If you missed the crime thriller Rizzoli & Isles when it aired during the 2010s, it’s the perfect time to watch this memorable story. The 2010s had some huge TV hits that always come up in conversations about that decade. No one can forget the exciting 2016 Netflix premiere of Stranger Things. Even though fans have a lot to say about Stranger Things Season 5’s eight episodes, not all of it positive, learning about the Upside Down was still a fun and unforgettable experience. Viewers became consumed by the complex world of clones on Orphan Black. And everyone got swept away by the epic setting of Game of Thrones… and, yes, needed to talk about more than a few disappointing moments.
But, while they might not be top of mind now, there are plenty of 2010 TV shows that we should still pay attention to. Based on the novel series by Tess Gerritsen, Rizzoli & Isles is one of the most captivating 2010s shows that many have stopped talking about (and that should change).
Why You Should Watch the Underrated Crime Thriller ‘Rizzoli & Isles’
Rizzoli & Isles Seasons 1 through 7 are streaming on Netflix now and were added on Jan. 20th, 2026. The series aired for seven seasons from 2010 to 2016 on TNT and centered on the strong friendship between the two main characters, solving cases in Boston. Sasha Alexander played Maura Isles, a Chief Medical Examiner, and Angie Harmon portrayed Jane Rizzoli, a Homicide Unit detective. Along with Netflix’s thriller originals, from the suburban intrigue of The Beast in Me to the complex husband and wife dynamic in His & Hers, the streaming service also adds plenty of older series regularly, and this is one of the most exciting ones added recently.
As most crime thrillers do, the series goes to some wild places, and most episodes center around a shocking case that Maura and Jane investigate. Season 1, Episode 3, “Sympathy for the Devil,” focuses on an exorcism that could have killed a teenager. The cases only get more intense from there. Season 2 features two particularly brutal deaths: a mom whose daughter was involved in competitive dance and a witch who was burned at the stake. Other memorable episodes from later seasons feature strange occurrences at a zombie convention and a villain who wears a clown costume. While those cases might seem a bit silly on the surface, they’re still impactful and alarming.
Although Rizzoli & Isles is a genuinely fun ride, it does go to darker places. There’s the ongoing storyline involving serial killer Charles Hoyt (Michael Massee). However, while this is definitely a dramatic plotline, it’s also meaningful. The series explores Jane’s backstory involving Charles, and the heartbreaking ways that this trauma has informed her life since.
While it’s not often talked about as a groundbreaking TV show about detectives, Rizzoli & Isles should be praised for its moving portrayal of a strong personal and professional relationship. Maura and Jane are genuinely close, and it’s always fun to watch them navigate a new case. Even though their line of work takes them to some gruesome places, viewers can still relate to their respect and love for each other. The show also leans into Maura and Jane’s quirks, and there are some funny moments, which help create a nice, balanced tone.
Fans who enjoyed watching Angie Harmon on Law & Order and watching Sasha Alexander’s great portrayal of Caitlin Todd on NCIS (and Pacey’s older sister, Gretchen Witter, on Dawson’s Creek) will also enjoy their strong performances here. There’s no doubt that Maura and Jane are some of their smartest and most interesting TV characters. Thankfully, there are more than 100 episodes of Rizzoli & Isles now streaming on Netflix, and you can dive into Maura and Jane’s story.
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