25 Best Detective Series on Netflix

Murder mysteries and detective stories continue to be huge draws in the streaming world And the best detective shows on Netflix show how great the genre can be. Netflix is home to a wide variety of crime series that can keep audiences on their toes as they try to eagerly anticipate the story’s conclusion. Introducing the world to great TV detectives, and compelling cases, they often draw huge fans.

Detective stories have been around for many years, dating back to Sherlock Holmes stories and Agatha Christie novels. Although some older classics of the genre are still available, Netflix also proves that there are inventive and fresh ways to approach the intriguing crime stories. Not all of these shows are procedural in nature, and some are even comedies or sci-fi, showing how different mysteries within the same subgenre can be.

See also: The best detective shows to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

25

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)

The comedic side of crime solving

Brooklyn no-no is not a straightforward detective show. Instead, it’s A workplace sitcom that shows the funny side of solving the mysteries behind criminal acts. Although most of the episodes have a case-of-the-week, the case is not the main focus. Instead, the detectives themselves are.

The relationships between the characters, like the romance between Amy and Jake, or the way Captain Holt mentors his team, are what really get the focus of the show. Small things in a detective drama, like a rivalry between coworkers or a skill test on the horizon become the driving force behind the episodes. It puts a new spin on a detective series like the most common procedurals.

The series tries to incorporate more serious storylines into its comedic tone. While this doesn’t always work in the show’s favor, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the show as a whole.

24

body (2023)

A detective story over four time periods

bodies is inspired by a graphic novel, and it definitely does not fit the typical detective series mold. His story is told in four different time periods. interesting, Four different detectives investigate a dead body that turns up on the same London street in each of four different time periods.

While the first episode may lull the audience into a false sense of security with a familiar mystery, the show becomes much more science fiction in concept as it continues throughout the different time periods. Although the twists of the story are incredibly interesting to see unfold, what is also interesting is to see how investigative techniques are different at the various points in the story in the same place. While technology changes, the interest in the truth by the investigating does not.

In just eight episodes, Bodies is also a relatively quick binge-watch compared to some of the other detective shows on Netflix.

23

The Indian Detective (2017)

A Toronto detective travels to Mumbai

If a quick watch is what a detective show fans are interested in, though, The Indian detective Could also be a good choice. The series is only four episodes, although it is definitely more of a comedy with comedian Russell Peters in the lead.

The series sees Peters play a Toronto police officer who ends up in the middle of a murder investigation while visiting his father after being suspended from the force for a month. In addition to Peters’ charm and comedy, William Shatner appears in a villainous role, which is sure to delight genre fans.

The downside is that the final episode ends on a cliffhanger. Although there were originally plans for a second season of the show, the second season never materialized because Peters has been involved in other projects since.

22

Murderville (2022)

Murder and Improv make a perfect pairing

When mystery fans think of a detective show, it is unlikely that they will consider improvisational comedy the right format for one. in MurdervilleHowever, it works exceptionally well.

Arnett will star as a detective who is paired with a new celebrity trainee to solve a case in each episode. Although there is a major mystery in each episode, and clearly, the basic outline for a story, The celebrity guest has no script, so they have to improve their way through the case and try to figure out who the murderer is at the end of the episode. It’s a format that makes for some fun mysteries and some hilarious hijinks.

In addition to the main series, there is also a special holiday. Some of the most entertaining of the love detectives to improve in the series are athlete Marshawn Lynch, actor Sharon Stone and late night host Conan O’Brien.

21

Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Teenagers detect ghost stories

Lockwood & Co. is a ghost story before it is a detective storyBut its format is unlike some of the best detective shows on Netflix. Inspired by Jonathan Stroud’s book series, the story takes place in a world where young people can see ghosts and combat them, but adults cannot.

As a result, There are many agencies that use kids who are in the right age group to get against ghosts. Lockwood (Cameron Chapman) is the only child to run his own agency. When Lucy (Ruby Stokes) runs away from home and applies for a job with his agency, she doesn’t realize that her boss will be her own age.

The duo work with George (Ali Haji-Heshmeti) as they take on cases, but they’re also interested in why the ghosts have become a problem over the past few decades in the first place. The concept of the show is a great one, and the first season hinted at more mysteries to come, but unfortunately, Netflix canceled the show after its first season.

20

The Good Detective (2020)

A K-drama pairs up clashing detectives

Netflix has an impressive selection of K-dramas for an international audience. Although K-dramas have a reputation outside of South Korea as being focused on romance, there are many genres covered in the show, including mystery.

The K-drama sees two detectives with very different approaches paired to look into a previously closed case. The original case was a murder committed five years earlier whose investigation ended with the arrest of the wrong person. While one of the detectives has a strong moral code, the other is more lax in ethical breaches, making for a potentially volatile partnership. Along with the detectives is also a reporter who spends their time interviewing the family members of victims, which motivates the detectives to do the work.

The series was so popular when it originally aired in South Korea that it doubled the number of viewers from the premiere to the finale. The interest was enough to get the show a second season.

19

Killing Eve (2018-2022)

A British spy hunts a murderer

Murder IV is a BBC series that also airs on AMC in the United States. It’s now one of the best detective series on Netflix, with Sandra Oh playing a bored M15 intelligence investigator who gets a lead on a dangerous killer. This gives some meaning to her life like Eve sets out to find and capture the killer, only to find herself falling in love with her target, VillanellePlayed by Jodie Comer. At the same time, Villanelle goes from playing games with Eve to falling for her as well.

The series has four seasons, and although not all fans are happy with them Murder IV Finally, the fun was the chase, with the two closing in on each other, and sometimes coming face-to-face, which is where most of the fun happened. Will they or won’t they was almost more important than the idea of ​​stopping a murderer. The series received several award nominations during its run, winning awards for Oh and Comer’s acting at the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards.

18

Lucifer (2016-2021)

Satan helps a police detective solve crimes

Based on the DC Vertigo comics character created by Neil Gaiman, Lucifer is a series that aired on Fox for three seasons and then on Netflix after Fox canceled the show. Netflix then continued it for three more seasons as one of its more popular detective series. The series has Lucifer growing beard in Hell, so he gives up his throne there to live on Earth, where he opens a nightclub in Los Angeles. It is here that he meets a police detective, and he decides to use his powers to help her solve crimes.

The series is a mix of a great detective story (similar to Castle), but with a supernatural bent.

The series is a mix of a great detective story (similar to Castle), but with a supernatural bent. When the last seasons came around, and Detective Chloe Decker learned that he is Lucifer, things started to get darker and move more into the supernatural and less into the detective mysteries that the first seasons mostly focused on. In the realm of urban fantasy, Lucifer It remains a great option, and between the mysteries, the demons and the possible love story, it offers fans everything they could want.

17

The Lincoln Advocate (2022-)

A defense attorney who works out of his car

Based on the novels by Michael Connelly, Mickey Haller is a defense attorney who first appeared in the popular Bosch ​series of books before getting his own spinoff franchise that consists of seven novels so far. The Lincoln Advocate was initially turned into a movie with Matthew McConaughey starring as the lawyer whose office is out of the back of his Lincoln Towncar. However, in 2022, Netflix brought the detective story to fans as a new series starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey.

The first season is based on the novel the brass judge, And the second was based on The fifth witness.

While Mickey is a lawyer, he also works as his own detective as he searches for the truth that his clients may not be willing to reveal to him. The detective series on Netflix has been around for two seasons, and more to come. The first season is based on the novel the brass judge, And the second was based on The fifth witness. Both series tie together, and there’s a great overarching storyline to go along with the season-long mysteries Mickey has to solve.

16

Longmire (2012-2017)

A western detective series set in Wyoming

Longmire is a detective series formatted as a western. Robert Taylor stars as Walt Longmire, a sheriff of a small Wyoming county Who has to uphold the law and solve crimes while often dealing with the tribal police of the neighboring Indian reservation. Lou Diamond Phillips co-stars as Henry Standing Bear, Longmire’s contact in tribal affairs, while Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) stars as Vic, Longmire’s deputy who once worked as a Philadelphia homicide detective.

Based on these Walt Longmire Mysteries by Craig Johnson.

The series aired for three seasons on A&E, but when the network chose not to continue with the series, Netflix stepped up and brought it back for three more seasons. This series is good for both fans of Western-styled TV shows and for fans who love great crime dramas. Based on these Walt Longmire Mysteries By Craig Johnson, the series has been nominated for several awards, with the pilot even earning an Edgar Award nomination by the Mystery Writers of America.

15

Dead Boy Detectives (2024)

Ghost detectives investigating supernatural crimes

Dead Boy Detectives is one of the latest detective series on Netflix. Premiering in 2024, and based on the DC Comics characters created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner, Dead Boy Detectives Follows the ghosts of two men who decide not to move on to the afterlife. Instead, they remain on Earth, intent on solving supernatural crimes as ghost detectives. George Rexstrew is Edwin Paine, killed by a classmate in 1916, and Jayden Revri is Charles Rowland, who died in 1989 of hypothermia.

For fans of Neil Gaiman’s SandmanThis is actually set in the same universe.

Both men died thanks to their classmates, and now they set out to solve other crimes and ensure that the guilty are brought to justice. There are eight episodes, and for fans of Neil Gaiman’s SandmanIt’s actually set in the same universe, with Kirby Howell-Baptiste portraying Death in both shows. Dana Preston also reprises her role as Despair from The Endless In Dead Boy Detectives too. The series has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

14

Monk (2002-2009)

A detective with OCD helps the cops with their cases

Some of the best detective shows on Netflix prove that a comic approach to the genre can work quite well. Such is the case with the hilarious and critically acclaimed series Monk. Tony Shalub stars as Adrian Monk, A detective who works with obsessive-compulsive disorder who works alongside the police solving cases. His anxiety and personal eccentricity make the job difficult at times.

Shaloub is hilarious in the lead role, infusing Monk with charm and also displaying his brilliant comedy skills. As funny as the show is, it also delivers great mysteries in every episode, with the show following a case-of-the-week format. The writing is clever and the reveals work well, leading to the show collecting several Emmy Awards over the course of its eight seasons. The series proved to have a lot of fans with the release of the TV movie Mr. Monk’s last case in 2023.

13

The Blacklist (2013)

A famous criminal helps the FBI hunt down other criminals

The Blacklist is a crime thriller series that follows a wanted fugitive as he assists the FBI in capturing deadly criminals.

With eccentric American star James Spader, The Blacklist is a crime thriller series that follows a wanted fugitive who suddenly turns himself in to the FBI. He reveals that he is in possession of a list of some of the most heinous criminals operating around the world and offers his services in helping the authorities hunt them down. It provides a case-of-the-week format as more bad guys are crossed off the list with each new episode while also diving deeper into the motives of Spader’s mysterious antihero.

This fast-paced mystery was praised for its overall entertainment, and Spader’s incredible performance added an extra layer of suspense to the screen. Despite some elements that require suspension of disbelief and comedic moments that feel out of place, The Blacklist was generally well received and is worth seeing. After his 10-season run, The Blacklist came to an end in 2023.

12

Mindhunter (2017-2019)

The True Story of the FBI’s Study of Serial Killers

While many detective stories may draw inspiration from real-life crimes, Mindhunter is actually based on a true story. The psychological drama Follows two FBI agents in a unique take on the 1955 non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. It stars Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany as two FBI agents who take an experimental new approach to understanding the mind of a serial killer by interviewing several notorious killers.

The show ran for three seasons, however Mindhunter is canceled in 2023. The one silver lining of MindhunterThe cancellation means that viewers can now limit every episode on Netflix. Unlike other shows that revolve around the FBI, Mindhunter Follows a research project trying to understand the deep psyche of serial killers, rather than being in the field, offering a unique perspective on real-world practices.

11

The Sinner (2017)

A detective investigates crimes committed by unlikely suspects

The sinner is something of an anthology series with Bill Pullman as detective Harry Ambrose, following a new case with each new season. The series takes an interesting look at crimes of passion and typical murders that Ambrose focuses on Crimes committed by surprising and typical culprits, trying to figure out the motivation that led to their crimes.

The show started as an eight-part miniseries, but due to an overwhelmingly positive response, the series was commissioned for three more seasons. Each season of the show brought new and interesting characters, with the likes of Jessica Biel and Carrie Coon joining the show at various points during its four-season run. The sinner It also received multiple nominations for several awards while it was running, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Miniseries or Television Film.

10

Lupine (2021)

A cunning French thief evades the police

Sometimes the best detective shows are more focused on the criminal side of the law than on police work. Such is the case with Lupine, Which is a retelling of the story of fictional French thief Arsène Lupin, created by author Maurice LeBlanc. Lupine Follows Assane Diop, a young thief who models himself after Arsène Lupin. It follows him as he pulls off his elaborate heists with style while also managing to stay one step ahead of the police who are trying to catch him.

The French-language drama was watched by seventy-six million people in its first month, making it the most popular non-English language show on Netflix at the time (per The Hollywood Reporter). The show was then renewed for two further installments, the last one airing in October 2023, with no announcements for further episodes at that time.

9

Inside Man (2022)

A death row inmate and captive woman are linked in a surprising way

The audience is forced to play detective and piece together the larger story at play in the gripping British series Inner man. With David Tennant and Stanley Tucci, Inner man Tells the intense story of two very different people whose lives end up between them: a prisoner in the United States, currently on death row, and a woman trapped in the basement of an old, English vicarage.

The show was created by Stephen Moffat, who was also behind the excellent Sherlock series, so it should already be on the radar of mystery fans. It’s a twisting story though Tennant’s performance is filled with anticipation and drama, and the dark themes throughout have the occasional comedic moment. It leads to the complex ending of Inner man That ties everything together in a fascinating way.

8

Stay Close (2021)

Various people are impacted by a tragic event from the past

Many of the best detective and mystery series explore the idea of ​​a dark secret from the past coming back to haunt the characters. Stay close Does just that with a disturbing event shattering the peaceful lives of some people. When the stories of a suburban mother, a photographer and a detective overlap, the mystery of missing father Stewart Green begins to rear its head again, seventeen years after his disappearance.

The Netflix detective series is based on the novel of the same name by author Harlan Coben. Coben has adapted more of his crime novels for Netflix, including Sure And The stranger Which also ranks high among the best detective series on Netflix. The author has a talent for capturing mysteries that draw the audience in and stay close among the best adaptations. The interlocking stories and great characters help elevate it in the genre.

7

Collateral (2018)

An investigator must analyze unrelated suspects for a murder case

The popularity of the detective genre and the acclaimed stories it can produce result in many top-tier and extremely talented actors being attracted to these projects. Collateral is one such show that is further elevated by the starring role of Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan. The four-part crime thriller stars Mulligan as DI Kip Glaspie, who is thrown into the murder investigation of a delivery driver in South West London.

In four days, the gripping British drama interweaves the lives of several seemingly unconnected characters. Collateral Does a great job of making a comment on social structures, and still focusing on the mystery at its heart. It makes for a bold and complex crime story with an ensemble of interesting characters and Mulligan provides a great anchor to it all with her solid lead performance.

6

Deadwind (2018)

A sad detective returns to investigate a murder

Another international detective series from Netflix, Deadwind is a Finnish crime drama that follows detective Sophia Karpi who returns to work after the very sudden and accidental death of her husband. After her immediate return, Sofia is thrown into a murder investigation of a woman with suspicious connections to a construction company, while still raising her two children alone.

Netflix has a large selection of international shows, some of which have been able to find success with mainstream audiences. While Deadwind It may be more under the radar, it’s another series worth seeking out. The show is often compared to other Danish crime series like The bridge And The murder For its dark and appropriate tone that becomes engrossing. While fans of those shows will be pleased, Deadwind also stands on its own.