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Premiering in 2004, True Detective continues to grow its fanbase with each intriguing new season. Structured as an anthology, each season of this beloved crime drama boasts a self-contained narrative that features a different ensemble cast. Containing four seasons and 30 episodes, the show's dynamic format ensures that returning viewers experience something different each time.
True Detective stars Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Mahershala Ali and Jodie Foster, among others. There is no question that the well-written plots of the show benefit from a star-studded cast who know how to keep the audience engaged and intrigued.
According to reports, a fifth season of the show is currently in the works. While they wait, fans of True Detective can binge on the shows on this list that are exciting and suspenseful.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
The Sinner, The Terror and four other shows like True Detective that are full of unexpected surprises
1) Agatha Christie's Marple (2004)
Viewers enjoy watching True Detective because the stories are mysterious and hard to predict. It takes all the elements of a classic whodunnit and elevates it with the help of modern cinematography. Another show that builds on classic mystery tales is Agatha Christie's Marple which contains a total of six seasons and 23 episodes.
Based on stories and novels by Christie, it follows the adventures of an elderly lady named Miss Jane Marple who helps the police solve difficult cases. Even though Poirot is a more famous character, Christie's Marple is also quite the sleuth. In this show, she is portrayed by Geraldine McEwan from the first to the third series, and by Julia McKenzie, for the remainder of the seasons.
Even though it is an adaptation, the creators did make changes to the stories here and there in order to keep it fresh and exciting. Fans of True Detective who cannot resist confounding cases will find plenty of reasons to binge-watch this classic.
Where to watch: Agatha Christie's Marple is available for viewing on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
2) Inside No. 9 (2014)
The dynamic format of True Detective that allows creators to tell distinctive stories with a different cast each time helps maintain viewer anticipation. Something similar happens in Inside No. 9. In this British black comedy anthology show, every episode boasts a different premise and new characters. The only commonality they have is some association with the number nine.
One of the many charms of this unconventional show is that the viewers can never truly predict what they are going to witness next on screen. Creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith usually make appearances in the show which spans nine seasons and 55 episodes.
It is impressive how the show can explore dark subjects like murder, abuse and the like, without overwhelming the audience. Like True Detective, Inside No. 9 relies on solid storytelling which gives viewers some much-needed food for thought.
Where to watch: Episodes of Inside No. 9 are available on Prime Video.
3) American Crime Story (2016)
Fans will agree that True Detective thrives on intriguing cases that are complex and layered. The same is the case with American Crime Story which contains three seasons and 29 episodes. The second installment in the American Story franchise, it covers real-life events that made headlines around the world.
Like True Detective, each season of this true crime anthology features a different narrative with no spillover. Season one focuses on the murder trial of O. J. Simpson, season two chronicles the murder of designer Gianni Versace and season three is centered around the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal.
The creators of American Crime Story deserve credit for taking well-known cases and presenting them in a manner that is not only insightful but also entertaining. The well-written screenplay is complemented by realistic performances by the talented cast.
Where to watch: American Crime Story can be streamed on Disney+ and Hulu.
4) The Sinner (2017)
Fans of True Detective enjoy the different tactics used by the lead detectives to track down clues and potential suspects. Each detective has a different way of doing things which gives the audience an insight into their mindframe. Another show that does this well is The Sinner starring Bill Pullman in the lead.
Like True Detective, The Sinner is also an anthology that tackles different cases each season. Apart from Pullman's character, Harry Ambrose, who is the lead detective, each season features new characters. The interesting thing about this show is that it explores cases with unlikely suspects and it falls on Ambrose to uncover whether they are indeed responsible and what their motivations might be.
As far as cliffhangers go, The Sinner knows exactly how to use them to keep the momentum high from the first episode to the very last.
Where to watch: The Sinner, containing four seasons and 32 episodes, can be viewed on Netflix.
5) The Terror (2018)
True Detective is different from many other crime dramas as it explores dark and disturbing narratives. In a lot of ways, The Terror does the same. Containing two seasons and 20 episodes, the show presents haunting storylines that are inspired by real events in history.
Season one presents a fictionalized retelling of Captain Sir John Franklin's lost expedition to the Arctic. The events in season two are set in an American-run Japanese internment camp during World War II. The Terror cleverly weaves supernatural elements into the narratives that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Like True Detective, The Terror boasts inspired performances that are complemented by compelling sound design and atmospheric cinematography.
Where to watch: The Terror is available for streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.
6) Criminal: Germany (2019)
In True Detective, detectives often have to play mind games in order to uncover implicating evidence and hard truths. Similar tactics can be witnessed in Criminal: Germany which contains three episodes in total. This addictive show is part of Netflix's anthology series titled Criminal set across four countries.
Like True Detective, Criminal: Germany has an interesting format. All episodes are set inside a police interrogation room. The episodes feature different cases and suspects. Crime dramas can often employ adrenaline-pumping action scenes to engage the viewer but the beauty of Criminal: Germany is that it creates the same impact with clever dialogue, detailed body language and shocking twists.
Out of all the four Criminal shows, Criminal: Germany particularly raises the bar with its fast-paced storytelling and intriguing interrogation techniques.
Where to watch: All episodes of Criminal: Germany can be streamed on Netflix.
These entertaining shows feature cleverly structured narratives with a big helping of suspense and drama that will appeal to fans of True Detective.
