Stories about crime are deeply ingrained in American culture. Films featuring gangsters, such as Scarface and The Godfather, often explore how extreme ambition – even when illegal – reflects a twisted version of the traditional American Dream.
Many people believe The Sopranos launched a new era for television dramas. After its success, critically acclaimed crime shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad, and True Detective became popular, establishing the genre as dominant in American TV.
12. Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter used his experience writing for The Sopranos under David Chase to create Boardwalk Empire, a highly acclaimed HBO crime drama. Set in Atlantic City during Prohibition, the show features Steve Buscemi as a politician involved with both gangsters and those illegally manufacturing and selling alcohol.
Though Winter focused on the writing, legendary director Martin Scorsese established the show’s stunning visual style with the incredible first episode he directed. He wasn’t heavily involved after that pilot, but it set a remarkably high standard for the rest of the series.
11. Sons Of Anarchy
Think of Sons of Anarchy as a modern, gritty take on Hamlet – but with motorcycles. Like Shakespeare’s play, it centers on a young man dealing with his father’s death and a stepfather who wants to take over. However, instead of a royal court, the story unfolds within a dangerous world of outlaw bikers involved in illegal gunrunning.
If you’re looking for a show to get hooked on, this one has it all: a great cast, thrilling action, and complex relationships between characters. It’s similar to The Sopranos, but with motorcycles!
10. True Detective
The first season of True Detective is a standout achievement in 21st-century television. It feels more like a film than a typical TV show, boasting stunning, long-take shots and a rich, atmospheric Southern setting. The story itself is complex and beautifully written, resembling a novel with its intricate plot and detailed characters. This isn’t a simple police procedural; it’s a deeply layered mystery that explores the personal lives of its detectives alongside the case they’re trying to solve.
After the first season of True Detective became a hit, HBO created it as an anthology, meaning each season would have a different story and cast. While later seasons haven’t been as popular, the incredible first season remains a standout and keeps the show worthwhile.
9. Hannibal
The character of Hannibal Lecter has been portrayed many times in film and television, most famously and effectively by Anthony Hopkins. A TV prequel seemed unnecessary, but Bryan Fuller approached the story in a fresh way, and Mads Mikkelsen delivered a performance just as captivating and unsettling as Hopkins’.
Despite being critically acclaimed, Hannibal was cancelled after three seasons. NBC ended the show in a darkly ironic way, referencing a famous line from the series. Hannibal was always at risk of cancellation due to its extreme levels of gore and violence, often surpassing even what was shown on cable programs like The Walking Dead.
8. Mare Of Easttown
Similar to the first season of True Detective, Mare of Easttown is a brilliant HBO miniseries where a detective’s complicated personal life interferes with a new murder case. Kate Winslet delivers a career-defining performance as the main detective, a local hero under intense pressure to find a dangerous criminal in her community.
Mare of Easttown is a brilliantly made mystery, carefully presenting all the clues so viewers can try to solve the case themselves. But more importantly, the show focuses on developing its complex and relatable characters, making their stories the heart of the narrative.
7. The Shield
Following the controversies surrounding the Rampart scandal and the Rodney King beating, Shawn Ryan felt that classic police shows – the kind featuring straightforward, honorable cops like those in Dragnet and Columbo – no longer felt realistic. He decided it was time to revitalize the genre with a more contemporary approach.
The Shield is a police drama, but unlike most, it portrays officers who are deeply flawed and engage in criminal behavior – including violence, theft, and even murder. It offers a more realistic and nuanced look at the complexities of policing in America, moving beyond the typical good-versus-evil storylines seen in most Hollywood shows.
6. Mindhunter
Having previously directed films about serial killers, both based on true stories and fictional, David Fincher explored the origins of the field with the TV series Mindhunter. The show centers around three FBI agents who investigate early cases of multiple murders to develop the first understanding of what defines a serial killer.
This case is a significant moment in the history of crime study. More importantly, it reveals the heavy psychological toll of routinely investigating truly awful crimes.
5. Barry
I was instantly hooked by Bill Hader’s Barry. It began as this quirky dark comedy – a hitman wanting to be an actor! At first, it was just a really entertaining crime show with lots of funny surprises and a cast of characters you couldn’t help but love.
I loved how Barry evolved! At first, it was hilarious, but as the show continued, it really leaned into the drama and became a much darker look at its characters. It didn’t shy away from showing just how damaging all that violence was, and honestly, it completely flipped the typical action series on its head – in the best way.
4. Breaking Bad
Vince Gilligan created something truly special with the idea for Breaking Bad. The show wasn’t just compelling because of its suspenseful plot – it also stood out by allowing its main character to dramatically change, unlike many other TV series that prefer things to stay consistent.
On the surface, Breaking Bad tells the story of Walter White, an ordinary family man who starts cooking methamphetamine after a lung cancer diagnosis, hoping to secure his family’s financial future. But at its core, the show is about a resentful and frustrated man unleashing his darker side and ultimately becoming someone beyond redemption. It was a compelling story perfectly suited for television’s extended format.
3. Better Call Saul
After the huge success of Breaking Bad, many shows tried to follow its lead with similar stories about flawed criminals. However, the only one that truly matched or surpassed Breaking Bad in quality was its own spin-off, Better Call Saul.
Better Call Saul is a carefully made and deeply moving portrayal of a flawed man, and it’s arguably even more intricate and subtle than Breaking Bad. While Saul Goodman provided comic relief in Breaking Bad, Jimmy McGill – the character before Saul – proves to be just as complex and relatable as Walter White.
2026-07-21 15:12