The 10 Most Binge-worthy Detective Shows of the 2010s

If the 2000s were the bridge to television's modern era, the 2010s were the destination. This was the decade that "Peak TV" truly came into its own, a period defined by the explosive growth of streaming services, cinematic budgets, and a creative freedom that allowed storytellers to craft complex, novelistic narratives. For the detective genre, this was nothing short of a renaissance. The case-of-the-week procedural, while still present, took a backseat to deeply serialized, psychologically dense stories that were as much about the flawed souls hunting the monsters as they were about the monsters themselves.

The quintessential 2010s detective was a far cry from the steadfast heroes of yesteryear. They were brilliant but broken, haunted by personal demons that often mirrored the darkness of the cases they investigated. The decade saw the genre splinter into fascinating new forms: the prestige, auteur-driven anthology; the slick, hyper-modern update of a classic character; the slow-burn, atmospheric whodunnit that captivated entire nations; and the procedural that turned its investigative lens inward, scrutinizing the very system it depicted. These shows demanded more from their audience, rewarding them with intricate plots, breathtaking performances, and a level of thematic depth previously reserved for the cinema. This list celebrates that golden age, ranking the ten most influential, brilliantly crafted, and utterly binge-worthy detective shows that defined a decade and set a new standard for television excellence.

10. Bosch (2014-2021)

In a decade dominated by high-concept hooks and flashy premises, Amazon Prime Video’s Bosch stood out for its quiet, confident mastery of classic detective fiction. Based on the best-selling novels by Michael Connelly, the series stars the perfectly cast Titus Welliver as Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch, a laconic, jazz-loving LAPD homicide detective. Bosch is an old-school cop navigating a modern world, a relentless investigator haunted by the unsolved murder of his own mother, which fuels his unwavering mantra: "Everybody counts or nobody counts."

What makes Bosch so incredibly binge-worthy is its patient, novelistic approach to storytelling. Each season masterfully weaves together two or three cases from Connelly’s books, creating a rich, intricate tapestry of crime and corruption in the sprawling, sun-bleached landscape of Los Angeles. The show is less about shocking twists and more about the painstaking, often frustrating, reality of police work. It’s about following leads, poring over files, and the slow, methodical process of building a case. Welliver’s performance is a masterclass in subtlety; he embodies Bosch’s world-weariness and his fierce, unyielding sense of justice with every gruff line and brooding stare. The show’s jazzy soundtrack and stunning shots of L.A. give it a unique, neo-noir atmosphere that is utterly immersive. It is a true "dad show" in the best possible sense of the word: intelligent, superbly crafted, and deeply satisfying.

9. The Killing (2011-2014)

Based on the acclaimed Danish series Forbrydelsen, AMC’s The Killing brought the moody, rain-soaked atmosphere of Scandinavian noir to American television. The series begins with the discovery of the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen in the trunk of a car, and the subsequent investigation led by two Seattle homicide detectives: the obsessive, socially awkward Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and the brash, former undercover narcotics cop Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman). The show’s defining, and at times controversial, feature was its pacing. The entire first season was dedicated to the first two weeks of this single murder investigation.

The Killing was a true slow-burn mystery, less concerned with the "who" and more with the "how"—how a single act of violence ripples outward, devastating a family, derailing a political campaign, and exposing the dark secrets of a community. The show’s atmosphere is its greatest strength; the perpetual rain and grey, washed-out colour palette create a palpable sense of grief and melancholy. The performances from Enos and Kinnaman are phenomenal, their mismatched partnership evolving into one of the most compelling detective pairings of the decade. While the show drew some ire for not solving the central mystery at the end of its first season, its commitment to exploring the profound, gut-wrenching impact of grief on a family made it one of the most emotionally resonant crime dramas of its time. It’s a show that sits with you, a haunting and powerful examination of loss.

8. The Fall (2013-2016)

Tense, chilling, and deeply unsettling, The Fall was a psychological thriller that completely upended the traditional cat-and-mouse narrative. The series operates on two parallel tracks. On one, we follow Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson), a brilliant, coolly detached Detective Superintendent from London’s Metropolitan Police, who is brought to Belfast to review a murder investigation. On the other, we follow the man she is hunting: Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan), a seemingly ordinary and loving family man who works as a grief counsellor by day and is a meticulous, terrifyingly organized serial killer by night. The show reveals Spector’s identity to the audience almost immediately, creating a unique and horrifying form of dramatic irony.

The suspense in The Fall comes not from guessing the killer's identity, but from the terrifyingly intimate look we get into his life and methods. The show is a slow, deliberate chess match between two highly intelligent and obsessive individuals. Gillian Anderson is magnificent as Gibson, a complex, unapologetically feminist character who challenges the patriarchal structures of the police force while trying to understand the deeply misogynistic psychology of the man she is hunting. Jamie Dornan is equally brilliant, delivering a chillingly understated performance that makes Spector all the more terrifying. The show is a dark, cerebral, and often uncomfortable watch, but its smart writing and powerhouse performances make it an absolutely gripping and unforgettable piece of television.

7. Happy Valley (2014-2023)

While it spanned into the 2020s, the first two series of Happy Valley in the mid-2010s established it as one of the greatest British crime dramas of all time. Set in the bleak but beautiful Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, the series stars the legendary Sarah Lancashire in a career-defining performance as Catherine Cawood, a tough, no-nonsense police sergeant. Still reeling from the suicide of her daughter years earlier, Catherine is raising her grandson, Ryan, the product of a rape that led to her daughter's death. When she learns that the man responsible, the vile and manipulative Tommy Lee Royce (a terrifying James Norton), has been released from prison, Catherine becomes obsessed with finding him.

Happy Valley is a show of almost unbearable tension and profound emotional depth. Creator Sally Wainwright’s writing is impeccable, blending a tightly plotted crime story with a deeply moving and realistic family drama. Sarah Lancashire is nothing short of a revelation, creating one of television’s most iconic and beloved characters. Catherine is funny, resilient, and fiercely protective, but she is also a woman carrying an immense burden of grief and trauma. The show is an unflinching look at the long-term consequences of violence and the strength it takes to keep going in the face of unimaginable pain. It’s a series that is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a truly special piece of television that earns its place among the decade’s elite.

6. Mindhunter (2017-2019)

Produced by David Fincher, who also directed several episodes, Mindhunter brought his signature chilly, meticulous visual style to the small screen. Set in the late 1970s, the series chronicles the early days of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. It follows two agents, the ambitious, tightly-wound Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and the more seasoned, world-weary Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), who team up with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) to pioneer the field of criminal profiling. Their method is groundbreaking and controversial: they travel the country interviewing imprisoned serial killers to try and understand their psychology, hoping to use that knowledge to catch active murderers.

Mindhunter is a detective show where the primary investigation is into the human psyche. The suspense comes not from car chases or shootouts, but from the deeply unsettling, brilliantly written interview scenes with real-life serial killers like Edmund Kemper and Charles Manson. These conversations are mesmerizing and terrifying, philosophical debates about the nature of evil itself. The show is a slow, deliberate, and utterly engrossing look at the birth of a science and the psychological toll it takes on the people who dare to look into the abyss. Though its run was cut short after two seasons, Mindhunter remains one of Netflix’s finest original series, a sophisticated and chilling masterpiece that will haunt you long after you’ve finished watching. The show’s deep dive into the minds of its subjects is reminiscent of a detailed character analysis, like this one exploring Batman's complex relationship with Gotham City.

5. Luther (2010-2019)

"It's not a whodunnit, it's a 'howcatchem'." That’s how creator Neil Cross described his brilliant, pulpy, and wildly entertaining detective drama, Luther. The series stars Idris Elba in the role that made him a global superstar: DCI John Luther, a brilliant but tormented detective working for London’s Serious Crime Unit. Luther is a man constantly on the edge, haunted by the darkness of his work and his own volatile nature. The show often reveals the killer in the opening sequence, focusing instead on the thrilling and often dangerous game of cat and mouse between Luther and his quarry.

At the heart of the series is Luther's complex, co-dependent relationship with his beautiful, psychopathic nemesis, Alice Morgan (a phenomenal Ruth Wilson). Their connection is one of the most fascinating and twisted relationships in television history—part intellectual sparring partners, part unlikely allies, part something far more dangerous. Idris Elba is a force of nature as Luther, embodying the character's genius, rage, and profound sense of loss, often just in the way he walks in his signature tweed coat. The show is stylish, operatic, and incredibly gripping, a high-octane thriller that is pure, addictive entertainment. It’s a show that feels larger than life, much like the superhero stories we love, from the world of DC Comics to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

4. Line of Duty (2012-2021)

For its first several series throughout the 2010s, Jed Mercurio’s Line of Duty became a national obsession in the UK, a show that generated more fan theories and water-cooler conversations than any other. The series follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial anti-corruption unit within the police force. Their mission is to root out "bent coppers." Each season focuses on the investigation of a different, seemingly heroic police officer who may be involved in criminal conspiracies. The core trio of investigators—DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), and the steadfast Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar)—are the moral centre of a universe where no one can be trusted.

Line of Duty is famous for its incredibly tense, long-form interrogation scenes, which are masterclasses in writing and performance. The show is a complex, jargon-filled puzzle box that rewards close attention, with plot points and characters from earlier seasons often reappearing in shocking ways. The central mystery of "H," a corrupt high-ranking officer pulling the strings, created a level of serialized storytelling that was unprecedented for a British procedural. The show is a thrilling, intelligent, and deeply cynical look at institutional corruption, a world where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred. Its dedication to its own lore is something fans of big, interconnected universes can appreciate, whether it's the history of Marvel's first family or the intricate timelines of the X-Men.

3. Broadchurch (2013-2017)

When the body of 11-year-old Danny Latimer is found on a picturesque beach in the small coastal town of Broadchurch, it triggers a chain reaction that unearths a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals. The investigation is led by two unforgettable detectives: the gruff, newly arrived DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant), a man running from a failed case and his own failing health, and the compassionate, local DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), who has a deep personal connection to the community and the victim's family. The first series of Broadchurch was a landmark television event, a slow-burn whodunnit that captured the hearts and minds of the nation.

Broadchurch is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling and character-driven drama. The stunning Dorset coastline provides a beautiful but haunting backdrop to the unfolding tragedy. The series is a profound exploration of grief, suspicion, and how a single act of violence can fracture a small, close-knit community. The performances from Tennant and Colman are simply breathtaking; their bickering, reluctant partnership blossoms into a deep, meaningful friendship that anchors the entire series. The supporting cast is a who's who of British acting talent, each one delivering a pitch-perfect performance. While the subsequent seasons were also excellent, the first series stands alone as a perfect, self-contained piece of storytelling, a heartbreaking and deeply human mystery that set a new standard for the genre. It's a show that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, stories can bring us together, a feeling you might also get from revisiting some feel-good summer films.

2. Sherlock (2010-2017)

"The game, Mrs. Hudson, is on!" With that, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss unleashed a global phenomenon. Sherlock took Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective and catapulted him into the 21st century, creating a slick, stylish, and incredibly intelligent adaptation for a modern audience. Benedict Cumberbatch became an international star with his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes as a "high-functioning sociopath," a man of breathtaking intellect and profound social deficiencies. Martin Freeman was the perfect foil as Dr. John Watson, a grounded, loyal army doctor who serves as Sherlock's blogger, flatmate, and exasperated best friend.

Each of the 90-minute episodes was a cinematic event, a dazzling display of visual flair and clever writing. The show brilliantly updated classic stories, replacing telegrams with text messages and hansom cabs with London taxis, while remaining remarkably faithful to the spirit of the original characters. The on-screen text, visualizing Sherlock's deductive process, was a stroke of genius. The chemistry between Cumberbatch and Freeman was electric, their partnership providing the beating heart of the show. And in Andrew Scott's delightfully unhinged Moriarty, the series created one of the most memorable and charismatic villains in television history. Sherlock was a brilliant, thrilling, and endlessly inventive series that made a 130-year-old character feel like the most exciting thing on television. Its influence was immense, proving that classic stories can always be made new again, a lesson that applies to everything from Baker Street to Asgard.

1. True Detective (Season 1, 2014)

While True Detective is an anthology series with varying degrees of success, its first season is not just the best detective show of the 2010s; it is one of the single greatest seasons of television ever produced. Set against the haunting, gothic landscape of rural Louisiana, the season unfolds across two timelines. In 1995, two homicide detectives, the nihilistic, philosophical Rustin "Rust" Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and the pragmatic family man Martin "Marty" Hart (Woody Harrelson), investigate a bizarre, ritualistic murder. In 2012, the now estranged and broken-down detectives are being interviewed separately about their infamous case, as a new, similar crime suggests they didn't catch their man seventeen years earlier.

Everything about this season is flawless. Cary Joji Fukunaga’s direction is breathtakingly cinematic, creating an oppressive, sweat-drenched atmosphere of cosmic dread. Nic Pizzolatto’s writing is literary and philosophical, a deep dive into masculinity, morality, and the nature of evil. And the performances from McConaughey and Harrelson are career-best, transcendent work. McConaughey’s Rust Cohle, with his flat-circle-of-time monologues and thousand-yard stare, is an unforgettable creation. The chemistry between the two leads is mesmerizing, their fractured partnership forming the dark heart of the story. The season is a slow, methodical, and utterly immersive experience, a Southern Gothic horror story masquerading as a detective show. It’s a profound, challenging, and haunting piece of art that elevated the genre to a place it had never been before. It is, without a doubt, the defining detective story of the decade.

Conclusion

The 2010s was a decade of profound transformation for the detective drama, a period where the genre evolved into one of television’s most prestigious and artistically ambitious forms. The shows on this list represent the pinnacle of that evolution. They gave us detectives who were as compelling and complex as any literary hero, mysteries that were as intricate as any novel, and a level of filmmaking that rivaled the cinema. From the atmospheric dread of True Detective and Broadchurch to the intellectual fireworks of Sherlock and the procedural perfection of Line of Duty, these series pushed the boundaries of what a crime story could be. They proved that a detective show could be funny, heartbreaking, terrifying, and profound, all at the same time. They are a testament to a golden age of television, and their influence will be felt for decades to come.

External Links

1. IMDb: Top TV Shows of the 2010s: Explore user ratings for the most popular shows of the decade.

2. Rotten Tomatoes: Certified Fresh TV of the 2010s: See the best-reviewed television shows of the decade according to critics.

3. The Guardian's "The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century": A comprehensive list featuring many of the detective shows from this ranking.

4. HBO's Official Page for True Detective: Explore content from the landmark first season.

5. BBC's Official Site for Sherlock: Find clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes features.

6. Vulture's TV Section: Read in-depth reviews, recaps, and think pieces on modern television.

7. Den of Geek - TV: A great resource for news and deep dives on genre television shows.

8. A.V. Club's TV Reviews: Find insightful contemporary and retrospective reviews of shows like Hannibal and Justified.

FAQs

1. Where can I stream these shows today? Streaming rights fluctuate, but as of mid-2025: Sherlock is often on BBC iPlayer in the UK; True Detective is on Max; Luther and Happy Valley are often on BritBox or BBC iPlayer; Broadchurch is frequently on ITVX or BritBox; The Fall and Mindhunter are on Netflix; Bosch is on Amazon Prime Video; and Line of Duty can be found on BritBox or BBC iPlayer.

2. Are these all limited series, or do they have multiple seasons? It's a mix. True Detective is an anthology series with standalone seasons. Broadchurch tells a complete story in its first season but continued for two more. Most others, like Sherlock, Luther, Line of Duty, and Bosch, are multi-season shows that follow the same characters. Mindhunter was intended to be ongoing but ended after two seasons.

3. Which show is the "easiest" to watch or most lighthearted? None of the shows on this list are truly lighthearted in the way a show like Psych from the 2000s was. However, Sherlock, with its witty banter and fast-paced adventure, is probably the most "fun" and energetic watch. Bosch is also a very satisfying and less emotionally harrowing procedural.

4. I prefer shows where I know the killer from the start. Any on this list? Yes, The Fall is a perfect example of an "inverted detective story" or "howcatchem." The audience knows the identity of the killer (Jamie Dornan's Paul Spector) from the beginning, and the tension comes from watching the detective (Gillian Anderson's Stella Gibson) close in on him.

5. What is "Scandi-noir" and how did it influence these shows? "Scandi-noir" is a genre of crime fiction from Nordic countries known for its bleak landscapes, moody atmosphere, complex social commentary, and flawed protagonists. Its influence is heavily seen in shows like The Killing (a direct remake of a Danish show) and Broadchurch, which adopted the slow-burn, atmospheric, and emotionally devastating style.

6. Are any of these shows based on books? Yes. Bosch is based on the long-running series of novels by Michael Connelly. The Killing is based on a Danish TV series. The Crow Girl (mentioned in the 2025 list but a popular book of the 2010s) is based on a Swedish trilogy. Mindhunter is based on a non-fiction book by FBI agent John E. Douglas.

7. Which of these shows has the best series finale? This is highly subjective, but Happy Valley's finale is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and satisfying conclusions in recent memory. The first season of True Detective also has a perfect, self-contained ending that is both haunting and beautiful.

8. Did any of these shows have a major cultural impact? Absolutely. Sherlock created a global fandom and launched its stars into superstardom. True Detective's first season became a cultural event, with its philosophical monologues being widely quoted and debated. Broadchurch became a national obsession in the UK.

9. What if I like police procedurals but with a focus on corruption? Line of Duty is the ultimate show for you. Its entire premise revolves around a police anti-corruption unit, and it is famous for its intricate plots involving "bent coppers."

10. If I could only watch one season of television from this list, what should it be? Without hesitation, True Detective, Season 1. It is a self-contained, cinematic masterpiece that represents the absolute peak of what the detective genre achieved in the 2010s.