10 Lighthearted Crime Drama TV Shows That Don’t Get Too Serious

Crime dramas are one of the most popular genres on television, and for good reason. There are few plot structures with as much built-in conflict and intrigue as mystery, and movies and TV shows have been capitalizing on this for a long time. Some of the best mystery series of the 2020s incorporate some humor and light-hearted fun into their plots, while also creating an interesting story with lots of twists. When it comes to crime dramas, the TV shows that aren’t afraid to poke fun at the genre are some of the easiest to rewatch.

Many classic murder mystery TV shows follow the procedural format, and this has long been the case with crime mystery shows. Due to their episodic format, these series can be looser with their dramatic elements. and it may be necessary to tone it down to keep the audience engaged throughout the story. However, satire is also a familiar aspect of mystery shows, especially in the modern day. Because the concepts of the cop show and crime narrative are so popular, the more light-hearted approach to the plot could be a successful way of subverting audience expectations.

10

Poker Face (2023–present)

Rian Johnson’s mystery series quickly became a fan favorite

Rian Johnson, the mind behind the beloved Knives out films, successfully experimented with crime drama with poker face. Modeled after the iconic mystery series Columbus, poker face is a road narrative that follows Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a self-proclaimed human lie detector who needs to go on the run after crossing paths with the wrong man. This allows Charlie to solve a new case every week with his special abilities while weaving in a long-running conflict throughout the season.

Although there are some heinous crimes committed in poker faceCharlie takes them on with his signature charm and good-natured humor. She’s a hero worth following, and watching her accidentally discover a twisted crime never gets old. As poker face As Season 2 approaches, it will be exciting to see how Charlie gets out of her next trouble and who she helps along the way. Additionally, the many guest stars who match Lyonne’s comedic energy are an essential piece of the poker faceis success.

9

Monk (2002–2009)

Tony Shalhoub anchors this classic early 2000s procedural

Tony Shalhoub is a big part of what he does Monk to work, as his performance as the titular detective is the heart and soul of the show. Although murder is a big part Monkand he himself faces his fair share of hardships and losses, not every crime he solves revolves around death, and Monk often helps save the day and keep people safe. Shalhoub is a stellar comedic actor, but he is also equally capable of delivering dramatic moments.

Although there are some harsh realities of rewatching MonkFor the most part, the series has held up well and remains popular among crime procedural fans. Monk’s desire for order sometimes hinders the investigation, but often lightens the mood when he is investigating a disturbing crime. Plus, at the end of an episode, the people in his life are often more grateful for his help than frustrated with him.

8

Castle (2009–2016)

Comedy and romance play as big a role in Castle as crime

Sometimes it seems Castle It’s even more of a comedy than a drama as Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) can’t go more than a few moments without witty banter. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Castle and Beckett is what drives the show, but Castle is one of the rare series that still works after its romantic leads get together. This is because the dichotomy of their investigative styles is maintained after they admit their feelings.

The occasional intense story in Castle it’s usually part of a very special episode, as the typical scenario sees Castle and Beckett placed in funny situations. Often, the people investigating come from unique parts of New York City and they have special peculiarities that make the duo deal with their differences. Additionally, the story angle in which Castle writes mystery novels creates fun, tongue-in-cheek commentary on the genre.

7

Bones (2005–2017)

One of the most successful and beloved crime procedurals

Running for 12 seasons, Bones brought something new and interesting to each season, but never strayed from the essential parts of the series. Booth (David Boreanaz) and Bones (Emily Deschanel) form an iconic duo, and their chemistry is one of the most believable in any crime drama. While their styles couldn’t be more different, there’s no other duo who can solve murders as well as they can, even when cases go cold.

For a show that spends so much time on corpses and dead bodies, it’s surprising that Bones It’s as funny and light-hearted as it is. However, the series places boundaries between a victim’s remains and the person themselves, allowing the lab class to perform jinxes and experiments to determine the cause of death. Even when their debates get more serious, there is warmth and joy in every interaction between Bones and Booth.

6

White Collar (2009–2014)

A gentleman thief teams up with the FBI and finds himself on the way

No one other than the charming Matt Bomer could bring Neal Caffrey to life so easily in White collarbut Neal wouldn’t be nearly as compelling without his partner, Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). After spending years in a game of cat and mouse, Peter finally catches Neal, but the pair reach an agreement, and Neal teams up with the FBI’s white collar division to capture men like him. Although they started out at odds, Peter and Neal not only work well together; they also make great friends.

It will be interesting to see what White collar the revival is reserved for Peter and Neal since the show has already covered so many different scenarios and crimes. However, it was the relationship between Peter and Neal that kept audiences coming back throughout White collarseasons. Although they make fun of each other, they share a deep love and friendship. When the time comes White collar ends, both men have changed for the better.

5

Death in Paradise (2011–present)

A beautiful island serves as a setting for crimes and investigations

Like the dramatic comedy Psychological, Death in Paradise juxtaposes its beautiful setting with heinous crimes, but still manages to strike a successful balance. On air since 2011, Death in Paradise became a huge long-running success because he doesn’t take himself too seriously and finds a lot of humor even in difficult moments. The initial concept of Death in Paradise is that a detective from London is sent to a small island and must deal with the changing scenery and situation.

Death in Paradise is a reference to many great mystery narratives and clearly has a deep love for the genre. Because the series has been going on for so long, many detectives come and go to the island, but Death in Paradise kept his heart and humor no matter what. With each new character, they are initially hesitant to call the island home and feel lost, but when their tenure ends, they love it there and have overcome their demons.

4

The Librarians (2014–2018)

With fantasy and myths, The Librarians reinvents mystery

The librarians is a great fantasy TV show with mystery elements, following the titular group of librarians as they fight to save the world each season. Although gods, monsters and magic play a central role in The librarians, each episode shows them investigating different crimes and events related to the Library, similar to Supernatural. For the public that seeks mysticism and adventure along with investigations, The librarians is the perfect project to get lost in.

Using humor and heart to connect with audiences of all ages, The librarians It’s a great introduction to the world of crime mixed with fantasy and features a great cast. By using famous myths and legends as well as fantastic artifacts in history, The librarians has fun playing with the audience’s expectations around these elements. Each season’s villain is also a great addition to the story and is always interesting.

3

Elsbeth (2024–present)

One of the best spinoffs of The Good Wife

Elsbeth sets itself apart by informing the audience who the killer is at the beginning of the episode, giving the plot momentum as Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) catches them. A legal drama spinoff The good wife, Elsbeth follows its titular character as she develops her detective skills in addition to her prowess as a lawyer. Although she is unlike any other member of the NYPD, Elsbeth has insight into the workings of some of the most difficult to catch criminals.

Elsbeth and her dynamic with the other detectives, as well as the people she investigates, is the most interesting and joyful part of the series. Sometimes her differences from others get her into trouble, but that’s what makes her exceptionally qualified and gets the public on her side. It makes sense that Elsbeth was chosen to direct her own spinoff, as this series works within the continuity of the franchise, but is also independent.

2

Death and other details (2024)

A police officer on the high seas to remember

For audiences who enjoy spending time with Detective Benoit Blanc in Knives out films, Death and other details is the perfect series to get involved with. Mandy Patinkin plays the central detective, Rufus, which is an archetypal pairing for the likes of Blanc or Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. He joins Violett Beane as Imogene Scott, one of the main suspects and protagonist who claims to be innocent. Death and other details It’s a familiar takedown of the rich and powerful, but it entertains the narrative.

The characters and their witty banter are by far the best part of Death and other detailswhich doesn’t stray too far from the classic police formula. However, that’s part of the charm of a project like this, as its familiarity is comforting and allows Beane and Patinkin to revel in their iconic characters and play with their dynamics. Additionally, the visual style of Death and other details It’s a feast for the eyes.

1

The White Lotus (2021–present)

Mike White’s satirical mystery series, The White Lotusand an anthology that follows the parallel dynamics between workers and guests at a luxury hotel chain, the titular White Lotus. The stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots is one of the biggest sources of humor and conflict throughout the series, with the central murder mystery looming in the background throughout the season. The White Lotus It starts with a death, but the audience only finds out who it is at the end.

When The White Lotus be serious, it’s about the class comment that the show is built on and not about criminal elements. Deaths are more often accidental or the result of the character’s own stupidity rather than a hidden plot or conspiracy. By the end of the show, the audience is left intrigued to find out who the victim is, as all the characters have become quite unpleasant by the end, caught up in their own personal dramas.