25 of the Best Crime and Mystery Shows to Keep You Guessing

The best crime and mystery shows are the ones that keep you guessing long after the credits roll. Think slow-burn serial killer investigations, twisty whodunits and atmospheric noir, with Mindhunter setting the benchmark for true-crime drama, Mare of Easttown delivering a masterclass in character-led mystery, and True Detective owning the moody noir mood. Add a few newer releases and upcoming favourites, and there’s plenty to binge. Here are 25 of the best crime and mystery shows to stream now, plus the ones worth keeping on your radar.

New Crime and Mystery Shows in 2026

Shards

Set in 1981 Los Angeles, Shards follows a group of privileged prep-school teenagers whose lives are disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious new student, just as a serial killer known as The Trawler begins targeting young people across the city. Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, it sits somewhere between coming-of-age drama, erotic thriller, and slasher. Stylish, unsettling, and not particularly interested in staying in one lane, it’s one for viewers after something a little different.

Where to Stream: Disney+
Years: 2026
Seasons: 1

I Will Find You

A father serving time for murdering his son escapes prison when new evidence suggests the boy may still be alive, sending him on a cross-country search that uncovers a much bigger conspiracy. Based on a Harlan Coben novel, I Will Find You leans into twists, pace, and cliffhangers rather than a slow-burn approach. In other words, it’s the one to queue up when you want a crime thriller that makes “just one more episode” particularly difficult to resist.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2026
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

Widow’s Bay

A sceptical new mayor arrives on a cursed New England island and soon finds herself dealing with a string of strange and unexplained deaths among the island’s deeply superstitious residents. Starring Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay blends comedy, horror, and mystery, bringing a gothic edge to its small-town setting. Consider it one for viewers who like their whodunits with a supernatural streak.

Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Years: 2026
Seasons: 1

His & Hers

Estranged spouses find themselves on opposite sides of a murder investigation when the news reporter and detective each begin to suspect the other could be responsible. Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal lead this twisty thriller, where the couple’s complicated history makes an already tangled investigation even harder to untangle. A good fit for fans of relationship-driven mysteries where the personal stakes are just as compelling as the crime.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2026
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

Sitchu Tip: The twist lands hard enough that a rewatch is worth it, just to catch the clues you missed the first time.

Under Salt Marsh

In a close-knit Welsh coastal village, a former detective turned schoolteacher discovers the body of one of her pupils just as a once-in-a-generation storm approaches. The discovery forces her to reconnect with the former police partner she hasn’t spoken to since a case tore them apart. Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall lead this atmospheric slow burn, which should appeal to fans of brooding British coastal mysteries.

Where to Stream: Binge, Apple TV
Years: 2026
Seasons: 1 (season 2 confirmed)

Crime and Mystery Shows Coming Soon

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

The fourth instalment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology turns its attention to Lizzie Borden, the Massachusetts woman accused of the infamous 1892 axe murders of her parents. Ella Beatty leads the series as the anthology’s first female “Monster”, alongside Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam and Rebecca Hall. Expect another lurid take on one of true crime’s most enduring cases.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Release: September 17, 2026
Seasons: 1 (part of an anthology series)

Fear Not

Anne Hathaway stars in and executive produces this six-part limited series based on the true story of Margy Palm, the last woman kidnapped by prolific serial killer Stephen Morin, and the unlikely bond that developed between captor and captive. From Boardwalk Empire writer Bash Doran, the series promises a true-crime story with a focus on compassion and faith alongside the darker elements of the case.

Where to Stream: Paramount+
Release: 2027
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

The Best Serial Killer and True Crime Shows to Watch

Mindhunter

FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench pioneer criminal profiling in the late 1970s, sitting down with real-life killers including Ed Kemper to better understand what drives people to murder. Mindhunter is less interested in shock tactics than the slow creep of psychological dread, with its long, unnerving interviews doing most of the heavy lifting. It’s cerebral true crime at its best, made for viewers who prefer their serial killer stories thoughtful, meticulous and quietly terrifying.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2017–2019
Seasons: 2

Girl in the Picture

This true-crime documentary begins with a woman found dying by an Oklahoma roadside and slowly unravels into a decades-long mystery involving a stolen identity, a missing child, and a man who wasn’t who he claimed to be. The story only gets stranger as it unfolds, making Girl in the Picture an absorbing watch for fans of investigative true crime. It’s unsettling, patiently told and all the more compelling for the fact that it’s rooted in real events.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2022
Seasons: 1 (feature documentary)

The Best Whodunit and Mystery Shows to Watch

And Then There Were None

Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island off the English coast, each harbouring a guilty secret, before they begin being murdered one by one in a pattern that mirrors an old nursery rhyme. This BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic is atmospheric and deliberately paced, allowing suspicion to simmer between the guests. For anyone looking to dip into the great whodunit tradition, this is an especially handsome place to start.

Where to Stream: Apple TV
Years: 2015
Seasons: 1 (miniseries)

Broadchurch

The murder of a young boy sends shockwaves through a small English coastal town, as detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller work the case while an increasingly intense media frenzy closes in. But Broadchurch is about more than finding out who did it. The series lingers on the grief, suspicion and fallout left behind, giving its small-town characters plenty of room to breathe. A beautifully acted pick for fans of character-led mysteries.

Where to Stream: Netflix, Binge, Prime Video, 10 Play
Years: 2013–2017
Seasons: 3

The Beast in Me

A grieving author becomes increasingly fascinated by her enigmatic new neighbour, a real estate executive suspected, but never charged, with killing his wife. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a dangerous psychological game between the pair. Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys and Brittany Snow carry the series with plenty of tension, making this a cat-and-mouse thriller that doubles as a study in obsession.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2025
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

Presumed Innocent

A Chicago prosecutor finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation when his colleague and former lover is killed, putting his career, marriage and freedom on the line. Jake Gyllenhaal leads this David E. Kelley adaptation of Scott Turow’s novel, keeping the question of his guilt tantalisingly open throughout. Part courtroom drama, part murder mystery, it’s a polished pick for fans of legal thrillers with plenty of twists.

Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Years: 2024
Seasons: 1

The Killing (US)

Seattle detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder investigate the murder of teenager Rosie Larsen, with the case unfolding in real time as political intrigue and personal fallout become increasingly tangled. Moody, rain-soaked and gloriously unhurried, The Killing is made for viewers who like their mysteries to take their time. It’s less about racing to the answer and more about settling into the atmosphere.

Where to Stream: Disney+, Apple TV
Years: 2011–2014
Seasons: 4

Big Little Lies

The seemingly perfect lives of a group of mothers in a wealthy Californian beach town begin to unravel around secrets, lies and a mysterious death. With a stellar ensemble cast including homegrown Nicole Kidman, and plenty of polished coastal scenery, Big Little Lies wraps its central mystery in prestige drama, exploring motherhood, relationships and domestic abuse along the way. It’s crime drama with a decidedly glossy finish.

Where to Stream: HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV
Years: 2017–present
Seasons: 2 (season 3 confirmed)

Mare of Easttown

Small-town Pennsylvania detective Mare Sheehan investigates the murder of a teenage mother while trying to hold together a life that’s quietly coming apart around her. Kate Winslet’s Mare is exhausted, complicated, and entirely believable, while the series gives equal weight to the investigation and the community left dealing with its aftermath. For a character-led whodunit with real emotional depth, it’s hard to go past.

Where to Stream: HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV
Years: 2021
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

Sharp Objects

A troubled reporter returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls, only to find herself confronting the trauma of her own upbringing. Amy Adams gives a raw, unsettling performance in this slow-burning psychological mystery, where the damage beneath the surface is every bit as compelling as the case itself. It’s dark, deeply atmospheric, and best suited to viewers who like their mysteries with a side of unease.

Where to Stream: HBO Max, Prime Video
Years: 2018
Seasons: 1 (limited series)

Only Murders in the Building

Three true-crime-obsessed neighbours join forces after a murder takes place inside their swanky New York apartment building, turning their investigation into a podcast along the way. Only Murders in the Building brings plenty of wit and warmth to the whodunit format without losing sight of the mystery at its centre. It also has a habit of attracting seriously good guest stars, with Meryl Streep, Olivia Colman, David Tennant and more joining the cast across its seasons. With Season 6 coming in December 2026, now is a very good time to catch up.

Where to Stream: Disney+
Years: 2021–present
Seasons: 5 (Season 6 coming December 2026)

The Best Detective and Noir Shows to Watch

True Detective

Each season of HBO’s anthology series introduces a new pair of investigators and a new case, while maintaining the show’s fascination with human darkness. Season one, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, remains the standout, balancing a gripping investigation with philosophical musings and an unmistakably brooding atmosphere. For crime fans who like their mysteries moody, cerebral and beautifully shot, this is essential viewing.

Where to Stream: HBO Max, Apple TV
Years: 2014–present
Seasons: 4 (anthology, season 5 confirmed)

Reacher

Ex-military police officer Jack Reacher drifts from town to town, usually managing to stumble into a conspiracy that requires exactly the particular set of skills he has to offer. Reacher is considerably more action-forward than the other mysteries on this list, with fists often doing as much investigative work as forensics. It’s the punchier pick for anyone who likes their crime dramas with plenty of momentum.

Sitchu Tip: This is a genuine two-birds pick for couples split between wanting mystery and wanting action, neither of you has to compromise here.

Where to Stream: Prime Video
Years: 2022–present
Seasons: 4 (ongoing)

Fargo

Inspired by the Coen brothers’ signature mix of snowy landscapes, deadpan humour and sudden violence, Fargo delivers a new self-contained crime story with each season. The cases and casts change, but the darkly funny sense that one bad decision can send an ordinary life spectacularly off course remains. For noir with a wicked sense of humour, this one is difficult to beat.

Where to Stream: Stan, Prime Video
Years: 2014–2024
Seasons: 5 (anthology)

The Best Cop Procedurals to Watch

Southland

This gritty, unvarnished look at the LAPD follows patrol officers and detectives across Los Angeles, favouring day-to-day realism and character development over neatly wrapped cases. Southland feels rougher around the edges than a traditional network procedural, with the personal consequences of police work carrying from one episode to the next. A particularly good pick for fans of Ben McKenzie, aka The O.C.’s Ryan Atwood.

Where to Stream: Netflix
Years: 2009–2013
Seasons: 5

Happy Valley

Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood is determined to protect her family and community, but a case involving the man responsible for her daughter’s trauma quickly becomes deeply personal. Sarah Lancashire is superb at the centre of this tense British crime drama, which balances its investigation with themes of grief, resilience and family. It’s a procedural with plenty of emotional weight behind it.

Where to Stream: Stan, Binge, Prime Video, Apple TV
Years: 2014–2023
Seasons: 3

Sitchu Tip: Watching all three seasons back to back means you see the cast age in real time across the seven-year gap between series two and three, and it works brilliantly with the storyline.

The Wire

Set in Baltimore, The Wire begins with a police investigation but gradually expands into a much bigger portrait of the city and the institutions shaping it, from schools and media to politics and law enforcement. It’s slower and more expansive than a conventional procedural, rewarding patience with an unusually detailed view of how systems work and fail. A foundational watch for anyone interested in the evolution of modern crime television.

Where to Stream: HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV
Years: 2002–2008
Seasons: 5

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Crime and Mystery Shows

What is the best limited crime drama to watch in one sitting?

The Beast in Me is a strong pick, pairing Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in a tense cat-and-mouse game between a grieving author and her enigmatic, widowed neighbour. Sharp Objects is another standout, with Amy Adams playing a troubled reporter confronting her own hometown trauma while investigating the murders of two young girls. For something twistier, Presumed Innocent follows Jake Gyllenhaal’s Chicago prosecutor as he becomes the prime suspect in his colleague’s murder. All three are self-contained, making them ideal for a focused, single-season watch rather than an ongoing commitment.

What is the best cop procedural series to watch?

The Wire is the genre’s benchmark, beginning as a Baltimore police investigation before expanding into a wider portrait of the city’s schools, media and politics. Southland takes a grittier, character-focused approach to LAPD patrol officers and detectives, favouring day-to-day realism over neatly resolved cases. Both prioritise institutional and personal consequence over tidy procedural formula, making them better suited to viewers after depth than quick-hit crime solving.

What are the best British crime dramas?

Happy Valley and Broadchurch are the standouts. Happy Valley follows Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood, played by Sarah Lancashire, across three seasons that balance investigation with grief and family resilience. Broadchurch centres on the murder of a young boy in a small English coastal town, with detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller working the case as media pressure mounts. Under Salt Marsh, a newer atmospheric slow burn set in a Welsh coastal village and starring Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, is also worth adding to the list for fans of brooding UK mysteries.

What new crime and mystery shows are coming in 2026?

Shards, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, is set in 1981 Los Angeles and blends coming-of-age drama with slasher elements as a serial killer targets local teens. I Will Find You follows a wrongly imprisoned father searching for his son, based on a Harlan Coben novel, while Widow’s Bay brings a gothic, supernatural edge to a small-town mystery starring Matthew Rhys. Looking further ahead, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story arrives on Netflix from 17 September 2026, and Fear Not, starring Anne Hathaway, is slated for 2027 on Paramount+.

What is the best whodunit or mystery series to binge?

And Then There Were None is a strong entry point into the genre, adapting Agatha Christie’s classic tale of ten strangers picked off one by one on an isolated island. For a character-driven alternative, Mare of Easttown pairs a small-town murder investigation with Kate Winslet’s exhausted, deeply human lead performance. Only Murders in the Building offers a lighter, wittier take on the format, following three neighbours turned podcast sleuths after a death in their New York building. Each approaches the whodunit formula differently, from classic to comedic.

What is the best true crime and serial killer show to watch?

Mindhunter remains the standard-bearer, tracing FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they pioneer criminal profiling through interviews with real-life killers like Ed Kemper. It favours slow psychological dread over shock value, making it a fit for viewers who want their true crime cerebral rather than sensational. For a documentary alternative, Girl in the Picture unpacks a decades-long mystery involving a stolen identity and a missing child. Both are streaming on Netflix and reward patient, attentive viewing rather than background watching.

Still looking for your next screen obsession? Keep the culture fix going with our picks of the most exciting book-to-screen adaptations coming in 2026 and beyond, or switch screens for your ears with the best podcasts to listen to right now.