The truth is people have been fascinated by crime shows for much longer than Netflix has been around. Since launching its service in 2007 though, the streamer has quickly caught up to this trend. Over the years, Netflix has become a home for many crime shows that millions watch season after season.
For instance, the CBS flagship show NCIS has also been a fixture on Netflix for years. The Eye network’s other hit crime show, S.W.A.T. is also available on the platform. Aside from these, the streamer has also made the Emmy-winning crime drama Breaking Bad available to its subscribers. Meanwhile, old favorites such as Dexter, Prison Break, and The Blacklist have also found a new home on Netflix.
That said, the streaming giant has also steadily added to its portfolio of original crime dramas over the years. Some have gone on to become hits. Others have been underwhelming. Here are the two crime shows you should check out, plus one you can skip.
Watch: Mindhunter
Set during the late 70s, Mindhunter follows two FBI agents, Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) as they use psychological analysis to bring some of the most violent criminals to justice with the help of psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv). Although the show’s storylines are fictional, its plot is inspired by real-life events.
Aside from its compelling episodes, there’s no doubt that the Emmy-nominated series became a massive success due to the compelling performances of its seasoned cast. It also didn’t hurt that David Fincher’s helmed some of the show’s episodes and Oscar winner Charlize Theron served as one of its executive producers, alongside Fincher.
Mindhunter ran for two seasons.
Skip: Florida Man
In this Netflix limited crime series, Emmy-nominated star Edgar Ramírez plays Mike Valentine, a Florida native and ex-cop who finds himself back home after agreeing to locate a mobster’s girlfriend. As one might expect, the job is shadier than it sounds, and it doesn’t take before trouble finds Valentine.
Ramírez displays some serious acting chops here and his dark comedic take on the character is impressive. However, the story itself feels a lot like it’s already been done one too many times.
Watch: The Law According to Lidia Poët
This Italian Netflix crime show puts the spotlight on Lidia Poët, the first-ever female lawyer in Italy. Set in late 19th century Turin, Italy, the series sees Matilda De Angelis portray the late Poët as she fights to make a name for herself in a male-dominated profession.
Think an edgier version of Enola Holmes. In real life, Poët only managed to practice law briefly before getting disbarred. She was later reinstated as a lawyer at age 65.
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