There has been a trend in crime shows to become more complex lately, but sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Ever since the rise of shows likeTrue Detective,crime TV has been shifting away from the old cable formula of easily-digestible shows that follow a reliable formula. While these newer, “prestige” dramas are brilliant in their own ways, many fans find themselves searching for a simpler approach.
Crime procedurals and crime comedies tend to be the richest sources of these types of shows. When a show has over 20 episodes per season, rather than the 10 or fewer which are becoming more common, it helps to have a dependable framework. While this can make the shows slightly more predictable, this predictability isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There’s a huge audience of people who want to watch their favorite TV detective solving a new case every week.
10 Underrated Recent Detective TV Shows You Probably Missed
The detective genre is always evolving, and these great crime shows might not have made big news, but they’re must-watch crime television.
Monkcould be the ultimate cozy crime show, as it combines some genuinely perplexing mysteries with some great comedy writing. Tony Shalhoub stars as Adrian Monk, a former detective from San Francisco now working as a consultant after suffering a nervous breakdown following the death of his wife. Each week brings a new case for Monk to solve, all while managing his many tics and phobias with the help of his assistant.
Monkhas a reliable formula, but there are many episodes which shake things up and push Monk even further out of his comfort zone.
The only long-running story inMonkthat takes up more than a couple of episodes is Monk’s quest to find his wife’s killer. Most of thebest episodes ofMonkcan be enjoyed without any context.Monkhas a reliable formula, but there are many episodes which shake things up and push Monk even further out of his comfort zone than he usually is. Shalhoub’s charming comedic performance keeps things light even when his character is walking through a gruesome crime scene.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’sSherlock Holmesstories were mostly published in newspapers and magazines. Over a century later, the BBC’s modernized adaptation managed to recapture the same sense of riotously entertaining criminal intrigue. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman add their names to the long list of British actors who have played Holmes and Watson over the years, and they are both among the best.
Sherlockmanages to retain the essence of the characters and the addictive nature of the puzzles.
Sherlockmakes a few key changes to Doyle’s work, most of which are simply to transplant the stories into a modern context. More importantly,Sherlockmanages to retain the essence of the characters and the addictive nature of the puzzles. Most of the episodes draw from a particular story, making the show especially rewarding for fans of the books. Ever since the show’s ending, there have been persistent rumors ofSherlockseason 5bringing Cumberbatch and Freeman back for more.
Elementarypremiered just two years afterSherlock,and it initially faced a lot of criticism for seemingly being derivative of the BBC show. Soon,Elementarymanaged to make its markas a unique show. Rather than merely copyingSherlockand pasting it onto New York City,Elementaryworks by mixing the sensationalist crime mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work with the format of an American TV procedural.
Elementaryretains the appeal ofSherlock Holmes, and adds the bingeworthy nature of episodic U.S. crime dramas.
Elementarychops and changes a lot from theSherlock Holmesstoriesbeyond the time and place. Both Watson and Moriarty’s characters are gender-swapped, and most of the cases are original stories. However,Elementaryretains the appeal ofSherlock Holmes, and adds the bingeworthy nature of episodic U.S. crime dramas. Johnny Lee Miller’s Sherlock is still a misanthropic addict with a genius-level IQ, just like his literary counterpart.
Boschis an intriguing mixture of procedural drama and episodic narrative.While each season sees Detective Harry Bosch saddled with a new important case, there is enough of a reliable structure to each episode that they each deliver something satisfying. This formula has given the show plenty of new avenues to explore as it has developed, and the spinoff,Bosch: Legacycontinues the same pattern.
BoschandBosch: Legacyare gritty dramas that eschew the typical trappings of crime TV.
BoschandBosch: Legacyare gritty dramas that eschew the typical trappings of crime TV. Whereas other shows introduce new cases to be solved every week,Boschshows the immense effort of a single murder investigation, and the enduring toll that it takes on the detectives.Boschalso has no interest in presenting a fantasy of law enforcement, and many of the storylines delve into institutional corruption and incompetence. Despite these heavy themes,Boschremains an easy watch.
Psychtakes a simple conceit and runs with it.James Roday plays Shawn Spencer, a crime consultant who uses his impressive memory and logical reasoning skills to pose as a psychic during investigations. The fact that he can pass off his information as magic that has come to him from a different realm means that he’s able to pursue investigative methods that are less than legal.
Although the series finale aired in 2014, a series ofPsychmovies have kept it alive.
Shawn is accompanied throughoutPsychby his best friend and reluctant colleague Gus. Their push-and-pull dynamic is key to keeping the show fresh, since their friendship comes across as authentic. There are a few overarching storylines, such as Shawn’s difficult relationship with his father, butPsychusually presents a new intriguing case each week. Although the series finale aired in 2014, aseries ofPsychmovieshave kept it alive.
In some ways,The Mentalistseems eerily similar toPsych,with a phony psychic working as a police consultant. The main superficial difference is that Patrick Jane is a former phony who has revealed his methods so that he can assist the police. This makes it a kind of inverse-Psych,but there are plenty more differences beyond the premise. For starters, the shows have two completely different approaches to comedy.
The Mentalistcan be both hilarious and emotionally devastating at times.
The main motivation forThe Mentalist’s Patrick Jane is his search for the elusive serial killer who murdered his wife. “Red John” rears his head every now and then, butThe Mentalistalso has plenty of room for lighter, less personal cases from week-to-week. While other shows attempt to keep a consistent tone from episode to episode,The Mentalistcan be both hilarious and emotionally devastating at times.
Bonesputs an interesting spin on the tried-and-tested formula of American crime procedurals.Rather than following the lives of detectives,Bonesis about the work of an FBI agent and a forensic anthropologist. The field of forensic anthropology isn’t one that had been explored on TV beforeBones,but it turns out to be perfectly suited to the format.Boneshas the chance to explore different kinds of cases to other shows.
At the center of it all is the sizzling chemistry between David Boreanaz’s fiery FBI agent and Emily Deschanel’s cool-headed scientist.
AlthoughBonesuses a lot of detailed scientific explanations in its plots, some realistic and some pure fantasy, the bulk of the drama is carried by more relatable police work. At the center of it all is the sizzling chemistry between David Boreanaz’s fiery FBI agent and Emily Deschanel’s cool-headed scientist. They are the classic opposites-attract couple, and this reflects in both their working relationship and their personal dynamic.
Only Murder in the Buildingis one of the most popular crime shows currently on TV, and part of its appeal can be contributed to the way that it keeps things relatively simple. In an age when crime shows are becoming grittier and more complex to reflect real-life cases,Only Murders in the Buildingis a throwback to a different style. What sets it apart from other serialized crime shows likeFargoandTrue Detectiveis its light tone.
What sets it apart from other serialized crime shows likeFargoandTrue Detectiveis its light tone.
Only Murders in the Buildingfollows three amateur sleuths as they unravel a new mystery each season. While the serialized structure means that the episodes should be watched in order, there are plenty of recaps as the characters pore over the facts and look at them from different angles.Only Murders in the Buildingseason 4adds a new raft of comedic talent to the cast, including Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani and Melissa McCarthy.
There’s no shortage of crime procedurals and other detective dramas with male leads, soRizzoli and Islespresents a fresh alternative. The show follows a Boston detective working closely with a medical examiner who happens to be her best friend. Their constant back-and-forth is central to the humor ofRizzoli and Isles,but their bickering, bantering dynamic also tees up some of the show’s most emotional moments.
There’s no shortage of crime procedurals and other detective dramas with male leads, soRizzoli and Islespresents a fresh alternative.
Like many similar crime shows,Rizzoli and Isleshas one main villain operating in the shadows that the show returns to occasionally. In this case, it’s the sadistic serial killer who previously abducted Jane Rizzoli and has made it his mission to kill her.Rizzoli and Islesadds in a lot of detail about the personal lives of the characters, and the show often spends time away from crime scenes and police stations.
Most crime procedurals keep things simple. The easiest way to churn out plenty of episodes is to stick to a formula which can accommodate a new case each week.Law and Order: Special Victims Unitcould well be thebest procedural dramaon TV, and a rare example of a spinoff that surpasses the original show its based on.SVUwas an immediate hit, and it has been on the air ever since 1999.
Many of the cases are ripped from the headlines, and the real-world context makes them even more chilling.
SVUhas had plenty of memorable guest stars over the years, including actors about to explode like Adam Driver and surprising celebrity cameos like Serena Williams. These appearances inject some novelty into the show, butSVUnever lets any of its gimmicks overshadow the intense drama. Many of the cases are ripped from the headlines, and the real-world context makes them even more chilling.
