Noir Series You Are Sleeping On (but Shouldn’t)

Noir on television spans continents, time periods, and subgenres, blending crime, moral ambiguity, and shadowy atmosphere into serialized stories that reward close attention. This list gathers series from the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia, along with a few anime entries that lean hard into noir hallmarks. You’ll find procedurals, psychological thrillers, organized-crime sagas, and border-hopping investigations, many adapted from novels or built by distinctive creators. Each entry below notes the premise, creators, cast, setting, and other concrete details so you can quickly decide what to watch next.

‘Giri/Haji’ (2019)

Created by Joe Barton, ‘Giri/Haji’ follows a Tokyo detective who travels to London to find his missing yakuza-affiliated brother. The series features Takehiro Hira, Kelly Macdonald, Will Sharpe, and Yōsuke Kubozuka. It blends Japanese and English dialogue and incorporates animated interludes and split-location storytelling. It was produced by BBC Two and Netflix, with filming across London and Tokyo.

‘Quarry’ (2016)

Based on Max Allan Collins’ novels, ‘Quarry’ centers on a Marine sniper who returns home to Memphis and becomes entangled with a clandestine criminal network. The show stars Logan Marshall-Green, Jodi Balfour, Damon Herriman, and Peter Mullan. It was created by Michael D. Fuller and Graham Gordy. Cinematography highlights Mississippi River locales, with much of the production based in New Orleans and Memphis.

‘The Shadow Line’ (2011)

‘The Shadow Line’ is a British miniseries created and written by Hugo Blick about the fallout from a drug lord’s murder. The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Rafe Spall, and Stephen Rea. The story tracks both police and criminals as parallel investigations reveal institutional secrecy. It aired on BBC Two and was filmed in London and surrounding areas.

‘Too Old to Die Young’ (2019)

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and co-written with Ed Brubaker, ‘Too Old to Die Young’ is a Los Angeles-set crime saga that follows a deputy drawn into a criminal underworld. Miles Teller, Augusto Aguilera, and Cristina Rodlo lead the ensemble. The series was produced for Amazon and released in long, chapter-structured episodes. It features extensive night shooting across Southern California locations.

‘Bordertown’ (2016–2020)

Known in Finland as ‘Sorjonen’, ‘Bordertown’ focuses on detective Kari Sorjonen after he relocates to Lappeenranta near the Russian border. The series stars Ville Virtanen and Matleena Kuusniemi. Cases often involve cross-border elements tied to St. Petersburg and the Karelian region. It was produced by Fisher King Production and Yle, with distribution through international streaming platforms.

‘Trapped’ (2015–2021)

The Icelandic series ‘Trapped’ (‘Ófærð’) follows police chief Andri Ólafsson as he investigates major crimes isolated by extreme weather and geography. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson leads the cast, with production by RVK Studios. The show is set primarily in a remote Icelandic town, using harbors and fjords as recurring locations. International distribution brought the series to multiple broadcasters and streamers.

‘Deadwind’ (2018–2023)

Also known as ‘Karppi’, ‘Deadwind’ is a Finnish crime drama about homicide detective Sofia Karppi and her partner Sakari Nurmi. Pihla Viitala and Lauri Tilkanen star. The narrative often links corporate intrigue to local cases in Helsinki. It was produced by Dionysos Films for Yle and later acquired by global streaming services.

‘Cardinal’ (2017–2020)

Adapted from Giles Blunt’s John Cardinal novels, ‘Cardinal’ is set in the fictional Northern Ontario city of Algonquin Bay. Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse portray detectives John Cardinal and Lise Delorme. The series emphasizes seasonal arcs that align with specific books. Production took place in Sudbury and North Bay, with Sienna Films and Entertainment One involved.

‘Pagan Peak’ (2019–2023)

‘Pagan Peak’ (‘Der Pass’) is a German-Austrian series inspired by ‘The Bridge’, following investigators on either side of the Bavarian-Tyrolean border. Julia Jentsch and Nicholas Ofczarek star as the primary detectives. The Alps serve as key locations, with winter landscapes integral to several cases. Service production involved Sky Deutschland and a cross-border crew.

‘Perfume’ (2018)

‘Perfume’ (‘Parfum’) is a German miniseries loosely inspired by Patrick Süskind’s novel, transposed to a modern investigation into ritualistic murders. The ensemble includes Friederike Becht, Wotan Wilke Möhring, and August Diehl. It was produced for ZDFneo and later streamed internationally. Filming occurred in North Rhine-Westphalia, with recurring scenes at an elite boarding-school setting.

‘Marcella’ (2016–2021)

Written and created by Hans Rosenfeldt, ‘Marcella’ follows former detective Marcella Backland as she reenters the Metropolitan Police to pursue complex cases. Anna Friel leads the cast, with cinematography rooted in London’s residential and industrial areas. The show employs multi-case season structures and serialized personal subplots. Production partners included Buccaneer Media and ITV, with international distribution on streaming platforms.

‘River’ (2015)

‘River’ is a British miniseries about a police detective who experiences hallucinatory conversations with the dead connected to his cases. Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker star. Abi Morgan created and wrote the series, and it was produced by Kudos for BBC One. London’s Southwark and nearby boroughs provide recurring locations.

‘McMafia’ (2018)

‘McMafia’ explores transnational organized crime through the story of a British-raised son of Russian exiles pulled into illicit networks. James Norton stars, with David Strathairn and Aleksey Serebryakov in supporting roles. The series was created by Hossein Amini and James Watkins, inspired by Misha Glenny’s nonfiction book. Production spanned multiple countries, including the UK, Croatia, Israel, and the UAE.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

Based on Roberto Saviano’s book, ‘Gomorrah’ follows Neapolitan crime clans and internal power struggles. The principal cast includes Marco D’Amore and Salvatore Esposito. The series was produced by Sky Italia, Cattleya, and Fandango, with extensive location work in Naples and its suburbs. It spawned a prequel film, ‘The Immortal’, centered on a key character.

‘Babylon Berlin’ (2017–2023)

‘Babylon Berlin’ is a German period crime series set in Weimar-era Berlin, charting police investigations amid political upheaval. Volker Bruch and Liv Lisa Fries star, with Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries, and Henk Handloegten serving as creators. Large-scale sets recreate historic streets, clubs, and police offices. The production is a collaboration among ARD, Sky, and Beta Film.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

‘The Bridge’ (‘Bron/Broen’) begins with a body found on the Øresund Bridge, forcing Danish and Swedish police to collaborate. Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia lead early seasons, portraying Saga Norén and Martin Rohde. The series originated on SVT and DR, with multiple international remakes. Cross-border procedures and jurisdictional details drive many plot points.

‘Hap and Leonard’ (2016–2018)

Adapted from Joe R. Lansdale’s novels, ‘Hap and Leonard’ follows two friends drawn into crimes in East Texas. James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams star, with Christina Hendricks in the first season. The series was produced for SundanceTV, with episodes structured around specific books. Location shooting used Louisiana stand-ins for rural Texas.

‘Rebecka Martinsson’ (2017–2020)

‘Rebecka Martinsson’ adapts Åsa Larsson’s crime novels set in Sweden’s far north. The lead role was portrayed by Ida Engvoll and later Sascha Zacharias. Cases unfold around Kiruna and Lapland communities, integrating legal and investigative angles. Production involved Yellow Bird and TV4, with recurring winter and mining-town backdrops.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

‘The Night Of’ is an American miniseries based on the British ‘Criminal Justice’, focusing on one homicide case and the legal process that follows. Riz Ahmed and John Turturro star, with Steven Zaillian and Richard Price as creators. The series examines police procedure, pretrial detention, and defense strategy. Filming took place across New York City boroughs and court facilities.

‘ZeroZeroZero’ (2020)

‘ZeroZeroZero’ adapts Roberto Saviano’s nonfiction account of a global cocaine shipment from multiple perspectives. The cast includes Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, and Gabriel Byrne. Narrative threads cover Italian, Mexican, and U.S. actors in the supply chain, with shooting across several countries. The series was produced by Cattleya, Bartlebyfilm, and Amazon Studios.

‘Tokyo Vice’ (2022–2024)

‘Tokyo Vice’ dramatizes an American reporter’s early-career work on the crime beat in Tokyo and his interactions with detectives and yakuza. Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, and Rachel Keller star. The series was developed by J.T. Rogers and initially directed in part by Michael Mann. Production involves bilingual dialogue and location filming in Tokyo neighborhoods.

‘Southland’ (2009–2013)

‘Southland’ is a Los Angeles-set police series that tracks patrol officers and detectives through interconnected cases. The ensemble includes Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, and Ben McKenzie. The show was produced by John Wells Productions, with handheld camerawork and on-location shoots across the city. Stories frequently span multiple divisions, including homicide and gang units.

‘Bosch’ (2015–2021)

‘Bosch’ adapts Michael Connelly’s novels about LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Titus Welliver leads the cast, with Jamie Hector and Amy Aquino in key roles. The series maps investigations onto Los Angeles landmarks, from the Hollywood Hills to downtown precincts. It was produced for Amazon, with season-long cases often combining elements from several books.

‘Psycho-Pass’ (2012–2019)

‘Psycho-Pass’ is an anime set in a future Japan where law enforcement uses predictive systems to assess criminal intent. The series follows Inspector Akane Tsunemori and Enforcer Shinya Kogami. It blends procedural casework with debates about surveillance and justice. Multiple seasons and films expand the setting and introduce new investigative units.

‘Ergo Proxy’ (2006)

‘Ergo Proxy’ is an anime that combines detective investigation with philosophical science fiction in a domed-city society. The story centers on inspector Re-l Mayer, AutoReivs, and a mysterious entity known as a Proxy. The series was produced by Manglobe, with designs by Naoyuki Onda and music by Yoshihiro Ike. It uses a muted palette and urban-decay motifs consistent with noir aesthetics.

‘Braquo’ (2009–2016)

Created by Olivier Marchal, ‘Braquo’ follows a squad of Parisian officers who pursue major-crime targets with off-book tactics. The principal cast includes Jean-Hugues Anglade, Joseph Malerba, and Karole Rocher. The series was produced for Canal+ and filmed across Île-de-France locations. Season arcs track internal-affairs pressure, cross-border cases, and shifting alliances within organized-crime networks.

‘Spiral’ (‘Engrenages’) (2005–2020)

‘Spiral’ portrays the French justice system through parallel storylines for police, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in Paris. Caroline Proust, Audrey Fleurot, and Thierry Godard lead the ensemble. The show was produced by Son et Lumière for Canal+, with extensive courthouse and precinct sets alongside on-location shoots. Multi-episode investigations emphasize procedure from arrest to trial and sentencing.

‘Love/Hate’ (2010–2014)

Set in Dublin, ‘Love/Hate’ tracks rival crews and the drug trade as police surveillance expands around key suspects. Aidan Gillen, Robert Sheehan, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor appear in central roles. The series was produced by Octagon Films for RTÉ, with city-center and suburban estates used for recurring locations. Storylines map turf disputes, prison connections, and international supply routes.

‘Suburra: Blood on Rome’ (2017–2020)

‘Suburra: Blood on Rome’ explores the intersection of organized crime, politics, and church influence in the capital. Alessandro Borghi, Giacomo Ferrara, and Eduardo Valdarnini headline the cast. The series was produced by Cattleya and Bartlebyfilm and released globally via streaming. Filming covers seaside Ostia, historic districts, and parliamentary-adjacent neighborhoods tied to real municipal cases.

‘Before We Die’ (2017–2019)

The Swedish original ‘Before We Die’ (‘Innan vi dör’) follows detective Hanna Svensson as she uncovers a covert operation tied to a crime family. Marie Richardson and Adam Pålsson star. Produced by B-Reel Films for SVT, the series uses Stockholm safe houses, restaurants, and ferry terminals as key sites. Narrative threads include embedded informants, encrypted communications, and European police cooperation.

‘Hierro’ (2019–2021)

Set on El Hierro in the Canary Islands, ‘Hierro’ centers on an investigating judge who handles high-profile cases on the remote island. Candela Peña and Darío Grandinetti lead the cast. The series was produced by Portocabo and Movistar Plus+, using volcanic landscapes and port facilities as signature visuals. Cases involve business disputes, smuggling routes, and longstanding family conflicts.

‘Gigantes’ (2018–2019)

‘Gigantes’ chronicles a Madrid family’s control of a narcotics empire and the strains between brothers vying for power. The cast includes José Coronado, Isaak Ferriz, and Daniel Grao. The series was produced by LaZona for Movistar Plus+, with shoots in Lavapiés, Malasaña, and surrounding districts. Police investigations and rival organizations press against legitimate fronts and night-life venues.

‘Signal’ (2016)

‘Signal’ links detectives across decades through a mysterious radio that helps solve cold cases. Lee Je-hoon, Kim Hye-soo, and Cho Jin-woong star. The series was produced by Studio Dragon and aired on tvN, with cases referencing real incidents adapted into fictionalized investigations. Episodes alternate between present-day fieldwork and past timelines that inform evidence and suspect profiles.

‘Stranger’ (2017–2020)

Known domestically as ‘Secret Forest’, ‘Stranger’ follows a prosecutor and a homicide detective who probe corruption within the justice system. Cho Seung-woo and Bae Doona lead the cast. Produced by Studio Dragon for tvN, the show employs Seoul courts, prosecutor offices, and police headquarters as recurring locations. Season structures revolve around whistleblowers, case leaks, and inter-agency conflicts.

‘Beyond Evil’ (2021)

‘Beyond Evil’ focuses on two officers reassigned to a small town where a new crime echoes an old case. Shin Ha-kyun and Yeo Jin-goo star. The series aired on JTBC and was produced by Celltrion Entertainment and JTBC Studios. Investigation threads use rural checkpoints, CCTV networks, and evidence handling across precinct boundaries.

‘Monster’ (2004–2005)

Based on Naoki Urasawa’s manga, ‘Monster’ follows a surgeon who pursues a former patient linked to a series of crimes across Central Europe. The anime was produced by Madhouse, with direction by Masayuki Kojima. Episodes track police files, hospital records, and witness accounts in multiple countries. The narrative employs multilingual settings and recurring investigators who compile case dossiers.

‘Texhnolyze’ (2003)

‘Texhnolyze’ is set in a subterranean city divided by syndicates and experimental prosthetics research. The series was produced by Madhouse, with direction by Hiroshi Hamasaki and concept by Yasuyuki Ueda. Storylines cover faction negotiations, black-market technology, and territorial control points. Industrial zones, fighting pits, and council chambers form the principal locations.

‘Paranoia Agent’ (2004)

Created by Satoshi Kon, ‘Paranoia Agent’ examines urban incidents attributed to a figure known as Lil’ Slugger while detectives collect contradictory testimonies. Madhouse produced the series, with episodic cases feeding a larger pattern. Settings range from corporate offices to residential blocks and media studios. The investigation collates victim statements, forensic leads, and surveillance gaps.

‘Terriers’ (2010)

‘Terriers’ follows two unlicensed private investigators operating around Ocean Beach in San Diego. Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James star, with creator Ted Griffin and executive producer Shawn Ryan. The series aired on FX and uses coastal neighborhoods, construction sites, and municipal offices as recurring locations. Case-of-the-week plots connect to a land-development arc and local political interests.

‘Rellik’ (2017)

‘Rellik’ tells a serial-offender investigation in reverse order, revealing evidence and suspects backward toward the first crime. Richard Dormer and Jodi Balfour lead the cast. The series was created by Harry and Jack Williams, produced by Two Brothers Pictures, and broadcast by BBC One and Cinemax. Filming took place in London, with scenes spanning forensic labs, estates, and industrial zones.

Share your favorite under-the-radar noir series in the comments so others can add them to their watchlists.