From Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s highly proficient sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, the whodunitmysterygenre has given usdetectives that are endlessly fascinating. For over a century now, good ol’ unsolved cases have become the source of imagination and inspiration for filmmakers and showrunners.
Audiences love the challenge of trying to outsmart the detective and figure out the mystery before the big final reveal. They become so invested in the characters and the episodes that the victory seems well-earned. In recent years, detective television has seen massive popularity. Fans of shows likeBroadchurch,Mare of Easttown, andBoschhave been rewarded with complex, layered stories starring anensemble of talented actors.
While most shows get mainstream attention, not every great detective drama breaks through and makes headlines. Just like real cases, some slip under the radar and hide in plain sight on streaming services, just waiting to be picked. This list will change that. We have selected 10 detective TV shows that escaped your notice, but their unique settings, characters, and plots are certainly worth your time.
10Cardinal (2017 – 2020)
In the remote and fictional Canadian woods of Algonquin Bay, Detective John Cardinal becomes so obsessed with the investigation of a native girl who went missing that he is demoted. But after a new development occurs in the case, he is reassigned; this time, with a new and brash partner, Lisa Delorame.
John is suspicious of Lisa and Lisa is working undercover against John, who has been identified to be collaborating and corrupt. The four seasons see them venture into the town’s past and examine their own dynamic.
Moody and Gritty Masterpiece
Despite its dark subject matter and gloomy tone,Cardinalleaves you transfixed with its vivid imagery andcharacter-driven storyline. Each mystery unfolds at a natural pace and reveals new layers as we go. The series is based on a string of novels written by crime writer Giles Blunt.
Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse do justice to his vision by being reserved, empathetic, and ambitious. Overall, its stunning cinematography and deft handling of mysteries make this Canadian detective drama a hidden gem.
9The Sinner (2017 – 2021)
The Sinner
Initially developed by Derek Simonds as an eight-episode limited series,The Sinnerreceived such widespread acclaim that USA Network turned it into an anthology series spanning four seasons. Bill Pullman stars as Detective Harry Ambrose.
He investigates the most appalling cases, like the first season sees him diving into the past of Cora Tannetti, a troubled woman who stabbed a man to death. The deeper he delves into the mystery, the harder it is to understand what exactly leads someone to murder.
A Thrilling Whodunit
The Sinnerplays with different mysterious crimes in every season, and while the entire cast rotates, Pullman is present in all of them. He is perfectly cast as the introspective Detective Ambrose, who sees his own demons reflected in each case he investigates.
The series’ core is to depict ordinary people driven to extremes, to explore the grayest areas of human psychology, and it achieves the same in the most compelling ways. The Sinner, thus, has the potential to hook unsuspecting binge-watchers.
8Sugar (2024)
A recent mystery drama that premiered on Apple TV+,Sugaris created by Mark Protosevich, Fernando Meirelles and Adam Arkin. It is set in Los Angeles, where life seems perfect, until private detective John Sugar is assigned to investigate the disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of a wealthy Hollywood producer named Jonathan Siegel. Sugar is ready to crack the case, but what he’s not ready for is to flesh out secrets about the Siegel family’s past.
Colin Farrell’s Turn As a Detective
With its cozy and picturesque setting,Sugarmanages tohide all the darkness until the end. It lures audiences in with Colin Farrell’s performance as the titular detective. He is not only a rich and layered character who loves movies and can speak in multiple languages but also one with smart observation skills and little emotion when it comes to solving crimes. Balancing modern tropes with the classic ones,Sugaris one of a kind.
Related:10 Best ’70s Detective TV Shows That Still Hold Up
7Dalgliesh (2021 – Present)
Diving further down the timeline, we haveDalgliesh, a British crime drama series set in 1970s England. Based on the novels written by PD James, it centers around Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, who finds himself immersed in twisted mysteries and complex crimes of the decade. In the first season, he investigates the murder of an abrasive female defense barrister.
Intelligent Period Detective Drama
Dalglieshcasts a cinematic spell with its nuanced and suspenseful storytelling. Itsperiod-accurate setting, suspenseful atmosphere, and soulful soundtrack transport you to another era and mesmerizes you with its beauty and, at the same time, haunts you with its psychologically twisted exploration of crime. Some fans believe that the series puts a restraint on P. D. James' voice, but for fans of old-school storytelling and rich narratives,Dalglieshis a delight to watch.
6Harrow (2018 – 2021)
Daniel Harrow is a Queensland-based forensic pathologist who uses unorthodox methods of his practice to get to the bottom of his town’s mysteries. He is accompanied by fellow pathologists Grace Molyneux and Simon Van Reyk and often gets assistance from Brisbane police officer Sgt. Soroya Dass.
Though an abrasive loner, his eye for detail proves him invaluable in homicide investigations. But for a community that has long known each other, it doesn’t take too much time for enemies and secrets from Harrow’s past to reemerge.
Twists and Turns From Beginning to End
Graphic in nature,Harrowfinds depth in exploring what really gnaws at a person. That is perhaps the reason why the show is away from the mainstream media. Ioan Gruffudd, who plays our prickly hero, has a peculiar style about him that makes his private torment and public investigations so immersive to watch week after week. If not for the shocks, you would keep returning for the show’sdark humor, sharp turns, and deft writing.
5My Life Is Murder (2019 – Present)
Combining the best elements of murder mysteries and comedy dramas is this four-season-long detective show calledMy Life Is Murder. It centers around former police officer turned professional consultant Alexa Crowe, who finds herself embroiled in mysterious murders. She uses her unique set of acquired skills and inserts herself in the most complicated police investigations to help them crack the puzzles. Meanwhile, she has to deal with romantic and familial relationships.
Deliciously Offbeat
My Life Is Murderembraces a campier side of the detective genre. An instant hit that flew under the radar because of more popular shows, it draws humor out of richly layered narratives and makes for a genuinely entertaining casual viewing experience. Lucy Lawless’ protagonist has the kind of irresistible charm and offbeat sense of humor that turns bizarre cases interesting. Her take on the murders and killers breaks free of conventions.
4Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022 – Present)
Another one for cozy viewing,Sister Boniface Mysteriesis set in England during the early 1960s. The titular Catholic nun has a PhD in forensic science and is a gifted problem solver. Her penchant for being nosy leads her to assisting the police in her fictional town of Great Slaughter (named that because of its high murder count) in their investigations.
Nun With a Knack For Puzzle-Solving
The vespa-driving, wine-making sister Boniface makes for an outstanding protagonist in this series. A gentle comedy drama to tickle the nerves of fans of period whodunits, the show is popular for channeling heart and humanity alongside the mystery-solving.
Lorna Watson isa revelation as the quick-witted heroinenavigating her religious duties while also sparing time for feminine curiosity. The beautiful setting compliments the complex characters and inquisitive cases, makingSister Boniface Mysteriesa must-watch.
3Three Pines (2022)
Three Pines
Three Pines, which is adapted from a series of novels written by Louise Penny, stars Alfred Molina as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. It takes place in the peaceful and idyllic village of Three Pines. As a community built on support and acceptance, the village is shocked when one of their own is killed and Inspector Gamache is brought in to hunt down the vicious person responsible for destroying balance in their safe haven.
Peculiar Adaptation of Bestselling Novels
Filmed in the eastern townships of Quebec, with a rural aesthetic,Three Pinesis nothing like the other small-town murder mysteries out there. It has an intoxicating pace that charms you only to deceive you by taking a stranger turn.
Molina is excellent as Inspector Gamache. He is thoughtful and compassionate and leads the cast with quiet assurance. Despite the second season straying away from the source material a little,Three Pinesstill maintains its realistic approach towards storytelling and is decent to watch.
Related:20 of the Most Haunted TV and Movie Detectives
2Professor T (2021 – Present)
InProfessor T, a celebrated professor at the University of Cambridge, Jasper Tempest, gets reluctantly pulled into the consulting business after a baffling murder occurs on campus. A criminologist himself, Jasper suffers from OCD, which makes it strange for him to fully immerse himself into real-life detection and problem solving. Despite receiving hostility from colleagues, Jasper applies his academic expertise and helps the police unravel the city’s thorniest crimes.
A Successful Remake
With its juxtaposition of grisly crimes and campus intrigue,Professor Tkeeps you on your toes. It is a British adaptation of the Belgian TV series of the same name, and while fans loved the original, this one received some controversy for its portrayal of OCD and promoting stereotypes. Ben Miller brings both charm and shadow as the conflicted protagonist and watching him put the pieces together episode after episode is compelling.
1Stumptown (2019)
Set against the backdrop of Portland, Oregon,Stumptownfollows Dex Parios, a young woman living a difficult life taking care of her younger brother and struggling to pay her gambling debts. She also has PTSD from her time working in military intelligence. To make ends meet, Dex begins working as a private investigator and uses her unconventional methods of tracking down leads and finding the bad guys. From locating missing persons to taking on major criminal cases, Dex propels herself into doing good and seeking justice.
Smart, Original, and Binge-Worthy
Filmed in a scrappy and unpredictable manner,Stumptownis one of the few recent shows that isequal parts humorous and unflinching. Cobie Smulders gives a breathtaking performance as the lead, a character unsettled and determined enough to shake things up. With just one season, the show started conversations and had a strong following. It was also renewed for another season. But after undergoing several production delays caused by COVID-19,Stumptownwas canceled.
