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 Fargoand 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 of the 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.
'Castle' (2009–2016)
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 grisly 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 have a nice balance of crime and comedy at an entertaining level. – Andrea Ciriaco
'The Mentalist' (2008–2015)
Starring Simon Baker as the titular protagonist, The Mentalist is a police procedural drama that follows Patrick Jane (Baker), a former psychic who gets hired as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Patrick uses his razor-sharp observational skills and impeccable knowledge of the human psyche and behavioral analysis to solve criminal cases for the bureau while he keeps searching for the killer named Red John, who murdered his whole family. The Mentalist parallels Psyche, Monk, and similar shows with an offbeat detective or a civilian consulting the police.
Baker’s remarkable portrayal of a mind reader who himself is tormented is the biggest highlight of The Mentalist, even if the show’s premise might resonate with similar popular police procedural shows of the 2000s. Packed with interesting and complicated crimes featuring a wide array of characters, the crime drama series manages to keep its narrative refreshing, season after season. —Maddie P
'Marcella' (2016–2021)
A British Nordic noir crime drama series, Marcella follows the titular character, a former detective who returns to work after 15 years following separation from her husband and takes up an open serial killing case from 11 years prior. As Marcella (Anna Friel) begins to hunt down the murderer, she also investigates several inexplicable murders connected to each other, while navigating her mental health issues, which also complicates her personal and professional life.
From its story and narrative to characterization and settings, Marcella is a very gritty and grim crime series about complex human nature. While the show’s outline follows the titular detective’s resolve to find the truth and bring justice at any cost, the dark crime drama’s true focus is more on Marcella’s emotional journey. The ordeals of a resolute detective on one hand and an emotionally tortured mother and wife battling trauma on the other make for a powerful and intense narrative. —Maddie P
'Black Bird' (2022)
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
'The Blacklist' (2013–2023)
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
'Only Murders in the Building' (2021–Present)
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 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
'Mare of Easttown' (2021)
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
'Good Girls' (2018–2021)
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 for 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.
'How to Get Away With Murder' (2014–2020)
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.
'Criminal Minds' (2005–Present)
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.
