Crime is one of those genres that has intrigued people for centuries, be it in plays, books, or on the big and small screens. It's no wonder then that we have tons of series diving into fictional crimes while keeping us on the edge of our seats. Whether the plot focuses on detectives hunting down criminals or the minds of the outlaws, crime-inspired television is fascinating and has provided some of the best entertainment in TV history.
Click through this gallery to discover the best TV crime shows of all time.
From drug trade inside a public housing complex, to corrupt cops and dockworkers importing illegal goods, 'The Wire' covers Baltimore's crime scene from every angle. Having earned numerous awards, the show is considered one of the best in TV history.
This iconic crime show has the audience on the side of the criminals as they watch Walter White evolve from chemistry teacher to the head of the meth trade.
Starring Kristen Bell, this compelling teen detective drama follows her character Veronica Mars, a high schooler who moonlights as a private investigator to solve crimes.
'Sons of Anarchy' focuses on a dangerous biker gang full of outlaws in California’s Central Valley and the inner conflicts of the club’s vice president. The show really made the audience bond with the gang.
The series initially followed Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni as SVU detectives struggling to help victims of sexual assault. The show gave us one of TVs favorite crime-fighting duos.
Also known as 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,' this anthology show was an extension of Hitchcock’s feature films. Aired between 1955 and 1965, every episode had A-list stars handling hour-long crime narratives.
This crime drama tells the story of a money-laundering family from Chicago working for a Mexican drug cartel. The Emmy-winning series stars Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, and Sofia Hublitz.
With an all-star cast, this series became a huge hit with its tale of domestic abuse and upper-class feigned happiness in a small California town, where a murder in town shakes everything up.
'Better Call Saul' began as a spin-off that was also a prequel to 'Breaking Bad.' In the show, Bob Odenkirk plays Jimmy McGill, a good lawyer and former con man who slowly slips into lawlessness when tension arises with his lawyer brother.
With a star-packed cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Vince Vaughn, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdams, Colin Farrell, and Mahershala Ali, the show explores crime stories that expose the anguish detectives face when working to solve a case.
The British drama about a gangster family in post-World War I England is a must-watch. The series stars Cillian Murphy as leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, and Paul Anderson as his brother, who suffers from PTSD from the war.
Starring Viola Davis, 'How to Get Away with Murder' was another epic show by TV queen Shonda Rhimes. With its characters constantly escaping their own murder charges or defending clients against a conviction, you won't be able to stop watching.
Credited with changing the nature of television forever, 'The Sopranos' tells the story of Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mobster with difficulties in balancing his family life and his role as the leader of a criminal organization.
Set in Miami, the show follows a serial killer who controls his murderous urges by hunting victims who are already guilty of other crimes.
Starring Patricia Arquette, the series follows housewife Allison DuBois as she uses her psychic powers to communicate with the dead to help the local Arizona District Attorney's office with their investigations.
Long regarded as one of the greatest crime shows ever made, 'The Shield' explores how those who are supposed to protect us from crime justify criminality themselves.
This Martin Scorsese-produced show follows Atlantic City bootlegger Enoch "Nucky" Thompson as he tries being a gangster and a politician, a mix that doesn't really work out!
Based on the book 'Mindhunter,' written by one of the FBI's first criminal profilers, this dark thriller follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they investigate the early psychology of serial killers.
This nail-biting miniseries is a true reflection of the American criminal justice system. It starts with the murder of a woman who is found in her Upper West Side apartment. The authorities are quick to frame Nasir Khan, played by Riz Ahmed, a taxi driver who slept with her that night.
In this BBC adaptation, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the emotionless detective Sherlock Holmes, while Martin Freeman plays Watson.
Considered a cult classic, the series follows FBI Agent Dale Cooper who tries to solve a murder in the quiet, rainy town of Twin Peaks in Washington state.
Starring Idris Elba as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, we get to see how his dedication to catching killers becomes an obsession that consumes him.
The cat-and-mouse plot in this intriguing series keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. It follows Sandra Oh as British intelligence investigator Eve, who is tasked with capturing psychopathic assassin Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer. As the chase goes on, both of them develop a mutual obsession.
The series follows forensic anthropologist Dr. "Bones" Brennan and FBI agent Booth as they solve crimes and try not to fall in love. Apparently there's something romantic about the scientific jargon and rotten corpses.
This addictive and bloody drama follows Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar, who's got the Drug Enforcement Agency after him.
'Hannibal' follows the professional relationship that develops between FBI profiler Will Graham and the psychologist Hannibal Lecter, who is a serial killer himself.
This intriguing drama thriller stars Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker with social anxiety disorder and clinical depression.
Starring Timothy Olyphant, this modern Western is about a US marshal who's reassigned to his hometown in rural Kentucky and goes after justice himself.
This anthology series explores different crimes in Fargo, North Dakota. The show has featured major stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst, and Ewan McGregor, who all nail the accent!
Sources: (IndieWire) (Refinery29)
The best crime shows of all time
A little fictional crime won't hurt anyone...
TV Television
Crime is one of those genres that has intrigued people for centuries, be it in plays, books, or on the big and small screens. It's no wonder then that we have tons of series diving into fictional crimes while keeping us on the edge of our seats. Whether the plot focuses on detectives hunting down criminals or the minds of the outlaws, crime-inspired television is fascinating and has provided some of the best entertainment in TV history.
Click through this gallery to discover the best TV crime shows of all time.