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Crime drama series are some of the most engaging and thrilling shows to watch. Not only does it engage the viewers with its focus on unconventional and gripping cases, but it also introduces a quirky and genius homicide detective who carries the story forward. From the eccentric talent of Sherlock Holmes to the powerful abilities of Mare Sheehan, here are 10 best crime drama series that are named after its homicide detective. The naming of the series after the detective, makes the show more engaging as the detective’s capabilities and personal life are front and center.
Monk, Virdee, and other crime drama series that are named after its homicide detective
1. Luther
Created and written by Neil cross, this British psychological crime drama series features Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, and others. The show focuses on the titular character, John Luther, played by Elba, who is a Detective Chief Inspector and works for the Serious Crime Unit. Luther is a suspenseful crime drama series and revolves around Luther, who is obsessive and violent, but dedicated to his job of solving crimes. The show reveals the past trauma of Luther and how he handles the darkness within him, while also solving cases. Therefore, the show has layered characters. Luther must also deal with the genius psychopath and murderer Alice Morgan (Wilson), whom Luther is unable to arrest due to lack of evidence. The two form a complex and unlikely bond and Morgan becomes Luther’s both nemesis and companion. The show has five seasons and has garnered critical and commercial approval. Therefore, it is a must-watch.
2. Monk
Starring Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, and others, this police procedural comedy drama detective series is a crime drama series created by Andy Breckman. The show is one of the famous crime drama series from the early aughts and has eight seasons. Loved by critics and fans alike, the show focuses on the titular private detective Adrian Monk (Shalhoub), who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and many other phobias. The quirky character is still a genius when it comes to solving crimes and is assisted by Sharona and Natalie. Monk works with the San Francisco Police Department and helps them in solving unconventional cases. However, Monk also investigates his wife’s unsolved murder on the side. Therefore, the crime drama series also explores the personal life of the titular detective along with his professional life. The series even spawned a movie and the show has won several awards. The show is a must-watch and Shalhoub’s portrayal as Monk is scene-stealing.
3. Virdee
Based on the crime novel series by AA Dhand, this British crime drama series is a thriller show and has six parts. Starring Staz Nair, Aysha Kala, Nina Singh, and others, the show focuses on the titular detective Harry Virdee (Nair), who is a homicide detective. The show focuses on how Virdee has to catch a killer who is targeting the Asian community in Bradford. The series also focuses on Virdee’s personal life, as his Sikh family is dismayed at his decision to marry Saima, who is a Muslim. Therefore, the crime drama series is an engaging watch as it not only focuses on crimes but also on important contemporary issues like racism, community, and identity. Virdee must not only balance his family and community’s attitude towards his wife and personal life but also stop the beginning of gangland warfare. Therefore, the crime drama series is a must-watch.
4. Sherlock
Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, this British mystery crime drama series is based on the detective stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous character, Sherlock Holmes. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the series was a worldwide hit and was loved by critics and fans alike. The crime drama series has four seasons and focuses on the titular detective Sherlock Holmes (Cumberbatch), who is genius but eccentric detective who helps solve crimes with the police. Freeman stars as Doctor John Watson, the perennial companion of Sherlock and also undergoes a quest to solve crimes along with his partner. The series is full of exciting twists and turns and both Cumberbatch and Freeman deliver stellar performances. Noted for its direction, tone, writing, and performances, the crime drama series is a must-watch. The series has won several awards and is an authentic detective series that fans of the genre will love.
5. Castle
Starring Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, and others, this crime drama series is created by Andrew W. Marlowe and has eight seasons. The show focuses on the titular character Richard Castle (Fillion), who is a best-selling mystery novelist. However, Castle becomes bored with his work as an author and suffers from a writer’s block. His life changes when he is brought in for questioning regarding a copycat murder that is based on one of his novels. There, he meets detective Kate (Katic), who intrigues Castle and he uses his contact to shadow Beckett as he wants to create a character based on her. However, Kate is annoyed by the thought of the arrogant author following her around. However, as the series progresses, the two begin to solve crimes together and Castle even tries to investigate the killer behind Kate’s mother. The crime drama series also has hints of comedy and therefore the show is an entertaining watch.
6. Endeavour
Created by Russell Lewis and based on the characters created by Colin Dexter, this British crime drama series and detective show is a prequel to the Inspector Morse series. The series focuses on the titular character Endeavour Morse, played by Shaun Evans, who is a new detective constable and later on becomes a detective sergeant. He works with the Oxford City Police CID. The show has nine seasons and the show is set from 1965 to 1972. The show is set in Oxford and focuses on the early career days of Endeavour, who left Lonsdale College in Oxford University before completing his degree. Endeavour first spends a short while at the Royal Corps of Signals as a cipher clerk and then joins the Carshall-Newtown Police and helps in solving crimes. The crime drama series is a must-watch and is an intriguing and exciting series that fans of the genre will love.
7. Rizzoli and Isles
Developed by Janet Tamaro and based on the series of novels by Tess Gerritsen, the crime drama series features Angie Harmon, Sasha Alexander, and others. The series has seven seasons and focuses on Jane Rizzoli (Harmon) and Maura Isles (Alexander). While Rizzoli is a Boston Homicide police detective, Isles is the Chief Medical Examiner. The two women have opposite personalities and while they clash at times, they soon begin to solve cases together and form a bond. The crime drama series is an engaging watch and has received positive reviews over the years. It is also one of the few crime drama series named after the homicide detective that has two female leads. The show is interesting and focuses on a variety of cases while also exploring the developing bond between the two women. Viewers who want a thrilling and engaging crime drama series with strong female leads should watch this one.
8. McDonald and Dodds
Created by Robert Murphy and starring Tala Gouveia, Jason Watkins, and others, this British crime series and has four seasons. The show is an interesting watch as it focuses on the young DCI Lauren McDonald (Gouveia), who is a streetwise former Metropolitan Police investigator. On the other had, when she arrives in Batth to head the Avon and Somerset Police Criminal Investigation Department, she teams up with DS Dodds (Watkins), who is an elderly and shy investigator who has not seen violent street action in many years. The unlikely pair differ in age and race and despite their differences, they begin to solve cases together and learn from each other’s point of view. The crime drama series is engaging, filled with twists and turns and offers a new and unique perspective on homicide detectives. The series is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
9. Mare of Easttown
Starring Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, and others, this crime drama series is created and written by Brad Ingelsby and directed by Craig Zobel. The show has just one season and is still packed with lots of mystery, drama, and twists and turns. The series focuses on the titular detective Marianne “Mare” Sheehan (Winslet), who lives in Easttown, Philadelphia and must investigate the murder of a young girl. The series also looks closely at the personal life of Mare, who is known for making the town win a basketball game many years prior. However, she was also unable to solve the case of a missing young girl, which led many residents of the small town to question her capabilities. Mare also has to juggle with divorce, a son lost to suicide, and a custody battle over her grandson. The series not only explores the complex life of Mare, but also throws light upon the dark side of small town life where people have past secrets of their own. Winslet does a stellar job at portraying Mare and the crime series is a must-watch.
10. Karen Pirie
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Based on the novel series by Val McDermid, this British crime drama series has one season till now and stars Lauren Lyle, Chris Jenks, and others. Written by Emer Kenny and directed by Gareth Bryn, the show focuses on the young detective sergeant Karen Pirie (Lyle), who is put in charge of a seemingly twenty-five-year-old cold case. The case is reopened as a true crime podcast covers the case and the police has to hastily re-open the case about the unsolved murder of a young woman. The police also decide to improve the optics on the case and therefore puts Karen in-charge of the case so that a fresh and young face heads the case. With just three episodes, the crime drama series is able to reinvent the tropes of the genre and present an engaging and thrilling crime series. Therefore, it is a must-watch.
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