A crime show will turn in highly narrative and persuasive and even elaborate penning. It could be the true crimes versus heist reports ‘find’ being courtroom thrillers, and each one manages to conjure imagination and real unforgettable moments, people, or things. Mindhunter ‘psychological,’ Narcos and Money Heist ‘wild ride.’ This quick look will give a few criminal shows to consider adding to the list.

Mindhunter (2017)

The show was inspired by The book MindHunter that was written in 1995 by FBI agent John E. Douglas and features many true accounts of what took place in the show with real-life serial killers. The whole show exists to show the importance of behavioral science in law enforcement, and the prevention tactics that have since developed have helped to not only capture killers but also predict when someone could become dangerous to society.

Characters: Jonathan Groff, straight out of his musical turn in “Hamilton” and “Glee” and comedic turn in “Looking,” in a different light and donning a different era of mindset. 

“Holden Ford” is fascinating precisely because it contrasts so sharply with his earlier roles, bringing a kind of youthful earnestness to Ford, who’s stepping into a world of deeply unsettling darkness, interviewing serial killers, challenging old-school FBI methods, and navigating this work, which takes a toll on his mental state.

Narcos (2015)

“Narcos” is an exceptional TV show that stands as one of the best in the history of television. The series, based on true events, delves into the world of notorious drug lords and the law enforcement agencies tasked with bringing them down.

This show is very engaging and respectful to its source material, even at points choosing to narrate directly to the audience about real events (such as the death of agent Kiki Camarena). 

 Characters – The best lead role is played by Wagner Moura as Pablo, The Mafia don is brilliant. DEA agents Steve Murphy and Javier Pena are equally good in their roles. 20 episodes until the legend dies, but they all keep you hooked to the core. The storyline, the suspense, the drama, the thrill, the acting—almost everything is amazing. There is a proper balance between the extreme violence shown and his family life .

Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)  

Remains the only series to capture the same attention on TV and retain the audience for 5 long seasons. With their devil-may-care attitude and finely detailed character arcs, the series has become a global phenomenon, capturing the cultural zeitgeist of the digital era. 

Characters—The Professor’s Genius Mind: The Professor, with his meticulous planning and calm demeanor, was the heart of the show for me. I’ve always been drawn to characters who are strategic and think several steps ahead, and he was the ultimate mastermind. 

Tokyo’s Narration and Chaos : Tokyo’s narration added a personal touch to the story. Her voice became the thread that tied everything together, and her chaotic energy made her one of the best characters. We could relate to her impulsiveness and her struggle to balance her emotions with the mission. 

Lisbon/Raquel incredible talent! Nairobi, beautiful and intelligent. Helsinki, the most loving character in the group, makes you see gay in a very new, powerful light. Denver, crazy but so relatable and strong. Rio, powerful!

Berlin, my God, what an actor, such commitment! I would love to see this group together in anything—a truly winning cast. 

Breaking Bad (2008)

Vince Gilligan’s creation is a gripping exploration of the transformation of Walter White from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a formidable drug lord. 

A masterpiece that seamlessly blends intense drama, brilliant storytelling, and exceptional character development, and every frame is meticulously crafted. 

Characters Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul deliver performances that are nothing short of extraordinary.  Aaron Paul’s depiction of Jesse Pinkman is heart-wrenching. With his charismatic vulnerability and raw emotional range, Paul breathes life into a character that evolves from a small-time meth manufacturer to a man fighting for redemption against insurmountable odds. 

The Lincoln Lawyer

Based on the novel The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly. It features Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a defense attorney who has been out of action for a year after an accident that resulted in an addiction to painkillers. 

There are interesting cases that come with the legacy, not least of which is the defense of a Video Game mogul charged with murdering his wife and her lover. Good support cast, especially his legal secretary (and ex-wife), his investigator, his driver, and a Deputy DA (another ex-wife). Many red herrings, threatening characters. 

Characters: Matthew McConaughey, who starred in the movie in one of his best roles; Michael Connelly, whose law and lawyer books are great; and David E. Kelley, whose entertaining lawyer shows… 

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, who lacks the charisma many high-profile trial lawyers I know have. Garcia-Rulfo is almost too nice, low energy, and mellow for the role, especially as a recovering addict and son of a super lawyer who flamed out and died young. 

Written by: Nilesh Shiv