Shows like True Detective
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines True Detective, going by its Boxlist taste profile: Layered and heavy: a realistic drama series, dark rather than wholesome. Best if you like depth over escapism. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of deep rivalry, mysteries that are not what they seem and an all-consuming quest, plus tags such as nonlinear timeline, police investigation and police corruption.
Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on True Detective (2014).
- 1
Sherlock (2010)
TV8.5Faster-paced
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: murder mystery, detective, investigation.
- 2
The Killing (2011)
TV7.9
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: murder investigation, police detective, murder mystery.
- 3
Mindhunter (2017)
TV8.0
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: police investigation, serial killer.
- 4
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 5
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: police detective, investigation.
- 6
Hannibal (2013)
TV8.2Easier to follow
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry. Common ground: murder investigation, serial killer.
- 7
Perry Mason (2020)
TV7.5
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: neo-noir, investigation.
- 8
Bosch (2015)
TV8.0
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and an all-consuming quest. Common ground: murder investigation, neo-noir.
- 9
Elementary (2012)
TV7.5Faster-paced
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: police investigation, detective, investigation.
- 10
Sneaky Pete (2015)
TV7.7Easier to follow
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry.
- 11
Mare of Easttown (2021)
TV8.3
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 12
Black Bird (2022)
TV8.1
Why it's like True Detective: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: serial killer, detective, investigation.
- 13
Messiah (2020)
TV7.4
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 14
The Outsider (2020)
TV7.4
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 15
Presumed Innocent (2024)
TV7.9
Why it's like True Detective: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation, murder.
Boxlist compares True Detective with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
Which of these suit you?
Take the taste test and every pick shows how well it matches you.
Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like True Detective?
- Picks with a similar feel include Sherlock, The Killing, Mindhunter and Under the Banner of Heaven. Each shares part of True Detective's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like True Detective chosen?
- Boxlist compares True Detective with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.