True Detective has to be one of the most brilliant anthology mystery thriller shows ever made. Originally created by Nic Pizzolatto, the HBO series told a dark and haunting tale through the brilliant performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in its first season. The quality of the series took a nosedive in its second season and the third season while better from Season 2 didn’t really match the expectation that the inaugural season of True Detective set. Now, we are in Season 4 titled Night Country and with a new creative force behind the series, the fans are getting exactly what they want. So, if you have already finished the much awaited Season 4 of True Detective and are hoping for a renewal, here are some similar shows you could watch while waiting for the new season.
Mare of Easttown (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Mare of Easttown is a thrilling and dark limited crime drama (maybe not so limited anymore) created by Brad Ingelsby. The HBO series stars Kate Winslet in the lead role of Marianne “Mare” Sheehan, a detective in a suburb of Philadelphia, where she is trying to solve the murder of a teen mother. Formerly popular in her town, Mare has lost the confidence of her community because of an unsolved disappearance case of a young girl. Mare must solve the crimes in her community while dealing with many personal problems. While not as dark as True Detective, this HBO series has a similar tone and genre to True Detective, and it would be the perfect watch after completing Night Country.
Top of the Lake (Hulu, Tubi & Rent on Prime Video)
If you loved the dread instilled in each frame of True Detective, then you will find Top of the Lake very enjoyable. Written and directed by Jane Campion, the brilliant mystery drama series revolves around Detective Robin Griffin who begins investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl, who is the daughter of a local drug lord. The investigation leads Robin to discover some deeply hidden secrets from her past. Top of the Lake stars Elisabeth Moss in the lead role with Gwendoline Christie, Nicole Kidman, Ewen Leslie, and Thomas M. Wright starring in supporting roles.
The Killing (Hulu, AMC+ & Prime Video Add-On)
The Killing is a dark and haunting crime drama that has the same tone and general atmosphere that fans love in True Detective. Based on a Danish series titled Forbrydelsen and adapted for American audiences by Veena Sud, the AMC and later Netflix series revolves around two police detectives with wildly different personalities and investigating styles, but in the end, they work together to bring criminals to justice. The Killing stars Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman in the lead roles of this crime procedural series.
Sharp Objects (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Sharp Objects is a dark and moody drama that will take the audience on a very tumultuous ride with flawed and sympathetic characters, and if that description reminds you of any series then you won’t waste a single minute to watch this Amy Adams brilliant series. Based on a novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, and adapted for television by Marti Noxon this limited series revolves around an investigative reporter Camille Preaker, who returns to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of two young girls and some other unsolved crimes. This investigation forces her to confront her strained familial relationships. Sharp Objects also stars Sydney Sweeney, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Taylor John Smith, and Patricia Clarkson.
I Am The Night (Hulu)
Starring Chris Pine and India Eisley in the lead roles, this TNT series is one of the darkest suspense thrillers shows you will ever see, and I say that because it is inspired by the memoirs of Fauna Hodel, meaning some of these things happened. Adapted for television by Sam Sheridan, this eight-part miniseries revolves around Fauna Hodel, a young girl in search of her real family. This investigation leads Fauna to journalist Jay Singletary and together they follow this mystery right to Dr. George Hodel, who was involved in Hollywood’s most famous unsolved crime.
Hannibal (Hulu)
While not very similar to True Detective, because it’s not a suspense thriller Hannibal has the same tone and moody writing that you loved in the HBO series. Based on the characters by Thomas Harris, and adapted for television by Bryan Fuller, Hannibal revolves around FBI Agent Will Graham to profile some of the most gruesome serial murderers, and to keep his sanity he has to attend regular counseling from Dr. Hannibal Lecter. But what Will doesn’t know is that Hannibal is one of the most dangerous killers in the world. Hannibal stars Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen in the lead role with Laurence Fishburne, Hettienne Park, Caroline Dhavernas, Kacey Rohl, and Gillian Anderson starring in supporting roles.
Broadchurch (Tubi, Plex & Prime Video Add-On)
If you loved the cinematography and the role the dreary location played in telling True Detective’s story then you will love Broadchurch. Created by Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch is a British crime-drama series and it revolves around Police Officers Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller as they try to solve the heinous murder of an 11-year-old boy. If you liked the partnership and banter between Martin Hart and Rustin Cohle, then you will love Hardy and Miller’s relationship. Broadchurch stars the always David Tennant and Olivia Colman in the lead roles with Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Andrew Buchan starring in supporting roles.
Mindhunter (Netflix)
Mindhunter is a very different type of crime-thriller series than you will ever see, and it had to be because it was executive-produced by the legendary David Fincher. Based on a 1995 true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker and adapted for television by Joe Penhall, this Netflix series revolves around two FBI agents as they attempt to understand the motivations behind some of the most notorious serial killings by taking a deep dive into the minds of serial killers. Mindhunter stars Jonathan Groff in the lead role with Holt McCallanay, Anna Torv, and Hannah Gross starring in supporting roles.
Twin Peaks (Paramount+)
Twin Peaks is one of the most surreal and weirdest fu**ing crime thriller series you will ever see as made apparent by its eerie visuals and trippy dream sequences. Created by Mark Forst and David Lynch, the ABC and later Showtime series revolves around FBI agent Dale Cooper, who travels to a small town called Twin Peaks to solve the murder of a high school girl but when he gets there he finds that his investigation won’t be as simple as he first thought. Twin Peaks originally aired on ABC from 1990 to 1991 for two seasons, and then a prequel film titled Fire Walk With Me was released in 1992. Twenty Five years later Showtime renewed the fan-favorite series for another season.
Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu)
If you loved the tone and general atmosphere of True Detective, then FX’s Under the Banner of Heaven might be your cup of tea. Based on a bestselling true crime novel of the same name by John Krakauer, this crime thriller series is set in 1984 and follows the story of Detective Jeb Pyre as he tries to solve the gruesome murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter. This investigation leads him to the criminal underbelly of the LDS religion. Under the Banner of Heaven takes on the task of teaching people about the consequences of blind faith. Led by the very talented Andrew Garfield, the FX series also stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Wyatt Russell, Sam Worthington, Rory Culkin, Billy Howle, Gil Birmingham, Denise Gough, and Adelaide Clemens.