Generally speaking, mystery shows thrive on suspense, making audiences wait as long as possible before revealing the answers to their puzzling stories. Some shows push this to the absolute limit by drawing out their mysteries over multiple seasons, but others deliver equally thrilling experiences using just a single season. Unlike longer shows or even their big-screen counterparts, these single-season TV mysteries deliver contained yet satisfying experiences, leaving no loose ends (except for dramatic effect).
Obviously, that doesn’t mean every mystery show with a single-season story is automatically brilliant, but the fact remains that some of the greatest mystery TV masterpieces have delivered thoroughly thrilling journeys in just a few episodes, tickling the little grey cells with their complex puzzles and tight writing. Read on to discover our handpicked selection of some of the greatest single-season mystery TV masterpieces you can watch right now.
1
‘The Innocent’ (2021)
Image via Netflix
Directed by Oriol Paulo, <em>The Innocent</em> is a Spanish mystery-thriller miniseries adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel, revolving around Mateo, a man whose life is upended after he accidentally kills someone. Nine years later, as Matteo attempts to rebuild his life, a mysterious phone call forces him to revisit his dark past, leading to dangerous consequences. Goya Award-winning Spanish actor Mario Casas stars as Mateo, leading a cast that includes Alexandra Jiménez, Aura Garrido, José Coronado, and Anna Wagener.
The Innocent is a well-written, well-acted, and remarkably shot thriller series that keeps the viewer engrossed with suspended tension until the very end. Mario Casas is brilliant as the complicated protagonist, delivering an emotionally raw depiction of a troubled man. Despite its visual edginess, thematic intensity, and good acting, The Innocent is a very underrated Netflix series, but it is simply a must-watch for fans of complex, psychological thrillers.
2
‘The Undoing’ (2020)
Image via HBO
Created by David E. Kelley and starring Nicole Kidman, The Undoing is a psychological mystery thriller series adapted from the Jean Hanff Korelitz novel You Should Have Known. The HBO original miniseries follows Grace Fraser, an elite New York therapist, whose seemingly perfect life unravels after her husband, reputed surgeon Dr. Jonathan Fraser, is arrested for murder, leading to shocking revelations. Kidman stars as Grace and Hugh Grant as Jonathan, with Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe, Édgar Ramírez, Donald Sutherland, and Noma Dumezweni in supporting roles.
The Undoing is a great example of how classic whodunit tropes can be spun into a modern murder mystery. The film’s gripping narrative explores complex psychosocial and psychosexual themes, elevated by the performances of Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman as they own the screen with their fiery chemistry. Since its premiere, The Undoing has been critically acclaimed for its performances and thrilling narrative, earning Golden Globe Award nominations for both Kidman and Grant.
3
‘The Night Of’ (2016)
Image via HBO
Created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian, The Night Of is a crime mystery thriller miniseries based on the first season of Peter Moffat’s BBC show Criminal Justice. Riz Ahmed stars as Nasir “Naz” Khan, a New York City student who wakes up beside a dead woman after a drunken and drug-filled night. With no memory of the night before and evidence stacked against him, things look very bleak for Naz until a resolute lawyer, John Stone (John Turturro), takes his case. The series also features Michael Kenneth Williams, Poorna Jagannathan, Bill Camp, and Payman Maadi in supporting roles.
The Night Of is a perfectly crafted thriller miniseries, though often overlooked, which keeps the audience engaged throughout its eight episodes with its deep, character-driven storytelling. Despite beginning with a familiar premise, the miniseries delivers plenty of unexpected twists and edge-of-the-seat tension, elevated by the fantastic performances and on-screen chemistry of Ahmed and Turturro. On its HBO premiere, The Night Of garnered critical acclaim for the storytelling, cast performances, and direction, and it went on to win five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor for Riz Ahmed.
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