HBO has quite a collection of murder mystery dramas, and now they present another intriguing and suspenseful new show, Mare of Easttown. Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, and Guy Pearce are only a few names in this highly praised series with a star-studded cast. As the series follows a local detective attempting to solve the murder of a young girl, things are not as simple as they appear, given that most people in this small town happen to know each other too well and are somehow connected to the girl's death.
Of course, these whodunit cases will have the challenges presented, which means recreating the steps before the murder, looking at the details, and suspecting individuals who have the motives to commit murder. The murderers could be someone out of nowhere or someone shockingly close to a person. While viewers continue to uncover the clues behind this murder, there are a handful of other murder mysteries or crime dramas that are just as suspenseful and thought-provoking.
Sharp Objects (2018): Available On HBO Max
A reporter returns to her hometown when news comes out regarding the murders of two young girls. As she tries to uncover the mystery behind their deaths, she also recounts her past life in the small town.
Starring Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, and Chris Messina, Sharp Objects is a riveting murder mystery that ends with a shocking and jaw-dropping revelation regarding the murder case. Adams and Clarkson gave spectacular and nuanced performances that made the show even more entertaining and thrilling. Both actresses received nominations for their roles, with Clarkson winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.
The Sinner (2017 - Present): Available On Netflix
USA Network's The Sinner is a seasonal anthology series covering different crime cases. However, an established detective, who is the only character to appear in all three seasons so far, tries to uncover the strange motives.
The Sinner is one of the more underrated crime dramas. However, it is quite exceptional given the dark and enigmatic revelations of each case. Bill Pullman, who is the only cast member to feature in all three seasons, shines in the role of Henry Ambrose, who is highly intelligent and gives his all to solve them but also has a sad backstory.
The Flight Attendant (2020 - Present): Available On HBO Max
A flight attendant finds herself in a sticky situation when she finds one of her passengers killed at a hotel room. To make matters worse, she cannot recall what happened and suspects herself as the potential killer.
The Flight Attendant took a different approach to a whodunit story. While it does have the tropes of a murder mystery, given its serious nature, it also has some comedic moments that lighten up the story and showcases a different experience of reversing back to the events of the murder. Kaley Cuoco gives an outstanding and charming performance as Cassie, earning the actress several acting nominations. A second season is now in development.
The Killing (2011 - 2014): Available On Hulu
The English version of The Killing is an adaptation of a Danish series called Forbrydelsen. Two detectives are trying to solve a homicide, but it also has impacted the people who live in this small town in Seattle.
The Killing is one of those crime dramas where the ending of each episode leaves viewers wanting to see more. The journey into solving the cases is eerie and strange, given the red herrings. However, it is constructed in a spectacular and harrowing matter. Of course, the performance by Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman is phenomenal and is what sets the stage for the series' brilliance.
Luther (2010 - 2019): Available On Hulu & HBO Max
This crime drama focuses on the commitment of a hardworking but impetuous and violent detective, John Luther. While Luther has many tropes of a crime drama, the show is also unique as it uncovers the darkness and obsession of being too consumed by one's job. Of course, like any crime drama, there are moments that viewers do not see coming.
Idris Elba nails the titular role and gives one of his finest and most captivating performances in his career. He also won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie at the Screen Actors Guild Award. The series also gained wide popularity that has since led to novels and a potential movie.
The Fall (2013 - 2016): Available On Prime Video & Peacock
While whodunit stories are captivating and intriguing to watch, The Fall expands on the concept of crime dramas with a tale of a cat and mouse game. An intelligent detective is assigned to solve a long-standing murder case. When the suspect happens to be a dedicated but cold-blooded father, complications arise and make the situation even more difficult.
With an exceptional and complex performance by Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, the series is incredibly intense yet gripping and entertaining. While the final season loses some momentum of its suspense and fascinating story, it still leaves a satisfying ending.
Twin Peaks (1990 - 1991): Available On Netflix & Hulu
When a high school girl named Laura Palmer is murdered, FBI Agent Dale Cooper travels to Twin Peaks to unfold the mystery of this case. However, this crime drama is extraordinary with mysticism and supernatural things in this strange yet surprisingly compelling story.
Twin Peaks is considered one of the best television shows of all time and has become a cult classic. The story is dark and enthralling with unexpected but well-composed humor and brilliant visuals and cinematography. The show's immense popularity led to a movie and a revived third season despite the show's cancellation two decades before.
Top Of The Lake (2013 - 2017): Available On Hulu
When a 12-year-old pregnant girl is missing, a young detective is assigned to figure out what happened to her. While on the job, she discovers the victim's past life, and things get even more complicated and concerning as she encounters the missing girl's father.
Starring Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake showcases a riveting and impactful story of a detective's struggles and obstacles while also unveiling her self-discovery. Top of the Lake was nominated for several awards, with Moss winning Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film at the Golden Globes.
Broadchurch (2013 - 2017): Available On Netflix
A small town goes into disarray when a young boy is found dead at a beach, and it soon grabs media attention. While two detectives try to solve the case, the people in Broadchurch also face the consequences of their secrets being unveiled.
Broadchurch is a well-crafted series with a brilliant story and beautiful visuals. David Tennant and Olivia Colman effortlessly showcase their performances on-screen, thanks to the impressive and well-written character development.
True Detective (2014 - 2019): Available On HBO Max
True Detective is one of HBO's most established and thrilling anthology series, where different detectives try to solve unsettling cases with unorthodox measures. However, it soon has an impact on their personal lives, resulting in facing their inner demons.
True Detective is considered one of the best shows of all time, especially given the near-perfection of the first season. The first season was the show's peak, thanks to its visionary story and direction and incredible performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, showcasing the depth and intelligence of their characters. While the second season was not as highly favorable, the third season, with Mahershala Ali portraying the leading investigator, revamped the interest of the series, with an almost equivalent intriguing storytelling as the first season.