9 Unique Crime Shows That Offer a Refreshing Twist

Only Murders in the Building

Only Murders in the Building revolves around three true-crime podcast lovers who team up to investigate a series of mysterious murders in their apartment building. The show stands out for its waggish take on crime fiction, blending infectious comedy with artful gumshoe suspense. The trio consists of a charming blend of wisdom, humor, and tech-savviness, producing a witty crime-fighting team that's as effective as they are addictive to watch. Only Murders in the Building continues to garner critical acclaim and record-breaking viewership for injecting humor into a typically serious genre.

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel looking at the scarf in Only Murders in the Building season 3 finale

Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars is a noir mystery gem, following the escapades of its titular main character as she navigates a uniquely toxic high school ecosystem while doggedly investigating her best friends murder. Empowered by her skills as a teenage private investigator, Veronica episodically outfoxes criminals, bad cops, and a host of privileged bullies with nothing but her wit, resourcefulness, and nerves of steel. Veronica sums up her characters ethos well after defending an unpopular classmate against bullies: 'You want people to leave you alone, Mandy, or better yet treat you with respect? Demand it. Make them.' The series has garnered a significant cult following over the years, leading to several attempts to revive Veronica Mars.

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars

White Collar

White Collar follows a brilliant con artist turned FBI consultant aiding the bureau in capturing white-collar criminals just like him. What makes the show remarkable is its unconventional premise, where a former criminal offers a fresh perspective on crime-solving by helping his partner understand why so many white-collar crimes go unnoticed. The series doubles down on its uncanny premise with its unique blend of clever plotting, charismatic cast chemistry, and snappy banter. White Collars consistently high critical acclaim, accolades, and potential revival underpin its enduring appeal in the Crime Drama genre.

Matt Bomer wearing a suit in White Collar

The Mentalist

The Mentalist centers on a con artist who begins consulting law enforcement on tricky investigations after demonstrating his singular talent for manipulating the people around him. Portrayed by Simon Baker, Patrick Jane is one part Sherlock Holmes and one part charlatan, forming the crux of the series with its alarmingly charismatic antihero. Despite his wily exterior, however, Jane conveys surprising emotional depth after revealing his mission to catch the serial killer responsible for slaying his wife and daughter. The Mentalists clever storytelling, sleight-of-hand wit, and compelling main character make it a must-watch crime drama.

the main character of The Mentalist looking offscreen

Lie To Me

Lie to Me centers on a team of deception experts who are contracted by both government and private agencies to untangle crimes that often have far-reaching political consequences. Led by Cal Lightman, the team depends on psychology, micro-expressions, and body language to gauge a suspects emotional state while under observation. The resident psychologist on the team, Dr. Gillian Foster, says it like this: 'The question is never simply if someone is lying; it's why.' Despite its focus on deception detection, one of the shows compelling underlying themes revolves around whether people have good reasons to lie–and the answers provided are consistently provocative for every case.

Lie to Me cast in promo art.

The Closer

The Closer follows Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, whose background as a CIA-trained interrogator makes her uniquely skilled at drawing confessions out of murder suspects. The series is supported by a host of compelling characters played by extraordinary actors, but what sets it apart is its focus on capturing the drama, emotion, and tension found in interrogation. Like other crime series, The Closer features its fair share of sociopathic monsters. However, its remarkable for humanizing many of its killers thanks to the shows focus on wheedling out confessions.

the cast of The Closer

Unforgettable

Unforgettable centers on detective Carrie Wells, whose hyperthymesia causes her to vividly recall nearly every event in her life. The series often demonstrates Carries extraordinary memory by highlighting events from her past, but her talent pays for itself through investigations whenever she steps into her memories to take a closer look at some of the finer details around her. While Unforgettable undoubtedly sensationalizes Carries talent, its especially neat that hyperthymesia (HSAM) is a real condition (even though it's so rare that only 62 people in the world have been diagnosed with it).

Carrie Wells and Al Burns in Unforgettable promotional art.

Castle

Castle echoes the classic Murder, She Wrote, as it centers on a mystery author who demonstrates a knack for criminal investigation when research finds him tagging along with law enforcement. It helps that the character is portrayed by the affable Nathan Fillion, who infuses the role with his typical charm. Similar to other classic whodunits, Castle is also notable in how it walks through investigations with clues that viewers can often follow along. As a result, couch sleuths may be able to piece together the puzzle if they care enough to pay attention.

Beckett looking at Castle in Castle season 5 episode Probable Cause

Elementary

Sherlock Holmes may be the most famous detective in literature, and yet it's his sidekick, Watson, who often steals the spotlight in the American spin, Elementary. Played by Lucy Liu, former surgeon Joan Watson is introduced as Sherlocks sober companion, but after demonstrating her potential, he takes her on as his partner-in-training. Fans of Sherlocks classic deductive prowess need not worry, since the quintessential detective remains a dominant force throughout the show. However, Joans complex friendship with her ascorbic mentor along with her journey to becoming his equal are just a couple of reasons why Elementary is one of the best Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Sherlock and Joan Hugging in Elementary