There are a ton of great shows to watch these days. Streaming lets everyone get hold of their favorite shows in seconds. But this also means that’s it’s more difficult to find quality shows over the large quantity available. As a lover of murder mysteries, I’ve compiled a list of the top murder mystery detective TV shows that you need to watch. They’re set in different time periods and there are both US and UK options to choose from, but I promise you that every option on here is incredible.

True Detective – This anthology crime series follows detectives trying to solve complex investigations. Each season has a new set of detectives and it’s own unique story. It has deep psychological and moral dilemmas in every season that’ll have you hooked. Seasons 1 and 3 were my favourites so far.

Broadchurch – This show is set in a small English seaside town. Broadchurch follows the community’s response to a shocking murder. Detectives Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman) uncover lots of secrets and lies within the town as they try to solve the case. It completed after 3 seasons. There is also a US remake that has the same storyline, called Gracepoint – which was cancelled after 1 season.

Sherlock – This is a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective. Sherlock brings Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson into present-day London. It has fast-paced mysteries, witty dialogue, and Holmes’s trademark brilliance. Each episode also reinterprets classic stories with a fresh twist.

Mindhunter – This psychological thriller follows two FBI agents in the 1970s who interview imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think. Their pioneering work actually laid the foundation for modern criminal profiling. Their work takes a toll on their personal lives as they deal with the darkest sides of human nature. It completed after 2 seasons.

Luther – Detective John Luther (Idris Elba) is a brilliant – but emotionally troubled – investigator with a relentless drive to catch violent criminals. It is set in London and combines intense cases with Luther’s internal struggles. It shows how thin the line is between justice and vengeance.

Mare of Easttown – In a small Pennsylvania town, Detective Mare Sheehan investigates a local murder while she’s still dealing with her own tragedies. It’s a gripping miniseries that a mix of a well-crafted murder mystery detective TV show and the raw, emotional image of a community under pressure.

The Killing – This show is based on the Danish series Forbrydelsen. The American adaptation follows detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder who investigate dark and complex murder cases in Seattle. Each season focuses on a different case.

Happy Valley – This British crime drama centers on Sergeant Catherine Cawood, a tough, but compassionate, police officer in a rural Yorkshire town (UK). The show follows her as she battles crime and confronts her personal demons. It shows a gritty, realistic view of life on the frontlines of small-town law enforcement.

The Fall – This show follows Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson as she tracks a serial killer preying on young women in Belfast (Northern Ireland). It has a tense, psychological approach to murder mystery shows that looks deep into both the killer’s mind and Gibson’s relentless pursuit. It’s one of those cat-and-mouse-chase style shows.

Line of Duty – This is an intense British drama that follows the Anti-Corruption Unit (AC-12) who are tasked with investigating corruption within the police force. Each season has complex, suspenseful cases that look at the moral ambiguities and inner conflicts of officers who must police their fellow officers.

Top 10 Murder Mystery Detective TV Shows

They are all incredibly addictive and will definitely scratch that itch you have for good murder mystery detective TV shows. Most of them have already completed, so they are perfect for a weekend binge session. Get your popcorn ready and choose at random, because you won’t be disappointed.

Want to Go Deeper Into a Specific Sub-Genre?

This list covers the serious detective drama end of mystery TV. If you want to explore other tones and styles in the genre, each sub-genre has its own dedicated list. For comedy mystery, the top 5 comedy mystery shows like High Potential and the top 5 shows like Wednesday are the places to start. For atmospheric horror mystery, check out the top 5 horror mystery shows like Bly Manor. For sci-fi mystery, see the top 5 sci-fi mystery shows. For spy and espionage, the top 5 spy and espionage mystery shows is worth your time. And if you want to watch mystery content across every format – TV, movies, books, podcasts – our best murder mystery entertainment guide covers all of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best murder mystery detective show for someone new to the genre?

Start with Broadchurch. It’s a complete three-season story with the amazing David Tennant taking on the starring role. It has one of the best casts in British crime TV. If you prefer American TV, I’d go with Mare of Easttown. It’s one season, seven episodes, and a completely self-contained story.

Are these shows suitable for sensitive viewers?

Some are definitely more intense than others. Mare of Easttown, The Killing, and Broadchurch deal with violence involving children and has scenes that are very upsetting. Mindhunter includes detailed descriptions of real crimes during interviews. The Fall deals with a serial killer targeting women and contains graphic content. True Detective (Season 1 in particular) has strong violence and disturbing images. Happy Valley and Line of Duty are intense but are less graphic. If you’re sensitive to specific content, it’s best to check a trigger warning site before watching.

Do I need to watch these shows in order?

For True Detective, no – each season is a separate story with a new cast. So, you can just start anywhere. For all others on this list, you should start with Season 1, as the stories build on each othert.

Is there a good British detective show that isn’t on this list?

Yes, several. Vera (ITV), Shetland (BBC), and Midsomer Murders (ITV) are all long-running British detective dramas that are worth checking out. Inspector Morse and its spinoff Endeavour are classics if you like slower paced stories and a period setting. None are as great as what’s on this list, but all are good options once you’ve worked through these ten.