The idea of turning real-life crimes into thrilling crime fiction goes back to the days of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, and even earlier. The trend, however, reached far and wide via television with 1949’s Dragnet on NBC, and has since grown phenomenally. Often, the truths of real-life stories of crime are too shocking to absorb and accept, necessitating a dramatized, fictionalized take. Since the renaissance of true crime fiction on television, several crime mystery series like Mindhunter and Criminal Minds, featuring real-life cases, have amassed a huge fan following. Because the strangest facts make the best fiction, these shows have the best of both their veins. We bring you our selection of detective shows based on real cases, each of which explores some of the most shocking, strange, and vile real-life incidents, brought to life on the small screen with strong fictional narratives.
10
‘The Serpent’ (2021)
Directed by Tom Shankland and Hans Herbots
This British crime drama series is based on the life and crimes of Charles “the Serpent” Sobhraj, a French serial killer and fraudster who robbed and killed young backpackers on the hippie trail in South Asia in the mid-1970s. Starring Tahar Rahim as the titular antagonist, The Serpent follows Sobhraj as he drugs and robs his victims, stealing their identities to travel the world and fence off stolen gems, with the help of his girlfriend, Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman). Meanwhile, Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle) investigates the murders of Dutch tourists, leading him to Sobhraj.
The Serpent is a clever retelling of Charles Sobhraj’s notoriety in a well-written, well-paced story. Rahim’s performance of the charming and cunning Sobhraj makes for a very appealing anti-hero that fans would love to hate. While the storytelling can be too convoluted at times, The Serpent shines in its visual aesthetics with colorful characters and admirable period details, cinematography, and music.
9
‘Candy’ (2022)
Created by Nick Antosca
A Hulu original drama series, Candy relives the infamous ax murder that made the headlines in 1980s Texas, where Candy Montgomery, a suburban housewife, was accused of killing her neighbor, Betty Gore, following her affair with Betty’s husband, Allan. The show, taken from real-life events, centers on Candy and Betty’s respective lives, marriages, and friendship, exploring the events leading up to Betty’s gruesome death. Jessica Biel and Melanie Lynskey portray Candy and Betty respectively, in well-rendered characterizations and strong performances, seconded by Pablo Schreiber as Allan.
A well-acclaimed series, Candy is an engaging and thrilling true crime show that will appeal to true-crime fans and crime fiction fans alike. The series, though heavily fictionalized, succeeds as a murder investigation story exploring second-wave feminism and the miscarriages of the political, social, legal, and justice systems of its time. With a well-paced story and remarkable period aesthetics, Candy manages to capture the key elements of a horrifying crime.
8
‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’ (2018)
Developed by Tom Rob Smith
Based on the book Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History, The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a dramatized recounting of the murder of celebrated fashion designer, Gianni Versace of the eponymous fashion house. In July 1997, Versace was assassinated outside his Miami mansion by Andrew Cunanan, a serial killer, who later committed suicide. The second season of American Crime Story, The Assassination of Gianni Versace explores the events leading up to the murder of Versace (Édgar Ramírez), including Cunanan’s (Darren Criss) background, and his history and relationship with the famed designer, and the subsequent murder investigation.
Following an explosive opening, The Assassination of Gianni Versace unfolds like an intricate murder mystery, supported by convincing performances by Ramírez and Criss as the victim and perpetrator, respectively. Noted for its characterizations, themes, and non-linear structure, the show stands on its own merit despite being a part of one of television’s best anthology series.
7
‘Under the Bridge’ (2024)
Developed by Quinn Shephard
Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough headline this crime drama that recounts the tragic real-life incident that shocked British Columbia in the 1990s, where a local teenager, Reena Virk, was brutally killed by six teens, aka the Shoreline Six. Based on the 2005 book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey, Under the Bridge follows detective Cam Bentland (Gladstone) who starts investigating Reena’s (Vritika Gupta) disappearance, with the help of novelist, Rebecca Godfrey (Keough). Their investigation leads to horrifying discoveries about Reena’s friends, which caused her death.
Told from the perspective of a detective and an investigative novelist, Under the Bridge is a dark, twisted crime thriller full of suspense and intrigue that would appeal to fans of detective fiction and true crime alike. Described as a “tale of horror and wonder, of innocence, beauty, violence, and sin,” each episode of Under the Bridge would leave the audience horror-struck, as it explores the brutality of teenage violence, and social and legal negligence, that would leave the audience horror-struck.
6
‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ (2022)
Created by Dustin Lance Black
The Hulu crime drama series is based on a non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer, which chronicles his research into a double homicide by brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who subscribed to fundamentalist Mormonism and killed their sister and her daughter in the name of God. Set in 1984 Salt Lake City, Under the Banner of Heaven focuses on detectives Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) and Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham) who investigate the brutal death of Brenda Wright Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter. Pyre finds his faith shaken and receives backlash when his investigation leads him to the Latter-Day Saints Church.
Besides its true crime nature, Under the Banner of Heaven is a tense, psychological crime drama about a detective seeking a balance between faith and facts. Controversies and criticisms notwithstanding, Under the Banner of Heaven thrives with the terrific performance by Andrew Garfield as a tormented truth-seeker, supported by an equally remarkable Edgar-Jones and Birmingham.
5
‘Manhunt: Unabomber’ (2017)
Created by Andrew Sodroski, Jim Clemente, and Tony Gittelson
The first season of the Manhunt, Manhunt: Unabomber, depicts a fictionalized recount of the FBI’s widespread hunt for mathematician-turned-domestic terrorist, Ted Kaczynski, aka Unabomber. Between the late 1970s and 1990s, Kaczynski was convicted of bombing and killing several people, leading to a nationwide search to apprehend him and bring justice. In the series, Sam Worthington stars as Jim Fitzerald, an elite FBI profiler brought in to profile Kaczynski (Paul Bettany), analyze his psyche, and anticipate his next move.
A must-see modern anthology series, it depicts new techniques introduced by the FBI at the time…
Manhunt: Unabomber is undoubtedly an exaggeration of the real incidents, but also a remarkable work of fiction with a suspenseful, engrossing, and affecting narrative. A must-see modern anthology series, it depicts new techniques introduced by the FBI at the time, including psychological evaluations and behavioral analysis, which brings a dark psychological thriller angle to the story. Manhunt: Unabomber succeeds in its non-linear storytelling, great production values, and Bettany’s terrific delivery of a diabolical killer.
4
‘The Staircase’ (2022)
Created by Antonio Campos
In the early 2000s, novelist-turned-aspiring politician, Michael Peterson, was convicted of the murder of his wife, Kathleen. His trial was documented by a French filmmaker in his documentary that featured Peterson himself. Two decades later, Antonio Campos recounts the true story in a gripping dramatized rendition starring the talented Colin Firth and Toni Collette as the Peterson couple. The Staircase focuses on the events surrounding Kathleen Peterson’s death after she was found mysteriously dead in their house. As a widespread investigation is launched by the state, it uncovers the family’s dark secrets and troubled history, testing their interpersonal relationships, while a team of French filmmakers starts filming the trial, which brings new perspectives to Michael’s case.
The Staircase is a well-written, engaging, and masterfully captured adaptation of real incidents, if not exact. The show’s psychological crime thriller narrative is what makes it more intriguing and suspenseful than reality, highlighted by the incredible, award-winning performances of Firth and Collette.
3
‘Des’ (2020)
Created by Lewis Arnold and Luke Neal
David Tennant has portrayed many eclectic roles, but his depiction of serial killer Dennis Nilsen in ITV’s Des is unarguably one of his most immersive and awe-inspiring performances. Nilsen, a Scottish serial killer and necrophile, killed several young men between 1978 and 1982, which forms the show’s premise. Des focuses its storytelling on how Scotland Yard makes a shocking discovery after human remains are found in a sewer near his house. But the case gets further complicated for the police when Nilsen willingly admits to his crimes. Meanwhile, biographer Brian Masters (Jason Watkins), gets obsessed with Nilsen’s motives and attempts to understand the psychopathic killer.
Des is a chilling crime thriller delivered beautifully through Tennant’s equally chilling portrayal of a monstrous killer. The series recounts the investigation into Nilsen and the trial in a darkly dramatic narrative, driven by an intelligent script, sufficient suspense, horror, and a sensitive take on the subject.
- Genre
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Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Debut Date
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September 14, 2020
2
‘Unbelievable’ (2019)
Created by Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon
Based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning news feature by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and their book A False Report, Unbelievable recounts the true case of Marie Adler, an 18-year-old girl who reports a rape assault but is instead accused of reporting a false incident, forcing her to recant her statement. The Netflix original miniseries focuses on Marie’s harrowing experiences with the police, legal system, and a disconnected jury, and how the case throws her life upside down. Meanwhile, Detectives Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) reinvestigate all pieces of evidence to uncover the truth and bring justice to Marie.
Unbelievable is a heartbreaking and powerful narrative on victims of abuse, touching upon real incidents with much grace and gravitas, and shedding light on the loopholes of the legal and justice systems. Kaitlyn Dever shows immense talent in her magnificent performance of Marie, earning rave reviews and critical acclaim.
1
‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)
Created by Joe Penhall
Based on the book, Mindhunter: Inside The FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, Mindhunter investigates real-life serial killers. Set during the 1970s, the series follows the founding of the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI and the beginning of criminal profiling and revolves around agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv). By interviewing imprisoned serial killers to understand their psyche, the team attempts to utilize their research to solve ongoing cases.
By exploring the minds of murderers and notorious criminals, showrunner David Fincher brings a dark psychological edge to this crime thriller series. Mindhunter is a chilling, thrilling crime drama series that features shocking true events in a compelling narrative with careful attention to detail. Supported by cinematic visuals and solid cast performances, Mindhunter is disturbing and absorbing at the same time, and is one of Netflix’s best true-crime series to watch.
