10 Gritty TV Crime Dramas For Fans Of True Crime (2024)

True crime has been one of the hottest genres in recent years, with many TV series looking to ride the wave of popularity. These series all produce incredibly gripping narratives with unique attention to detail and realism that is not often present in other fictional or non-fictional shows. With big-budget players like Netflix and Apple TV+ all putting their creative machines behind true crime shows, the genre is consistently pushing the boat out and breaking new ground.

The landscape continues to change and grow, with series like Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Narcos capturing the audience's attention like never before. With creators, actors, and production companies all understanding the complex morality of portraying and highlighting these true stories, true crime dramas are among the most popular shows on streaming. That said, there are scripted shows that aren't exactly true crime dramas but will still please fans of the genre.

10 The Valhalla Murders (2019 – 2020)

Starring Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir And Björn Thors

The Valhalla Murders is an eight-part police drama set in Iceland that makes full use of the bleak and chilling landscapes to create a series full of mystery and violence. The plot is loosely based on real events that took place in a remote area of the country and follows police detective Arnar as he returns home to help investigator Kata solve a string of brutal murders. One by one, they peel back the layers and evidence of each crime until everything falls into place, and they can link them back to one location, a boy's home with a history of physical and sexual abuse.

For fans of true crime, The Valhalla Murders is an exceptional series as it utilizes real-life events perfectly, providing a wonderful template without feeling hamstrung by needing to stick religiously to the facts. It doesn't shy away from embracing its Icelandic roots, fully immersing itself as a 'Nordic Noir', with stunning visuals and minimalistic cinematography that beautifully contrast with the horror of the murders. Though not as commercially or critically acclaimed as many of the other series, it is still a fantastic series with brilliant acting and a tense, unfolding narrative.

9 Alias Grace (2017)

Starring Sarah Gadon And Edward Holcroft

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Alias Grace

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

Thriller

Grace is a young Irish woman from the lower middle class who decides to try life in Canada. Hired to work as a maid, she is sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her employer and the housekeeper.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Sarah Gadon , Edward Holcroft , Rebecca Liddiard , Zachary Levi , Kerr Logan , Paul Gross , David Cronenberg , Anna Paquin

Character(s)

Reverend Verrenger , Mrs. Quenell , Ship's Doctor , Keeper #2 , Mrs. Parkinson , Thomas Kinnear , Grace Marks , Mrs. Humphrey , Dr. Simon Jordan , James McDermott , Agnes , Michael , Mary Whitney , Jeremiah Pontelli , Nancy Montgomery , Street Urchin #1 , Grace's Father , Mrs. Honey , Effie , Diane , Keeper #1 , Mr. McDonald

Release Date

September 25, 2017

Seasons

1

Network

CBC Television

Directors

Mary Harron

Producers

John Buchan , Margaret Atwood , Mary Harron , Noreen Halpern , Sarah Polley

In a gritty adaption of Canadian author Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, Alias Grace, directed by Mary Harron, recounts the real-life double murder of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. Two servants in the Kinnear residence, Grace Marks and James McDermott were convicted of the crimes and sentenced to life in prison and death by hanging, respectively. Though based on true events, screenwriter Sarah Polley, like Harron, takes some creative liberties in both the characters involved and the events themselves to create a truly spectacular series.

What makes Alias Grace such a fascinating watch is the character of Grace Marks and how she is portrayed by both the show and the amazing actress Sarah Gadon. Grace is placed in purgatory, between being a victim of circumstances and also a perpetrator of a horrific crime, with the audience having to figure out the dichotomy of the person behind the role. Gadon has a masterful skill in playing the nuanced role, combined with a perfectly paced story and mysterious true-to-life events that make it a must-watch for any true crime fan.

8 The Bridge (2013)

Starring Diane Kruger And Demián Bichir

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

The Bridge

Crime

Drama

When a serial killer is murdering people on both sides of the Texas-Chihuahua border, two detectives, Marcos Ruiz and Sonya Cross, must work together to bring his reign of terror to an end. The Bridge lasted for two seasons on FX and starred Demián Bichir and Diane Kruger as the lead detectives.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

See Also

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Gold’ on Hulu, a Survivalist Saga in Which Zac Efron Rots Away In Front of Our Very Eyes'Gold' Ending, Explained: Who Finally Gets To Keep The Enormous Gold Nugget?Gold Review: 127 Hours Meets The Rover In Zac Efron’s Best Effort YetFilm Review: GOLD (2022): Zac Efron Turns in A Physically Demanding Performance in a Futuristic Drama | FilmBook

*Availability in US

Cast

Diane Kruger , Demián Bichir , Annabeth Gish , Thomas M. Wright , Ted Levine , Matthew Lillard , Emily Rios

Release Date

July 10, 2013

Seasons

2

Creator(s)

Meredith Stiehm , Elwood Reid

Adapted from and inspired by the Danish-Swedish series Bron/Broen, The Bridge is a British-American drama that takes place on the US-Mexico border as a body is discovered between the two countries. The story follows detectives Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) from El Paso, Texas, and detective Marco Ruiz (Demián Bichir) from Chihuahua, Mexico, as they must work together to solve the murder that leads back to corruption and human trafficking. The series' plot mirrors the real-life investigation of El Paso Times Reporters who covered the murders and who became a part of the story in later seasons.

Any show with an intriguing premise, interesting narrative, and compelling characters has the potential to be great, and The Bridge has all that and much more. The series' leads, Kruger and Bichir, are nothing short of electric, with palpable chemistry, snappy back-and-forth dialogue, and an authentic relationship that develops from forced partners into a budding friendship. Though it lacks some of the punch of the Scandinavian original, it still stands up as a brilliant series that blends a murder mystery with rising cultural and systemic tensions between the two countries as they aim to solve the case.

7 The Serpent (2021)

Starring Tahar Rahim

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

The Serpent

TV-MA

Drama

Crime

The Serpent is a true-crime drama series based on the real-life story of Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer who preyed on tourists in Thailand in the 1970s. The series follows the story of Herman Knippenberg, a junior diplomat at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok, who becomes obsessed with tracking down Sobhraj.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Tahar Rahim , Jenna Coleman , Ellie Bamber , Billy Howle , Mathilde Warnier

Release Date

January 1, 2021

Seasons

1

Network

BBC

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Main Genre

Drama

Creator(s)

Toby Finlay , Richard Warlow

Commissioned for an eight-episode series by British media powerhouse the BBC in partnership with Netflix, The Serpent chronicles the life and crimes of a notorious French serial killer. Tahar Rahim stars as the murderer Charles 'the Serpent' Sobhraj as he groomed and murdered young backpackers who were traveling on the 'hippie trail' in Southeast Asia. The series focuses on Charles' early life, his move to Asia, and his gruesome crimes, as a Dutch diplomat named Herman Knippenberg is relentless in his pursuit to take him down and put an end to his serial killing spree.

The Serpent makes brilliant use of a non-linear narrative that has to ability to swiftly move back and forth in time, which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Rahim gives the performance of his career, with his unnerving yet charismatic portrayal perfectly mirroring the real-life monster, and the show's attention to detail and period visuals show the craft and meticulous precision that went into all aspects of the show. Though the pacing is a little slow at the start, with a stellar lead performance, gritty story, and adherence to authenticity, it is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime events.

6 Unbelievable (2019)

Starring Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, And Merritt Wever

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Unbelievable

Starring Toni Collette and was created by Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, and Ayelet Waldman. The 2019 miniseries takes an introspective look at a serial assault case that took place in Washington State and Colorado

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Mike Merritt , Toni Collette , Kaitlyn Dever , Danielle Macdonald , Dale Dickey , Liza Lapira

Release Date

September 13, 2019

Directors

Michael Dinner

Unbelievable is a harrowing series adapted from the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning article "An Unbelievable Story of Rape" by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong. It recounts and dramatizes the 2008-2011 serial rape cases in Washington and Colorado and focuses on young rape survivor Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever) and the events of her life after the assault. Marie gets charged with a crime after being manipulated and gaslit by two male detectives who don't believe her account, while the other plot line focuses on two female detectives from a different area who are on the trail of a serial rapist.

While the subject matter and sequences are often hard to watch, it feels like an important series that goes out of its way to offer a genuine and realistic insight into these topics that help shed light on systemic failures of justice. Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever, as Marie and the two detectives who solve the case, are incredible, delivering nuanced and unfiltered takes that bring the story to light in such a heartbreaking yet inspiring manner. The interweaving plotlines, combined with the haunting, raw visuals and social commentary, make it one of the best series in the genre.

5 Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)

Starring Evan Peters And Richard Jenkins

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

9.5/10

Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Biography

Drama

Crime

Thriller

Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer story is another limited crime drama biography series created by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, starring Evan Peters in the titular role. This series tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer from the perspective of surviving victims while exploring the missteps taken by the police that allowed Dahmer to continue his three-decade-long killing spree, leading to the murder of at least seventeen young men. In addition, the show covers the earlier years of Dahmer's life, including the difficult divorce between his parents, his murderous origins back in high school, and his demise in prison.

Where to Watch

Season

• stream
• rent
• buy

See Also

Gold - Movie Reviews

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Evan Peters , Niecy Nash , Molly Ringwald , Richard Jenkins , Michael Learned

Release Date

September 21, 2022

Seasons

1

Network

Netflix

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Writers

Ryan Murphy , Ian Brennan

Directors

Ian Brennan

Showrunner

Ian Brennan

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is the first season of the American criminal anthology series Monster, created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) and Ian Brennan. In one of Netflix's most popular series of all time, Evan Peters stars as the titular serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, who prowled Milwaukee and the surrounding states between 1978 and 1991, killing and dismembering a confirmed 17 boys and young men. The series focuses on Dahmer's early life up until his time in prison, giving a comprehensive account of one of America's most notorious killers.

The series opened to a whirlwind of success, becoming Netflix's second most-watched (English Language) series of all time in the first 28 days of release, surpassing a billion hours viewed within the first 60 days. Peters' award-winning performance is a significant part of the acclaim as he completely transforms himself, portraying Dahmer as a layered, complicated, and even, at times, sympathetic character. The violence and crimes are extremely gruesome but the shows commitment to understanding and showing the systemic failings of society and the law make it a fascinating and important watch.

4 The Wire (2002 – 2008)

Starring Dominic West And Idris Elba

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

10/10

The Wire

Drama

The Wire is an American crime drama starring Dominic West and Lance Reddick. The show follows Detective James ‘Jimmy’ McNulty as he tackles the drug scene in Baltimore, Maryland. The HBO series was praised throughout its run, even winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. The Wire aired on HBO between 2002 and 2008 for a total of 60 episodes.

Where to Watch

Season

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Lance Reddick , Michael B. Jordan , Idris Elba , Dominic West , Wood Harris

Release Date

June 2, 2002

Seasons

5

Network

HBO Max , BBC

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Max

Writers

David Simon

Directors

David Simon

Showrunner

David Simon

HBO's The Wire, created and written by author and ex-police reporter David Simon, is widely regarded as one of the best television shows of all time. The show is set in Baltimore and follows Detective James McNulty and his squad as they investigate major crimes around the city, involving huge players from the criminal underworld, drug kingpins, and the highest levels of law enforcement in the city. It features a new storyline and subject to focus on each season, from drugs to the port, government, education, and print media, each based on criminal events that the writers have experienced firsthand.

The Wire is a series that has stood the test of time. The show pulls no punches as it dissects every aspect of Baltimore's institutions, on both sides of the law, and its ensemble cast, weaving plotlines, and overarching commentary on societal and political issues encapsulate a time that is still as relevant today as it was back then. One of the best HBO shows, it has had an impact on popular culture and modern media that cannot be understated, showing an unflinching and authentic look into criminal activity that has rarely, if ever, been matched.

3 Black Bird (2022)

Starring Taron Egerton And Paul Walter Hauser

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Black Bird

Drama

Crime

Biography

Inspired by the true story of convicted serial killer Larry Hall, Black Bird is an Apple TV+ drama series that follows a wealthy young named James Keene Jr., who finds himself imprisoned after being convicted on drugs and weapons charges. Fortunately for James, the FBI offers him an early out - if he can get Larry to sign a confession by befriending him in prison, his sentence will be commuted.

Where to Watch

Season

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Taron Egerton , Paul Walter Hauser , Ray Liotta , Greg Kinnear , Robert Wisdom , Robyn Malcolm

Release Date

July 8, 2022

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

AppleTV+

Writers

Dennis Lehane

Directors

Dennis Lehane

Showrunner

Dennis Lehane

Main Genre

Drama

Black Bird is one of the most captivating miniseries produced in recent memory, with a story that proves fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. Based on James Keene's autobiographical novel 'In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption', Taron Egerton stars as 'Jimmy' Keene, a charismatic convict who is selected to befriend and elicit a confession from suspected serial murderer Larry Hall in return for his freedom. Jimmy is under the clock as he is transferred to a facility for the criminally insane, where he must pull off the seemingly impossible.

Though the series is just six episodes long, every episode, every scene, and every minute feels entirely purposeful and like a piece of an intricate puzzle. Egerton and Hauser, as the two leads, are the perfect match that plays off each other intriguingly and thoughtfully, with Jimmy being confident and charming and Larry being shy, withdrawn, and unnerving. With perfect performances, stunningly haunting sequences, and a genuine account of one of the most compelling true crime prison stories, it is a series that cannot be missed.

2 Mindhunter (2017 – 2019)

Starring Jonathan Groff And Holt McCallany

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

10/10

Mindhunter

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

Thriller

From executive producers David Fincher and Charlize Theron comes Mindhunter, a series that chronicles the founding of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit used to track and apprehend serial killers. Mindhunter follows Agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they work to establish a framework for understanding the minds of some of America's most dangerous serial killers. Mindhunter adapts a number of true crime stories, including the BTK murders and the notorious Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper.

Where to Watch

Season

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Jonathan Groff , Holt McCallany , Hannah Gross , Cotter Smith , Anna Torv , Stacey Roca , Cameron Britton , Michael Cerveris , Joe Tuttle , Lauren Glazier

Release Date

October 13, 2017

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Writers

Joe Penhall

Directors

David Fincher

Showrunner

Joe Penhall

David Fincher's Mindhunter is a psychological thriller that is adapted from John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker's 1995 true-crime book 'Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit'. The series follows agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, as they set about creating a new department in the FBI, profiling criminals to discover a pattern that can help them prevent future crimes. They travel the country, interviewing America's most notorious serial killers, raising the ire of the FBI and local police as they aim to change the system and the way all investigations into serial murders are conducted.

Though Mindhunter was universally deemed a critical success, it was abruptly canceled after only two seasons, just as it was building the groundwork for future serial killers to appear in the show. A true joy for true crime aficionados, its attention to detail in the recreation of interviews of murderers like Ed Kemper is second to none, with the actors losing themselves in the roles, perfectly mirroring every aspect of their real-life counterparts. Known for its intense character development, captivating premise, and cinematic visuals, Mindhunter is a modern classic.

1 Narcos (2015 – 2017)

Starring Wagner Moura And Pedro Pascal

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Narcos

Biography

Drama

Crime

Narcos is a crime-drama series created for Netflix based on the true story of Pablo Escobar, one of the wealthiest and most powerful drug cartel leaders to have ever lived. The show explores Escobar's origins, rise, and subsequent fall in Colombia and beyond through the creation of a potent new drug known as cocaine and his other ruthless illegal business practices.

Where to Watch

Season

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Cast

Boyd Holbrook , Damian Alcazar , Wagner Moura , Juan Sebastián Calero , Jorge Monterrosa , Alberto Ammann , Raúl Méndez , Juan Murcia , Pedro Pascal , Francisco Denis , Paulina Gaitan , Paulina Garcia

Release Date

August 28, 2015

Seasons

3

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Writers

Chris Brancato

Directors

Chris Brancato

Showrunner

Chris Brancato

Narcos is one of Netflix's best shows that keeps audiences paying for their monthly subscriptions. The show's first two seasons chronicle the life of notorious Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, from his rise to the top, creating an empire, to his eventual fall in a high-stakes war between the narco-traffickers and international law enforcement. The series effortlessly blends real-life moments, complete with stock footage, with more fictionalized elements that perfectly develop and enhance every episode. It's a show that encapsulates everything that's captivating and shocking about a true crime serial drama.

Wagner Moura’s portrayal of Pablo Escobar is absolutely perfect, nailing the drug lord's natural charisma with his psychotic tendencies that made him one of the richest and most feared men in the world. The series is a must for true crime fans who want an unflinching look at one of the largest criminal enterprises in history, as the show adds an in-depth look at the men on both sides of the war.