15 Shows Like Netflix’s ‘The Final Problem’ You Will Adore

Based on the novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Netflix’s Spanish mystery series ‘The Final Problem’ transports viewers to 1959, where thirteen people become stranded by a storm on an islet off Mallorca. When a murder occurs, a retired actor famed for his cinematic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes must use real deductive methods to uncover the culprit among the isolated group.

For audiences who enjoy locked-room puzzles, vintage detective settings, Agatha Christie-style whodunits, and homage to classic sleuths, several television series offer similar suspenseful mysteries.

‘And Then There Were None’ (2015)

Adapted from Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel, this three-part BBC miniseries follows ten strangers lured to an isolated island mansion off the coast of Devon. The guests soon discover that their mysterious host is absent and that each person stands accused of a past crime. As a severe storm cuts off all contact with the mainland, the stranded individuals are murdered one by one in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme. The narrative shares the isolated island setting and enclosed whodunit structure central to ‘The Final Problem’.

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, this British television series updates the classic detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to modern-day London. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the eccentric consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, while Martin Freeman portrays his loyal companion, Dr. John Watson. Together, the duo solves complex murders, deciphers intricate criminal schemes, and confronts formidable adversaries such as Jim Moriarty. The production explores the deductive methodology and literary lore that inspire the lead character in ‘The Final Problem’.

‘Death and Other Details’ (2024)

Set aboard a lavishly restored Mediterranean ocean liner, this mystery drama focuses on a locked-room homicide during a private voyage. World-renowned detective Rufus Cotesworth must work alongside an insightful young woman named Imogene Scott to uncover the truth among a ship full of wealthy suspects. The investigation delves into decades of hidden family secrets, deceit, and conflicting motives as the vessel travels across open waters. The series pays homage to classic Golden Age detective fiction through its contained setting and methodical examination of clues.

‘High Seas’ (2019–2020)

Set in the late 1940s, this Spanish mystery series takes place on a luxury transatlantic ship traveling from Spain to Brazil. Sisters Eva and Carolina Villanueva find themselves entangled in an intricate web of murders and conspiracies after an unlisted passenger is thrown overboard. With no way to contact authorities on land, the crew and passengers must investigate the crimes while navigating mounting suspicion on board. The show combines a Spanish period backdrop with an isolated murder investigation similar to the premise of ‘The Final Problem’.

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ (1989–2013)

Spanning thirteen series, this long-running British television adaptation stars David Suchet as Agatha Christie’s iconic Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Poirot relies on his psychological insight and deductive reasoning to solve elaborate murders across European estates, trains, and coastal retreats. Many episodes feature classic locked-room mysteries where a finite group of suspects is interrogated following an unexpected death. The program exemplifies the traditional whodunit conventions and vintage aesthetics mirrored in Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s narrative.

‘A Murder at the End of the World’ (2023)

This FX miniseries follows amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker Darby Hart after she receives an invitation to an exclusive retreat in remote Iceland. When one of the attending guests dies unexpectedly, Darby suspects foul play despite the host’s insistence that the death was accidental. A severe blizzard isolates the compound, forcing Darby to conduct an independent investigation before the killer strikes again. The storyline mirrors the secluded location and high-stakes amateur detective dynamics seen in ‘The Final Problem’.

‘Magpie Murders’ (2022)

Adapted from Anthony Horowitz’s novel, this mystery series weaves between a contemporary investigation and a 1950s fictional detective story. Book editor Susan Ryeland searches for the missing final chapter of an author’s manuscript, only to uncover that the writer has been murdered. As Susan investigates real-world suspects, scenes from the author’s vintage murder mystery featuring detective Atticus Pünd play out parallel to her findings. The dual narrative reflects the meta-fictional appreciation of literary crime solving that defines ‘The Final Problem’.

‘The ABC Murders’ (2018)

Set in 1930s Britain, this BBC miniseries presents an aged Hercule Poirot, played by John Malkovich, facing an elusive serial killer. The murderer travels across the United Kingdom, choosing victims in alphabetical order and leaving a railway guide at each crime scene. Poirot must overcome public skepticism and police hostility to decipher the hidden connection linking the disparate homicides. The production explores the psychological burden of a veteran investigator confronting a meticulously planned criminal puzzle.

‘Grand Hotel’ (2011–2013)

Set in early twentieth-century Spain, this historical drama revolves around the upscale Grand Hotel and the aristocratic family that manages it. A young working-class man named Julio Olmedo infiltrates the establishment as a waiter to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his sister. Julio forms an alliance with the owner’s daughter, uncovering an array of murders, blackmail schemes, and hidden family origins. The Spanish period setting and ensemble of secretive suspects provide a similar atmospheric mystery experience.

‘Elementary’ (2012–2019)

This contemporary American procedural drama reimagines Sherlock Holmes as a recovering addict living and consulting for the NYPD in New York City. Jonny Lee Miller portrays Holmes, while Lucy Liu stars as Dr. Joan Watson, a former surgeon turned sober companion and detective partner. Across seven seasons, the pair investigates intricate homicides utilizing keen observational skills and forensic analysis. The series offers a comprehensive look at the classic deduction techniques that Benjamin Basil attempts to recreate in real life.

‘Ordeal by Innocence’ (2018)

Based on Agatha Christie’s 1958 novel, this three-episode mystery takes place at the secluded country estate of Sunny Point. The wealthy Argyll family is thrown into turmoil when a scientist arrives claiming that the son convicted of murdering the family matriarch was innocent. With the original verdict overturned, every resident of the isolated household becomes an active suspect in the unsolved homicide. The story emphasizes claustrophobic tension and mistrust among an isolated circle of affluent individuals.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021–present)

This mystery series follows three residents of an affluent Upper West Side apartment building who share an obsession with true crime. When a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, the trio begins their own amateur investigation and documents their findings on a podcast. As they uncover clues, they realize that the killer likely lives inside their secured building among their acquaintances. The plot highlights the transition of everyday individuals applying fictional crime knowledge to solve genuine homicides.

‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’ (2022)

Directed by Hugh Laurie, this period miniseries adapts Agatha Christie’s 1934 adventure-mystery novel. Bobby Jones and his socialite friend Lady Frances Derwent investigate the dying words of a man found mortally injured at the base of a cliff. Their quest for answers leads them through a series of disguised identities, family conspiracies, and dangerous encounters across rural England. The production captures the classic mid-twentieth-century detective ambiance and traditional investigative pacing.

‘The Pale Horse’ (2020)

This two-part BBC adaptation centers on antique dealer Mark Easterbrook as he discovers his name on a handwritten list found inside a deceased woman’s shoe. When other individuals on the list begin dying under mysterious circumstances, Mark launches an inquiry into a village trio suspected of witchcraft. His search for rational explanations forces him to confront paranoia, deceptive witnesses, and hidden conspirators. The series provides an atmospheric period mystery centered on unraveling an apparently inexplicable sequence of deaths.

‘The Snow Girl’ (2023–present)

Based on the novel by Javier Castillo, this Spanish crime drama stars Milena Smit alongside José Coronado. The narrative begins in Málaga when a young girl vanishes into the crowd during the Three Kings parade. An ambitious journalist conducts a relentless, multi-year investigation to locate the missing child while outmaneuvering official police hurdles. Viewers drawn to Spanish mystery storytelling and José Coronado’s performances will recognize familiar thematic elements.

Share your favorite locked-room whodunits and your thoughts on ‘The Final Problem’ in the comments.