15 Shows Like Apple TV’s ‘Nocturne’ You Must See

Apple TV’s crime thriller ‘Nocturne‘ captivated audiences by blending Scandinavian noir atmosphere with high-stakes psychological mind games. Adapted from the bestselling Lars Kepler novels, the series follows retired detective Jonah Lynn and undercover FBI agent Saga Bauer as they navigate a perilous investigation involving an imprisoned serial killer.

Viewers who were drawn to the show’s suffocating tension, institutional cat-and-mouse dynamics, and dark procedural mysteries have plenty of compelling options across television. From prestige prison interrogations to rain-soaked detective dramas, here are 15 shows that share the grim tone and narrative complexity of ‘Nocturne’.

‘Black Bird’ (2022)

This Apple TV miniseries follows Jimmy Keene, a convicted felon offered his freedom if he can elicit a confession from suspected serial killer Larry Hall inside a maximum-security prison. Much like Agent Saga Bauer going undercover in ‘Nocturne’, Keene must navigate the claustrophobic confines of a psychiatric facility while confronting a cunning predator. The narrative explores the psychological toll exacted on an investigator forced to form an intimate rapport with a monster. Paul Walter Hauser and Taron Egerton anchor the drama with intense two-hander scenes that mirror the interrogations between Jonah Lynn and Jurek Walter.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Created by Joe Penhall and directed largely by David Fincher, this Netflix procedural follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they establish the bureau’s Behavioral Science Unit. The agents conduct in-depth interviews with incarcerated serial killers to understand their psychological motives and develop modern criminal profiling techniques. Similar to ‘Nocturne’, the show eschews conventional action sequences in favor of quiet, intense discussions in interrogation rooms. The psychological strain of deciphering violent minds gradually infiltrates the personal lives of the protagonists.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

Developed by Bryan Fuller, this psychological horror thriller centers on criminal profiler Will Graham and his complex relationship with forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Graham possesses an innate ability to reconstruct grisly crime scenes in his mind, making him vulnerable to Lecter’s covert psychological manipulation. The dynamic between a troubled investigator and a deceptive, calculating killer closely parallels the tension between Jonah Lynn and Jurek Walter in ‘Nocturne’. As the investigation progresses, the psychological boundaries between hunter and hunted steadily dissolve.

‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021)

Adapted from Soren Sveistrup’s Danish crime novel, this Nordic noir mystery takes place on the outskirts of Copenhagen following the discovery of a mutilated woman. At each crime scene, detectives find a small handmade figurine crafted from chestnuts, bearing the fingerprint of a missing girl previously presumed dead. The premise directly mirrors ‘Nocturne’, which also stems from Scandinavian literature and revolves around the sudden reappearance of a long-lost victim. Detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess must navigate institutional politics and cold forensic clues to stop a calculating killer before another life is claimed.

‘The Killing’ (2011–2014)

Based on the Danish series ‘Forbrydelsen’, this crime drama follows homicide detective Sarah Linden as she investigates the murder of a Seattle teenager. The investigation uncovers layers of political corruption, family grief, and hidden motives across the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest. Like ‘Nocturne’, the show emphasizes a somber visual palette, methodical detective work, and the emotional devastation experienced by the victims’ families. Linden’s relentless, self-destructive obsession with solving the case echoes Jonah Lynn’s refusal to abandon his pursuit of justice.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

This HBO limited series stars Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a detective sergeant in a small Pennsylvania township investigating the murder of a teenage mother. Sheehan must balance her professional duties with personal grief, family estrangement, and the skepticism of a community where everyone knows one another. The show shares the Pennsylvania setting of ‘Nocturne’, grounding its central mystery in realistic working-class environments and communal friction. The plot methodically unravels local secrets, proving that violence often stems from deeply buried domestic trauma.

‘The Fall’ (2013–2016)

Set in Northern Ireland, this psychological procedural follows Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson as she pursues Paul Spector, a serial killer targeting young women in Belfast. The narrative utilizes a dual perspective, presenting both Gibson’s clinical investigation and Spector’s double life as a bereavement counselor and family man. Similar to ‘Nocturne’, the series reveals the culprit’s identity early on to focus on the psychological chess match between the investigator and the criminal. Gibson’s meticulous pursuit highlights the institutional hurdles and personal hazards of tracking an elusive predator.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

This acclaimed Swedish-Danish co-production begins when a body cut in half is discovered precisely on the border line of the Oresund Bridge. Detectives Saga Noren of Malmo and Martin Rohde of Copenhagen are forced to collaborate on a complex case orchestrated by an ideologically motivated killer. As a cornerstone of the Nordic noir genre that inspired Lars Kepler’s work, the series establishes the grim atmosphere and psychological complexity seen throughout ‘Nocturne’. The plot continuously challenges the detectives with moral dilemmas that test their forensic rigor and emotional resilience.

‘True Detective’ (2014– )

Created by Nic Pizzolatto, this anthology crime series pairs troubled detectives with gruesome, ritualistic homicides across isolated rural landscapes. Across its multiple seasons, the show examines the long-term psychological consequences that unsolved crimes inflict upon law enforcement officers. Fans of ‘Nocturne’ will recognize the pervasive existential dread, atmospheric cinematography, and non-linear narrative structures. The investigations delve beyond the crimes themselves to explore deep-seated systemic corruption and human vulnerability.

‘The Sinner’ (2017–2021)

Bill Pullman stars as Detective Harry Ambrose, an investigator tasked with uncovering the hidden psychological motivations behind seemingly unprovoked crimes. Rather than asking who committed the act, each season functions as an inverted mystery focusing on why the perpetrator acted violently. Ambrose frequently investigates repressed childhood trauma, psychological abuse, and institutional manipulation to resolve his cases. This intense focus on psychological pathology and buried secrets directly aligns with the underlying mysteries explored in ‘Nocturne’.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn, this limited series centers on crime reporter Camille Preaker, who returns to her Missouri hometown to cover the murders of two young girls. Preaker’s investigation forces her to confront her estranged family, childhood trauma, and a community steeped in hostility. The production utilizes a disorienting, memory-driven editing style that reflects the protagonist’s fragile psychological state. Like ‘Nocturne’, the narrative explores how past trauma distorts reality and complicates the pursuit of truth in small-town environments.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

This British mystery series follows Detective Inspector Alec Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller as they investigate the death of an 11-year-old boy in a coastal Dorset town. The investigation exposes private scandals, fractured relationships, and mutual suspicion among the close-knit residents. Similar to ‘Nocturne’, the show highlights the devastating ripple effects that violent crime has on families and local communities. The tension steadily escalates as forensic revelations uncover hidden betrayals within the victim’s social circle.

‘Defending Jacob’ (2020)

Based on William Landay’s novel, this Apple TV drama follows assistant district attorney Andy Barber whose 14-year-old son is charged with murdering a classmate. The narrative documents the legal, social, and emotional fallout experienced by the family as the prosecution builds its case. The series shares the somber visual tone and parental themes present in Jonah Lynn’s relationship with Saga Bauer in ‘Nocturne’. The story forces characters and viewers alike to confront doubts regarding guilt, innocence, and familial loyalty.

‘Criminal: UK’ (2019–2020)

Set entirely within a police interrogation suite, this procedural focuses exclusively on the verbal conflict between detectives and criminal suspects. The show strips away action scenes and forensic field work to highlight psychological warfare and behavioral analysis. Each episode presents a standalone legal case where detectives use carefully calibrated questioning to elicit confessions or expose lies. The claustrophobic tension of these confined interrogations mirrors the high-stakes prison dialogues between Saga Bauer and Jurek Walter in ‘Nocturne’.

‘Presumed Innocent’ (2024– )

Adapted from Scott Turow’s bestselling novel, this Apple TV legal thriller centers on chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich, who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a female colleague. The investigation quickly exposes Sabich’s secret extramarital affair with the victim, threatening his marriage and career. The series shares the platform’s prestige production values and explores how obsession can compromise an investigator’s objectivity. With intense courtroom proceedings and persistent psychological ambiguity, the show delivers the same suspenseful storytelling found in ‘Nocturne’.

Share your thoughts in the comments on which of these atmospheric crime thrillers best captures the chilling psychological suspense of ‘Nocturne’.