10 Great Crime TV Shows With a Romance Twist

There are a lot of cop shows that don’t have time for relationship drama, but some excellent shows have managed to balance both of these themes. Any genre of TV show can have a dash of romance, as relationships are a nearly universal human experience that often reflects who people are. Crime shows often have romantic subplots to humanize their characters and raise the emotional stakes.

The best crime shows can make room for romance without letting it get in the way of the action or making it feel unnecessary. Romance can be used as comic relief in happier shows like Only murders in the building and Castlebut it can also reflect dark truths about the characters, just as it does in Justified and Fargo. For all these reasons and more, there’s no shortage of crime shows featuring romance.

10

Better call Saul

Crime and romance serve a purpose in Better Call Saul

THE Breaking Bad spinoff had a tough act to follow, but Better call Saul it soon developed its own reputation as one of the best crime shows of the 21st century. In addition to following Jimmy McGill’s transformation into Saul Goodman, Better call Saul it also follows his relationship with Kim. Fans of Breaking Bad would have known from the start that their marriage was doomed, so it’s notable that Better call Saul it still makes it feel so real.

Jimmy and Kim’s relationship in Better call Saul is beautifully written, developing organically throughout the show but always heading towards a depressing ending. The relationship is perfectly balanced with the criminal elements of the showand the romance never feels like a distraction because it is so closely tied to the corruption of Jimmy’s soul. It helps that Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn are so consistently compelling to watch.

9

Only murders in the building

OMITB combines cozy crime with some romantic subplots

Only murders in the building is generally more concerned with the unusual dynamics between its three main characters than with romance. Each season follows the three mismatched characters solving a new murder, but their love lives are often tangentially related to the cases. Over the four seasons of Only murders in the building so far, all three characters had love interests coming to Arconiawith mixed results.

Season 4 ends with Oliver marrying Loretta, which makes for the happiest ending to any of the show’s big relationships. Mabel’s most recent love interest, Tobert, is noticeably absent from Season 4, but at least she’s had better luck in relationships than Charles. Only murders in the building repeatedly finds interesting ways to weave romance plots into each season’s main arc. Only murders in the building Season 5 could bring Tobert back, and it could also find a love interest for Charles who isn’t a killer.

8

Justified

Justified never lets the romance overshadow its gunplay

The only relationship he maintains Justified together, more than any other, is the one between Timothy Olyphant’s tough lawman and Walton Goggins’ unpredictable criminal. The two get involved in so many dangerous situations that romance is often the furthest thing from their minds, but Justified gives them both interesting romantic arcs throughout the show. Raylan Givens often has to deal with the fact that his lifestyle is the antithesis of his dreams of love and fatherhood.

Raylan’s relationship with his ex-wife Winona never gets in the way of the series’ larger action, but it’s always perfectly timed to bring out different sides of Raylan’s character and challenge him in ways that can’t be resolved using his usual methods. Just as Raylan and Winona’s relationship falls apart because of his inability to live a quiet, peaceful life, his stubborn way of seeking out danger often gets him into more trouble than he needs.

7

Castle

Castle and Beckett’s odd couple dynamic is a joy to watch

Castle It’s a very similar comedic crime procedural Monk or Psychologicalbut with a more romantic focus. The relationship between Detective Beckett and his unofficial partner, crime novelist Richard Castle, drives much of the show’s drama. They’re the classic odd couple, with their playful immaturity and Type A personality creating a steamy working relationship.

Castle is simple but effective in its approach to romance. Some episodes develop the central relationship more than others, but there are always fun moments of banter between the two characters. Most CastleThe best seasons of Beckett and Castle finally admit their feelings for each other, as their awkward courtship is so fun to watch. The show also has enough time to explore other detectives’ love lives.

6

Bones

Bones also revolves around a charming relationship

Very similar Castle, Bones it also features a will-they-won’t-they relationship between an analytical, dedicated woman and a more relaxed man. However, Bones drags the relationship to the extreme, creating one of the slowest burns in TV history. Bones and Booth become much closer to each other, but it takes a long time for them to admit their feelings for each other and start dating.

Although the show never explicitly states it, Bones has many of the symptoms of ASD. This is just one of the reasons Booth struggles to understand her at first, but it’s heartwarming to see him struggle to understand her as their relationship blossoms. There has been consistent talk about a potential Bones revival since the show’s last season. A reboot could explore Booth and Bones’ married lifewhile also following the show’s secondary romantic pairings.

5

Fargo

Fargo explores the ugly side of human relationships

The original version of the film Fargo which inspired the show features a man who arranges the kidnapping of his wife so he can collect ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. The show continues this trend of destructive and unhealthy relationships. For example, the first season follows a man who accidentally kills his wife and seeks out a sociopathic killer to help him cover it up. Romantic relationships in all seasons Fargo they are often equally disturbing, with very little love on display.

There are some exceptions Fargodark view of relationships. Season two features real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons as two honest civilians who find themselves drawn into a dangerous criminal underworld. Their genuine care for each other is a rarity in Fargowhere so many relationships are measured in power, sex and money. Fargo it also inspired some real-life romance. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ewan McGregor met while filming season three and married a few years later.

4

Based on a true story

Based on a true story shows the dark side of America’s obsession with true crime

While it’s normal for TV shows to start with two people right at the beginning of the relationship, Based on a true story follows a couple who go through a lot of tension as they prepare for the birth of their first child. This is a different angle, especially when they discover the identity of a local serial killer and start doing a true crime podcast with him. Her attempts to stop him from misbehaving become a hilarious metaphor for first-time parenting.

As a podcasting-based crime comedy Based on a true story initially made comparisons with Only murders in the building, but the original Peacock is a very different perspective. It’s a darker type of comedy, as the couple find themselves caring for a crazed serial killer while dealing with their own personal issues. Now is a great time to catch up on the first season before Based on a true story season 2 comes out at the end of November.

3

Money theft

The Spanish series has some steamy love stories

Spanish crime drama Money theft developed a global fan base, aided by Netflix’s continuation of the series. In some ways, it’s a classic heist story, with an ingenious plan that brings together a lovable group of misfits. One thing that does Money theft Standing out from similar crime thrillers is the clever characterizationas the crew members are perfectly designed to get on each other’s nerves.

The characters in Money theft Find time for a little romance as they pull off their dangerous heists, and love can come from anywhere. The main relationships in the series show thieves falling in love, with hostages and even with the detectives trying to hunt them down. The Professor encourages his team to use codenames so they don’t get too attached to each other, but even he breaks this cardinal rule.

2

You

You show the dark side of romantic relationships

You is one of Netflix’s biggest shows, in part due to Penn Badgley’s captivating presence as serial killer Joe Goldberg. You frequently turns romance story tropes on their heads, starting with the meet-cute in season one that soon turns into a dangerous obsession. Joe thinks he’s in love with the women he’s fixated on, but his version of “love” is more about control and ownership.

You isn’t exactly a romance show, so fans of the genre may be disappointed, but romance is an important part of the show. Youpremise. Although any genuine and happy relationship in You is invariably destroyed by Joe, the way the series examines relationships is fascinating. It provides an uncomfortable look at the way some men – and not just serial killers – view romantic partnership. You Season 5 will bring the story to a close, and the big question is whether Joe will be captured or not.

1

The end of the fucking world

The British comedy has a romance like no other

Jessica Barden and Alex Lawther play a twisted romance in The end of the fucking world, one Dark British comedy-drama with brilliant writing. Lawther plays a teenager who is convinced that he is a psychopath and that the next step in his journey is to become a serial killer. When he chooses an antisocial classmate and takes her away for his first murder, he realizes he’s not as closeted as he thought.

What starts as an uncomfortable dynamic between a potential killer and his victim gradually turns into something surprisingly sweet. James and Alyssa are weird and there is no one at school or at home who understands them. The end of the fucking world is based on a comic book and maintains the same dry humor and sharp visual framing. Two great lead performances and a shocking script make it A must-see for fans of British comedy.