10 Best Detective Shows on Prime To Check Out After ‘Ballard’

There is a reason detective shows never go out of style. They hook you from the first scene, which is usually a body, a clue, or a jarring discovery. And before you know it, you are knee-deep in a mystery full of suspects and red herrings. Whether it is a hardened detective haunted by his past or a quirky private consultant solving crimes with flair, the genre thrives on character and the thrill of the reveal. And with streaming platforms constantly updating their library, there is one that has built a rich catalog of detective shows: Prime Video.

The latest gem on Prime Video is Ballard, a spin-off from the Bosch universe that’s already earned praise from critics and audiences alike. Starring Maggie Q as LAPD Detective Renée Ballard, it finds her trying to revive the department’s cold case unit, which is currently underfunded and overlooked. With an appearance from Titus Welliver’s Harry Bosch himself, Ballard dives into the most intriguing cases. All ten episodes of the show dropped on July 9, and it has received a rare 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes for its smart and grounded approach.

If you’re a fan of the detective genre and have already binged Ballard, Prime Video has a lot in store for you. Here are the 10 best detective shows to stream next.

10

‘City on a Hill’ (2019 – 2022)

Set in the early 1990s, City on a Hill transports you to Boston, which is riddled with crime and corruption. The story kicks off with Assistant District Attorney Decourcy Ward, an idealistic man, teaming up with FBI veteran Jackie Rohr, who is morally corrupt. Their alliance targets a family of car robbers, but the case spirals into a full-blown war against the city’s justice system and a determination to expose the rot that has festered for too long.

Boston’s Corruption and Justice System

City on a Hill is a detective crime series that allows the protagonists to unpack personal demons and political games against the backdrop of smoky bars and Southern grit. Across three seasons, the layered storytelling and character depth stands out. Jackie Rohr is a walking contradiction and Kevin Bacon plays him with an ease that’s hard to look away from. Aldis Hodge is just as compelling. Overall, the show feels like a political thriller wrapped in noir, so watch it on Prime Video.

9

‘Monk’ (2002 – 2009)

Monk

Release Date

2002 – 2009-00-00

Network

USA

Directors

Randy Zisk, Jerry Levine

Created by Andy Breckman for USA Network, Monk follows Adrian Monk, who isn’t your typical detective. He is a brilliant former homicide cop haunted by the unsolved murder of his beloved wife. Now working as a private consultant for the San Francisco PD, Monk’s obsessive-compulsive disorder and 312 phobias, like needles, birds, heights, crowds, and more, make him both a secret weapon and a liability to cases.

Quirky and Surprisingly Moving

Monk is a beloved classic that blends comedy and drama with detective elements. Each episode finds the protagonist craving bizarre cases, from murders staged as accidents to crimes hidden in plain sight, using his attention to detail and captivating quirks. Tony Shalhoub’s iconic performance as Monk anchors the show’s heart and humor, making him one of TV’s best detectives. Overall, it is a rare procedural that’s about both crime-solving and healing.

8

‘Countdown’ (2025)

Countdown

Release Date

June 25, 2025

Network

Prime Video

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Countdown opens with a Homeland Security officer murdered in broad daylight. The incident triggers multiple agencies to scramble and try to thwart a looming threat in Los Angeles. LAPD detective Mark Meachum joins a special task force with DEA agent Amber Oliveras and FBI specialists. But when the investigation reveals a nuclear conspiracy in motion, the team is faced with a ticking clock and real-high stakes.

Fresh and Fast-Paced Crime Show

Though still in its first season, Countdown has already become Prime Video’s adrenaline-fueled, procedural-infused answer to Reacher. Jensen Ackles, of Supernatural fame, brings a distinct charisma to Meachum and Eric Dane joins him as a member of the task force. It is peak dad TV, complete with a brilliant ensemble and tight pacing, which makes it an easy binge after Ballard.

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7

‘The Rockford Files’ (1974 – 1980)

The Rockford Files’ Jim Rockford is a laid-back ex-con turned private investigator who would rather talk his way out of trouble rather than get into a fight. He leaves his beat-up trailer parked on Malibu’s Paradise Cove and takes up cold cases, missing persons, and insurance scams, all while dodging cops, criminals, and his own unpaid bills.

Witty and Warm

The show’s premise turns the detective genre on its head. James Garner’s Rockford isn’t fearless or stylish. He is broke, bruised, and more often than not, just trying to make enough to pay the rent. He has no gun permit and relies on a revolver stashed in a cookie jar. Despite working with a healthy dose of skepticism, he’s deeply principled when it comes to finding the truth. That said, The Rockford Files, spanning six seasons and eight reunion movies, is a timeless detective series.

6

‘Psych’ (2006 – 2014)

Psych

Release Date

2006 – 2014-00-00

Network

USA

Showrunner

Steve Franks

Shawn Spencer has a gift for noticing the tiniest details, thanks to his ex-cop dad, who has trained him since he was a child. Spencer uses this skill to convince the Santa Barbara Police Department that he’s a psychic. With his best friend Gus in tow, he forms a detective agency and solves all sorts of crimes with sarcasm, precision, and pineapple references.

Smart, Silly, and Full of Heart

Psych is one of those theatrical and inventive detective shows that somehow worked because it was clever and unconventional. Each episode has a format: it starts with a flashback of Spencer’s youth to set up the theme and emotional arc before getting into murder mysteries and serial killers. It ran for eight seasons and spawned three movies, becoming a cult favorite for James Roday Rodriguez and Dulé Hill’s buddy-cop dynamic and surprisingly solid detective work beneath all the humor.

5

‘Bones’ (2005 – 2017)

Bones

Release Date

2005 – 2017-00-00

Network

FOX

Showrunner

Hart Hanson

Another recommendation to dive into if you have finished watching Ballard is Bones. Set at the Jeffersonian Institute, it follows forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan as she teams up with FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth to solve murders where just the remains of a body are discovered. Brennen is excellent but socially awkward and driven by logic. Booth is intuitive and emotional. Their partnership is effective but their personal lives are complex.

Dark Humor and Forensic Intrigue

Bones is a long-running, critically acclaimed detective show that flawlessly combines the procedural elements of a crime drama with rich character development and combative dynamics. The episodes feature grisly and baffling cases in a way that challenges science and perception. And, of course, the electric chemistry and slow-burning romance between Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz forms the core of the series.

4

‘Black Snow’ (2022)

Black Snow

Release Date

January 1, 2023

Network

Stan

Directors

Sian Davies

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  Jemmason Power

  Hazel Baker

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  Talijah Blackman-Corowa

  Isabel Baker

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  Alexander England

  Anton Bianchi

When it comes to the most compelling recent detective shows on Prime Video, Black Snow makes it to the top of the list. Set against the backdrop of the sun-drenched sugarcane fields of Queensland, the series opens with a buried time capsule and a decades-old murder mystery. There are two timelines – the 1994 killing of 17-year-old Isabel Baker, a tragedy that was never solved; and 2019, when Detective James Cormack is drawn to reopen the case due to a cryptic letter written by Isabel.

A Gripping Small-Town Mystery

Travis Fimmel delivers an intense performance as Cormack, who digs really deep into the mystery and uncovers not just a killer, but also a long history of exploitation, racism, and generational trauma. Which is to say that Black Snow is a really gripping whodunit. The show’s six-episode arc in the first season is tight, atmospheric, and haunting. It also offers a fresh insight into Australian history and ratchets up the tension with every passing minute.

3

‘Tin Star’ (2017 – 2020)

Tin Star

Release Date

2017 – 2019

Network

Sky Atlantic

Directors

Justin Chadwick, Susan Tully, Alice Troughton, Chris Baugh, Jim Loach, Marc Jobst

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  Christine Tremarco

  Carrie McGrath

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  Christopher Heyerdahl

  Louis Gagnon

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  Genevieve O’Reilly

  Angela Worth

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  Joanne Whalley

  Mary James

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In Tin Star, former London detective Jim North relocates his family of four to the remote town of Little Big Bear in the Canadian Rockies, hoping to leave his violent past behind. However, when a new oil refinery and its chief of security brings crime, corruption, and old enemies into town, Jim is forced to unleash his darker alter ego, Jack Devlin, who ruthlessly cuts down anyone and anything that causes harm to his family.

Revenge in the Canadian Wild

Rather underrated, Tin Star delivers a gritty, brutal, and emotionally charged detective story with a psychological twist, which makes it stand out in the genre. Tim Roth is magnetic as Jim/Jack, and he brings a subtle balance in his vulnerable personality and menacing alter ego. The final season also shifts to Liverpool, where the Worths settle some scores once and for all. With 25 episodes, stunning Canadian landscapes, and bold storytelling, Tin Star is worth a watch.

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2

‘Castle’ (2009 – 2016)

Castle

Release Date

2009 – 2016-00-00

Network

ABC

A fan-favorite for good reason, Andrew W. Marlowe’s Castle centers around best-selling mystery novelist Richard Castle who finds himself pulled into the NYPD’s orbit when a serial killer starts mimicking murders from his novels. While solving them, he forms a partnership with Detective Kate Beckett, whose no-nonsense personality clashes with Castle’s hilarious charm.

Part Crime Drama, Part Rom-Com

A delightful blend of romantic dramedy and crime-solving, Castle is elevated by the compelling chemistry between its lead actors, Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. The romantic tension, witty banter, and genuine core make it an easy binge. Over the course of its eight-season run, the show earned a devoted following for its quirky humor, sharp writing, interesting plot twists, and the gradual evolution of the central relationship. Because it’s a classic that still holds up, you can watch Castle after Ballard.

1

‘Bosch’ (2014 – 2021)

Bosch

Release Date

2014 – 2021-00-00

Showrunner

Eric Ellis Overmyer

Directors

Ernest R. Dickerson, Alex Zakrzewski

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Prime Video’s catalog of TV shows is ripe with detective dramas and Bosch is easily the most impressive title. Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, it follows LAPD homicide detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch as he finds himself relentlessly pursuing justice in the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles. From the discovery of a child’s bones in Hollywood Hills to the arson cases and political cover-ups, each season places Bosch at the center of multiple investigations.

Slow-Burning and Deeply Satisfying

Bosch’s main character is a veteran, a father, and a man who lives by the code: “Everybody counts or nobody counts.” The show spans seven seasons, across which it tackles mob hits, dirty cops, radioactive threats, and drug rings, all while organically building character dynamics. It is the kind of detective show that doesn’t just entertain, but also pulls the viewer into its world with the use of real LAPD protocols and moody LA locations. Ideally, you should watch Bosch before Ballard, but with the original and the spin-offs all available on Prime Video, you can get started with either.