8 10/10 Crime Shows to Binge After HBO’s Task

In 2025, HBO debuted Crimson Tide, its newest high-quality crime drama, featuring Mark Ruffalo as an FBI agent dealing with loss while investigating a motorcycle gang. The show is quickly becoming popular with both critics and audiences, and new viewers are tuning in each week. When the series finishes, viewers are expected to be eager for more. Luckily, there are plenty of other excellent crime shows available, with some being considered absolutely perfect – a 10/10 experience.

Crime television has always been a particularly fascinating and engaging genre, covering topics ranging from serial killers to the work of crime scene investigators. Although not all of these shows align well with Task, some feel surprisingly connected, touching on similar themes or sharing the same intense atmosphere as the HBO series. Ultimately, crime shows lead viewers to discover many other excellent programs worth watching.

Ozark Is a Dark Comedy Crime Gem

Ozark tells the story of the Byrde family. After a money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes wrong, the father, Marty, is compelled to relocate his family to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. Hoping to avoid the cartel’s wrath, he attempts to restart his operation in this new location. But as they settle in, the Byrdes become entangled with local criminals, which complicates Marty’s efforts to protect his family and satisfy his clients.

With standout acting from stars like Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, Ozark consistently creates a tense and uneasy atmosphere throughout the entire series. Like Breaking Bad, the show revolves around a dangerous back-and-forth between law enforcement and criminals, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they wonder what will happen to the Byrde family. Even though Jason Bateman is known for his comedy, the series doesn’t shy away from intense and violent scenes, proving it’s a truly gripping crime drama.

Sons of Anarchy Is a Biker Gang Epic

Sons of Anarchy tells the story of a dangerous motorcycle club, seen through the eyes of Jax Teller, the club’s second-in-command. Jax is haunted by the memory of his father and strives to honor his father’s vision for the club. The series follows Jax as he attempts to balance life within the gang, navigate conflicts with fellow members, and reconnect with his former high school girlfriend. Surrounded by violence and deceit, the club constantly faces threats from competing gangs, law enforcement, and internal disagreements.

If you enjoyed the darker aspects of Task, then Sons of Anarchy is an excellent next watch after HBO’s series. The show doesn’t shy away from intense violence and offers a compelling comparison to the Hell’s Angels, even featuring actual members among its cast and crew. Throughout the entire series, it provides a fascinating exploration of power, violence, and what people leave behind.

Narcos Delves Into the Hunt For Pablo Escobar

Narcos tells the real story of how the DEA tried to capture Pablo Escobar, the powerful Colombian drug lord. The show mainly follows two agents, Steve Murphy and Javier Pena, as they team up to gather evidence against Escobar’s drug organization. But Escobar is always difficult to catch, and the agents must deal with deceit and corruption, all while adjusting to life in a foreign country.

Narcos has been consistently popular since its debut in 2015, effectively portraying both perspectives of the American war on drugs. The series helps viewers understand the challenges faced by law enforcement and how corruption enabled Pablo Escobar’s rise, making it a strong recommendation for those who enjoy Task. Whether you’re drawn to the acting of stars like Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, and Wagner Moura, or the gripping two-season arc of Escobar’s pursuit, it’s consistently engaging.

Reacher Blends Mystery and Action Perfectly

Based on , Reacher starts by introducing Jack Reacher, a former army investigator with the Military Police. Now retired, he enjoys traveling across the country and experiencing America from a fresh viewpoint, but often finds himself caught up in criminal plots. The story begins when he arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, and a local murder hits close to home, compelling him to help with the police investigation.

As a fourth season is being developed, Reacher has become a true TV hit, successfully blending intriguing small-town mysteries with large-scale action. The series is already the most well-known role of Alan Ritchson’s career, and its storylines are excellent examples of how to create suspense, ultimately leading to exciting and intense scenes for Reacher and those who help him.

The Wire Is an Exploration of Crime and Corruption

As a film enthusiast, I’m always recommending The Wire. It really pulls you into Baltimore and gives you a raw look at the city’s crime problems and the intense gang conflicts. What I love is that it doesn’t just focus on the criminals themselves, but shows how crime impacts everyone – from the people on the streets to the police, and everyone caught in the middle. It’s essentially a long, detailed examination of how crime thrives when the system isn’t working. Throughout the series, we see the Baltimore police department tackling different gangs, but the show does a brilliant job of making you understand the human side of those involved in the crimes.

The Wire is widely considered to be one of the best TV shows ever created, and it’s a shining example of exceptional character development and storytelling. At its heart, the series examines how poverty and the decline of a community impact its residents, illustrating how corruption takes root and leads individuals to turn to crime within a flawed system. Representing a significant step forward in the police drama genre, the series includes all the compelling aspects of Task, and even more.

Breaking Bad Redefined Television

Breaking Bad starts with Walter White, a quiet high school teacher in Arizona, receiving a cancer diagnosis, which throws his life into turmoil. To cover medical bills and provide for his family’s future, he uses his chemistry skills to begin manufacturing methamphetamine. But as his drug operation expands, so does the number of people who want him stopped, forcing him and his former student-turned-partner, Jesse Pinkman, to deal with dangerous rivals, the police, and their own growing doubts about each other.

During its five-year run, Breaking Bad really defined a new era of television. It showed how shows were moving away from predictable plots and towards stories that were carefully made and high-quality. The story of Walter White and his climb in the drug world instantly set a new standard for excellent TV, and viewers were captivated throughout the entire series. Even twelve years after the finale, very few shows have matched the consistently high quality across all seasons or the strong performances delivered in Vince Gilligan’s acclaimed work.

Untamed Is a Dark Wilderness Mystery

I just finished watching Untamed, and it really pulled me in. The film is set in the stunning Yosemite National Park, and the story kicks off when some climbers find a young woman’s body while climbing El Capitan. That’s when Kyle Turner, an investigator with the National Parks Service, gets involved. He’s sent deep into the park to figure out what happened. What I found particularly compelling was that Turner isn’t just dealing with a case; he’s also personally grieving the loss of his son, and as the mystery unravels, we learn he’s keeping a pretty dark secret. But the really twist? He quickly discovers he’s not the only one with something to hide.

This murder mystery feels perfectly suited for the style of television seen in Yellowstone, blending a beautiful look with a gritty criminal investigation. Before its cancellation, the show was widely considered the best thriller of 2025, and the performances from Eric Bana and Sam Neill definitely made it worth tuning in. If you enjoy uncovering hidden darkness within a close-knit community, this series is a bleak and shocking drama that’s sure to captivate you.

True Detective Is the Perfect Mystery Show

In 2014, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson starred as a couple of world-weary detectives in HBO’s True Detective. The first season follows detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart as they try to solve the murder of Dora Lang, a woman killed in a poor, rural Louisiana town. As the investigation unfolds over thirty years, they start to believe a serial killer is responsible. But their differing personalities make for a difficult partnership.

When you think of recent crime shows, few are as skillfully crafted as the first season of this truly exceptional series. From the actors’ compelling performances to the gradually unfolding darkness of the investigation, the show rightfully earned all the acclaim it received. Even True Detective, 11 years later, remains a defining face of crime television and HBO, and it’s a must-watch for any thriller enthusiast.

2025-10-05 03:12