The crime thriller genre is packed with gripping detective dramas that immerse audiences in the worlds of both professional and amateur sleuths. While some of these detective shows prompt viewers to become armchair detectives themselves and solve an underlying mystery, others unfold an intense game of cat-and-mouse between the villain and the central detective character.

Regardless of what formula a detective show uses to drive its story, its appeal primarily lies in its ability to keep viewers constantly guessing while delivering satisfying revelations that reward. However, there are shows of the genre that manage to get almost everything right and seem perfect almost throughout their runtimes. Yet, despite showing immense potential, they struggle to leave their marks.

Instead of being hailed as some of the best additions to the genre, they are surprisingly forgotten over time.

The Residence (2025)

Produced by Shondaland, The Residence was expected to become Netflix’s next big prestige detective franchise after the Knives Out movies. The show even earned rave reviews from viewers and critics, who appreciated everything from the performances of its leads to its gripping murder mystery drama. Surprisingly, The Residence was canceled after only one season on Netflix.

The show later went on to earn several Emmy nominations, but, by then, it was already too late for it to get a second chance. Only a year after its release, it almost feels like The Residence did not even exist. It became quite relevant for some time and was talked-about among crime thriller fans before it suddenly vanished out of relevance.

The Chicago Code (2011)

Boasting a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, The Chicago Code, as its title suggests, followed the Chicago Police Department’s crime-solving endeavors. The show featured an incredible cast, including many familiar names like Jason Clarke, Matt Lauria, and Jennifer Beals. Most critics even appreciated how it made a character out of its Chicago setting while walking through the day-to-day snags of its crime-solving characters.

Despite having a lot going in its favor, though, The Chicago Code surprisingly did not last beyond one season. It still often finds its place among some of the best detective thrillers that no one actually watched. And, ironically, its short-lived run only adds to its reputation as an under-appreciated gem.

Bored To Death (2009-2011)

Among the slew of detective shows out there, Bored to Death seems to have the most distinct premise. With Ted Danson, Jason Schwartzman, and Zach Galifianakis as it leads, Bored to Death presents itself as a detective comedy in which an author moonlights as a private detective after growing tired of tedious life.

In its three-season runtime, Bored to Death rarely leaves a dull moment and puts Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis’s comedic brilliance on full display. While it might seem a little too quirky to some viewers, it proves to be a charming addition to the genre. All these years after its cancellation, though, Bored to Death is rarely talked about even though many furious fans had petitioned for its return after it was axed.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

Photo: BBC America via MovieStillsDB (yassi).

Based on Douglas Adams’ novel of the same name, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency combined the supernatural with gripping detective drama. It unfolded more or less like an anthology in which its two dynamic leads, Todd Brotzman and Dirk Gently, solved an array of new supernatural mysteries in each episode.

Throughout its two-season run, the show earned almost unanimous praise from viewers and critics. Even its two leading stars, Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett, had incredible on-screen chemistry as the quirky leads. Unfortunately, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency run was abruptly ended after two seasons.

Not a lot of viewers seem to remember it now, but the ones who do still appreciate the comical edge and levity it brought to its detective drama. Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives had the potential to become Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency‘s perfect replacement. However, that, too, was canceled too soon before being forgotten.

Terriers (2010)

Created by Ted Griffin, Terriers followed ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth, who decides to start an unlicenced private investigation business with his friend, Britt Pollack. The dynamic duo’s unconventional investigation methods alone make the series incredibly compelling. However, more than that, it is the series’ comedy that makes a viewer stick around till the end of its runtime.

Terriers had all the right ingredients to appeal to the masses and eventually return with a new season after its opening installment. However, the lack of proper marketing surrounding its release held it back from reaching more viewers. As a result, it was canceled and soon forgotten.

Jonathan Creek (1997)

Unlike most detective shows that try to combine their mysteries with supernatural underpinnings, Jonathan Creek was a unique addition to the genre that treated magic as a series of mechanical engineering problems and psychological illusions. The fact that its titular character was not even portrayed as a professional detective but as a creative consultant to a stage magician made it even more intriguing.

Despite bringing something incredibly unique to the genre, though, Jonathan Creek seems to have been long forgotten by many viewers. The show had an incredible five-season run and maintained its high quality of storytelling almost throughout its runtime. Some of its visual aspects might now seem dated, but it is still a fun watch.

River (2015)

Netflix

Instead of coming off as a typical procedural thriller, River almost felt like a study on grief. The show’s narrative centers on an elderly police officer, John River (Stellan Skarsgård), who seeks answers after losing a teammate. Despite having a brief six-episode runtime, River completely draws a viewer into the troubled life of its main character while gradually unpacking the mysteries that surround him.

As a viewer, it is almost impossible to not feel overwhelmed by John River’s growing sense of grief and helplessness as the show progresses. Since the show never stretches any story beats and wraps its run exactly when it should, even its ending hits hard and stays with you long after the credits start rolling.

Giri/Haji (2019)

From a storytelling standpoint alone, Giri/Haji gives viewers enough reasons to stick with it throughout its runtime. However, what truly makes it stand out in the crime thriller genre is its prioritization of style. Even the emotional heft of its portrayal of the weight of duty has been brilliantly done, elevated by its striking visual language and willingness to blur the lines between realism and artistic expression.

It is unfortunate that despite being one of the best high-styled noir thrillers out there, Giri/Haji is not as widely talked about anymore.

Signal (2016)

Signal is driven by a unique time travel twist where its leading detective characters connect with each other through a walkie-talkie despite belonging to different eras. This unlikely collaboration helps them solve crimes together in their respective worlds. Apart from walking through a compelling set of criminal mysteries, Signal also leaves one pondering over the consequences of changing the past and altering the course of one’s timeline.

The Afterparty

Apple TV’s The Afterparty rewarded obsessive viewers by hiding some of its best clues in everything from background animation to the lyrics of a ska song. The show’s anthology format also ensured that, as a viewer, you never get tired of its mystery-box elements or well-written comedy. While the show lost some of its novelty in season 2, its second installment gelt superior to the opening season because of how perfectly it blended genres and unfolded a grounded mystery drama.

The Afterparty, however, was axed after two seasons and surprisingly lost in Apple TV’s growing catalog of crime thriller TV shows.