Apple TV’s “Nocturne” plunges viewers into a dangerous psychological game involving a manipulative serial killer and the investigators determined to stop him. If you’ve already binged the available episodes and are looking for shows like “Nocturne” to satisfy your appetite for dark mysteries and cat-and-mouse suspense, you’re in luck.
So far, “Nocturne” is considered essential viewing, with audiences and critics particularly praising Stephen Graham’s portrayal of Jurek Walter. Walter is a serial killer being held in a psychiatric hospital, but he appears to still be pulling the strings behind a series of murders. The series also stars Liev Schreiber as former homicide detective Jonah Lynn and Zazie Beetz as FBI Special Agent Saga Bauer, who team up to get answers from Walter and put an end to the killings.
Whether you’re drawn to the unfolding mystery, the slow-burn storytelling, or the deep character study of monsters and those who hunt them, here are five shows to watch if you like “Nocturne.”
Mindhunter
Long before the FBI profilers of “Criminal Minds” became television fixtures, the real-life agents who inspired “Mindhunter” were studying the minds of serial killers. Beginning in the late 1970s, the Netflix series follows Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), fictional agents loosely based on FBI profilers John Douglas and Robert Ressler. The pair interview convicted serial killers to better understand their behavior and learn how to catch others like them. Among the real-life killers depicted in the series are Edmund Kemper (Cameron Britton) and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman).
“Nocturne” viewers who enjoyed watching investigators probe the minds of serial killers will especially appreciate “Mindhunter,” which makes this process a central part of its storytelling. There are moments of physical action and field investigation, but much of the series focuses on the tense conversations between the agents and the killers they study. Moreover, “Mindhunter” explores the psychological toll that can arise from getting too close to the minds of the people they’re trying to understand.
Hannibal
Another series that explores what happens when an investigator gets too close to a killer is NBC’s “Hannibal.” The series follows psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), both characters originating in novels by Thomas Harris. Hannibal works alongside Will on investigations, all while manipulating him and exploiting his already fragile mental state.
Like Jurek Walter in “Nocturne,” Hannibal is a master manipulator who can influence those around him through psychological games, not just physical violence. Much of the tension in the series comes from watching Will slowly fall deeper under Hannibal’s spell, even as he begins to suspect that the man he trusts may be the very monster he is hunting. The relationship between the two evolves into a psychological battle that blurs the lines between hunter and prey, fascination and fear. Add in stunning visuals and unforgettable performances, and “Hannibal” becomes an easy recommendation for anyone waiting for their next “Nocturne” fix.
True Detective
If you liked how “Nocturne” balances a sprawling murder mystery with deeply flawed investigators, the first season of HBO’s “True Detective” is worth checking out. The critically acclaimed anthology series opens with Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson), two Louisiana detectives whose lives become intertwined as they investigate a series of grisly murders linked to a mysterious cult.
Like Jonah and Saga in “Nocturne,” Rust and Marty must navigate a complicated case while confronting their own personal demons. Unfolding across multiple timelines, the season slowly peels back the layers of the investigation, creating an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty that keeps viewers guessing until the end. Fans of “Nocturne” who appreciate its slow-burn storytelling, unsettling tone, and psychological depth will find plenty to love in what is still widely regarded as one of television’s greatest crime dramas.
Furious
If you found the most compelling part of “Nocturne” to be watching investigators become psychologically entangled with the people they’re hunting, Hulu’s “Furious” belongs on your watchlist. The crime thriller centers on Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), a former NYPD detective turned FBI agent tasked with tracking down Catherine Grace (Lola Petticrew), a serial killer whose victims are influential men with ties to an abusive network. As the investigation unfolds, Alice discovers that her connection to the case may be far more personal than she originally realized.
Like “Nocturne,” “Furious” is less interested in straightforward police work than in the psychological battle between hunter and hunted. Much of the series’ tension comes from the growing parallels between Alice and Catherine, two women whose traumatic pasts have left them with very different approaches to justice. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, the line between victim, vigilante, and monster begins to blur. “Nocturne” viewers who enjoy morally ambiguous characters and the unsettling realization that investigators sometimes have more in common with killers than they would like to admit will appreciate “Furious.”
Black Bird
Fans of “Nocturne” who are particularly captivated by the undercover investigation into Jurek Walter’s crimes should make Apple TV’s “Black Bird” their next watch. Based on a true story, the series follows Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), a convicted drug dealer who is recruited by the FBI to befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) and extract a confession from him while serving time in prison.
Hall is a deeply disturbing figure, and much of the tension comes from his conversations with Jimmy rather than physical confrontations. Jimmy must determine whether Hall is lying, confessing, or simply playing mind games, leaving viewers to wonder who has the upper hand and whether getting close to a suspected killer is worth the personal cost. “Black Bird” is less concerned with action than with exploring the minds of both predator and pursuer, creating a chilling character study that is sure to satisfy those who enjoy “Nocturne.”
