Serving as a testament to AMC’s investment in telling enthralling, well-written stories,Monsieur Spadestands as the most underrated phenomenon on television currently. Clive Owen masterfully channels film noir iconoclasts like Humphrey Bogart in the gripping series that follows a gruesome murder investigation in France of the ’60s.
Monsieur Spade
For fans who either hope to indulge in similar series or reluctant viewers who hope to get a grasp of whatMonsieur Spadeoffers, these series expertly emulate Monsieur Spade in their experimentation with suspense, history, and character development.
Read Our Review of Monsieur Spade
15Goliath (2016-2021)
Goliathfollows disgraced lawyer Billy McBride (Billy Bob Thornton) who embarks on a journey of redemption, emerging for the first time after years of seclusion. The series is a delightfully dark look into the corruption of the justice system with a lurching suspense that will surely draw prospective viewers in for the next episode.
A Thrilling Legal Drama
While the story itself provides moments of excitement and intrigue, the characters themselves are the main appeal ofGoliath.Much like Owen,Thornton’s profound performance along with several multidimensional characters waiting to unfold before the audience makesGoliatha familiar yet rewarding series to look into.StreamGoliath on Prime Video.
14Remington Steele (1982-1987)
Remington Steele
Remington Steeleopens with Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist), a stellar detective who suffers from a lack of clients due to misogyny. Aligning herself with a nameless con man (Pierce Brosnan), Laura creates the persona “Remington Steele” in order to circumvent the predicament at hand, setting the foundation for a truly fun and dark story to follow.
A Dynamic Duo at the Center of a Pool of Mysteries
Remington Steelecombines romance, comedy, mystery, and political intrigue into a fascinating series that both displays entertaining cases to crack and a worthwhile interrogation of misogyny in the workplace, be it in the office or in the arena of law, justice, and public safety.StreamRemington Steeleon Prime Video.
13Wallander (2008-2016)
Wallandersees theSwedish mysteryrevitalized in a British context. With Kenneth Branagh at the helm, the series approaches existentialism as the titular detective (Branagh) solves crime after crime with consideration for the meaning of life.
A Stellar Exploration of Life Through the Lens of Crime
Much like Spade,Wallanderis an enigmatic and entertaining protagonist, weaving his way from investigation to investigation with a unique craftiness and openness to learning. Sharing an almost esoteric truth with the audience,Wallanderis a must-see for fans of one Monsieur Spade.StreamWallander on Peacock.
12Inspector Morse (1987-2000)
Inspector Morsesees John Thaw as the inquisitive detective from thebeloved novels of the same name. Across seven seasons, the series provides audiences with fully-fleshed episodes that chronicle a complete story and subsequent investigation.
A Staple in the British Crime Canon
Morse carries himself with a unique magnetism that both leads him to the necessary truths buried under secrets and deceit, and also makes him an admirable detective that many would emulate in the years to come.StreamInspector Morseon BritBox.
11Columbo (1971-1978)
Columbosees the titular lieutenant of the Los Angeles police department relying on a then-refreshing approach to detective stories. Starting at the end, the series focuses on how the perpetrators in question conducted their crimes and the eventual missteps that led to the arrest.
A Lighter Take on the Dark Police Procedural
Columbo(Peter Falk) brings themagic of the serieswith his complex performance. Juggling an approachable and jovial demeanor within an observant personality, Columbo brings forth an intriguing, nuanced investigation that subtly dissolves the binary between perpetrator and law enforcement.StreamColomboon Prime Video.
10Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-2015)
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteriestransports viewers back to Australia of the late 1920s, inviting viewers to an amusing, yet intriguing set of investigations led by the glamorous Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis). Alongside an exciting look at the growing, breathing city of Melbourne,Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteriesropes audiences intoa family of charming characters.
A Whimsical, Personality-Driven Delight
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteriesoffers viewers a seemingly amateur detective blossom. Whether it be on the dance floors of a jazz club or the comfortable homes of Melbourne, Phryne and friends wield the necessary magnetism to invite prospective fans and have them follow her every step.StreamMiss Fisher’s Murder Mysterieson AcornTV.
9Johnny Staccato (1959-1960)
Johnny Staccatois a concise collection of mysteries that centeraround the titular multi-hyphenate. A Greenwich Village jazz pianist with a knack for crime-solving, Staccato (John Cassavetes) marries music with mystery.
A Pivotal, Glamorous Crime Drama
Staccato spends his nights weeding through the corruption found in religious institutions, warring families, and the jazz club itself. As a result of his deep ties to Greenwich Village, he manages to solve mysteries with his approachable and sympathetic personality rather than a bureaucratic coldness that tends to appear in most crime dramas.StreamJohnny Staccatofor free on Plex.
8Ripper Street (2012-2016)
Ripper Street
Ripper Streetfollows Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew MacFadyen) and the variety of crimes to solve six months after the last known killing. Alongside Detective Sergeant Drake (Jerome Flynn) and Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg), Reid attempts to discover the truth behind the killing of more women in Whitechapel.
An Astute, Gritty Peek Into the Past
WhileRipper Streetexcellently remains in conversation with real-life historical events relevant to the time, the characters themselves do not appear as one-dimensional artifacts but instead become immortalized through their earnest, raw, and messy motivations and behaviors.StreamRipper Streeton Peacock.
7Mare of Easttown (2021)
Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttownis nothing short of riveting. Starring Kate Winslet as Marianne “Mare” Sheehan, the series tracks the many moving parts that allowed the murder to occur, and the eventual eruption between lifelong friends, former lovers, and co-workers.
A Worthwhile Mystery That Revels in its Earnestness
As Mare attempts to solve the murder and disappearance of two teenage girls, she comes to understand her own relationship with her children and the barrier that prevents her from fully grieving. The process is far from feasible, butMare Of Easttownrevels in the complexities of crime, familial conflict, and learning to make peace with moments of tragedy.StreamMare of Easttownon Max.
Related:Mare of Easttown Ending, Explained
6Luther (2010-2019)
Modern-day Sherlock Holmes John Luther, played by Idris Elba, uses his brilliant detective skills to solve murder cases with the unlikely help of murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). The BBC crime thriller aired for five seasons and continued with the 2023 feature film Luther: The Fallen Sun.
Diligently solving each case he comes across, Detective Crime InspectorLutherfinds himself entrapped by the depravity that defines the crimes he solves. His particular conundrum becomes once he runs into the nefarious Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), whose presence prompts him to question his relationship to crime-solving.
An Exciting Dance with Darkness
Praised for his ability to capture Luther’s pain, yearning, and frustration, Elba’s portrayal hearkens back to the greats of classic crime dramas and film noir films, a necessary evolution of the brooding, morally gray protagonist.StreamLutherfor freeon Tubi.
