Culture

A Comprehensive List of the Greatest Crime Shows in Television History

People have always been fascinated by tales of crime and punishment. If you're one of those people who can't get enough of crime shows, this list is for you...

Throughout history, people have been fascinated by tales of crime and punishment. If you're one of those people who can't get enough of crime shows, this list is for you. From corrupt policemen to drug lords to attorneys tracking down fraudsters, there are a slew of films and television series out there that appeal to audiences who just can't get enough of crime shows.

Here is our list:

Before We Die

Lesley Sharp stars as Hannah Laing, a police officer whose son, Christian (Patrick Gibson), begins to rebel. This 6-part television drama follows her decisions and actions thereafter.

After the death of one of Hannah's coworkers, Christian begins to investigate and soon runs into her again by chance. With this new opportunity, maybe Hannah can finally forgive him--which is where the title of show comes from.

The show demonstrates how their relationship changes over time and emphasises that, despite our desire for retribution, in the end compassion always wins.

Mare of Easttown

Kate Winslet stars as Mare, a Pennsylvania investigator trying to solve the murder of a local young girl while also coping with her own personal trauma. This is another crime drama focused on an officer who seems bad-tempered at first glance but is actually very good at solving cases.

Although there are plenty of depressing murder dramas in the movie industry, Mare is exceptional. It's a captivating mystery, an exploration of damaged people, and occasionally a mother-daughter comedy.

The cast of Mare is impeccable, with Winslet, Evan Peters as Mare's lover, Jean Smart as the mother, and Julianne Nicholson as Mare's closest friend. Each actor gives an excellent performance utilizing their best Delco accent work.

This show also introduced us to Jean Smart and her iPad game Fruit Ninja. Even when it falls short, you don't notice because it's wrapped up so well; you're just too busy analyzing the series as a whole. We are still thinking about the last scene months after it aired.

The Flight Attendant

The Flight Attendant is a lighthearted HBO thriller that The Hollywood Reporter says is "the TV analog of a beach read." On a red-eye trip to Bangkok, the flight attendant and party animal Cassie Bowden flirts with a bedraggled stranger.

After a night of drinking, she blacks out and wakes up next to his dead body. In a panic, she cleans up the scene as best as possible and leaves the room. As she tries to get away from this mess, a mystery villain with a flick knife (Michelle Gomez) starts tracking her down, along with other evil forces.

Suzi Feay of the Financial Times stated that Bowden is an excellent role for Cuoco, and her portrayal is "absurdly enjoyable." The character's vodka addiction was played for laughs at first, but eventually became just as dark and unsettling as the body itself. The show skillfully used her loss of memory to create confusion with the chronology. Caroline Framke of Variety called it "pitch dark," but also praised its sense of humor, calling it a "comic spark".

Luther

Detective Chief Inspector Luther, played by Idris Elba, gives British cops a run for their money in the show. He's dedicated to solving murders, much like Sherlock Holmes, and even becomes aggressive in his efforts.

His marriage becomes even worse, Zoe, as if Elba's presence in the show wasn't enough. Alice Morgan, played by Ruth Wilson, is one of the most frightening villains ever.

Wilson's writing makes Alice both someone to root for and fear. She has a darkness that reminds readers of Hannibal Lecter. The question of whether or not she and Luther will get together kept many people reading the series.

Breaking Bad

The development and production of the American neo-western crime drama television series Breaking Bad was Vince Gilligan's decision.

If you haven't seen the show Breaking Bad yet, don't worry, we won't judge you. But you should know that it's an amazing series and once you start watching it, you probably won't be able to stop until you've finished all the seasons. Vince Gilligan is the creative mastermind behind the hit show Breaking Bad. Reviewers have been calling the program one of the best television shows ever since it wrapped up. Different people have dissimilar reasons for their excessive fascination with shows that highlight some of life's most unfortunate events.

The best crime shows and movies are those that keep viewers captivated throughout the entire story. Whether it's the smart narrative or an inside look into a serial murderer's twisted mind, the best of these stories always have one thing in common: They're fascinating from beginning to end.