There are a lot of detective TV shows, both in past and present. Some of them are admittedly corny with writing that doesn’t give the actors much to work with in terms of depth. Some are designed to be silly, campy, even on purpose. In these instances, overacting is actually appreciated, even applauded.
There are some great detective shows, however, from the last few decades, some of which are still on television, that highlight really great acting. This is thanks to the fantastic actors and great writing, as well as, in many cases, the overall tone of the show.
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High Potential (2024-)
High Potential isn’t necessarily a serious detective show but it is one of the best police procedurals of the 2020s. It’s a network TV crime drama that follows the usual procedural, case-of-the-week format with an overarching story involving interpersonal relationships among the main characters. But the acting is spot-on. Kaitlin Olson is so convincing as Morgan Gillory, an eccentric, doesn’t-play-by-the-rules single mother with a bold fashion sense and an incredibly brilliant mind. Daniel Sunjata, meanwhile, is absolutely perfect as the straight man to her quirkiness, detective Adam Karadec. He’s reluctantly forced to partner with Morgan once she’s hired as a consultant for the major crimes division of the local police department and the way they play off one another is beautiful.
The show shifts its tone from comedy to drama from one episode and moment to the next, meaning the actors have to move in kind, and they do so brilliantly. This isn’t a serious show like some of the others, but the acting is on par.
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Bosch (2014-2021)
Titus Welliver is one of those actors fans recognize from so many projects but just can’t quite place him. He has had supporting roles in high-profile shows like Lost, Deadwood, and Sons of Anarchy, and appeared in movies like Gone Baby Gone and Argo. But it’s Bosch that really showed fans he could lead a show and a cast. And boy, could he do it well.
The police procedural follows detective Hary Bosch (Welliver) as he investigates various cases while simultaneously dealing with his own personal issues, including, in the first season, being tried for shooting a suspect in alleged self defense. He tackles the clashing of his dedication to work and the annoyance of personal troubles that get in the way with on-screen ease. The story and writing are impeccable, the series based on Michael Connelly novels, adding a level of grit. Welliver really brings it home alongside the supporting cast that includes the late Lance Reddick, Amy Aquino, Jason Gedrick, Jeri Ryan, and others.
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Mare of Easttown (2021)
A crime drama miniseries, Mare of Easttown follows Marianne “Mare” Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a police detective investigating the murder of a teenage mother in her small Pennsylvania suburb while dealing with her own personal troubles. Earning 16 Emmy nominations and winning four, including one for Winslet, it’s no surprise this series was praised for its acting.
In fact, alongside Winslet, a revered A-list movie actor, Julianne Nicholson and Evan Peters also won for their main roles. With the amazing, gripping script, the series presents like a movie.
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True Detective (2014-)
Every season of True Detective is different since it’s an anthology crime drama. But they all have one thing in common: they involve detectives investigating a case and an incredibly talented cast of A-listers. The first season stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, while season two counts Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, and Vince Vaugn among its cast. Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff head up the cast for season 3 and Jodie Foster mesmerizes in season four, equally matched by Kali Reis.
Once again, the stories in all four seasons of True Detective present like movies as viewers follow the emotional, sometimes terrifying, plots from start to finish. Featuring a range of themes and varying styles, including actors having to play themselves in multiple timelines in several seasons, each one is like a masterclass in acting.
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The Fall (2013-2016)
Put Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan together and there’s no doubt the acting would be impeccable. Anderson convincingly puts on a British accent for the role of Metropolitan Police Superintendent Stella Gibson in The Fall, who is investigating a series of murders, believing them to be connected to a serial killer. Dornan, meanwhile, will give viewers the creeps as Peter Paul Spector, a grief counsellor and family man who moonlights as a sick and twisted killer.
The cat and mouse game in the series is compelling, thanks in large part to these two leads carrying the plot along so smoothly. While the supporting cast is just as wonderful, these two undoubtedly shine whenever they’re on screen, even more so when the pair are together in a scene.
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Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Ending after two seasons six years ago, fans are still calling for a return of Mindhunter, one of the best psychological crime thrillers of this decade. While both Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany nail their roles as two special agents in the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI who coined the term “serial killer,” it’s the supporting cast that will blow viewers away.
The story is loosely based on the real story of the origin of this term and features interviews with actors playing some of the most notorious real-life serial killers in history, some dialogue taken right from the actual transcripts. The actors who take on the personas of killers like Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton), David Berkowitz (Oliver Cooper), and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) fully capture the essence of these figures. It’s evident they studied everything from vocal inflection to mannerisms for months to slink so convincingly into the roles. It’s both fascinating and terrifying how good they are.
