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Sometimes even the best detective TV shows don’t always get the attention they deserve. Anyone who even remotely follows television is familiar with “Columbo,” “The Wire,” “Law & Order,” and other other hit shows that have graced the small screen throughout the years. That said, some of the greatest detective yarns are a mystery to many folks — not unlike the criminals their protagonists hunt down to bring to justice.
But it is never too late to discover shows that failed to crack the case of gaining widespread recognition. This list explores gems that flew under the radar, and our selection highlights a diverse range of detective shows. Some of our picks are straight-laced crime dramas, while others apply detective tropes to horror, science fiction, and other genres. However, one thing they all have in common — apart from detectives (duh) — is being very good, so consider adding them to your watchlist if you haven’t already.
10. Three Pines
The biggest crime here involves an unwanted cancelation. Prime Video pulled the plug on “Three Pines” after one excellent season, robbing viewers of more adaptations of Louise Penny’s “Inspector Gamache” novels.
The series follows Chief Inspector Armand Gamache (Alfred Molina) as he solves mysteries in the sleepy town of Three Pines. The detective has his work cut out for him, though, as this town harbors a lot of secrets. However, one of the more serious investigations relates to missing Indigenous women, resulting in a compelling detective show that sheds light on real-world issues.
“Three Pines” isn’t a supernatural series, but viewers looking for more shows like “Twin Peaks” should check it out. They both take place in idyllic towns populated with weird and quirky characters. They are led by smart detectives. Dark secrets, murder, and mayhem disrupt the peace. If David Lynch and Mark Frost’s series was a more straight-laced crime drama, it might look like “Three Pines.”
9. Mr. Mercedes
Stephen King is primarily known for horror, but he also dabbles in crime fiction from time to time. “Mr. Mercedes,” which adapts his “Bill Hodges Trilogy,” is the best of both worlds, making it a must-see series for fans of spooky mysteries.
Developed by David E. Kelly, “Mr. Mercedes” sees Brendan Gleeson play the aforementioned Hodges. He is an exhausted, retiring detective who is haunted by a case involving a serial killer who ran over 16 people and got away. He can’t call it quits, though, as the detective is prompted back into action when he receives a message from the killer, beginning a cat-and-mouse chase that takes some unexpected twists and turns.
Gleeson is the highlight of “Mr. Mercedes,” with the actor delivering a grounded performance that conveys his character’s world-weary nature. He also keeps the story on track when supernatural occurrences enter the fray, as Gleeson approaches the material with so much sincerity. “Mr. Mercedes” is one of the more disturbing and unnerving detective shows out there — but what else do you expect from King’s imagination?
8. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned whodunit, especially when they are as glamorous as this crime-comedy from Australia. Based on a book series by Kerry Greenwood, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” tells the story of The Honorable Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis), a stylish investigator who solves crimes in 1920s Melbourne.
“Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” is reminiscent of Agatha Christie-style tales and other sleuth stories you have seen before. However, the murders our heroine investigates are fun and creative, and our protagonist is as entertaining as they come. Phryne is so witty that she’d make any investigation worth watching, even if it entailed watching paint dry. That’s all thanks to Davis’ performance, which is spectacular.
“Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” is pure comfort viewing. The series is light and funny, but the crimes aren’t treated as a joke. But you can always rely on the detective getting the job done, ensuring most of the episodes end on a high note.
7. Millennium
Chris Carter’s “The X-Files” is often hailed as one of the best detective shows of all time, especially among viewers who like their mysteries drenched in spookiness. Unfortunately, his “Millennium” series failed to have the same impact during its three-season run, despite taking place in the same fictional universe as “The X-Files.”
“Millennium” follows Frank Black (Lance Henriksen), an investigator and former fed who can see through the eyes of serial killers. He works for the Millennium Group, an organization that specializes in solving weird mysteries — but they might have a sinister agenda Frank isn’t privy to right away.
This is one of the darker detective series out there. The creators were inspired by David Fincher’s “Se7en,” and the show boasts a similar bleak mood and visual aesthetic — but don’t mistake it as a rip-off. “Millennium” is loaded with original ideas and progresses in interesting ways, starting out as a gritty serial killer thriller before embracing more supernatural concepts. If you want to see a great ’90s sci-fi show that still holds up today, look no further.
6. Whitechapel
The crimes of Jack the Ripper have long influenced storytellers, but “Whitechapel” reimagines his atrocities for modern times. A copycat killer is on the loose and re-staging Ripper’s murders in the titular London locale. D.I. Joseph Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones) and D.S. Ray Miles (Phil Davis) are the cops tasked with bringing the murderer to justice. Later seasons take inspiration from other cases — like the Kray Twins, for example — so the show isn’t exclusively dedicated to old Jack.
Despite the grim subject matter, “Whitechapel” is surprisingly fun and trashy (in a good way). The series is drenched in atmosphere and gruesome violence, making it ideal viewing for fans of Gothic horror shows and crime dramas alike. “Whitechapel” also contains plenty of gallow’s humor, so you might find yourself laughing even when you don’t want to.
“Whitechapel” alludes to some of history’s worst crimes, albeit without saying anything particularly insightful about them. Some viewers will find the series insensitive for these reasons (which is valid), but it’s never boring, and that goes a long way.
5. Dead Boy Detectives
Great detective stories don’t always center around characters who are alive. Take Netflix’s “Dead Boy Detectives,” for example, which proves that ghosts make fine investigators — as long as they can avoid being dragged into the afterlife.
“Dead Boy Detectives” follows Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) and Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew), teens who were born decades apart but came together in death to form their own paranormal sleuthing agency. Together, they solve supernatural mysteries and try to evade Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), bringing them into contact with other spooks, witches, and demons.
Taking place in the same universe as “The Sandman,” “Dead Boy Detectives” offers escapist fun, exciting mysteries, and heartfelt storytelling centered around friendship. Sadly, the YA sleuth fantasy series only lasted one season, making it one of many great shows Netflix canceled too soon.
4. Dept. Q
“Dept. Q” comes from the mind of “The Queen’s Gambit” co-creator Scott Frank, who developed the crime drama alongside Chandni Lakhani. The Netflix series tells the story of a DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), a socially awkward genius who teams up with a band of underdogs to investigate cold cases in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Goode steals the show on “Dept. Q,” walking a fine line between lovable and obnoxious. Morck is an unpleasant protagonist who would probably be insufferable if he wasn’t so tragic and oft-hilarious. He is also brilliant at his job, so viewers who enjoy crime dramas about competent professionals will have a blast with “Dept. Q.”
“Dept. Q” favors slow-burn investigations and character-driven storytelling over action and thrills. Detective work requires patience and resolving cases isn’t easy, which seems to be the point “Dept. Q” wants to get across. The Netflix series is different from “The Wire,” but fans of David Simon’s acclaimed drama will appreciate its similarly meticulous approach to storytelling.
3. Elementary
Sherlock Holmes will outlive all of us. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the misanthropic detective in 1887, with the character gracing countless TV shows and movies since then. “Elementary” is one of the most interesting takes on the lore, as it sees Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) and his assistant, Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), solving crimes in modern-day New York City.
Anyone who insists on watching a traditional “Sherlock Holmes” series should look elsewhere. “Elementary” brings its own ideas to the table while retaining the spirit of Conan Doyle’s stories. The change of setting and gender-swapped Watson is unlike anything that came from the mind of the author. That said, “Elementary” retains a similar penchant for creating compelling mysteries.
Differences aside, the characters still feel like Holmes and Watson. Miller and Liu also bring plenty of charisma to their performances, making them one of the more enjoyable Holmes and Watson pairings of the 21st century. “Elementary” enjoyed a seven-season run on CBS, so it certainly wasn’t a flop. Be that as it may, the series deserves far more fanfare and celebration.
2. Line of Duty
When it comes to underrated crime dramas, look no further than “Line of Duty.” Jed Mercurio’s detective show is a hit in the United Kingdom, but more people ought to know more about the cases of AC-12 all around the world.
“Line of Duty” follows detectives Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) as they bring “bent coppers” to justice. Each season focuses on a new villain, but there is one constant threat throughout — H, a mysterious cop who does dastardly things from the shadows.
While “Line of Duty” boasts complex, labyrinthine plots, each season is a breeze to get through. In fact, the show moves forward with so much momentum that you won’t be able to turn it off until tiredness defeats you. There is no shortage of action, but the interrogation scenes — some of which result in bullets flying — are as suspenseful and riveting in TV gets. Throw in a cast that includes Kelly Macdonald, Thandiwe Newton, and Stephen Graham, and you have all of the ingredients for a great drama.
1. Bosch
Overall, “Bosch” can be chalked up as a success. Eric Overmyer’s series got a seven-season run on Prime Video, paving the way for the spin-offs “Bosch: Legacy,” “Ballard,” and “Bosch: Start of Watch.” Most TV creators dream of making long-running shows that spawn franchises, but the mainstream buzz for “Bosch” could have been stronger.
“Bosch” follows the title character (Titus Welliver), a former soldier who works as a detective for the L.A.P.D. When he isn’t solving murders and investigating corruption, he enjoys jazz music and being a father to his daughter, Maddie (Madison Lintz). That said, the job takes up a lot of his time, as the detective has a fierce drive for delivering justice.
In many ways, “Bosch” is quite old-fashioned — all the way down to its noir-flavored style. However, the series modernizes the classic tropes while tackling complex social issues regarding law enforcement that make real-world headlines. It’s traditional enough to satisfy viewers seeking a no-nonsense detective drama, yet relevant enough to feel fresh.
