15 best detective series of all time

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Columbo, Inspector Morse, Richard Castle and many other heroes who can solve any case.

1. Sherlock

• UK, 2010-2017.
• Detective.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 1.

War veteran John Watson meets the brilliant, but rather harsh private detective Sherlock Holmes. New partners unravel complex cases and come into confrontation with the king of the underworld, Moriarty.

The modern version of the legendary works of Arthur Conan Doyle was told by Stephen Moffat, who for several years headed another famous British project, Doctor Who. Although the classical methods of investigation have replaced new technologies, the deductive method of Holmes remained at the center, which the authors perfectly visualized.

Viewers fell in love with the series for the vivid characters of the characters. Sherlock here is in many ways closer to the book's original source: young, harsh and impatient. And in combination with the very stylish visuals, the authors turned out to be a real hit, and fans still dream of seeing a sequel.

2. True detective

• USA, 2014 - present.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 0.

Each season of this anthology tells about a new case. First, two detectives investigate the brutal murder of a woman. An interdepartmental group then investigates the death of a senior official. And in the third season, we are again talking about two fellow cops. They are looking for the missing girl after her brother's death.

All seasons have several things in common. The action always develops in two or three timelines, showing important stages not only in the investigation, but also in the life of the main characters. Also, the stories are united by a dark and realistic atmosphere.

True Detective is not only a series about investigations and murders. This is also a story about the detectives themselves, who most often feel lost and cannot establish their personal lives.

3. Bridge

• Sweden, Denmark, Germany, 2011-2018.
• Detective, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

Exactly on the border between Sweden and Denmark, in the middle of the Øresund Bridge, a human body is found. Detectives from both countries are undertaking the investigation. Gradually, they realize that this is not an ordinary crime, politics is involved in the crime.

This European TV series has grown over the years into an amazing global franchise. First, the US and Mexico filmed their version, then the Anglo-French "Tunnel" appeared. And then there were series from Germany and Austria, Russia and Estonia, as well as Singapore and Malaysia. All of them are built according to the same scheme: a murder right on the border and a subsequent investigation by the special services of the two states.

4. Poirot Agatha Christie

• Great Britain, 1989-2013.
• Detective.
• Duration: 13 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The British film adaptation of the classic series by Agatha Christie is dedicated to the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This pedantic detective is famous for his passion for order: he is dressed with a needle, everything in his house is in its place, and his thoughts are invariably ordered.

For actor David Suchet, the role of Hercule Poirot became the main one for almost his entire life. He very reverently approached the creation of the image: he read all the books about the detective, studied the history of Belgium and tried to copy the accent of his hero.

It is also interesting that at first there was a lot of humor in the series, but gradually the plots became more serious, and the production darker.

5. Luther

• UK, 2010 - present.
• Thriller, detective, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Detective John Luther has remarkable erudition and ingenuity. He can unravel any complex case and get a confession from a criminal. However, his methods are too harsh.

Unfortunately, the British do not spoil the viewer with a large number of episodes. The first season consisted of only six episodes, and the subsequent ones consisted of four or even two. But every story about Luther is impressive.

By the way, this project also has a Russian version, it is called "Klim". True, in our series, the main character used to live with wolves for some reason.

6. Murder on the beach

• UK, 2013-2017.
• Detective.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

The body of an 11-year-old boy is found on the beach in the small town of Broadchurch. The first suggestions that he just fell off a cliff are quickly replaced by suspicions of murder. Investigating the case of Ellie Miller, just out of vacation. And she got the gloomy Alec Hardy as her partner.

Doctor Who fans were thrilled to see their favorite David Tennant star in the lead role. Although here he appeared in a completely opposite way: Alec Hardy is rude and untidy all the time. Also, this series glorified future Oscar winner Olivia Coleman.

The British project lasted for three seasons with success. But his American version of Grayspoint was unsuccessful. Surprisingly, David Tennant again starred in the remake.

7. In sight

• USA, 2011-2016.
• Drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

Billionaire Harold Finch is developing a program for the US government that uses video surveillance data, phone calls, social media, and more to predict terrorist attacks. However, Finch realizes that he can also predict ordinary domestic crimes. After the assassination attempt, which almost cost him his life, the hero takes a former CIA agent as a partner and begins a hunt for violators.

The idea of predicting crimes, close to fiction, is combined here with a traditional detective story about two partners with completely different characters. In addition, the plot makes you think about the permissibility of using someone else's data.

8. Murder

• USA, Canada, 2011-2014.
• Detective, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Experienced detective Sarah Linden and her new partner are investigating the murder of a girl who was found in a local politician's car in the lake. It is gradually becoming clear that many are involved in this business.

The main distinguishing feature of the series is that the story is presented from several points of view at once. The first season focuses on the activities of detectives, the life of the family of the murdered girl, as well as the political campaign in the city.

Murder is based on the Danish TV series of the same name. But in this case, the remake had even more fans. There is also a Russian version called "Crime".

9. Colombo

• USA, 1968-2003.
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 13 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The Colombo Police Lieutenant does not appear to be a serious threat to criminals. He is always absent-minded and untidy, and instead of investigating, he constantly talks about his wife. But appearances are deceiving. In fact, Colombo is able to understand even an ideal crime and bring any intruder to the surface.

Columbo looks like the opposite of classic detective stories in every way. From the very beginning, the viewer learns the name of the villain and the circumstances of the crime. However, further action turns into an intellectual duel, and how exactly the hero will figure out the carefully thought-out atrocity is unknown.

In addition, Columbo is outwardly strikingly different from other heroes of his time. Against the background of solid and respectable criminals, the policeman looks funny and awkward.

10. The mentalist

• USA, 2008-2015.
• Detective, drama, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Once upon a time, Patrick Jane worked as a psychic. In fact, he is an excellent psychologist and manipulator who used his talent to deceive. He now advises the California Bureau of Investigation, helping to catch dangerous criminals. But the main work of Jane's life is the search for a maniac nicknamed Bloody John, who killed his family.

In fact, the concept of the series develops the same deductive method that Arthur Conan Doyle proposed in the books about Sherlock Holmes: the main character is able to notice any little things and builds a whole picture out of them.

The main storyline ended in the middle of the sixth season. However, then there were many more episodes devoted to other investigations.

11. Inspector Morse

• Great Britain, USA, 1987-2000.
• Detective drama.
• Duration: 12 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

This film adaptation of the Colin Dexter novel series focuses on the work of the Thames Valley Police Department in Oxford. Officers, led by Inspector Morse, interrogate suspects and collect evidence on a variety of crimes. Often times, strange things turn out to be related to each other.

In this series, there are practically no dynamic scenes such as fights or chases. The plot is built on the principles of a classic detective story: the heroes for the most part talk and examine the crime scenes. However, this does not make the action less exciting.

The series ran for 12 seasons with success. And in 2012, a new project "Young Morse" was launched, telling about the early years of the protagonist.

12. Castle

• USA, 2009-2016.
• Detective, crime, comedy.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Writer Richard Castle became famous for his detective novels. But one day a real criminal appears in the city, imitating the villains from his books. Then Castle is taken to help the local police in investigations. And at the same time he tries to deal with the creative crisis.

Unlike other detective series, Castle is largely based on humor. The pieces are built on the opposition of the characters of the main characters: chatty Castle and his serious partner Kate Beckett.

It's also funny that the lead actor Nathan Fillion has repeatedly added small references to the famous "Firefly" that once made him famous in this series.

13. Murdoch's Investigations

• Canada, UK, 2008 - present.
• Detective drama.
• Duration: 12 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The action takes place at the end of the 19th century. Murders begin to happen in Toronto. Detective William Murdock and his assistant Julia Ogden decide to use the new science of forensic science to investigate.

The entire action of Murdoch Investigations is, of course, fictional. However, real historical figures often appear in the series. For example, Arthur Conan Doyle, Nikola Tesla or Harry Houdini.

14. Purely English murders

• UK, 1997 - present.
• Detective, crime.
• Duration: 20 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

In the high society of the conservative Midsomer County, respectable people regularly commit sophisticated murder. In complex cases, discreet and prim police officers, led by Chief Inspector Barnaby, understand.

Based on the works of Caroline Graham, the long-liver of British screens has been continuously delighting the audience for over 20 years. True, in 2011, the main actor changed in the series: actor John Nettles retired, and a younger Neil Dudgeon was invited instead. But everything else remained the same: British restraint, deliberate crimes, and unhurried investigations.

15. Outlaw

• UK, Germany, Spain, France, 2019.
• Detective.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

In police stations in different countries, one after another, suspects of serious crimes are being interrogated. Each new investigation becomes a duel between the investigator, the lawyer and his client. And you need to find your own approach to each case.

Essentially, Outlaw is four series in one. Its action takes place in different countries, and actors and directors from the UK, Germany, Spain and France worked on the creation of the episodes. Moreover, everything takes place in the same premises.