Crime dramas have always been a staple of TV and have continuously evolved over the years. While TV shows like Breaking Bad and True Detective are icons of the genre, there are others that, although forgotten, paved the way for what we now see in modern crime dramas. Sadly, these near-perfect crime dramas never received the recognition they deserved, even though they proved in several ways that they should be considered masterpieces.
What some of these forgotten crime dramas do so perfectly is use long-popular formulas and add layered storytelling that goes beyond their familiar plots. Although most people associate the genre with a whodunit formula, there are others that explore deeper themes and include concepts that were not only revolutionary for their time but remain so even to this day. Whether it’s low-budget marketing or being overshadowed by bigger shows, these forgotten crime dramas deserve to once again be in the spotlight.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999)
This series was based on the book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon, creator of The Wire, so it certainly has an excellent pedigree. Homicide: Life on the Street is a groundbreaking police procedural drama that centered on a group of homicide detectives working in Baltimore as they investigated murders, interrogated suspects, and juggled the emotional toll that came with working such a heavy job.
While Homicide: Life on the Street has been forgotten, for many, the series ushered in a new era of police procedural series that weren’t focused on glamorizing law enforcement work. The crime drama shines because it perfected the art of feeling less like a scripted drama and more like a window into real police work.
The Bridge (2011-2018)
Even though the popularity of international crime series has skyrocketed in recent years, it wasn’t always that way. Nevertheless, the Nordic noir series The Bridge (Bron/Broen) managed to carve out a name for itself in the overcrowded genre.
Like many crime dramas, The Bridge begins with a chilling discovery of a dead body. However, the fascinating part isn’t the whodunit aspect, but the fact that the aforementioned body is found on the border between Denmark and Sweden, thus forcing the police from both countries to work together on the same case.
The premise of The Bridge is indeed intriguing, but what makes it truly brilliant is the two contrasting detectives. Saga Norén, who hails from Sweden, is a brilliant but socially unconventional investigator, and her Danish counterpart, Martin Rohde, is more emotionally intuitive and grounded. As they embark on their investigation, their partnership becomes the backbone of the series.
Rectify (2013-2016)
Rectify is a crime drama that does something different. It doesn’t focus on a crime that was committed or finding the perpetrator. Instead, it centers on Daniel Holden, a man who is released from death row after new DNA evidence reveals that he wasn’t the one who was behind the sexual assault and murder of his high school girlfriend.
Essentially, Rectify isn’t really about the crime itself but about what happens when an innocent man spends years in prison for a crime he had nothing to do with. After he gained his freedom, Daniel struggled to adjust to a world that had moved on without him. As he began to acclimatize, he also had to deal with the surrounding community, which was divided about his innocence.
The Missing (2014-2016)
The Missing is a two-part forgotten anthology TV show that, as the title suggests, centers on cases about missing people. The first season follows Tony and Emily Hughes, whose young son Oliver vanishes during a family holiday in France, while the sophomore season focuses on a new case involving a missing girl who reappears after disappearing for years.
The Missing is a kind of series that leaves a deep emotional mark. The show isn’t just about solving crimes; it also explores the trauma and pain of those left behind who have to grapple with it. It shows grief and hope in such a startling light, resulting in a story that remains with audiences long after the credits roll.
Snowfall (2017-2023)
Set in Los Angeles, Snowfall explores the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic and the web of people responsible for its spread. At the center of the series is Franklin Saint, a young man who gets into the drug business as a way to escape poverty, but ends up becoming one of the most dangerous figures in the criminal underworld.
Snowfall has a kind of depth that can sometimes be missing from crime dramas. The series is nuanced, as it doesn’t just examine the drug trade but also how the system can affect the disadvantaged. The show’s best attribute, however, isn’t its themes but Franklin’s transformation from a sympathetic character to a ruthless drug kingpin.
The Fall (2013-2016)
Jamie Dornan, who broke out playing Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, appeared in one of the best yet forgotten crime dramas, The Fall. Centering on a cat-and-mouse game between Detective Stella (Gillian Anderson) and Dornan’s Paul, the series details the psychological battle between the two foes.
What makes The Fall so fascinating is that it shows who the killer is from the outset. Instead of audiences having to piece clues together to discover who the perpetrator is, they are treated to an endlessly enjoyable battle of wits, and are given a glimpse into Paul’s mindset as he commits the heinous crimes.
The Night Of (2016)
One of the best crime dramas of the 21st century, The Night Of chronicles the life of Nasir “Naz” Khan (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani American college student who wakes up next to a dead body and doesn’t remember the events that led to this predicament.
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In the blink of an eye, Naz’s life changes as he becomes the prime suspect in a brutal crime for which he has no proper defense. The Night Of hauntingly outlines the flaws of the American criminal justice system and demonstrates the harrowing process of being caught in its crosshairs.
Naz’s transformation from a student simply living his life to a prime suspect in a murder investigation is harrowing. The crime drama actually never reveals if Naz is innocent or not, but instead chooses to focus on chronicling his journey as he is arrested and then later stands trial.
Happy Valley (2014-2023)
The critically acclaimed British crime drama, Happy Valley, is a series that demonstrates what the genre can accomplish when it’s at its peak. The show, which begins with a normal kidnapping plot, slowly reveals that there is more to the story than what meets the eye. At the center of Happy Valley is Catherine Cawood, a police sergeant reeling from losing her daughter, who died by suicide.
As she gets involved in the kidnapping of a young woman, she learns that her daughter’s ex-boyfriend might be at the helm of that crime. Happy Valley excels because of Catherine. Even with the grief that she carries, Catherine shows a level of determination when it comes to her job that is awe-inspiring. From the beginning, Happy Valley leans into its emotional intensity and grabs audiences with its mystery and complexity.
Mr Inbetween (2018-2021)
The compelling series, Mr Inbetween, gave us one of modern TV’s best protagonists in Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan), who lives a double life. On one hand, he is a hitman, debt collector, and enforcer for the criminal underworld, while on the other hand, he is a loving father trying to give his daughter a good life.
The main appeal of Mr Inbetween is, of course, Ray himself. He is an incredibly complex character and isn’t necessarily the kind of protagonist one can paint as a hero. The series delves into both Ray’s violently brutal life as well as his interactions with his daughter, which ultimately show a softer side to his character.
Life on Mars (2006-2007)
Science fiction is all the rage these days, and there are very few TV shows that can seamlessly combine it with another genre. Life on Mars, however, found the perfect balance between sci-fi and crime. When Detective Sam Tyler is hit by a car in 2006, he wakes up in 1976. Interestingly enough, he finds himself in the same career but a different police force. As he tries to figure out a way back home, the detective continues solving crimes in a timeline that is vastly different from his own.
Life on Mars Rotten Tomatoes Score
Critics Score
Audience Score
100%
97%
Life on Mars cleverly uses time travel to delve into fascinating areas of policing. The crime drama thrives because of how it examines the differences between how the police did their job in the 2000s and the 1970s. This contrast provided a canvas for the show to delve into issues of ethics, procedures, and how far police work has come.
