a pair of fresh eyes to rewatch the show with.
The Capture Season 1 sets up the case of a young soldier, Shaun Emery (Callum Turner), who gets captured on CCTV kidnapping a woman. The fresh-faced detective, Rachel Carey (Holiday Grainger), is assigned to Emery’s case, and while investigating the differences between real life and CCTV footage, she uncovers a larger, unsettling conspiracy. Detective Carey embarks on a journey of solving cases involving surveillance, misinformation, and technology used to manipulate truth. The Capture is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys moody and atmospheric crime stories that also serve as psychological and technological thrillers.
3
‘Endeavour’ (2012–2023)
Endeavour is the prequel to the classicInspector Morse stories, and it’s a must-see for fans of moody detective work, clever mysteries, and character-driven drama. You don’t have to have watched Inspector Morse to enjoy Endeavour, so you’re in the clear there. The show boasts slower pacing and adds emphasis on character and atmosphere over sensational violence. It’s incredibly slick and stylish, set in the 1960s, and visually, represents the Roaring Sixties with a beautiful, if not a bit of a moody touch.
Endeavour follows a young detective, Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), starting from the position of detective constable and moving up to detective sergeant. The show also includes his mentor, Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), who sees a fresh and clever face in Morse and takes him under his wing. Endeavour depicts Morse and Thursday as they solve crimes in Oxford and the surrounding area, including parts of their personal lives, over the course of the series. The show has the charm, atmosphere, and intelligence of traditional British detective fiction, and over time, it developed into a staple of British crime TV on the same scale as its predecessor, but technically sequel, Inspector Morse.
2
‘Quarry’ (2016)
Quarry is perhaps the epitome of a great show that quietly vanished; it was sadly canceled after one season—which ends with a cliffhanger—and has some of the most interesting and deep character development you’ll see in a crime drama. The show’s eight episodes paint a gritty, melancholic portrait of a man haunted by war and navigating post-war trauma, guilt, and moral decay. This season was set up to be an origin story of a hired assassin, based on the Quarry novel series by Max Allan Collins; Collins wrote 16 novels about Quarry, and the show, even if it’s a one-season wonder and just a taste of Quarry’s world, deserves more love.
Quarry follows Mac Conway (Logan Marshall-Green), a Marine sniper who returns to Memphis from Vietnam in 1972, and finds himself shunned by the public for taking part in the war. Besides strangers, Mac loses the interest of his wife, Joni (Jodi Balfour), and works on getting her love back while looking for work. Disillusioned, Mac stumbles onto a network of hired killers, run by a mysterious crime boss known as The Broker (Peter Mullan). With stunning performances by the ensemble (in particular Marshall-Green and Damon Herriman), beautiful visual style, and a gripping story, Quarry is an underappreciated classic worth discovering.
1
‘Unforgotten’ (2015–)
Unforgottenis one of Britain’s best crime dramas, and doesn’t really fall under the category of this list—or does it? Outside the UK, Unforgotten still remains underseen and underappreciated, while it’s a staple among British crime shows. It marked its 10-year run this year, and shows no sign of stopping; Unforgotten was renewed for another season in February 2025. What distinguishes Unforgotten is that each season feels like a standalone series, because the detectives work on different cases, and character development is rich and complete.
Unforgotten follows detectives Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) as they reopen long-buried cases after human remains are discovered; the plot simultaneously follows the personal lives of Stuart and Khan. Unlike most whodunits, Unforgotten isn’t about sensational twists or shock value; instead, it delves into how a single crime, often decades old, can impact multiple lives and shape families, friendships, and communities. Stuart and Khan’s partnership is one of TV’s most touching and compelling detective pairings, as they’re friends and professionals, making you care for them through insight into their interesting working relationship. Anyone who enjoys thoughtful and emotionally charged crime shows should definitely make time for Unforgotten.
