Already loving Irish Blood? Watch these 5 similar crime dramas next and you wouldn't regret it

Irish Blood has that perfect mix of mystery, secrets, and a dangerous past that somehow just refuses to stay hidden.

According to the official synopsis of the Acorn TV show,

"she learns key truths about her father as well as a family that doesn’t know she exists, and, moreover, that the story of abandonment that has shaped her entire life – was a lie. A lie intended to protect her and her mother from her father’s shady business dealings. Fiona resolves to uncover the full truth about her father and reconnect with the parent she only thought she knew."

The six-part murder mystery follows Fiona Sharpe (Alicia Silverstone), a divorce lawyer who receives a letter from her long-lost father, whom she hasn’t heard from in 30 years. She travels to Ireland to uncover the story behind his disappearance and why he left her and her mother on her 10th birthday.

If you've watched this and now find yourself staring at a blank wall, wondering what to watch next, you're not alone.

The good news? There's a lineup of crime dramas that, to some extent, deliver the same intense storytelling, layered characters, and unexpected twists. From small-town secrets to a cat-and-mouse chase, these five picks will keep you glued to your screen until you've reached the very last scene. Let's dive in.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Let us know in the comments which other shows should have made the cut.

Watch these five similar crime dramas as Irish Blood, and add them to your watch next list:

#1. Mare of Easttown – Small-town secrets with a gut-punch twist

Let's get the obvious out of the way, shall we? If Irish Blood drew you in with its mix of crime and personal drama, Mare of Easttown will keep you hooked from the very beginning.

Kate Winslet plays Mare Sheehan, a Pennsylvania detective with a complex life, just like the murder case she's examining. The show highlights the vibe of a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other and keeps secrets. Mare's investigation into the death of a young mother runs parallel to her personal struggles, including a divorce, the death of her son, and a custody fight for her grandson.

The strength of this crime drama lies in how it consistently highlights the human toll of the crimes. With sharp writing and twists that hit hard, Mare of Easttown offers the same depth and mystery that fans love about watching Irish Blood.

#2. The Split – Legal battles and family baggage collide

While Irish Blood focuses on family secrets being hidden, The Split explores that theme within the context of divorce law. Nicola Walker plays Hannah Defoe, a lawyer working for a rival firm to her family's business.

The tension between loyalty and ambition appears in every episode you watch. But this isn't just about courtroom drama; it's about a family of strong, complex women dealing with the fallout of a father who has reappeared after decades away.

Hannah must navigate a past more tangled than she ever thought possible. This blend of emotional and legal drama, along with many intimate family moments, makes it a compelling must-watch for anyone who appreciates layered storytelling like in Irish Blood.

#3. The Killing – Slow-burn suspense done right

If you appreciated the patient, detailed unraveling of mysteries in Irish Blood, The Killing will satisfy that curiosity. Set in Seattle, it follows detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder investigating a teenage girl's murder.

The show's strength lies in how the case unfolds at its own pace, allowing you to keep track of every shift, suspicion, and piece of evidence as it is discovered.

The Killing is as much about the investigators' lives as it is about the crime. Linden's strict, one-directional style clashes with Holder's street-smart approach, and this contrast creates and plays on a dynamic that keeps you glued to your screens as long as you watch.

Dark and intense, The Killing shows that sometimes the slowest burns are the most rewarding to watch.

#4. Happy Valley – Grit, heart, and unflinching truth

Fans of Irish Blood will enjoy Happy Valley for its honesty and strong lead. Sarah Lancashire, playing Sergeant Catherine Cawood, is a powerhouse as she balances police work, raising her grandson, and navigating a violent past that stubbornly refuses to leave.

Set in the Calder Valley of West Yorkshire, the show features intense confrontations and morally complex situations. Catherine isn't perfect and can be blunt, but what truly matters is her deep sense of justice.

The show's blend of police work and family drama echoes how Irish Blood combines crime with personal stakes, making it a perfect next addition to your watchlist.

#5. The Fall – A tense game of predator and hunter

If the danger lurking in Irish Blood had you on the edge of your seat and constantly biting your nails, The Fall will also keep your heart rate just as high.

Gillian Anderson plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, who is brought to Belfast to track down a serial killer. Opposite her is Jamie Dornan as a calm Paul Spector, a family man hiding a few secrets.

The brilliance of The Fall lies in showing both hunter and hunted, allowing viewers to live inside the minds of each. It's a psychological thriller that builds tension until you're almost holding your breath.

Much like Irish Blood, it combines atmospheric storytelling with a persistent sense of unease that runs through you, leaving you eager and even terrified to see how it all ends.

Irish Blood may have set the bar high, but these five crime dramas stand shoulder to shoulder with it. Each of these dramas explores personal stakes and high-tension storytelling, delivering shows that stay with you long after you've finished binging them.

Whether you crave emotional depth, mysteries and secrets, or characters who feel like they've lived whole lives before you meet them, these picks will ensure your crime drama obsession and fever never runs dry.