10 Crime Miniseries That Can Be Called Masterpieces

Crime miniseries have become a popular choice for TV viewers, offering captivating stories told in just a few episodes. These short, thrilling dramas are packed with suspense, strong storytelling, and memorable characters. If you’re looking for a story that’s both concise and compelling, a crime miniseries is a great option – they’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing until the very end, and exploring the darker side of human behavior in a way that’s both horrifying and fascinating.

Lots of crime series are available to stream, but only a select few truly stand out as exceptional. The ten shows on this list are among those masterpieces. They’ve all pushed the boundaries of television, thanks to incredible writing, powerful emotional stories, and outstanding acting.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

Riz Ahmed plays Naz Khan, a responsible college student whose life is turned upside down after a one-night encounter with a woman named Andrea Cornish (Sofia Black-D’Elia). He wakes up to find her murdered, and in a state of panic, he runs away. However, he’s quickly stopped by the police, who find the murder weapon on him and receive reports placing him at the scene with the victim. Despite maintaining his innocence, Naz teams up with lawyer John Stone (John Turturro) to fight the charges.

A Highly Tense Societal Indictment

“The Night Of” is a difficult but vital show that exposes flaws within the American justice system. It follows Naz as he’s overwhelmed by the legal process, and how biases related to his ethnicity influence perceptions of his guilt. The series powerfully illustrates how prison can negatively change a person, potentially leading to a life of crime. With its realistic portrayal and deliberate pacing, the show builds an almost unbearable tension, feeling like a relentless nightmare. It’s a truly compelling and powerful crime drama, and easily one of the best of recent years.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

The HBO series *Sharp Objects*, based on Gillian Flynn’s popular novel, features Amy Adams as Camille Preaker, a journalist from Chicago. She’s sent back to her troubled hometown in Missouri to investigate the murders of two young girls. While there, she must reconnect with her difficult mother, Adora, and her teenage half-sister, Amma. Returning home forces Camille to confront painful memories, and as she investigates the crimes, she’s also forced to explore her own troubled past.

A Haunting Psychological Crime Drama

As a huge fan of thrillers, I was completely captivated by *Sharp Objects*. It’s a dark and atmospheric show – think Southern Gothic meets crime drama – that really dives into some heavy stuff like mental illness, how violence repeats itself in families, and the trauma that gets passed down through generations. Honestly, it’s not an easy watch; there are moments that are genuinely disturbing. But it’s so gripping! Amy Adams is phenomenal – her performance is incredibly raw and affecting. And the finale? Wow. It’s a truly shocking and unsettling conclusion that’s stayed with me long after I finished watching. I have a feeling this is one story that will be talked about for years to come.

‘When They See Us’ (2019)

Ava DuVernay’s powerful Netflix series, *When They See Us*, tells the true story of the Central Park Five. These five Black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were wrongly accused and convicted of a 1989 assault. Despite maintaining their innocence, they spent years in prison before finally being exonerated in 2002. The series covers the entire case, from the initial police questioning in 1989 through their conviction, release, and the 2014 settlement they received from New York City.

On the Racism and Corruption of the Justice System

This four-part series is a powerful and heartbreaking look at the injustice faced by five young men. Similar to *The Night Of*, it exposes the deep-rooted racism within the American legal system and sharply criticizes how police can use pressure and abuse their power. Ava DuVernay doesn’t hold back in showing the immense struggle the Central Park Five endured to clear their names, or the brutal realities of their time in prison, and the lasting damage of being wrongly convicted. Prepare to be deeply moved – this is an incredibly emotionally draining, but important, crime drama.

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

Netflix’s limited series, *Unbelievable*, is inspired by a true story. It stars Kaitlyn Dever as Marie Adler, a teenager who reports being sexually assaulted to the police. Instead of receiving support, Marie faces intense questioning, disbelief, and is ultimately accused of making a false report. Years later, detectives Grace Rasmussen and Karen Duvall, played by Toni Collette and Merritt Wever, discover a disturbing pattern of similar attacks and are determined to find justice for Marie and other victims.

A Sensitive Crime Drama About the Challenges Faced by Sexual Assault Survivors

I was absolutely blown away by the acting in this show – everyone delivers such raw, emotional performances. But it’s more than just good acting; *Unbelievable* really makes you think about how deeply ingrained rape culture is in our society, everywhere you look, even within families and the justice system. It shines a light on the frustrating reality of victim-blaming, how the system often fails survivors, and the hurdles they face getting justice. What really struck me is how it tackles the way trauma can affect memory, and how that’s sometimes unfairly used against victims. It truly stands with survivors and exposes so many important issues.

‘The Investigation’ (2020)

The six-part Danish miniseries, *The Investigation*, is based on the true story of a widely publicized case. In 2017, Swedish journalist Kim Wall, age 30, went aboard a submarine in Denmark owned by Peter Madsen, a well-known Danish inventor. When Kim didn’t return, her remains were discovered on a beach eleven days later. Søren Malling plays Jens Møller Jansen, the lead investigator on the case.

Meticulous Attention to the Human Side of the Case

What I really appreciate about this show is how different it is from other true crime series. It doesn’t try to shock or sensationalize anything; it just focuses on the actual police work and how they solved the case. It’s incredibly respectful, too – they intentionally avoid giving the killer any attention by never even saying his name, just referring to him as ‘he’ or ‘the accused.’ It feels like a blend of those dark, atmospheric Nordic crime dramas and a classic police procedural, but what stands out most is how much it centers the victim and remembers who she was.

‘The Outsider’ (2020)

As a huge Stephen King fan, I was immediately hooked by *The Outsider*. It starts with this incredibly disturbing discovery – a young boy found murdered in a small Georgia town. All the evidence points to Terry Maitland, a local Little League coach played by Jason Bateman, and it looks pretty damning. But then things get *weird*. Evidence starts popping up that suggests he couldn’t possibly have done it – it’s like he was in two places at once! The story follows Ralph Anderson, a local detective played by Ben Mendelsohn, as he teams up with this brilliant, unconventional private investigator, Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), to figure out what’s really going on. It’s a real head-scratcher!

A Chilling Whirlwind of a Mystery

HBO’s *The Outsider* is one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made. This gripping series expertly combines the suspense of a crime drama with the thrills of horror and a classic murder mystery, creating a truly exceptional show. While it unfolds at a deliberate pace, it consistently keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story’s dark and unsettling mood slowly reveals its secrets, ultimately delivering a satisfying and impactful conclusion.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

The HBO miniseries follows Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a detective and former basketball star in the small town of Easttown, Pennsylvania. When a teenage mother is found murdered, Mare takes on the case. She’s joined by Detective Colin Zabel (Evan Peters) from the county, and as they investigate, Mare also deals with difficulties in her personal life.

A Gripping, Character-Driven Whodunit

Mare of Easttown was a huge hit with critics and Emmy voters, receiving 16 nominations and winning four awards, including acting wins for Kate Winslet and Evan Peters. Many considered Winslet’s performance to be the best of her career. The show expertly combines a compelling small-town mystery with deeply drawn characters, making it a standout crime drama. If you enjoy crime miniseries with clever twists and realistic characters, Mare of Easttown is a must-watch.

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ (2022)

The Hulu series *Under the Banner of Heaven* is inspired by Jon Krakauer’s true-crime book of the same name. The show, set in 1980s Utah, follows Detective Jeb Pyre (played by Andrew Garfield), a committed Mormon whose beliefs are challenged when he investigates the shocking murders of Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her child. As he delves into the case, Detective Pyre uncovers a troubling story of a once-prominent Mormon family falling into radical extremism, and learns about the origins and hidden history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Compelling, Thought-Provoking Crime Drama

Under the Banner of Heaven is a deeply moving series that tackles difficult subjects like faith, religious fanaticism, the mistreatment of women within religion, and violence justified by religious beliefs. What makes the show exceptional is its ability to blend a criminal investigation with powerful emotional storytelling. It unfolds slowly, but builds a captivating atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll.

‘The Penguin’ (2024)

HBO’s new miniseries, *The Penguin*, focuses on the character first seen as a supporting villain in the movie *The Batman*. You don’t need to have seen the film to enjoy it! Colin Farrell delivers an incredible performance as Oswald “Oz” Cobb, becoming The Penguin, and the series shows how he gains power in Gotham City’s criminal world. The show also stars Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Theo Rossi, and Carmen Ejogo.

A Crime Saga That Expands on Gotham’s Mythology

Colin Farrell delivers a career-defining performance, completely transforming into his character – you’ll forget it’s even him under the makeup. *The Penguin* isn’t just a great gangster story; it’s one of the best limited series ever made. If you enjoy shows about criminal organizations with rich detail and complex characters, this is a must-watch. This eight-episode series truly stands out in the world of mobster television.

‘The Glass Dome’ (2025)

Created by bestselling Swedish crime writer Camilla Läckberg, The Glass Dome is a Netflix miniseries. It follows Lejla Ness, played by Léonie Vincent, a behavioral scientist who, as a child, was kidnapped and held captive in a glass box. After being rescued, she’s adopted by the police chief, Valter (Johan Hedenberg). When her adoptive mother passes away, Lejla returns to her hometown, where the disappearance of a young girl stirs up painful memories and draws her into the investigation.

A Captivating, Gritty Nordic Noir

This six-part series has everything you’d expect from a compelling Nordic noir: a bleak winter setting, a heavy atmosphere, a troubled main character, and a slowly unfolding, dark mystery. The Glass Dome is packed with surprises and is truly captivating from start to finish. It’s the kind of show that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the ending is unforgettable.

2025-10-12 01:06