Best Crime TV Shows Ever Filmed

Looking for a lineup of crime shows that span gritty street sagas, meticulous procedurals, and global underworld epics. This list tours landmark series from around the world, notes where and when they unfold, and highlights creators, stars, and signature storytelling approaches. You will find everything from slow burn investigations to high stakes cartel wars and classic detective puzzles. Use it as a guide to trace how TV crime has evolved across decades and countries.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

Set in Baltimore, this series examines police work, schools, politics, labor, and the media through interconnected story arcs. David Simon created it with frequent writing by Ed Burns. Dominic West and Idris Elba lead a large ensemble cast. Each season focuses on a different institution within the city.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

A high school chemistry teacher enters the meth trade after a life changing diagnosis. Vince Gilligan created the series and guided it through five seasons. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul star as partners whose operation expands across the Southwest. The show tracks the transformation of a family man into a criminal figurehead.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

This prequel follows attorney Jimmy McGill as he becomes Saul Goodman. Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan developed the series with a focus on legal schemes and cartel conflicts. Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, and Jonathan Banks anchor the cast. The story links to major characters and events from its parent series.

‘True Detective’ (2014–present)

Each season presents a standalone investigation with a new cast and setting. The anthology format has moved from Louisiana to California to Arkansas and Alaska. Created by Nic Pizzolatto, it blends character studies with atmospheric cases. Notable leads include Matthew McConaughey, Mahershala Ali, and Jodie Foster.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

This drama centers on New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano balancing family life and organized crime. David Chase created the series with a focus on therapy sessions and internal power struggles. James Gandolfini and Edie Falco lead the cast. The show maps rivalries, rackets, and law enforcement pressure across six seasons.

‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)

A strike team of Los Angeles detectives uses illegal tactics to control crime. Shawn Ryan created the series and built it around a moral collapse within the unit. Michael Chiklis stars as Vic Mackey with Walton Goggins as his partner. The show explores corruption investigations and gang alliances.

‘Fargo’ (2014–present)

Inspired by the film, this anthology tells separate Midwestern crime stories across different eras. Noah Hawley created the series with chapters set in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Missouri, and Kansas City. Each season features a new cast that has included Billy Bob Thornton and Chris Rock. The plots mix small town life with escalating violence.

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Modern London becomes the stage for updated Holmes mysteries. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock Holmes with Martin Freeman as John Watson. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss created the series using feature length episodes. Cases adapt classic stories with contemporary technology and criminal tactics.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

This series charts the early years of FBI behavioral science work. Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany play agents who interview incarcerated killers to build profiles. David Fincher produced and directed multiple episodes. The show integrates real cases with dramatized investigative breakthroughs.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

The story follows Colombian cartels during the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the Cali group. Wagner Moura portrays Escobar with Boyd Holbrook and Pedro Pascal as agents. The series films on location with Spanish and English dialogue. It details operations, alliances, and law enforcement strategies.

‘Narcos: Mexico’ (2018–2021)

This companion show shifts focus to the formation of Mexico’s modern drug trade. Diego Luna and Michael Peña headline the first season. The series tracks federations, splinter groups, and cross border investigations. It explores how trafficking routes and leadership structures evolved.

‘Line of Duty’ (2012–2021)

Britain’s AC-12 unit investigates police corruption through complex cases. Creator Jed Mercurio uses long interrogations and hidden links between seasons. Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, and Adrian Dunbar lead the team. Plots revolve around covert officers, missing evidence, and organized crime ties.

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

A brilliant but volatile London detective pursues violent offenders. Idris Elba stars as John Luther with Ruth Wilson as a recurring foil. Episodes blend psychological cat and mouse games with serial cases. The series emphasizes the personal toll of relentless investigations.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

A coastal English town confronts a tragic crime and its aftermath. David Tennant and Olivia Colman head the investigation. The show examines community dynamics, media attention, and courtroom processes. Each season follows a single case from discovery to resolution.

‘The Killing’ (2007–2012)

This Danish series follows detective Sarah Lund through multi episode investigations. Sofie Gråbøl stars as the lead with a signature knit sweater that became iconic. The narrative interweaves police, politics, and the victim’s family. Its structure influenced many later Nordic noir dramas.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Set in West Yorkshire, the show follows Sergeant Catherine Cawood as she deals with personal history and local crime. Sarah Lancashire leads the cast with Siobhan Finneran and James Norton. The series balances small town policing with organized crime threads. It concludes with a tightly connected final chapter.

‘Top of the Lake’ (2013–2017)

A detective returns to her New Zealand hometown for a missing person case. Elisabeth Moss stars with direction by Jane Campion and Garth Davis. The series explores gender dynamics, community secrets, and remote landscapes. A later chapter relocates the story to Sydney.

‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)

A financial adviser relocates his family to the Lake of the Ozarks to run a laundering scheme. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star with Bateman also directing. The series follows shifting alliances among cartels, local crime families, and federal agents. It tracks business fronts, political influence, and community impact.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

This period drama follows the Shelby family crime enterprise in Birmingham after the war. Cillian Murphy leads the cast as the gang expands its operations. The show covers political connections, rival gangs, and international dealings. Style and music frame a story of ambition and consolidation.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

A college student is charged after a night in New York ends in tragedy. Riz Ahmed and John Turturro star in an eight part limited series. The story details arrest, jail dynamics, and defense strategy. It examines evidence handling and the pressures of the court process.

‘Justified’ (2010–2015)

Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens returns to Kentucky for cases tied to his past. Timothy Olyphant stars with Walton Goggins as a key adversary. The series adapts Elmore Leonard characters and dialogue. Plots involve holler communities, crime families, and federal operations.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

Atlantic City during Prohibition becomes a hub for political and criminal power. Steve Buscemi plays Nucky Thompson with a cast that includes Michael Shannon and Kelly Macdonald. The show features historical figures and bootlegging networks. It follows alliances among cities, unions, and federal agents.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–1991)

An FBI agent arrives in a small town to investigate a homecoming queen’s death. Kyle MacLachlan leads a cast that blends mystery with surreal elements. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, it uses quirky characters and unusual clues. The case reveals secrets that involve the entire community.

‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ (1993–1999)

Based on a nonfiction book by David Simon, this series portrays Baltimore detectives and their cases. Andre Braugher and Kyle Secor are central figures. The show uses squad room dialogue and realistic procedures. It influenced later portrayals of urban policing.

‘Law & Order’ (1990–present)

Each episode splits time between a police investigation and a courtroom trial. The franchise format follows New York detectives and prosecutors. The show rotates cast members while keeping a stable structure. Stories often draw on current events and legal precedent.

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Two Soviet spies live as a married couple in suburban Washington during the Cold War. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys lead the cast with Noah Emmerich as an FBI neighbor. The series balances covert operations with family life. Plots include surveillance, informants, and shifting loyalties.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

This Italian series depicts the Neapolitan Camorra and its internal wars. Salvatore Esposito and Marco D’Amore head the ensemble. The show films on location and uses Neapolitan dialect. It follows leadership battles, alliances, and territorial control.

‘Money Heist’ (2017–2021)

A group of thieves carries out complex operations under a mastermind known as the Professor. The series uses red jumpsuits and a memorable anthem as visual markers. Episodes jump between planning, execution, and negotiation. It tracks hostages, police strategy, and group dynamics.

‘Unforgotten’ (2015–present)

Detectives reopen cold cases tied to remains found years after the crimes. Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar star as the leads. Each season introduces new suspects whose lives connect to the victim. The show emphasizes forensics, interviews, and the long reach of past events.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

A body found on a border forces Danish and Swedish police to cooperate. Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia lead the initial seasons. The series uses cross border jurisdiction issues as a core element. Investigations expand to political activism and organized networks.

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (2021–present)

This drama examines a Michigan town where prisons dominate local life. Jeremy Renner stars as a power broker between gangs, inmates, and authorities. The series maps deals among law enforcement, corrections, and street groups. It follows cycles of violence and attempted mediation.

‘Tokyo Vice’ (2022–present)

An American reporter embeds with Tokyo police to cover organized crime. Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe headline the cast. The series is based on a memoir and uses Japanese and English dialogue. It explores host clubs, financial crimes, and yakuza hierarchies.

‘Bosch’ (2014–2021)

Adapted from Michael Connelly’s novels, the show follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch. Titus Welliver stars with storylines pulled from multiple books. It focuses on homicide cases, internal affairs, and court proceedings. The series also tracks Bosch’s family life and military history.

‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

A master criminal surrenders to the FBI and offers to identify dangerous targets. James Spader leads as Raymond Reddington with Megan Boone and later additions. Episodes pair case of the week assignments with a larger conspiracy. The show catalogs international criminals known as Blacklisters.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

A Miami blood spatter analyst lives a secret life as a killer who targets other killers. Michael C. Hall stars with Jennifer Carpenter as his sister. The series explores forensic work, cover stories, and code based selection of victims. It tracks investigations that come dangerously close to home.

‘Columbo’ (1968–1978)

Peter Falk plays a seemingly disheveled detective with sharp investigative skills. Episodes often show the culprit at the start and then follow the takedown. The format relies on small inconsistencies that expose the plan. The character’s casual questions become key tools.

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

David Suchet portrays Hercule Poirot across feature length cases and shorter episodes. Adaptations draw from novels and short stories set across Europe. The series uses period detail and careful plotting. Recurring characters include Hastings, Miss Lemon, and Inspector Japp.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ (2000–2015)

A Las Vegas team solves crimes using forensic science. William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger lead early seasons with later cast changes. Episodes feature lab work, reconstruction, and evidence chains. The franchise later expanded to other cities.

‘Miami Vice’ (1984–1989)

Two undercover detectives take on South Florida traffickers and smugglers. Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas star as partners with distinct styles. The series integrates music, speedboats, and night clubs into operations. Cases involve stings, informants, and cross border routes.

‘Perry Mason’ (2020–2023)

This reimagined series follows a defense attorney working in early century Los Angeles. Matthew Rhys stars with cases that start as private investigations. The show builds courtroom strategies from field work and forensics. It explores local politics, police conduct, and media.

Share your favorite crime shows in the comments and tell us which ones you think deserve a spot here.