11 Best TV Dramas for True Crime Fans

For those who can never get enough of stories that dive into the dark underbelly of humanity, gritty TV dramas offer a chance to look at the raw truth, often with a lens that doesn’t prioritize razzle-dazzle or sensationalism. True crime fans are always on the lookout for shows with an immersive aesthetic, shows that are bleak but in a believable way. The muted tones and grim atmosphere, sparse dialogue and uncomfortable silence, haunted protagonists and their life-sized trauma, are all elements that make up gritty crime TV shows.

But more than anything, these dramas are rooted in authenticity. Whether they are directly based on true events and real-life individuals or simply aiming for a sharp sense of realism, these are the types of shows that make you realize just how stranger truth is than fiction. The characters feel like real people with all their flaws and moral dilemmas and the stakes are always high, with more than one life on the line. So, if true crime or true crime-adjacent TV dramas are something that captivates you, these 11 gritty series are perfect for your next watch.

11 ‘The Valhalla Murders’ (2019 – 2020)

Set in the frozen and abandoned landscapes of Iceland, The Valhalla Murders is a brilliant eight-episode crime drama that kicks off with a series of brutal murders rocking the nation. Because the crime is connected to an old boys’ home called Valhalla, Arnar, a profiler, is brought in to assist Detective Kata in the investigation, and together they uncover chilling truths about the past of Icelandic society.

Explores a Desolate Truth

With its brooding atmosphere and complex characters, The Valhalla Murders stands out as a spine-tingling exploration of a bleak society. The storyline is loosely based on real-life incidents that took place in a state-run institution in the 1940s, and it dives straight into the corrosive nature of the environment and what led to the disappearance of the boys. Gritty, compelling, and harrowing, it garnered praise from critics and holds a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

10 ‘The Bridge’ (2011 – 2018)

Written and created by Hans Rosenfeldt, The Bridge is a renowned crime drama that begins with the discovery of a body placed in the Øresund Bridge that connects Denmark and Sweden. When the investigation begins, Swedish detective Saga Norén and Danish detective Martin Rohde realize that this is the work of a killer who uses international borders as their personal hunting ground and will not stop at anything to bring the seasoned cops down.

Redefines Crime Dramas for the Modern Era

The Bridge is absolutely brilliant. Gritty and character-driven from start to finish, it combines a twisted, disturbing, high-stakes crime narrative with a jarring exploration of the human psyche. Over the course of four seasons, the show navigates themes like justice and morality, the fine line between right and wrong, and the toll crimes like these take on detectives. Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia are paired together perfectly, their multi-layered characters adding to the intrigue and darkness of the show.

9 ‘Black Bird’ (2022)

Black Bird tells the story of Jimmy Keene, a high school football star who was offered several scholarships but he refused to leave his hometown and thriving drug-dealing business behind. But he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison. Jimmy is then offered a chance at freedom if he can extract a confession from Larry Hill, a serial killer, and he agrees, but it puts him in grave danger.

Offers a Glimpse Into the Justice System

Based on the true story of James Keene and adapted from a book he co-wrote with Hillel Levin, this Apple TV+ series chronicles his early life and his eventual involvement in the investigation of Larry Hill. It excels at building psychological tension out of every situation and is dramatic but realistic throughout. Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser deliver chilling performances and make the show a stand out among recent true-crime dramas.

8 ‘True Detective’ (2014 – Present)

A list that counts down gritty crime dramas is always incomplete without mentioning True Detective. One of the most acclaimed TV shows of all time, it is an anthology series that dives headfirst into dark and twisted cases and haunting crimes. The first installment revolves around detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart as they investigate a series of ritualistic murders in Louisiana. The following seasons introduce new cases and a new set of detectives.

Unsettling but Challenging Drama

Celebrated as a drama that tweaks the genre in an offbeat but utterly captivating way, True Detective offers a fresh perspective on the nature of evil. It blends complex and flawed characters (brought to life by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the first season) with labyrinthine plots to keep viewers hooked until the very end. Exceptional writing, stunning visuals, and unflinching honesty are how it sets the high bar.

7 ‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel, which, in turn, is based on a true story, Alias Grace takes you to the mid-19th century and tells the story of Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant and domestic servant, who is accused of committing a double murder. Now subjected to public scrutiny, Grace’s story unfolds at a determined pace, with a young psychiatrist named Dr. Simon Jordan working hard to find the truth behind the killings.

Captivating Margaret Atwood Adaptation

The series, despite only spanning six episodes, is a masterful iteration of Atwood’s beloved novel. It features a detailed period setting, a unique narrative, and strong performances, particularly by Sarah Gadon as Grace Marks. Under Mary Harron’s careful lens, the series traverses the murky and mysterious waters of true crime but also stays sophisticated and mindful in drawing out the intricacies of Grace’s mind. Overall, it is full of suspense and social commentary.

6 ‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013 – 2022)

Set against the backdrop of a gritty, post-World War I Birmingham, England, Peaky Blinders follows the Shelby family and their many criminal operations, led by the cunning and ambitious Tommy Shelby. The Shelbys form the “Peaky Blinders,” a notorious criminal gang that rises to power, navigates the shifting dynamics, politics, and familial struggles, engages in constant battle for survival, and finds itself being pursued by a relentless inspector, Chester Campbell.

The Price of Power and Ambition

A sweeping cinematic drama that’s also the epitome of grittiness and realism in TV crime dramas, Peaky Blinders is told like a Shakespearean tragedy. It spans six seasons, across which we get a proper glimpse into the minds of each character, their loyalties, desire for power, and the personal sacrifices they make to stay at the top of the criminal underworld. While the performances of Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, and Tom Hardy are incredible, the show also has a stunning aesthetic and flawless attention to historical detail.

5 ‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)

Perhaps the most realistic crime drama of all time, The Wire was created by David Simon, a former police reporter, who co-wrote the show with Ed Burns, a former homicide detective. Set in Baltimore, Maryland, the series is a study of several institutions – from the police department to the academic system, from the media to the political spheres, and drug dealers to small-time crooks. Each season lends sharp focus on the city’s various struggles, like the drug trade, the port system, education, and more, while understanding the aspects of crime and how it affects urban life.

Must-Watch For All True-Crime Enthusiasts

A masterpiece of gritty storytelling, The Wire has been hailed as one of the greatest television dramas of all time. And for good reason. Simon and Burns make sure that the show offers an elaborate and scathing look at the systems and institutions that shape Baltimore. They dive into topics like corruption and poverty with such authenticity and depth that you forget you’re watching a show. With remarkable performances from Dominic West, Idris Elba, and Michael K. Williams, it leaves an indelible mark on the genre.

4 ‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)

Narcos captures the rise and fall of the infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel during the 1980s, when the trade was in full swing. Set in the late 20th century itself, it follows Escobar as he tries to dominate the global cocaine market, which leads to a lot of corruption and violence in Columbia. A DEA agent is sent to dismantle his network, but the process is complex and involves many other traffickers and political leaders.

An Adrenaline-Fueled Dive the Colombian Drug Trade

Described by critics as a “true-to-life account” of the horrors of drug trade and its impact on society, thanks to the archival footage included in the series, Narcos provides a comprehensive look at what occurred in Columbia back in the day. The stellar ensemble, led by Wagner Moura, captured the intensity, danger, and brutality of the cartel’s operations and the relentless pursuit of Escobar. That said, Narcos is nothing short of a tense and pulse-pounding global sensation.

3 ‘Happy Valley’ (2014 – 2023)

Happy Valley transports you to a quaint and picturesque town of Halifax, West Yorkshire, and tells the story of Catherine Cawood, a tenacious police sergeant who is still reeling from her daughter’s suicide, which happened eight years ago. When the man who instigated it, a local criminal named Tommy Lee Royce, is released from prison, Catherine finds herself confronting him, which leads her to a series of violent crimes in her peaceful community.

Critically Acclaimed and Character-Driven

A series that subverts the idyllic image of small-town life and reveals a dark and complex underbelly that rests beneath, unharmed and thriving, Happy Valley is a genuinely amazing drama. It not only focuses on the main character, brought to unforgettable life by Sarah Lancashire, but also the emotional toll that chasing after justice takes on a person. The gripping plotline, right characters, and harsh depictions of life, Happy Valley is a cult favorite.

2 ‘Criminal Minds’ (2005 – Present)

One of the longest-running procedural dramas on television, Criminal Minds is set in the high-stakes world of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. It revolves around a team of elite criminal profilers and follows them as they hunt down dangerous serial killers in the United States. The episodic series features new cases each time but also makes sure to explore the team’s interpersonal relations and their psychological abilities.

Most Compelling and Gritty Crime Procedural

Criminal Minds is food-for-thought for true-crime fans. It’s something devoted viewers tune back in to season after season and have been doing so for two decades now. The show is revered for its intricate approach towards the world of crime solving and for offering an unflinching look at both the minds of the serial killers and offenders as well as the professionals tasked with understanding and eventually stopping them. Its ripped-from-the-headlines stories are what make the show stand out and fuel its longevity.

1 ‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)

Taking you back in time to the 1970s, when the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit was on the verge of discovering a groundbreaking tactic used in criminal investigation, Mindhunter chronicles just how the art of studying the minds of serial killers was introduced. We follow FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they team up with a psychologist and develop the technique by traveling across the country and interviewing murderers to understand where their disturbing behavior births from.

Dives Into the Very Origins of Evil

Based on real-life events and the works of FBI agents John E. Douglas and Robert K. Ressler, Mindhunter is a meticulously crafted and cerebral series that may offer a fictional account of the criminal profiling technique, but its approach is very riveting and exceptional. Across two seasons, it jumps into the twisted minds of some of history’s most notorious killers and uses their insight to make conclusions. Authentic and fascinating, it’s a slow-burn drama worth checking out.