The best crime dramas from the Golden Age of Television have truly proven their legacy and will be iconic for years to come. A lot of great TV shows in every genre were released from 2000 to 2023, including several great HBO series like Succession and Sex and the City​​​​​​.
This time period also had some stand-out stories about wise, thoughtful detectives investigating dark cases, or characters thrown into dangerous worlds they never thought they would be part of. Then there are the shows that made a huge impact on the genre and led to a string of others that attempted to capture that excitement, although nothing beats the originals.
Whether it’s the two shows that often come up when discussing what the best crime drama is, or a miniseries with a fantastic performance from a beloved actress that might get a season 2, these crime shows are the best you’ll find.
Prison Break (2005-2017)
Despite a frustrating fifth season of Prison Break, which was released several years after the season 4 finale in 2009, the show’s passionate fandom remains impressed by the main characters, siblings Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell).
It’s hard to improve on the premise, which finds Michael in prison on purpose because he hopes to help Lincoln, who is serving time for allegedly murdering the brother of the Vice President. The stakes are even higher because Lincoln could be executed.
Besides needing to know what really happened, you’re interested in the brothers’ relationship and the dramatic storylines among those in Fox River State Penitentiary, and are eager to see if they’ll ever make it out.
The Shield (2002-2008)
Shawn Ryan has created a few crime dramas, including S.W.A.T., but The Shield had the biggest pop culture influence. It’s not only the show in the genre to talk about police corruption, but arguably one of the most compelling and harrowing. It simply can’t be ignored when talking about the most unforgettable shows about cops.
As you watch main character Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) convince himself he’s always doing the right thing and also a good person, you’re stunned by his actions and feel terrible for everyone affected by him. Rather than depicting melodrama, the show feels raw because it takes a lot of storylines from the real-life Rampart scandal in Los Angeles.
Dexter (2006-2013)
A rare crime drama series is shown from the point of view of a killer, and the premise of Dexter is distinct since Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) kills those who have committed murder. While another show would redeem the character and have him magically become a “good” person by the series finale, you can tell that isn’t going to happen.
Instead, Dexter shares the protagonist’s inner world and explains he’s been committing murder since he was a kid. The sequel series Dexter: Resurrection and Dexter: New Blood are fairly interesting since Dexter’s unique family dynamic with his son Harrison (Jack Alcott) is explored.
But for many, nothing compares to the original. Even though Dexter does such disturbing things, he’s ultimately compelling because you always want to know why he’s acting the way he does.
Ozark (2017-2022)
Although its 70% Rotten Tomatoes rating could be higher, Ozark is one of the shows that made Netflix a go-to streaming platform for crime dramas, and the service continues to release dark stories from this genre, from Mindhunter to
Black Rabbit.
A stellar crime show needs to feature a detective who actually stands out, or create a singular world with gritty characters. Ozark does the latter, and while you’re interested in the Byrde family’s relocation to Missouri, it’s Julia Garner’s raw performance as Ruth Langmore that made the show so popular.
The most compelling stories ask, “Why do good people do bad things?” and as you make your way through all four seasons, you’ll likely go back and forth about the morality of Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney).
Mare of Easttown (2021)
While many miniseries and longer crime dramas have featured talented lead actresses, the main character can sometimes be a “strong female detective” trope rather than a real person. Mare of Easttown breaks that mold and introduces Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), who could be someone in your own small town or city.
Mare understands and respects her fellow Easttown residents and is kind to them even when responding to irritating, small problems that most detectives wouldn’t be bothered with. These tiny moments of humanity make the show stand out, and as you watch Mare find Erin McMenamin’s (Cailee Spaeny) murderer, you also hope she can be happy again after losing her son.
It’s possible that Mare of Easttown season 2 could get made, which speaks to the show’s cultural impact and the large audience waiting to see another realistic story like this one. Hopefully, Winslet would play Mare again, as everyone wants her to solve another case in her tough yet compassionate way.
True Detective (2014-Present)
The anthology crime drama subgenre has a special problem to solve: can every season feature an equally intriguing case and strong main characters? For the most part, True Detective has done just that, which makes this HBO series one of its greatest.
Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) are so unapologetically brash, and season 1 captivated so many, that it’s easy to forgive the less exciting second season. Season 4 also has incredible performances from Evangeline Navarro as Kali Reis and Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers, who looks into the harrowing deaths of scientists in Alaska.
Whether it’s season 1’s tragic murder, season 4’s big twists, or season 3’s performance by Mahershala Ali and various timelines, True Detective is always a crime drama that people are going to recommend and look forward to.
Luther (2010-2019)
From Killing Eve to Hannibal, it’s always fascinating when a show’s two main characters hate each other, or are on opposite sides of the law. Luther has a special dynamic between Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), a killer who is also brilliant, and detective John Luther (Idris Elba), which is what makes it so great.
Luther works so well because he solves a different crime in each episode, but never stops attempting to beat Alice at her own game. That allows the series to feel like a comforting procedural at times while also telling a longer, fascinating story.
Viewers were so excited to keep watching Elba in this memorable role that a positively reviewed 2023 movie, Luther: The Fallen Sun, followed season 5. It’s not the same as seeing Luther and Alice, but it’s always fun to see the detective doing his job.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Praised in discussions of anti-hero characters and beloved for its bleak, surprising tone that never falters throughout all five seasons, Breaking Bad is an exciting and disturbing story about the scary turn one man’s life takes after he learns he’s dying of cancer.
In contrast to some crime dramas where smart characters sit around and discuss theories about murders or disappearances, this show feels like one big, intense, and dark adventure as Walt White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) build a drug empire in New Mexico.
Breaking Bad had a big impact on the genre, opening up storytelling possibilities and proving that protagonists don’t have to be likable all the time. Its prequel, Better Call Saul, is equally high quality. It also made us realize how much we want crime dramas to shock us and go to some wild places.
The Wire (2002-2008)
Whether it’s the conversations between characters that feel particularly genuine or the cast full of big names like Idris Elba, Wendell Pierce, and Lance Reddick, The Wire will never stop receiving praise.
David Simon’s HBO drama set the tone for what we could expect from not just the genre, but TV in general. The Wire is a view into a world we hadn’t seen in this medium, as the characters are police officers, journalists, and Baltimore residents who are dealing drugs.
After it aired, viewers had a bigger desire for realistic shows where characters speak honestly and authentically, rather than delivering big speeches that sound impressive but don’t reflect how people really talk.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
At this point in time, no crime drama or prestige drama is more legendary than The Sopranos, which blends family stories with the unsettling life of mob boss Tony (James Gandolfini). When it aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s, everyone tuned in to watch every Sunday, and its small and big moments feel just as important today.