There are some outstanding crime TV shows out right now, but others that have flown under the radar and deserve more attention. The crime genre is one of the deepest in television, with some of the best TV shows of all time, like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad, representing the genre. Beyond that, there are dozens of other excellent titles.
Some current ongoing crime shows include the Bosch franchise, Taylor Sheridan’s titles like Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown, and the recently premiered HBO show, Task. These are all popular series with massive audience pools, with whom most fans of the genre will be familiar and have already tried.
In an era of numerous streaming services and TV channels, many crime drama shows are being released that don’t receive the same degree of attention. This can either be through viewership, press attention, or traction on social media, depending on the project and platform.
Irish Blood
Many film and television fans will know Alicia Silverstone from Clueless, the 1995 film in which she delivered one of the greatest comedic performances of all time. This makes it all the more surprising to see just how fantastic she is in Irish Blood, a brand-new crime series where Silverstone plays a lawyer wrapped in a strange conspiracy.
The plot surrounds the LA-based lawyer as she receives a package from her estranged father, prompting her to travel to Ireland in hopes of learning why he abandoned her as a child. The series aired on Acorn TV, but can be viewed on AMC+, the network that brought audiences titles like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead.
Irish Blood received critical acclaim for its first season, with an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The best part is that it can be viewed in a brief binge-watch, now that all six episodes are available on streaming. The season 1 finale aired just last week on September 11, offering audiences a conclusion to the suspenseful mystery.
Code Of Silence
Those who like British crime shows like Luther and The Fall are in luck, as there are a bunch that have barely reached American audiences. Code of Silence is one of them, with its release on the British streaming service ITVX. Viewers in the United States can watch the series on BritBox, and it’s well worth trying.
This crime series has a compelling, unique concept, as, rather than following a detective, it follows a deaf civilian who uses lip-reading skills to aid law enforcement. The lead character utilizes this skill to gather information and unravel a complex crime conspiracy, filled with plot twists, character intrigue, and consistently entertaining suspense.
For those who don’t care about Hollywood A-list stars rounding out the cast and are just looking for a well-written crime and an addictive mystery to dive into, Code of Silence is the perfect option. This isn’t just one of the most underappreciated crime shows; this is one of the most underrated shows of the year all around.
All six episodes of Code of Silence season 1 are already available for audiences to stream, and the show has been renewed for a second season. This is a quick watch for audiences to catch up on, and a series that could potentially run for years. The series received critical acclaim, and there’s certainly more to be explored with its characters.
The Assassin
The Assassin is one of the most accessible shows here, as it’s on one of the biggest platforms out there: Amazon Prime Video. The series dropped in its entirety in July 2025, but flew relatively under the radar despite solid reviews from critics and the recognizable cast of television actors, including Freddie Highmore (The Good Doctor).
This is another title about an estranged family in Europe, with the Greek setting providing a scenic location for the mystery. The main character, played by Keeley Hawes, is an assassin whose actions from decades prior begin to catch up with her, interrupting her developing relationship with her son.
For crime fans, The Assassin is one of the most action-packed options available. Of course, the show’s title suggests a degree of violence, and The Assassin lends itself more to a James Bond movie than most of these other series, though there’s also plenty of mystery intrigue to explore.
Hostage
Hostage is another British thriller series that lends itself to the political aspect, but it’s still a worthy mention for anyone who loves suspenseful, high-stakes television. The series was released on Netflix just weeks ago, and it’s one of the most binge-worthy titles of the year.
With just five episodes, Hostage lives up to the true meaning of “miniseries.” Suranne Jones (Coronation Street) and Julie Delpy (Before trilogy) lead the show’s cast, delivering some of the strongest performances of their careers, leading to the show’s widespread praise on sites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.
The plot follows a fictional British Prime Minister after her husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, forcing them into a tense situation. The show’s brief episode count means the fast-paced title can be watched in a weekend, and it’s guaranteed to keep audiences hooked the whole time.
Dept. Q
Dept. Q likely had the largest audience of any of these shows, but the British crime drama still managed to evade any award acclaim or social media buzz in the US. This is one of the most intense detective thrillers of the year, akin to Broadchurch or Mare of Easttown​​​​​​, with top-tier performances and writing.
Dept. Q’s cast features recognizable actors like Matthew Goode (The Crown), Chloe Pirrie (The Queen’s Gambit), and Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men), all of whom bring their A-game. The show has an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an even more impressive 90% score from audiences, confirming its nearly unanimous acclaim.
Set in Edinburgh, the series follows a brilliant detective with a dark past who’s brought on board to investigate an all-consuming case. This is a show that examines the complexity of a detective investigating a devastating situation, watching as the darkness of their job devours their lives, much like True Detective.
Dope Thief
For fans of crime masterpieces like The Wire, Apple TV+’s Dope Thief is one of the best replacement shows out there. This is easily the most critically acclaimed title on the list, even receiving a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for star Brian Tyree Henry’s acting. Like many Apple shows, Dope Thief is fantastic, but it didn’t see much viewership.
The show has an outstanding 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 84% from audiences. All eight episodes of the first season are available to stream, and while there hasn’t been confirmation about a second season, it’s certainly possible. The show follows two friends who pretend to be DEA agents to rob drug dealers, only to find themselves in trouble with the actual DEA.
This series has top-quality acting talent from shows like Atlanta and Narcos, exceptional writing, and some of the most outstanding production value of any crime show on TV. The fact that Dope Thief flew under the radar is absurd, given that this is genuinely one of the best all-around shows of the year.