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The recently released show on Netflix, The Breakthrough, has created a buzz for its engaging take on the second-largest criminal investigation in Swedish history. Containing only four episodes, The Breakthrough stars Peter Eggers and Mattias Nordkvist in the lead. It centers around a double homicide that occurs in Linköping. The case grows cold due to the lack of compelling motives and suspects.
The Swedish-language show chronicles how the loved ones of the victims finally get closure after a genealogist agrees to help solve the case. The focus of The Breakthrough isn't just to reveal the perpetrator, but to realistically showcase the determination of the investigators and the trauma faced by the families of the victims for years on end.
Like The Breakthrough, there are other thrilling shows mentioned in this list that also dive into complex cases that are bound to pique the interest of viewers.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Cold Justice, Unforgotten and six other shows like The Breakthrough that are gripping enough to binge-watch
1) Cold Case Files (1999)
In The Breakthrough, the police regain faith that they will be able to solve the case thanks to technological advancements. Cold Case Files, containing 168 episodes, also introduces viewers to long-unsolved cases. They are made open for reinvestigation, so that new leads can be found using modern forensic science and extensive criminal psychology.
Even though The Breakthrough is based on real events, many aspects have been fictionalized for entertainment purposes. However, Cold Case Files presents the facts as is, which will surely appeal to the fans of true crime genre. Viewers will find it interesting that several law enforcement agencies use the show's investigative reports in the training of detectives.
Where to watch: Episodes of Cold Case Files are available for streaming on Hulu, Prime Video and Netflix.
2) Waking the Dead (2000)
The Breakthrough is intriguing because cold cases tend to be particularly difficult to solve. Waking the Dead is worth watching for the same reason. Containing nine seasons and 92 episodes, this police procedural stars Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston, Wil Johnson and more.
Waking the Dead is centered around a cold-case unit based out of London. The unit comprises CID police officers, a psychological profiler, and a forensic scientist. Every case is spread across two hour-long episodes.
This show thrives on cases that boast varying degrees of complexity. Creators do a great job of maintaining the suspense by infusing several unexpected twists and turns. It is also interesting to see Trevor Eve's character evolve with each monumental experience.
Where to watch: Waking the Dead can be streamed on Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.
3) Cold Justice (2013)
Viewers who tuned in to The Breakthrough for its connection to real-life events will certainly want to catch up on the cases showcased in Cold Justice. This true crime series contains seven seasons and 110 episodes. It is helmed by Kelly Siegler, a former prosecutor from Harris County, Texas, who reopens unsolved murder cases along with a team of investigators .
As the team has been able to generate several arrests and convictions, it is safe to say that they definitely know what they are doing. This show, like The Breakthrough, gives viewers insight into the kind of work that goes into solving old cases. It is also inspiring to see law enforcement officers go above and beyond to help find answers for the victim's family and next of kin.
Where to watch: Episodes of Cold Justice are available for streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
4) Jordskott (2015)
The big break in The Breakthrough's cold case is genealogical advancement. For Jordskott's lead detective Eva Thörnblad (Moa Gammel), it comes in the form of a new case that bears similarities to the disappearance of her daughter, seven years ago.
Spanning two seasons and 18 episodes, this Swedish thriller is able to raise the tension with each episode to keep the audience hooked to the screen. There aren't a lot of crime thrillers out there that are able to successfully incorporate fantasy elements without making the story seem too far-fetched. Fortunately, Jordskott falls in the rare category.
Like The Breakthrough, Jordskott is able to keep the viewer engaged from beginning to end because of its well-developed characters who are easy to relate to.
Where to watch: Jordskott can be viewed on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
5) Unforgotten (2015)
The emotional angle comes through in The Breakthrough when it focuses on the families of the victims who are still waiting for justice to be served. Unforgotten, containing five seasons and 30 episodes, also puts the spotlight on the people affected by the crimes in the cold cases being investigated.
Starring Nicola Walker, Sinéad Keenan and Sanjeev Bhaskar, it centers around skilled detectives who work to find the truth behind different cold cases. Unforgotten, like The Breakthrough, is able to toe the line between suspense and drama so that it feels immersive without feeling theatrical.
The attention to detail particularly stands out. During the investigation, it is evident that the detectives are being thorough with their questioning but at the same time, they are mindful of the mental state of the people they are interacting with.
Where to watch: Episodes of Unforgotten are available for streaming on Prime Video.
6) Spring Tide (2016)
Spring Tide, also known as Springfloden, is a Swedish language show like The Breakthrough that explores a cold case. In the lead is Julia Ragnarsson, who plays a police academy trainee named Olivia Rönning. For her summer project, she researches the Beach Case from 25 years earlier. She soon finds out that her late father had worked on the case back then.
Containing two seasons and 20 episodes, Spring Tide is a well-paced thriller and boasts many suspenseful twists to keep the audience intrigued. Aside from the main plotline, there are also several engaging sub-plots that add to the overall viewing experience. Ragnarsson particularly shines as Olivia and makes her character feel believable and relatable.
Where to watch: This engaging Swedish drama can be streamed on Apple TV+.
7) In the Footsteps of Killers (2021)
Like the case in The Breakthrough, there are many unsolved cases across the globe that have stumped law enforcement agencies. In the Footsteps of Killers, containing two seasons and nine episodes, is a riveting true crime series that reopens some of the most intriguing cold cases.
The show is led by Emilia Fox and Professor David Wilson. They make use of the latest forensic science and criminological research to find new leads and get to the bottom of the truth.
Unlike The Breakthrough, In the Footsteps of Killers doesn't always provide satisfying conclusions to every case but it is still worth watching because it prompts viewers to look at old high-profile cases with a fresh perspective.
Where to watch: In the Footsteps of Killers is available on Prime Video.
8) Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
It's easy to watch The Breakthrough in one sitting because the complex case tends to draw the viewer in. The same is the case with Under the Banner of Heaven. Based on Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book, this show features Andrew Garfield and Gil Birmingham in the lead. They play detectives Jeb Pyre and Bill Taba who investigate the gruesome murder of a mother and her baby daughter.
Like The Breakthrough, Under the Banner of Heaven is inspired by the real-life case wherein two brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty were convicted for killing their sister-in-law and young daughter in 1984.
Garfield, in particular, does a great job of immersing himself in the character of Jeb who feels that his own faith is wavering as he continues to dig deeper into the case. The show takes time to build but the gradual buildup is necessary to lay the foundation for the intricate narrative.
Where to watch: Under the Banner of Heaven, containing seven episodes, can be viewed on Disney+, Hulu and Apple TV+.
These eight shows, similar to The Breakthrough, present captivating crime investigations that true crime fans won't be able to pass up on.
