Entertainment
8 Detective Shows That Make Sherlock Look Like an Amateur
Most people around the globe agree that Sherlock Holmes is the greatest fictional detective of all time, with a legacy that has endured for over a century across literature, cinema, games, and countless other forms of art and entertainment. Among the many film and television projects made about Sherlock Holmes over the years, the BBC’s Sherlock is unarguably one of the most beloved. A modern reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s darling detective, the show remains a television landmark of the 21st century. However, the world of detective fiction is exhaustive and forever expanding, with endless new stories that deserve your attention, including some that arguably overshadow this popular icon.
These shows are not necessarily bigger in scale, but they bring a new narrative style to the genre, explore conventions from a new perspective, or feature more complex, mind-bending mysteries that can leave fans in shock, awe, and, in some cases, inspired. With every detective an intriguing character, each of these shows is a must-watch for genre fans. So, without further ado, here’s our selection of detective shows that make Sherlock look small.
1
‘Luther’ (2010–2019)
A psychological crime thriller written and created by Neil Cross, Luther revolves around the titular detective, John Luther, who is famed for taking down notorious criminals but also infamous for getting consumed by his cases, often resulting in violent and obsessive behavior. The series follows his relentless mission to thwart crime while navigating his personal demons, but mostly his arch-nemesis, Alice Morgan. Idris Elba stars as Luther and Ruth Wilson as Alice, with Steven Mackintosh, Saskia Reeves, Warren Brown, and Dermot Crowley in other notable roles.
A highly acclaimed and popular police procedural of its time, Luther brings a darker, graver tone to the genre, with more emphasis on the psychological narrative of its characters. Idris Elba is widely acclaimed for his powerhouse performance as the troubled detective, as is Ruth Wilson for her impeccable turn as Alice. During its original five-season run, Luther earned sweeping accolades and was widely acclaimed for reviving the form of hard-boiled detective noir with morally grey themes and a contemporary setting.
2
‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)
Created by Joe Penhall, Netflix’s Mindhunter is based on the non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by FBI agent John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. Dramatizing the founding of the agency’s Behavioral Science Unit in the 1970s, the series follows agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, as well as psychologist Wendy Carr, as they interview imprisoned serial killers and profile them, hoping to use the data to solve ongoing cases. Jonathan Groff, Anna Torv, Holt McCallany, Cotter Smith, and Hannah Gross star in key roles.
Mindhunter puts a deep analytical spin on detective fiction with strong elements of the psychological horror, crime thriller, and murder mystery genres. Through fictional interviews with some of the most notorious killers in American history, like Charles Manson, Jerry Brudos, and Son of Sam, it provides chilling psychological background to their infamous crimes. With its near-perfect storytelling inspired by major real-life crimes and compelling performances that leave a lasting impression, Mindhunter has been widely praised as one of the best true crime shows on Netflix.
3
‘Elementary’ (2012–2019)
Created by Robert Doherty, Elementary is a contemporary reimagination of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, but with very different stories and characterizations, transporting the British detective from London to New York City as a recovering addict. Starring Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Watson, the ABC drama follows the duo as they help the NYPD with complex cases, using Sherlock’s genius deduction methods and Watson’s profiling skills. Aidan Quinn, Natalie Dormer, Rhys Ifans, Jon Michael Hill, and John Noble round out the main cast.
Elementary never feels like a pastiche of a literary icon; rather, it simply takes the classic characters and themes and invents new stories, modern crimes, and character backstories in a high-energy, modern procedural. Even the case-of-the-week stories are not adapted from Doyle’s originals, making this ABC hit series intriguingly original. Sherlock fans are sure to appreciate the reinvented Watson, Mycroft, and Moriarty, but most importantly Lee Miller’s Sherlock, which is considered one of the best portrayals of Holmes on television.
4
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
An anthology crime thriller series created by Nic Pizzolatto, True Detective explores various stories of uncanny crimes and the local police’s attempts to seek truth and deliver justice, while also navigating their personal demons. Each season follows a new homicide case revolving around a disparate set of characters, with the settings spanning Alaska, Arkansas, California, and Louisiana. The show’s revolving ensemble cast features Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Jodie Foster, and more across seasons.
True Detective is diverse in its storytelling, with styles spanning neo-noir to Southern Gothic, true-crime, and Nordic noir, making every season feel like an expansive new show. But all seasons are bound by the underlying philosophical themes, unsettling local legends, and deeply flawed detectives, which makes True Detective way darker, more complex, and layered than Sherlock. Since its premiere over a decade ago, True Detective has remained highly respected and has won major accolades, including several Emmys and a BAFTA.
5
‘Poker Face’ (2023–2025)
Rian Johnson’s first major TV show as a creator, Poker Face is a crime comedy series that uses a case-of-the-week format, centering on Charlie Cale, a casino employee in Nevada who happens to be a bona fide human lie detector. After getting on the wrong side of her mobster boss, Charlie goes on the run, traveling across the country and solving murders using her unique ability and remarkable social skills. Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie, with Benjamin Bratt, Ron Perlman, Rhea Perlman, Simon Helberg, Patti Harrison, and Steve Buscemi in recurring roles, and several famous guest stars appearing in individual episodes, including Giancarlo Esposito, Katie Holmes, and more.
Unlike most contemporary detective shows or case-of-the-week procedurals, Poker Face is a “howcatchem” that takes inspiration from classic detective series like Columbo and Magnum, P.I. Johnson brings his signature brand of mystery storytelling to this colorful ride with a quirky nomad who entirely changes the perspective of the genre. Driven largely by Natasha Lyonne’s live-wire performance, often compared to Peter Falk’s, Poker Face is a fantastic detective show with mature themes beneath its fun exterior.
6
‘Bodies’ (2023)
A British sci-fi mystery thriller created by Paul Tomalin, Bodies is a Netflix adaptation of Si Spencer’s DC Vertigo comic book series. The show follows a murder mystery that spans generations, time, and space. The plot follows four different detectives who try to solve the same mystery of a dead body found in a London back alley in four different timelines. The series stars Stephen Graham, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, and Greta Scacchi in key roles.
A unique, genre-blending, and mind-bending sci-fi show, Bodies is detective noir, high-concept sci-fi, and period drama, all rolled into one. Highly suspenseful, with unexpected outcomes in every episode, Bodies keeps the audience constantly on the edge, confounded by the story’s movement and engrossed in the convincing performances. Though the show quickly went off the radar after its release, the Netflix original has been critically praised for its elevated narrative and incredible cinematography, and is a must-watch for mystery fans.
7
‘Monk’ (2002–2009)
A multi-Emmy Award-winning mystery comedy drama series created by Andy Breckman, Monk follows the pursuits of former San Francisco police detective Adrian Monk, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and various phobias, which worsen after his wife’s mysterious death. Gifted (and cursed) with sharp observation skills and odd crime-solving methods, Monk solves various crimes as a consultant for the SFPD while navigating his afflictions, which often become exhausting for everyone around him, especially his assistant. Tony Shalhoub, Ted Levine, Bitty Schram, Jason Gray-Stanford, and Traylor Howard star in the main roles.
Powered by Shalhoub’s phenomenal performance as the so-called “defective detective,” Monk is an inverted Sherlock. Adrian Monk is everything Holmes is, and not at the same time, which makes this detective series one of a kind. Charming and heartwarming, with its odd-ball detective, ample humor, and character-driven stories, the comedy procedural is exceptionally addictive. Often hailed as one of the best crime shows of the 21st century, Monk puts a more accessible, comedic twist on the traditional detective persona.
8
‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ (1989–2013)
Created by Clive Exton and Brian Eastman, Agatha Christie’s Poirot is a serialized TV adaptation of Agatha Christie’s popular crime fiction series featuring the titular detective, Hercule Poirot. Starring David Suchet as the famous Belgian detective, the series follows his meticulous investigations as he travels around the world solving the most complicated crimes, with his friend, Captain Arthur Hastings, and Inspector James Japp of Scotland Yard by his side. Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson, Pauline Moran, and Zoë Wanamaker play recurring roles across the show’s 13 seasons, alongside a rotating ensemble guest cast.
A British television landmark, the ITV show successfully and faithfully adapts almost every Poirot novel and short story penned by Christie. Suchet brings life to the persnickety detective with his near-perfect depiction, which is often considered the definitive screen version of the mystery icon. Spanning 13 seasons and 25 years, Agatha Christie’s Poirot is an exhaustive detective show that does every bit of justice to the setting, storytelling, and character design of the Poirot universe as created by Christie.
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