Derek Simonds produced the American police procedural anthology television series The Sinner for the USA Network. It takes its name from the 1999 book by Petra Hammesfahr, which inspired the first season.
Fans seem to agree that The Sinner is a unique show full of thrilling scenes, beliefs, and unusual occurrences. The series was memorable because, instead of focusing solely on the criminals, it delved into the motives behind their actions.
Many other shows deal with similar subjects by including mystery, emotional pain, and hidden secrets. Haunted detectives and mysterious pasts help these thrillers catch the attention of viewers. These 10 TV shows like The Sinner won viewers over with their moving and introspective narratives.
Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Here is the list of the 10 TV shows like The Sinner that mix blood, belief, and the bizarre:
10. The Alienist (Netflix)

The television show The Alienist is set in the United States and is based on Caleb Carr's 1994 novel of the same name. In 1896, in New York City, Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist, teams up with John Moore, a newspaper illustrator, and Sara Howard, a police secretary, to look into a set of brutal murders of boy prostitutes. The plot centers on the criminal environment, stressing societal challenges and changing criminal psychology.
There is a disturbing scene in which a dishonest police captain takes an eyelash from Sara’s face and quickly finds his hand covered in blood, highlighting the scary mood of the show. Similar to The Sinner, The Alienist takes a close look at why crimes happen by revealing the ongoing corruption in society. The Alienist is an intriguing option for anyone looking for TV shows like The Sinner due to its rich historical backdrop, nuanced characters, and unapologetic depiction of the macabre.
9. The Innocent (Netflix)

The Innocent is a Spanish TV miniseries about life rebuilding after accidentally killing a man, which centers on Mateo. According to the plot, Mateo is drawn into a devious conspiracy full of dangers and secrets after receiving an unexpected phone call. The way the series mixes past mysteries with current challenges makes the narrative very interesting.
The Innocent and The Sinner explores issues of guilt and how individuals respond to incidents, revealing the emotional impact of crime on a specific person. The protagonists in both series are plagued by their pasts, which results in shocking and frequently sinister revelations. The Innocent stands out among TV shows like The Sinner due to its compelling plot, surprising turns, and rich character development.
8. Deceit (Max)

Deceit is based on a true incident of a police operation that sparked widespread controversy in the year 1992. The series is about an undercover officer, named Lizzie James, who is sent to make friends with Colin Stagg, who is the main suspect in Rachel Nickell’s murder. The individuals wanted to elicit a confession from Panay by trapping him with women in Operation Edzell.
This series, like The Sinner, analyzes the reasons why people commit odd crimes. Both shows explore challenging questions for law enforcement and their impact on officers' mental health. Deceit stands out among TV shows like The Sinner due to its complicated story, powerful acting, and exploration of the hazy boundaries between manipulation and justice.
7. Those Who Kill (Viaplay)

The series Those Who Kill has Louise Bergstein, a Danish criminal profiler, leading the investigation into several unsolved killings. Like The Sinner, Mr. Mercedes provides insight into the thoughts of both the murderers and the victims. Both narratives revolve around the main characters dealing with previous grief and attempting to solve complex crimes. The mystery captivates viewers with its eerie atmosphere, exploration of people's inner selves, and challenging decisions.
Viaplay is an appealing choice for fans seeking series similar to TV shows like The Sinner, as it features complex characters, compelling storytelling, and the capacity to delve into the darker aspects of human nature.
6. The Chestnut Man (Netflix)

The Chestnut Man centers around a young woman who was murdered in a playground, and no hand was found, while a chestnut man figure was discovered there. Investigators find out that this murder could be connected to the missing daughter of a politician because the figurine had the girl’s fingerprint.
Just as in The Sinner, the detail reveals that major crimes are sometimes the result of past emotional stresses and family problems. Both stories explore hidden dangers in everyday situations by offering complex, twisting plots that keep people wanting to watch. Among TV shows like The Sinner, The Chestnut Man stands out due to its atmospheric storytelling, complex plot twists, and the eerie interplay of innocence and evil.
5. Broadchurch (Netflix)

This British crime show, set in a coastal town, tells how the murder of an 11-year-old boy causes turmoil among everyone in the community. Detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller must deal with a slew of secrets and lies as they seek the truth.
The series focuses on what the crime does to the town’s people, just as The Sinner looks at the emotions of its main characters. Both shows highlight the way that a single act of violence can destroy the community and reveal things people try to keep hidden.
Broadchurch's position among TV shows like The Sinner has been solidified by audiences' appreciation of its gripping characters, depiction of the aftermath of catastrophe, and emotional depth.
4. Unbelievable (Netflix)

Unbelievable tells the story of real events that happened. It focuses on Marie, a teenager who speaks out about rape but is questioned by the police. Later, two people working on the case find other similar attacks that help confirm what Marie claimed. Trauma, disbelief, and the desire to achieve justice are some of the main themes in the show.
Like The Sinner, it looks into how crime affects the mind and the difficulties in human behavior. Both series point out how the understanding of society can affect criminal probes.
Among the TV shows like The Sinner, Unbelievable stands out due to its delicate depiction of survivors and its criticism of structural flaws.
3. The Fall (Prime Video)

The Fall happens in Belfast and is a suspenseful psychological thriller. The main story follows Detective Stella Gibson. The character is out to catch Paul Spector, who is leading two lives. The shows explore how the boundary between normality and monstrosity is very flexible in humans.
Just like The Sinner, it looks into the motives behind different crimes instead of just identifying the criminals. Both series explore the inner minds of their characters, displaying their major traumas and what drives them.
The Fall is an intriguing option for fans looking for TV shows like The Sinner due to its deep character studies, slow-burning tension, and analysis of moral ambiguity.
2. Top of the Lake (Hulu)

The setting of Top of the Lake is a small New Zealand town in this mysterious crime thriller. Detective Robin Griffin looks into the vanishing of Tui, a 12-year-old girl who is pregnant. Robin goes deeper and faces her painful past as she discovers disturbing secrets in the town.
Just like The Sinner, the series examines mental issues and dark secrets in what appears to be an ordinary setting. Women in both series face their problems as they try to bring criminals to justice.
Top of the Lake stands out among TV shows like The Sinner because of its powerful performances, ominous setting, and unapologetic analysis of societal themes.
1. Mindhunter (Netflix)

The psychological crime thriller Mindhunter tells the tale of the FBI's best criminal psychologists in the late 1970s. The story centers on FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they talk to imprisoned serial killers to figure out their reasons and develop ways to profile criminals. It looks into the thoughts of murderers to find out what motivates their evil deeds.
In the style of The Sinner, Mindhunter instead looks at crime from the aspect of psychology, rather than who committed the crime. The main characters in both TV shows are profoundly impacted by their research.
Mindhunter is a tempting option for anyone looking for TV shows like The Sinner due to its careful storytelling, terrifying analysis of criminal minds, and gripping character development.
The psychological complexity, mystery, and emotional intensity that made The Sinner so well-liked were all present in these TV series. Each series gave a closer look at crime, showing how freedom, experience, and things hidden in the past led to people’s decisions.
From start to finish, the stories involved tough situations and real problems for their characters.TV shows like The Sinner are memorable because they provide a deeper look into the human mind for viewers who are looking for something more than a standard criminal drama.