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Breaking Bad is not just a show about a chemistry professor literally 'breaking' out of his usual role and venturing into unfamiliar territories, but a slow-burn that eventually takes you on a wild ride of emotions. You get to see an otherwise mild character (an academic at that!) named Walter White slowly descend to a point of no return.
Breaking Bad was first released in 2008, and since then it has had 5 seasons, earning it a mention in one of the long-running shows known to slow burn lovers. The legacy of the show is such that it bagged 16 Primetime Emmy Awards and countless other accolades.
If you love morally grey storytelling, slow-paced narrative, and tightly wound characters, these 10 shows might just be the right fit for you!
Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
10 slow-burn crime shows as addictive as Breaking Bad
1. Ozark (Netflix)
If you loved the slow burn and tense atmosphere in Breaking Bad, then Ozark will give you all that with a dash of blood splashing cold blooded crimes.
It all starts when Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) begins humbly as a Chicago financial advisor but eventually ventures into the dark, crime-filled world of money laundering. Working for a Mexican cartel for money, Marty soon gets trapped in an endless cycle of balancing himself on a thin rope between his family and work.
When a deal goes sideways, he relocates his family to the Ozarks, and what unfolds from here on is a wild rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns. There are wild entries of characters, conspiracies, and betrayals. Overall, it makes for a perfect slow burn with 4 seasons.
You can stream Ozark on Netflix.
2. The Sporanos (Amazon Prime Video)
Often hailed as the godfather of prestige TV, The Sopranos told the story of charismatoc mob boss Tony Sopranos who has his own challenges. He suffers from panic attacks, family issues, and the day-to-day ups and downs in his crime empire. In this role James Gandolfini, has earned many acclaims and awards.
This story is unique and unlike contrary to common portrayals, the show takes the mob boss's character and given it a human touch. Apart from depicting the world of criminality, it majorly comments on the consequences of being involved in such a world. The character arc of Walter White was about a good man descending into a dark world, while The Sopranos is about a bad man trying his best to find if he is salvagable.
If you just finished Breaking Bad and are looking for a show with the same vibe, you can stream it now on JioCinema.
3. Narcos (Netflix)
If you spent time searching for crime dramas, chances are you have already heard about Narcos. This gritty docu-crime drama revolves around Pablo Escobar, a drug kingpin who lived during the 1980s in Colombia. It is a raw tale that takes you on a wild rollercoaster ride of blood splashing, adrenaline boosting, highly tensed twists and turns. Like Breaking Bad and most of the shows from the crime-drama genre, Narcos is full of betrayal and a dramatic cat-and-mouse game between authorities and criminals.
With 3 seasons, this is a perfect slow burn. To top it all off, let us just say it gives you everything you asked for, raw, and doesn’t sanitize a thing.
You can watch Narcos on Netflix.
4. Better Call Saul (Netflix)
Better Call Saul is a show that rightly fits into the slow-burn category. The show upholds the tale of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) as he transforms into morally flexible lawyer Saul Goodman. The show moves at a slower pace than Breaking Bad, but it deals with legal crime. The show brings a masterful blend of tragedy and dark humor, letting us be witnesses to Jimmy’s small compromises that ultimately lead to a collapse.
If you loved the slow-burn of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a perfect next watch for you!
You can stream it on Netflix.
5. Peaky Blinders (Netflix)
This Cilian Murphy starrer British crime drama is the epitome of a slow burn. Set in the times after world war I, this story recounts the life of Thomas Shelby and his family who form a street gang by the name Peaky Blinders.
This BBC show gives you just what you need: a deeply charismatic anti-hero, slow paced storytelling, twists, turns and betrayals. Not to mention, the show explores some unique themes of post-war trauma, personal identity and corruption in a war struck time.
If you loved Breaking Bad's Walter White, watch Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders. You can stream this on Netflix.
6. Quarry (HBO Max)
One of the most underrated shows on this list Is Quarry. A neo-noir crome drama that tells the story of Mac Conway (Logan Marshall-Green), a Marine sniper who returns home only to be disillusioned. Apparently, after he returns from Vietnam he faces harsh truths of the world, and gets rejected by society.
Slowly but surely, he descends into the world of contract killing. Set in 1970s Memphis, the show will give you much of the Breaking Bad vibe with an emotionally charged arc and a superb anti-hero.
Stream it on Apple TV (purchase) or HBO Max (in select regions).
7. The Shield (Hulu)
Next up we have a crime drama that recounts the story of Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) who is a corrupt LAPD detective striking at the criminal backdoor deals and brutality. The Shield portrays grey characters and often make the viewers question who are the real perpetrators of crime. As you explore this world more through Vic and his choices, you see how Vic’s choices come back to haunt him.
The anti-hero drama is quite close to that of Breaking Bad. It’s available on Hulu in the U.S. or Apple TV for purchase.
8. Your Honor (JioCinema)
Adapted from Kvodo, Your Honor, recounts the tale of a judge in New Orleans whose son gets involved in a tragic hit-and-run. He soon finds out that the victim was the son of a ruthless mob boss. He attempts to cover up the crime—and in the process, kick starts a chain reaction of lies and compromise. The tension builds episode by episode as a typical slow-burn.
Stream it now on JioCinema or Paramount+.
9. True Detective (HBO)
This detective crime drama is a true slow-burn that recounts the story of detective Rust Cohle and Marty Hart as they study and investigate brutal, ritualistic murder —one in 1995, and the other seventeen years later when the case returns. Set in Louisiana, the show is dark, slow-paced, moody, philosophical, and grim.
Like Breaking Bad, True Detective does not take you on a rollercoaster ride, buts drives under a speed limit—letting the tension ferment. The brutal crimes, highlu tensed atmosphere will make you remember Breaking Bad.
You can stream it now on JioCinema or HBO Max.
10. Reacher (Amazon Prime Video)
The story of Reacher, comes from Lee Child's novel by the same name. The story has been adapted into movies and shows. Alan Ritchson, plays the role perfectly. This adaptation adds more to the detective crime drama: it has bits and pieces of romance, humor and entertainment.
The protagonist, Reacher, is a former military police major turned wandering loner who finds himself in the middle of trouble. The pacing is slow and unhurried, and the story takes its time to unfold.
If you loved Walter White from Breaking Bad and how he tackles his troubles, then wait until you see Jack Reacher.
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You can find this on Amazon Prime Video.
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