Entertainment
10 Bingeworthy Thriller Shows That Are Perfect Follow-Ups to Prime Video’s ‘Scarpetta’
After much anticipation, Patricia Cornwell‘s iconic character, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, has finally been brought to life on the screen in Scarpetta. In the Prime Video series, Nicole Kidman plays the brilliant forensic pathologist. Across two timelines, with Rosy McEwen taking on her younger self, Kay uses advanced forensic technology to unravel mysteries and solve crimes in the present, ensuring her answers about the past are correct.
If you’ve breezed through the eight-episode first season, there are a handful of medical and crime thrillers that are destined to keep you equally addicted to mystery. From beloved detective procedurals to modern medical dramas, the titles on this list are perfect follow-ups to the twisty Prime Video series.
‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)
Broadchurch is, perhaps, one of the greatest crime thrillers of all-time. Starring powerhouse British icons Olivia Colman and David Tennant, the three-season series follows the investigation into the murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer, found dead on the beach of a small coastal town. Detectives Alec Hardy (Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Colman) uncover a community’s deep secrets through a mystery with unbelievable twists and turns as the close-knit town begins to turn on one another under the circumstances. Created by Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch is an emotional slow-burn whodunit with a profound, emotional examination of grief and the human impact of crime.
A properly plotted thriller, Broadchurch keeps the action engaging while keeping you shocked until the final reveal, a testament to the writing and the performances. A solid ensemble, which also includes Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey, Arthur Darvill, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Julie Hesmondhalgh in subsequent seasons, lifts the material beyond plot into something profoundly human. A series that remains sensational every time you watch, there has yet to be another show that has ever come close to the brilliance of Broadchurch. And that includes the American remake, Gracepoint, which also starred Tennant as a different version of his British counterpart.
‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–Present)
One of the most successful and longest-running police procedural crime dramas is Criminal Minds. Beginning its original run in 2005, the CBS thriller follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. The team travels the country analyzing the nation’s most dangerous serial killers, known as unsubs, to anticipate their next moves. Focusing on psychological motivations rather than just physical evidence, Criminal Minds pushes the boundaries with intense, sadistic storylines that tend to be gritty in subject matter. All on network television!
Perhaps the defining reason for the show’s longevity is not the crimes themselves but the found family dynamic among the BAU team. Allowing for a character-driven series that lets circumstances shape the characters, Criminal Minds‘ ability to focus on the psyches of the individuals in the field simultaneously with the plot garnered a cult following. Across its run, Criminal Minds featured an iconic cast that included Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kristen Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Zach Gilford, and many more. Even with cast turnover and shocking deaths, Criminal Minds never lost steam. Though it may fall into the “is that still on?” category of television, its ability to stay fresh while reinventing itself has made it an addictive watch.
‘Critical’ (2015)
If there is one medical drama that will keep you stressed out from start to finish, look no further than Critical. The one series run followed the trauma specialists at the Major Trauma Centre at City General Hospital as they treated critically ill patients. With each episode focused on one patient and the efforts to save their life within one hour, Critical is a high-stakes thriller that putsmedical professionals in the driver’s seat as they make life-changing decisions. Praised for its real-time feel and technical accuracy, Critical was an hour shift of The Pitt before The Pitt arrived.
Led by Lennie James as Glen Boyle, the trauma consultant and team leader, his prowess as a character actor in high-stress situations was on full display here. With such a strong actor to center the series on, it resulted in a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled show that focused on the critical “Golden Hour.” Critical is not for the faint of heart. You feel for the patients and providers. The emotional toll of work in trauma is on full display, so when bad news has to be delivered to loved ones, it’s a gut punch. Even with all the goods there, the series didn’t draw high enough viewership, causing Critical to be axed after a single 13-episode run.
‘Dept. Q’ (2025–Present)
In Scarpetta, an old crime resurfaces. In Dept Q., it’s all about unearthing cold cases and unsolved mysteries. The sensational Netflix thriller follows Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who, after a traumatic shooting, returns to work only to be relegated to the dredges of the unsolved cases department. As Carl and his motley crew delve into the disappearance of missing prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), secrets come to the surface in this twisted story. An enthralling and gritty drama, the dark backdrop of Edinburgh provides an extraordinary atmosphere for the unthinkable crimes that abound. With a central cold case driving the action as Carl faces the trauma of his own attack, the compelling stories intertwine, allowing one to inform the other. As the pieces fall into place, the bigger picture is soon illuminated, revealing just how twisted the first season’s story truly is.
With multiple plotlines that ultimately intertwine across congruent timelines and flashbacks, Dept. Q‘s sharp storytelling becomes its greatest asset. Dept. Q thrives thanks to its exceptional cast. Goode, in a career-best performance, shines thanks to his dynamic with his cohorts: his paraplegic partner, DI James Hardy (Jamie Sives); civilian employee Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov); and the chipper but broken DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne). Other exceptional players include Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson (Kate Dickie) and Carl’s appointed therapist, Dr. Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald). Underrated in its first season’s story, with so much to explore in Season 2, Dept. Q is destined to become even better.
‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)
Though that mountain man, lumberjack-chic finale is still a sticking point for die-hard fans, everything that occurred prior was quite sensational. For eight seasons, Dexter was a smash for Showtime. Starring Michael C. Hall, the series centered on Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police blood-spatter analyst who secretly works as a vigilante serial killer. Guided by a strict moral “code” from his adoptive father, he targets and kills murderers who have escaped the legal system. Showcasing Dexter’s struggle to balance his hidden, destructive urges with maintaining a normal, human life, Dexter is a juicy, off-kilter thriller that explores morality, family, loyalty, and the psychological concept of psychopathy.
Expertly blending dark humor with intense psychological suspense, Hall’s brilliant anti-hero forces viewers to sympathize with a serial killer. Hall crafts one of the strongest characters of the 21st century, bringing depth and nuance to the duplicitous Dexter. He had sensational writing that helped keep the series compelling, especially through the voice-over narrative, giving viewers a glimpse into the dark passenger inside his mind. Dexter is a bloody good time, offering a unique perspective to a typically formulaic genre. With a prequel and a sequel to add to the lore, there’s enough to keep you watching for many weekends.
‘His & Hers’ (2026)
One of the first entries into the world of crime thrillers in 2026 was Netflix’s twisty His & Hers. Based on Alice Feeney‘s book, His & Hers follows news reporter Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson) and her estranged husband, Detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), drawn together by a murder in their Georgia town that reopens old wounds and reveals secrets. As shocking twists unravel as their inner circle is drawn into the fray, His & Hers reminds us that there are always two sides to every story. Focusing on broken relationshipsand how grief can bring out dark traits in a person, His & Hers is a family affair, just like Scarpetta.
A truly unpredictable story, His & Hers thrives through its atmospheric tension. As the body count rises and the suspect list shifts, the series becomes one you won’t be able to stop watching. From a unique storytelling perspective, shifting from unreliable narrator to unreliable narrator leaves viewers uncertain about what is true and what is contrived for someone’s particular gain. Thompson and Bernthal are at the top of their game, showing how a single event, namely the loss of a child, can actually split two once-connected individuals. Joining them with strong performances are Marin Ireland as Zoe Harper, Jack’s younger sister, and Pablo Schreiber as Richard Jones, Anna’s cameraman and her rival Lexy Jones’ (Rebecca Rittenhouse) husband. If you enjoy the familiar drama surrounding the crimes at hand, His & Hers fits the bill.
‘Luther’ (2010–2019)
One of the finest actors of the generation is Idris Elba. A truly transformative performer, Elba dazzles in the psychological crime thriller Luther. Created by Neil Cross, the series follows DCI John Luther (Elba), a brilliant but self-destructive detective who often breaks rules to catch sadistic killers. Focusing on an intense predator-and-prey duel with criminals and on his complex relationship with the genius psychopath Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), Luther goes beyond the detective series through morally ambiguous characters and high-stakes storytelling.
Unafraid to be a darker crime thriller than most, Luther presents a moody, gritty portrayal of London that serves as an important character in the hunts. With shorter seasons, the series is contained to smart, fast-paced storytelling without filler content. Elba earned his BAFTA through this iconic character. Brilliant, damaged, and out-of-the-box operative, Elba’s portrayal of an individual grappling with his inner demons becomes an instant draw. Though Luther could easily be too over-the-top, the series’ villains and antagonists are unsettlingly and deeply human, making them even more sinister. Ambitious and hefty, Luther is the show you may have missed that you’ll surely regret that you did.
‘The Outsider’ (2020)
Now, for something that leans into the science fiction realm: The Outsider. Based on Stephen King‘s novel of the same name, the series follows Detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) as he investigates the brutal murder of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson in Georgia. While DNA and witness evidence point to little league coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), an airtight alibi forces investigators to confront a sinister, shapeshifting supernatural entity. Joined by unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), the duo uncover the truth, discovering similarities to other unsolved, horrific child murders. From crime thriller to supernatural horror, The Outsider uses the surreal as a tool to explore grief.
The Outsider masterfully merges the mundane terrors of a police drama with King’s brand of supernatural horror. The series does a fabulous job of easing into the genre shift in a plausible way. Thanks to the unique dynamic between Mendelsohn and Erivo, they carry the series to victory across its ten episodes. Like a good King adaptation, the atmosphere is created through tense cinematography. There’s nothing more creepy than a still shot to send a chill down your spine. Though a second season was written, it never came to fruition. Thankfully, the single season served as a faithful adaptation of an underrated King piece.
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
The 2010s ushered in the rise of the anthology series. One of the exceptional entries was HBO’s True Detective. Created by Nic Pizzolatto, each season follows a dark, often occult-themed murder investigation across different locations and time periods. Focusing heavily on the psychological scars, personal flaws, and deep philosophical conflicts of the detectives involved rather than just the crime itself, True Detective is a dip in and dip out style series, but if you watch them all, you’ll be highly addicted. With each season self-contained, featuring a new ensemble of characters and stories, True Detective soars thanks to its gritty narratives and its ability to keep commonality through individuality.
Thus far, True Detective has presented four distinct stories. Season 1, the Southern Gothic, tells the story of detectives Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) investigating ritualistic murders in Louisiana over 17 years, spanning 1995 to 2012. Season 2’s crime noir tells the story of three detectives. When California Highway Patrol officer and war veteran Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch) discovers the body of corrupt city manager Ben Caspere on the side of a highway, Vinci Police Department detective Raymond “Ray” Velcoro (Colin Farrell) and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Antigone “Ani” Bezzerides (Rachel McAdams) are called to assist in the following investigation. Meanwhile, Career criminal Francis “Frank” Semyon (Vince Vaughn) attempts to legitimize his business with his wife Jordan (Kelly Reilly) by investing in a rail project overseen by Caspere. In Season 3, the story takes place in the Ozarks over three decades as partner detectives, Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff), investigate a macabre crime involving two missing children. And finally, the fourth season, subtitled Night Country, follows detectives Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) as they investigate the disappearance of researchers from a remote station in Alaska.
Each of the four seasons is remarkable on its own. Watch in chronological order or start with your favorite star. However you begin, True Detective is an excellent series. With top-notch performances and cinematic-quality filmmaking, True Detective satisfies the crime bug. With such a focus on character-driven stories, True Detective is quite a heavy, intellectual show that dives deep into the individual psyches during the investigations. With a range of themes, including morality, religion, and the nature of time, True Detective changed the vision of thrillers forever.
‘Watson’ (2025–Present)
Finding that intersection of crime and medical drama comes Watson. The relatively new CBS series is a modern riff on the Sherlock Holmes mythology. Set one year following Sherlock’s (Robert Carlyle) death, Dr. John Watson (Morris Chestnut) runs a Pittsburgh clinic treating rare, complex diseases. Leading a team dedicated to treating these diseases, Watson is a modern adaptation of a classic concept that blends detective-style drama with a medical thriller. Giving the beloved sidekick the spotlight, Watson elevates the House tropes, lending a more optimistic tone in which medical mysteries must be solved.
A unique take on the medical detective story, Watson engages Sherlock Holmes fans while still finding its own identity in modern television. Through a familiar case-of-the-week format, the series seamlessly marries crime and medicine, with Watson playing a detective as a patient’s life serves as clues to help save their lives. Chestnut is a formidable lead, proving you don’t need Sherlock after all.
Watson
- Release Date
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January 26, 2025
- Showrunner
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Craig Sweeny
- Directors
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Larry Teng, Bille Woodruff, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jennifer Lynch, Kristin Lehman, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Underwood, Tara Nicole Weyr, Christine Moore, Clara Aranovich
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Morris Chestnut
Dr. John Watson
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Eve Harlow
Dr. Ingrid Derian
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