10 Underrated Recent Detective TV Shows You Probably Missed

Detective and crime TV shows are constantly being produced, and while some make headlines, there are many that fly under the radar. However, that doesn’t mean the shows are any less compelling or lack the drive to capture the audience’s attention. While the crime procedural uses many of the elements of the detective series, there is a key difference between them. Procedurals focus on a new crime every week, while Most prestige detective shows look at an overarching story that takes many twists throughout a season. This creates further opportunities for character development and narrative turns.

Plenty of detective TV shows like Sherlock Follow the story of a master investigator who is tortured by their past but is also the best at what they do. However, the other characters that make up the ensembles of these dramas are equally important, because the mystery of who committed the crime and how they got away with it is what drives the plot forward. Underrated detective TV shows often spend ample time exploring their characters And make the viewer care deeply about what happens to all of them. Even though these shows only have one season, they still present fully formed stories.

10

Stumptown (2019-2020)

Cobie Smulders is a tough but beautiful P in this Portland, Oregon-based series

Cobie Smulders stars in Stumptown As the PI Dex Parios, and although she is best known for playing Robin on How I Met Your MotherSmulders is unrecognizable in her role. Set as a traditional crime-of-the-week police procedural, Stumptown Grows more serialized as it progresses, with Dex’s development playing a central role. Smulders is joined by Jake Johnson, who plays Gray, Dex’s friend And this type of guy always gets himself into trouble. Their friendship plays a key role in how the overarching plot of the series unfolds.

Despite its short run, there’s a lot to recommend StumptownEspecially for audiences looking for a short but thrilling watch. Getting to know Dex and seeing her struggle is the biggest draw of the show. She must balance the responsibilities of her personal life with her growing attachment to her cases. Stumptown Works because Dex is a flawed character who isn’t an all-knowing savant but a regular human With the grit, determination and intelligence to take on the biggest criminals in town.

9

Ridley (2022 – present)

A British drama that unfolds slowly but distinctly

British police procedurals are some of the best in the genre, How heavy weights like Broachchurch And The case have revolutionized the detective series landscape. Ridley Will likely join the ranks of these exciting projects, as the show is currently in its second season, and the stakes will be higher than ever. Adrian Dunbar plays the titular Alex Ridley, a retired detective inspector who is pulled back into the thick of an investigation. His protégé, Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh), has now taken his place in the department.

Farmer seeks Ridley’s help in a mystifying case that begins with the death of a farmer in town. The chemistry between Dunbar and Waugh is what propels the story forward, And their ability to handle the many twists and turns of the case keeps the audience rooting for them. Although Ridley Has a slower pace than some of its contemporaries, the series has enough surprises that the viewer will never get bored.

8

The Sinner (2017–2021)

Each season of The Sinner exposes an even deeper, darker secret

It speaks to the quality of The sinner That the series lasted as long as it did. Although it was initially envisioned as a miniseries, The sinner Soon developed into a full-blown anthology TV show that features a new slate of incredible actors each season. Bill Pullman anchors each installment as Harry Ambrose, the detective Explore the improbable and devastating murders that the show revolves around. Highlights of the seasons include Jessica Biel, Matt Bomer and Carrie Coon.

what makes The sinner Different from other crime TV shows is that the culprit of the crimes is often clear. It is the journey to Discover their motivations that become the thrust of the plot. Ambrose knows that only truly terrible things will drive innocent people to violence, and he tries to uncover how deep the conspiracies and secrets run in seemingly idyllic small towns. Each season sees the past weigh heavily on Ambrose as he encounters the worst of humanity.

7

Top of the Lake (2013–2017)

Elisabeth Moss isn’t the only reason to watch this gripping drama

Elisabeth Moss has starred in many excellent television series, from Crazy people to The maid’s storyHowever Her lesser known show, Top of the Lakedeserves the same level of recognition. She plays detective Robin Griffin, and although Griffin is not investigating a murder but a disappearance, the subject of Top of the Lake is still difficult. Dealing with issues of sexual violence, Top of the Lake is a tough show, but it deals with the themes with empathy.

While Top of the Lake Season 2 does not live up to the tight narrative of season 1, It is still an interesting sequel and further expands the central characters. Gwendoline Christie joins the cast as Griffin in season 2, and her performance and dynamic with Moss is a significant part of the season’s success, as well as the introduction of Nicole Kidman. Set in New Zealand in season 1 and Australia in season 2, the show utilized its setting well, juxtaposing beautiful visuals with tragic circumstances.

6

Sugar (2024 – present)

A Los Angeles-set noir series with an unexpected twist

Not only one of the best crime series, but also one of the best sci-fi TV shows of 2024, Sugar Has an unexpected twist that makes the series more compelling. Deeply in conversation with classic Hollywood film noir movies of decades past, Sugar Is stylistically gorgeous and isn’t afraid to be referential In its plot and aesthetics. While Sugar Would be an incredible watch without the genre-bending aspects of the story, they raise the stakes and put a ticking clock on Sugar’s quest.

Colin Farrell is John Sugar, a PI who is entangled in the disappearance of a young woman in a story similar to the classics like. Chinatown. Wow Sugar Season 2 will take John on his quest for justice and understanding the impulses of humanity is up in the air, as Sugar was recently renewed for season 2 (via Variety). How the series will up the ante and include even more insight into Sugar’s past is sure to keep the audience guessing until the conclusion of the series.

5

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2024 – Present)

A small town is haunted by a young woman’s murder, and a local teenager wants to solve the case

Based on the novel of the same name by Holly Jackson, A good girl’s guide to murder Encompasses the first installment of the series, which follows Pip as she attempts to uncover the mystery of a cold case that plagues her town. Played by Emma Myers, known for her role as Enid Wednesday, Pip is a fairly determined protagonist who, despite her age and lack of resources, will not be denied. of getting to the bottom of a mysterious murder.

It was quickly revealed that Pip has a personal connection to the case, as she feels responsible Before the death of the young woman. While most of the town believes one story about the crime, Pip knows that there is something deeper going on and soon learns terrible truths about the people closest to her. As she delves further into the crime, Pip realizes the bitter price of the truth and that she is the kind of person who is willing to pay it.

4

Monsieur Spade (2024)

Samuel Spade is brought back to the screen for a new type of case

The character Samuel Spade is the iconic detective created by the writer Dashiell Hammett in the 1930 novel, The Maltese Falcon. Although Humphrey Bogart is considered the definitive Spade Thanks to his portrayal in the 1941 film, Clive Owen reinvented the investigator in Monsieur SpadeAn investigation of what Spade might have become after the events of the novel. In the early 1960s, Spade was living in France, away from the action, when he suffered a relapse.

Monsieur Spade is an interesting continuation of the original version of Spade, which saw him as the archetypal noir detective who is always one step ahead. Older and more disillusioned, this spade is a product of his time and doesn’t know where he fits in the changing world. It’s a compelling background for the murders that destroy the idyllic countryside He is inhabiting and makes for stronger character development in addition to the intriguing plot.

3

Presumed Innocent (2024)

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a complex and slippery protagonist whose motivations are impossible to pin down

so to speak, innocent is a different kind of detective show, because the series does not focus on the investigator as the main character but the suspect. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Rusty Sabich, a lawyer who works as a prosecutor for the city of Chicago, who is accused of murdering his colleague after it comes to light that they are having an affair. A remake of the original 1990 film of the same name, Both versions of so to speak, innocent Draw inspiration from the 1987 by David E. Kelley.

The plot heats up as the investigators look into Rusty’s past and his marriage, While his colleagues and friends turn away from him, because they are the people who will pursue the case in court. It’s a complex and interweaving story that makes the audience question if Rusty is the killer with each new episode. Whether the audience is on Rusty’s side or not, each character in the series must draw their own conclusions and decide whether they want to trust him or see him tried in court.

2

Lady in the Lake (2024)

The many sides of a murder are shown through the eyes of two women

The ethics of investigation are called into question The Lady in the LakeThe thriller series based on Laura Lipman’s novel of the same name. Moses Ingram plays Cleo Johnson, a woman who was murdered in Baltimore in the 1960s, and Natalie Portman plays Maddie Schwartz, a woman who becomes frustrated with her life and leaves her family to investigate the murder of a young girl. jump between the women’s perspectives, The Lady in the Lake Slowly their stories connect and show the parallels between them.

moreover, The Lady in the Lake Explore how the media and police overlook and disregard crimes Committed against marginalized groups, which is what happens to Cleo. Although Maddie becomes obsessed with getting to the bottom of the young girl and Cleo, she still operates in a position of privilege in the world and is using the crimes as a means to escape her unsatisfying life. With this strong social commentary and exciting murder cases, The Lady in the Lake is a layer addition to the genre.

1

Three Pines (2022)

A kind of detective dissects the worst of humanity’s crimes while believing in goodness

Based on the novels by Louise Penny, Three pines Follows the many investigations of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, who is brought to life by Alfred Molina in the series. The series is set in the titular town of Three Pines, Quebec, which is plagued by murders that it falls to Armand to get to the bottom of. Three pines is a callback to the detective stories of old and sees Armand slowly putting together the pieces of the crime similar to the classic murder mystery detectives his character was inspired by.

Molina was the perfect choice to play Armand Gamache, as he embodies the kindness and empathy that Armand brings to every case. Even in the face of violence and destruction, Armand is sure to find the silver lining and believe the best in the people around him. This is an important perspective, especially in a crime thriller, because the heavy subject matter can weigh on the audience. However, his insight and intelligence are what makes Three pines Worth watching.