TV crime/thriller series (fiction)

[petitspois]

We just watched the second series of Mystery Road. It’s Australian and we downloaded it from BBC iplayer - it doesn’t really matter if you haven’t seen the first series, there’s not a lot you’d miss, although the first series was also very good. Apparently there are 2 films which precede the series but I haven’t been able to pick them up. I love all the Scandi Noir series. Someone mentioned “Disparue” up thread, that was really good too. If you don’t like subtitles though, probably not so good!

Disparu was me- glad you liked it. I’d like to see the two police characters in something else

 

[Be More Pacific]

Just started watching Unbelievable on Netflix, first episode but seems like it will be pretty good!!

Unbelievable is fantastic. I thought the first episode was slow and nearly gave up but Merritt Wever changed the game for me. Never seen her in anything before but she was mesmerising in this. Excellent. Should have won way more awards than it did.

Would also recommend....

The Tunnel (Sky) - first series is the British/French version of The Bridge (which I've never seen) - after that, the other two series are original stories. Stephen Dillane & Clémence Poésy are excellent together as the leads and I cared so much about Karl & Elise's friendship that it made me cry (a lot)

Cardinal - all four seasons should still be on iPlayer. Canadian take on Nordic crime thrillers. Again, I was so invested in the relationship between the two leads, played by Billy Campbell & Karina Vanasse. Actually still feel a bit bereft it's over. First season is pretty grim if you don't like watching torture (I don't)

Black Spot (Zone Blanche) - French crime/mystery series. Three series on Netflix. In fact, any French crime drama generally gets my vote.

Manhunt - one of ITV's takes on "true crime" - this one is about Levi Bellfield and was surprisingly really gripping even though I know the story. Little Boy Blue was also very good. I haven't watched A Confession or White House Farm.

When They See Us - Netflix. Not watched it myself (it's on my list) but it won a ton of awards (stole them off Chernobyl and Unbelievable) It's a drama about the real life wrongful conviction of five black youths for the assault and rape of a white female jogger in New York.

Luther - I've watched every single episode right from when it started and I've enjoyed it but it's not realistic at all. He's just another on the verge of a mental breakdown cop playing by his own rules (as they all are)

As someone else has said, the first season of True Detective is excellent. Haven't watched any of the others so can't comment but the second one was absolutely panned.

 

[Dollylovesshoes]

Evil lives here is fascinating,the person involved is just the person talking about their life,just watched on that’s was on just while ago,she was a daddy’s girl,but things started to happen with her dad disappearing couple of days,turns out he was a serial killer of prostitues,she reckoned he was getting back at her mother who he hated.So interesting.. These are couple of oold ones on at moment,John Meehan story was couple of weeks ago,it was horrendous,vile bastard.

 

[The Devils Arse]

just plonking myself here as this is my kind of tv.

 

[SkinkaareFan]

Is Liar the one with Ioan Gruffudd? I enjoyed the first season but the second was unwatchable and couldn’t feel any empathy for the main character Will take a look at True Detective though!

Yep, that's the one. The second season was awful!

I don't have recommendations off the top of my head but I did enjoy The Rain but a bit of a disappointing ending.

 

[BettyCrocker]

Recommend:

True Detective (season 1) it’s bloody brilliant. Liar (was on ITV)

ETA: Sorry just realised you were specifically asking for Netflix recommendations!!!! My bad!!!!

 

[cosmo girl]

The Sinner (season 1) is amazing. Really hooks you in.
Line of Duty
Doctor Foster
I got about 4 episodes in to the fall and gave up.. Can't get on with it.

I am watching The sinner at the moment. Really good. Everything you've listed I enjoyed watching. Can't believe you gave up on The Fall. I would go back to it...
I enjoyed The Missing that had me hooked. The Missing second series was brilliant.

 

[Practically Perfect]

i think there are 2 series of hidden on BBC I player

 

[Mulholland Drive]

"The Wire" is a great show to catch if you can. It's a fairly old show (2002-2008), but has been critically acclaimed by lots of people as one of the best TV crime/dramas out there, although it doesn't necessarily focus on police detective work.

 

[bellinibobble]

I’ll make another vote for Whitechapel! Presuming you’ve seen Luther and Line of Duty?

 

[Be More Pacific]

Another vote for The Tunnel. Best thing I’ve ever watched. Was late to the party and only E1 of S2 as there was nothing else on and after 10 minutes I was addicted!!! Sat and watched S3 in one go when it was released and cried like a baby.

There's this scene in the final episode where....

Spoiler

Karl walks into the French police room and gets hugged by Phillippe. He then takes this little step back to compose himself and carries on walking. It's just such a perfect scene. In fact, there are so many scenes in that final episode that get me but that one in particular very single time. I cried like a baby too

I've never seen Stephen Dillane in anything before - now, I just want to see him in everything. What a fantastic actor. There are just so many little scenes with Karl and Elise that I adore - it's their relationship that drove The Tunnel, not really the crimes they were investigating in my opinion. Oh, I just loved it.

Thanks for mentioning black spot, I love world cinema/tv and love French stuff so I’ll give that one a go. I don’t have sky so can’t watch the tunnel but I loved the bridge, think it’s still on iplayer

I'd recommend Into The Night as well on Netflix which is Belgian - that came out earlier this year. It's more drama/sci fi but still really good. Second season has been ordered.

 

[cosmo girl]

I've started watching Dirty John series 1. I am shocked this is based on a true story. Just Wow!!

 

[petitspois]

Ooooo I’ll give that a look, I always find the world dramas bbc 4 put on are very good. I remember few years ago watching a Spanish one where a girl goes missing, but can’t for the life of me remember what is was called.

this is about a girl going missing too.

 

[Forfoxsake]

True Detective: 1st series great, 2nd one don't bother, 3rd series is very good. Each season is a standalone story so it won't matter if you ditch season 2.

A little known one that I caught by accident last year and was excellent is I Am The Night, which is based on a true story.

 

[Jac40]

I’m a 20 something and love it lol. All of the 40 somethings I work with love it too, but they had never actually heard of the case which I was quite surprised at as I knew it in depth. My mum had never heard of it either

I’m 40 and never heard of this case so bit of a discovery for me. In some parts it reminds me of Fred and Rose West, but I’m from Gloucester, I remember the story breaking when I was a teen.

 

[Jac40]

Unbelievable is fantastic. I thought the first episode was slow and nearly gave up but Merritt Wever changed the game for me. Never seen her in anything before but she was mesmerising in this. Excellent. Should have won way more awards than it did.

Would also recommend....

The Tunnel (Sky) - first series is the British/French version of The Bridge (which I've never seen) - after that, the other two series are original stories. Stephen Dillane & Clémence Poésy are excellent together as the leads and I cared so much about Karl & Elise's friendship that it made me cry (a lot)

Cardinal - all four seasons should still be on iPlayer. Canadian take on Nordic crime thrillers. Again, I was so invested in the relationship between the two leads, played by Billy Campbell & Karina Vanasse. Actually still feel a bit bereft it's over. First season is pretty grim if you don't like watching torture (I don't)

Black Spot (Zone Blanche) - French crime/mystery series. Three series on Netflix. In fact, any French crime drama generally gets my vote.

Manhunt - one of ITV's takes on "true crime" - this one is about Levi Bellfield and was surprisingly really gripping even though I know the story. Little Boy Blue was also very good. I haven't watched A Confession or White House Farm.

When They See Us - Netflix. Not watched it myself (it's on my list) but it won a ton of awards (stole them off Chernobyl and Unbelievable) It's a drama about the real life wrongful conviction of five black youths for the assault and rape of a white female jogger in New York.

Luther - I've watched every single episode right from when it started and I've enjoyed it but it's not realistic at all. He's just another on the verge of a mental breakdown cop playing by his own rules (as they all are)

As someone else has said, the first season of True Detective is excellent. Haven't watched any of the others so can't comment but the second one was absolutely panned.

Thanks for mentioning black spot, I love world cinema/tv and love French stuff so I’ll give that one a go. I don’t have sky so can’t watch the tunnel but I loved the bridge, think it’s still on iplayer

 

[Tui]

I’m really into my crime/thriller type series, yet I have a huge list of series on Netflix to work through and not sure where to start. Thinking along the lines of Doctor Foster, Marcella, The Stranger, The Fall. Also enjoyed some international offerings like The Killing, Borgen and Spiral.

I’ve spotted a few on Netflix e.g The Dark, The Rain, Borderliners, Marseille....
Has anyone got any recommendations or things to not bother with? Some of these series have several seasons and I’m always wary to invest time in something if it’s just going to get weak on the second season.

 

[littlepup]

Has anyone been watching Des on itv?

Really good so far... I’m not really sure what they can do with it, other than show off their acting talent. Unless people aren’t familiar with the case but I’d expect anyone over 40 would be and I don’t think it’s really aimed at the 20 somethings.

 

[SkinkaareFan]

The assignation of Gianni Versace is one of the best things I’ve seen on TV in years.

I second this!

 

[Be More Pacific]

The Killing (USA Version)

Yes, this if you can find it. It was revived by Netflix (I think) for the final season.