Isn’t it so annoying when crime thrillers promise everything and end up delivering nothing? High stakes and shocking twists sound great until one realizes that the actual story starts collapsing under all that. A good crime thriller, that’s why, has to strike a very delicate balance. Twists and turns can only take things so far if the characters feel one-dimensional or if the beats of the story don’t add up.
That’s because shock value might grab attention, but it can never sustain it, and the sooner showrunners understand that, the better. For every half-baked story, though, plenty of others get things exactly right. This is a list of such crime thriller shows that come dangerously close to perfection.
10
‘Banshee’ (2013–2016)
Banshee is a crime thriller that embraces chaos like no other. The series takes place in the fictional town of Banshee in Pennsylvania, where a recently released master thief (Antony Starr) assumes the identity of a murdered sheriff named Lucas Hood. The story revolves around Hood trying to keep up the charade while secretly continuing his criminal life. Most people would assume that these stakes are high enough for the show to create a sense of tension. However, Banshee keeps expanding its central conflict by introducing new characters, including the ex-Amish crime lord Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen), along with Hood’s partners Job (Hoon Lee) and Sugar Bates (Frankie Faison).
Every season features new threats, while the town serves as a pressure cooker of violence that can explode at any moment. Banshee fully commits to its over-the-top premise and is packed with brutal hand-to-hand fight sequences, intense shootouts, and pulpy storytelling. The show can feel ridiculous at times, but it never stops being entertaining thanks to the depth it gives to its characters and their relationships. The series is one of TV’s most underrated crime thrillers and remains a true hidden gem.
9
‘Top of the Lake’ (2013–2017)
Top of the Lake is the definition of quality TV. The story begins with the disturbing disappearance of a 12-year-old girl who is revealed to be pregnant in the opening moments of the show. Elisabeth Moss stars as Detective Robin Griffin, who becomes entangled in the investigation while she is in town to visit her dying mother. She believes that this will be yet another missing-person case, but little does she know that it will quickly unravel into something much darker. Top of the Lake is a slow-burning psychological drama that constantly plays with the audience’s expectations.
The investigation takes its sweet time to unfold and exposes complex systems of power and misogyny that exist within this community. The deeper Robin digs, the more the case becomes intertwined with her own unresolved trauma. Top of the Lake strikes the perfect balance between layered character work and a mystery that keeps getting increasingly addictive. In Season 2, the story moves to Sydney and continues Robin’s journey several years later. However, the show never lets go of its willingness to explore difficult themes. This isn’t a conventional thriller series by any means, but one that forces the audience to question their own role in systemic injustice.
8
‘Rubicon’ (2010)
Image via AMC
Rubicon deserves way more appreciation than it gets. The political thriller follows intelligence analyst Will Travers (James Badge Dale), who works at the shadowy New York-based organization called the American Policy Institute (API). The story picks up when Will’s mentor and father-in-law dies in what appears to be a staged accident, and Will knows he needs to get to the bottom of what really happened. However, what pulls him deeper is a pattern hidden across crossword puzzles in multiple newspapers. At first, Will thinks it’s a coincidence, but when he begins to connect the dots, he realizes that the mystery is far more complex than he initially thought. All of a sudden, he suspects he is being watched and notices small inconsistencies in his everyday interactions.
Rubicon breaks away from the typical thriller beats by slowing the narrative down. Most of the action in the story happens in offices through conversations, data, and Will’s personal analysis of the situation. However, that pace only adds to the show’s constant sense of uncertainty. Rubicon thrives on this ambiguity, where the audience and Will don’t know who to fully trust. The show taps into the very specific fear of being exploited by those in power, and that’s exactly what makes its central conspiracy feel so plausible. Unfortunately, Rubicon was canceled after Season 1 before it could give its characters the long-term arcs they deserved. Even then, though, the show is a must-watch for anyone looking for sharp writing and a compelling mystery.
7
‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)
‘Mare of Easttown’ might be a miniseries, but it feels more complete than several long-running shows that lose their plot after just a few seasons. The crime thriller follows Detective Marianne “Mare” Sheehan (Kate Winslet) as she navigates her personal life while investigating a murder case involving a teenage mother found dead amidst another girl’s disappearance.
The series intricately weaves Mare’s professional challenges with her personal struggles — including coping with her son’s suicide while dealing with family tensions — creating an emotionally heavy narrative.
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‘Dexter’ flips crime thriller conventions by making viewers root for an antihero — Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) — who leads a double life as a forensic analyst by day and vigilante serial killer by night.
The series intricately explores Dexter’s psyche while maintaining suspense through his relationships with others who unknowingly get close to uncovering his dark secret.
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‘The Killing’ creates tension through its rainy Seattle setting as detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) investigate a teenager’s murder amidst political conspiracies.
The show focuses on realism rather than quick resolutions — highlighting both victim families’ grief and detectives’ struggles — which keeps viewers engaged long after episodes end.
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‘Gomorrah’ portrays pure evil through its Naples setting as Ciro Di Marzio (Marco D’Amore) navigates loyalty amidst clan conflicts following his boss’s arrest.
The series emphasizes flawed characters operating within violent systems without romanticizing crime — making for an authentic exploration of power dynamics.
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‘Mindhunter’ trades action for psychology as FBI agents interview imprisoned serial killers to understand their behavior — leading them down dark paths mirroring those they study.
The interviews serve as psychological chess matches — adding authenticity through real-life serial killer portrayals while exploring emotional tolls on investigators.
