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Crime television series have been earning a lot of viewer attention lately, with decades-old shows still being hailed as some of the best ones to date. While there are other star-studded names on the list as well, Benedict Cumberbatch’s all-time best performance as the fan-favorite Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s critically and generally commendedSherlockcontinues to be regarded among the best crime series.
And yet, that’s the mere beginning of the list. Even though fans are still madly in love with the mysteriously immersive element of this respective show, multiple other additions to the genre are putting up tough competition to the British mystery crime saga established by Cumberbatch. If anything, the 7 crime TV shows mentioned in this list might as well be considered as good asSherlock, if not better.
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Of course,Benedict Cumberbatch‘sSherlock— who isnot a traditional superhero, for the record, even though his extraordinary powers may make him seem like it; he simply has an IQ level of 190 — holds a special place among fans due to this very element of it. This stands especially true considering how showrunnerSteven Moffatleft no stone unturned while adapting the mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime element from John Radford’s 1999 book in the BBC series released in 2010.
Truthfully enough, this series (currently available to be streamed on Disney+) is worth all the appreciation it gets, which includes a stunning 78% critical score backed by an 83% audience rating onRT, coupled with multiple Emmy, BAFTA, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Television Awards nominations and wins. At the same time, a lot of other non-superpowerful crime heroes and villains also deserve this acclaim, 7 best of whose shows – strictly from the crime, thriller, and mystery genres – have been listed below. Dig in!
1Breaking Bad(2008 – 2013)
To say that you didn’t expect to see this name on this list would be an absolute lie – unless you’ve never heard of it before or are simply not big enough of a crime geek. Easily one of the best entries in the crime-drama genre,Breaking Badperfectly depictsBryan CranstonandAaron Paul‘s excellent chops as actors andVince Gilligan‘s even better skills as a show creator and runner.
Set in the world of the high school chemistry teacher Walter White (Cranston), the series follows the story of how the struggling, frustrated protagonist transforms into a crimelord in the local meth industry to provide for his family after discovering that he has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Joining him on this mission is Jesse Pinkman (Paul), who helps him in producing and distributing crystal methamphetamine drugs for trade.
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OnRotten Tomatoesalone, this series, which ran for five seasons and spawned 62 episodes, has been credited with a whopping 96% score on the Tomatometer along with a 97% average Popcornmeter score. Backing this up is its 16 Primetime Emmy wins out of 169 total wins and 269 aggregate nods for multiple accolades, securing it as a worthy contender on this list.
Breaking Bad is currently available to be streamed on Netflix.
2Dexter(2006 – 2013)
Adapted fromJeff Lindsay‘s 2004 novelDarkly Dreaming Dexterby showrunnersClyde Phillips, Chip Johnnessen, and Scott Buck,Dexteris one of the darkest crime dramas created to date.
Encircling the story of a man with homicidal tendencies, the series saw Michael C. Hall in the lead as Dexter Morgan, a blood splatter expert who lives a double life: Not only does he solve murders, but he also mysteriously commits them. During the daytime, he is a forensic technician for the police department, and when the sun goes down, he steps out to kill the heinous perpetrators in his free time.
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But there’s a plot twist here: He only gets rid of the guilty, so his idea of his crime feels justified with his lifestyle choices.
An epic tale of twisted justice that Dexter just feels a psychological hunger for,Dexterholds a 71% critical and 81% audience score onRotten TomatoeswhileIMDbrates it at 8.6 out of 10 andCommon Sense Mediahas a 4/5 score ordained for it. Adding to this, it has won 4 Emmys and 7 Golden Globes out of its total 35 wins and 109 nods for major awards, so viewers might as well deem it worthy.
Dexter can currently be streamed on Netflix.
3Fargo(2014 – 2024)
A black comedy-crime drama TV series,Fargomight as well be a distinctive item on this list, but it is nonetheless interesting. Starring big names likeMartin FreemanandBob Odenkirkin prominent roles, it is an anthology series created and primarily written by the mastermind showrunnerNoah Hawley, enough to absolutely blow your mind.
Set in multiple different time periods,Fargohas been inspired by the 1996 film of the same name, and each new season brings about the storylines of a mostly new cast of characters involved in murder investigations in different Midwestern towns. And while their crimes are seemingly unrelated, they couldn’t be more related as they are somehow still connected in some ways.
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A perfectly mysterious crime drama, the series spread across 5 seasons of 10 episodes each enthralled both critics and general viewers, scoring 93% and 85% respectively onRT, 8.9/10 onIMDb, and 84% approval rating onTV Guide. Plus, it has also won 51 awards from 233 nominations including 3 Golden Globes and 6 Emmys, adding to its star-studded-ness.
Fargo can currently be streamed on Hulu.
4The Sopranos(1999 – 2007)
The Sopranosis yet another massively fan-favorite addition to the crime genre, bringing along themes of serial drama, psychological drama, and black comedy into it. StarringJames Gandolfiniin the lead, it features the story of Tony Soprano – an ironically not-so-much-of-a-family-man who gets stuck juggling the problems of his fractious family with those of a mob family.
Throughout the series, Tony goes back and forth between his professional and personal problems, which often make him prone to panic attacks and the like. And, amidst all the battles, affairs, brutality, the threat of vulnerability and treachery, and a whole bunch of people being whacked, he tries to gain back his peace of mind with a therapist.
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Brought perfectly to life byDavid Chase, the HBO series has earned tremendous critical acclaim including a 92% critical score and 96% general viewers’ score onRotten Tomatoes. Adding to this are the 9.2 starsIMDbhas given it out of 10 as well as its 126 wins out of 312 nods, so this drama might as well be deemed even better than Cumberbatch’sSherlock.
The Sopranos can currently be streamed on Hulu.
5Tulsa King(2022 – )
A perfect tale of the mob in the wild,Tulsa Kingnot only gaveSylvester Stallonethe ultimate story in the mafia world that he had been yearning for years but also added another star to showrunnerTaylor Sheridan‘s praiseworthy set of works.
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the series sees Stallone’s New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi finally getting out of prison after 25 years, but only to get exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa. But this turn of events doesn’t entirely turn out bad for Dwight as he slowly – and very cautiously – starts building a crew after coming across a major realization: His mafia family may as well not have his best interests in mind.
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Of course, considering how Sheridan was the one taming it, the series was loved by both fans and critics as it won over an average of 88% and 89% respective scores onRTand 8/10 stars onIMDb.
Tulsa King can currently be streamed on Paramount+.
6Prison Break(2005 – 2017)
Yet another masterpiece released early in the 2000s,Prison Breakmay not have won all the critics over, but it most certainly moved the hearts and minds of a lot of fans. With an immersive plot by creator Paul Scheuring, the series was a commendable addition to the serial drama genre as it immaculately incorporated all elements of action, thriller, mystery, and crime together.
FeaturingWentworth MillerandDominic Purcellin the lead as brothers Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows, the series was an intricate compilation of twists and turns. This started with structural engineer Michael holding up a bank to get himself incarcerated alongside his brother after Lincoln was convicted for a crime he didn’t commit and put on Death Row.
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After getting past this initial phase, Michael sets the next phase into action: Get Lincoln to break out of the prison and prove his own innocence to get out of trouble together. However, little do they know that breaking free won’t come that easily as the brothers must flee to escape recapture and battle a complex political conspiracy that puts everyone’s life at risk.
OnRotten Tomatoes, the 5 seasons and 90 episodes spawning incredibly immersive show has a 61% average Tomatometer rating against an increased 77% average Popcornmeter score, whileIMDbrates it at 8.3 stars out of 10.
Prison Break can currently be streamed on Hulu.
7The Mentalist(2008 – 2015)
Starring the fan-favorite Simon Baker in the lead,The Mentalistis yet another master pick for the crime drama lovers. Co-created and run by Bruno Heller before the responsibility was passed down to multiple others including Chris Long and Ashley Gable, the series featured the story of Patrick Jane (Baker), an independent consultant for the CBI with the most unusual methods and disregard for protocol.
Formerly, Baker was famous for his career as a “psychic”, and had been using some of these very acquired traits during his tenure as the consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation to hunt Red John, the serial killer behind the murders of his wife and daughter. While the unnerving mysterious element of this crime thriller perfectly draws audiences in, the only drawback of this show was that it felt like it had a rather abrupt ending.
To date, the CBS seriesThe Mentalistholds an impressive 8.2 stars out of 10 onIMDbcoupled with an 89% on the Popcornmeter onRotten Tomatoes, establishing it as an easy fan-favorite among viewers.
The Mentalist can currently be streamed on Hulu.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
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Aaron PaulBenedict CumberbatchBob OdenkirkBreaking BadBryan CranstonClyde PhillipsDavid ChaseDexterDominic PurcellFargoJames GandolfiniJeff LindsayMartin FreemanNoah HawleyPrison BreakSherlockSteven MoffatSylvester StalloneTaylor SheridanThe SopranosTulsa KingVince GilliganWentworth Miller
