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Apr 13, 2023 · Courtesy of BBC. British audiences love a drama that centres detectives restoring a sense of order. Periods of unrest, whether it be socially, politically, or financially, always leave a nation feeling that it needs a level of control. Crime dramas are all about law and order. In the end, the status quo is restored and some justice is served.
Jan 8, 2016 · The public is drawn to true crime because it triggers the most basic and powerful emotion in all of us—fear. As a source of popular culture entertainment, it allow us to experience fear and ...
- 1 min
- Scott Bonn
Jan 25, 2019 · In 1949, CBS started broadcasting a show called Man Against Crime. It starred Ralph Bellamy, and the general idea would be familiar to anybody watching TV in 2019: A crime happens, and then a man ...
- Critic
- Kathryn VanArendonk
- 3 min
- EW Staff
- Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote) From the catchy intro to the cavalcade of guest stars with delightfully daffy Maine accents, rewatching Murder, She Wrote now is as cozy as sipping a warm cup of tea on a snowy night.
- Columbo. He could be anybody or nobody. Shabby hair, jacket big enough to swim in, one of those faces, a voice that mumbles a low tobacco rasp. The killers barely notice the unkempt LAPD detective.
- Sherlock and Watson. No list of pop culture detectives would be complete without the boys of Baker Street. In the last century, Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary heroes have been adapted so many times, they're practically synonymous with the word "mystery."
- Philip Marlowe. If Sam Spade invented the hardboiled detective, Philip Marlowe perfected it. As wisecracking and hard-drinking as Spade, Marlowe also has a touch of something gentler about him, as a philosophical creature with a soft spot for chess and poetry.
People also ask
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- 15 'Money Heist'
- 14 'Broadchurch'
- 13 'Pushing Daisies'
- 12 'Hannibal'
- 11 'Ozark'
- 10 'Mindhunter'
- 9 'Dexter'
- 8 'Peaky Blinders'
- 7 'Better Call Saul'
- 6 'Fargo'
Created by Álex Pina
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, th...
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...
Created by Bryan Fuller
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...
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 hig...
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 su...
Created by Joe Penhall
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...
Developed by James Manos Jr.
Unquestionably among the best crime drama series, Dexter is a massively popular crime-drama show centered on the titular character (played by Michael C. Hall) who is a forensic technician with a knack for bloodstain pattern analysis. He's also a vigilante serial killer who goes after murderers he feels have evaded justice. Its dark humor and surprisingly charming protagonist have kept audiences hooked and asking for more. Despite its lackluster follow-up in the form of the miniseries, Dexter:...
Created by Steven Knight
British crime drama series Peaky Blinders has been universally acclaimed due to its originality and shining a light on English history rarely explored on television. Set in Birmingham, the series is centered on the titular crime gang whose operation grows in a post-World War I environment. This is met with opposition from rival gangs, political enemies, and even villains from within who seek to sabotage the group. The series has made a huge cultural impact in the UK, with the gangster drama’s...
Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould
Some have argued that in many aspects, the spin-off prequel Better Call Saul, is a better-made series compared to Breaking Bad and that it is one of the best prequels ever made. Jimmy McGill (Saul Goodman) is a more relatable “protagonist” compared to Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in the prequel, with the origin story of the devious lawyer being a surprisingly grounded yet still entertaining character study. The best Better Call Saul episodes are also recognized for having more distinct story...
Created by Noah Hawley
Fargo is based on the Coen Brothers' 1996 film of the same name and is set in the same fictional universe while also following the movie's continuity. It's an award-winning anthology series, with each season taking place in different time periods and locations, featuring a variety of crime-focused stories alongside flawlessly cast characters. What makes Fargo unique is its ability to perfectly blend the genres of crime and dark comedy into one seamless genre, just as the movie it's based on w...
Jul 16, 2023 · Starring Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan. Crime, Drama, Mystery. 29 episodes (4 seasons) 8.9 on IMDb. Watch on Amazon. If you love murder mysteries and crime procedurals, then these modern detective TV shows have what you’re looking for.
Apr 10, 2023 · As one of the earliest and most enduring television genres, detective shows have captivated audiences for decades. There are so many of them, watching them all might take just as long.
