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The fascination with detectives on film and TV is never ending. There’s never a declining interest in watching people solve brutal cases, enforce the law in a heroic and brave way, and catch criminals that definitely deserve getting caught. We often pick favorites out of our favorite detectives and shows, but if all we watch are cop shows, how do we choose?
Some of TV’s most iconic detectives include The Wire‘s Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), the first kind of hyperrealistic detective who does not have his life sorted out whatsoever, but who does his job brilliantly. Obviously, there’s Sherlock Holmes in various iterations, David Suchet‘s Hercule Poirot, and TV icons like John Munch and Dale Cooper. However, for a more updated version, here are the best TV detectives of the last five years.
10
DCI Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles)
‘The Crow Girl’ (2025–Present)
The Crow Girl is one of the newest crime procedural shows you have likely not heard about, but it’s an underrated banger. It’s a Paramount+ detective show based on the novel by Swedish crime author Erik Axl Sund (which is actually the pen name of Swedish author duo Jerker Eriksson and Håkan Sundquist), and it was praised for its dark and atmospheric tone, psychological depth, and great pacing.
The Crow Girl follows DCI Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles) and Dr. Sophia Craven (Katherine Kelly), as they join forces to hunt down a serial murderer. DCI Kilburn is played by Welsh actress Eve Myles, and she’s a hardened detective who still succeeds in being gentle and open in certain moments; she combines experience and grit with vulnerability, and Myles is a likable actor who gives Kilburn major and unforgettable main character vibes. Season 2 is set to premiere later in July 2026, so now is the perfect time to catch up. When you watch it, you’ll agree that Kilburn is one of the coolest DCIs around.
9
Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin)
‘Death and Other Details’ (2024)
Although Death and Other Details was cancelled after its first season, it received some praise for its protagonist, Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin). Patinkin is a charismatic and beloved actor who we’ve seen in a detective role before, most notably in Criminal Minds. Cotesworth is a Hercule Poirot-like figure, stepping into the shoes of the “world’s greatest detective,” in a locked-room mystery series that is very reminiscent of some of Agatha Christie’s greatest novels.
In Death and Other Details, Cotesworth joins a luxurious cruise after a man has been killed on the ship. He dons a classy British accent, is always ahead of everyone else, and allows those he’s questioning to unravel before him, finding the sweet spot between being a listener and a detective. Death and Other Details is a stylish homage to classic whodunits, and a fun series that continues to surprise viewers with interesting plot twists. Patinkin is its best part, and he’s one of the coolest detectives on TV, even if his “time” on it was short.
8
Ludwig (David Mitchell)
‘Ludwig’ (2024–Present)
Ludwig is a 2024 BBC series starring David Mitchell as the titular character, Ludwig. Well, his name is actually John Taylor, but his nickname, Ludwig, is the pen name he uses to publish puzzles and crosswords. The show was received with high praise from critics and fans alike, being celebrated for its originality. Mitchell was particularly praised for his performance in a rare dramatic role, though it’s not overly dramatic—he still uses his well-known dry humor and wit to make Ludwig more than just a plain detective tale.
Ludwig follows the puzzle-maker, John “Ludwig” Taylor (Mitchell), whose police detective twin James suddenly disappears. James’ wife, Lucy (Anna Maxwell-Martin), asks John to solve the mystery of James’ disappearance, and John impersonates his brother to find out what happened to him; however, he ends up having to actually do his brother’s job. Ludwig boasts dark humor and a bit of drama, and Mitchell does an impressive job of stepping into the role of an eccentric and magnetic sleuth.
7
Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez)
‘Will Trent’ (2023–Present)
Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) is the protagonist of the series of the same name, Will Trent, which was based on Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent novel series. The Hollywood Reporter called the adaptation an “above-average TV broadcast procedural” and Trent a “distinctive main character” who is as interesting physically as he is in personality. In fact, Ramon Rodriguez’s performance as Trent elevates the show more often than its plot devices, and he’s often joined in that by his fellow cast mates. Tight dialogue and smart visuals helped Trent become one of TV’s most interesting detectives over the past five years.
Will Trent is an agent at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, in Atlanta. He grew up in foster care and is dyslexic, but has a Sherlock Holmes-ian talent for solving difficult cases and mysteries. Trent also becomes the target of his peers after solving a corruption case within the Atlanta Police Department, so he’s more than just a plain detective with cases to solve. Rodriguez gives Trent some emotional vulnerability and lots of charisma, showing off great leading man capacities.
6
Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson)
‘High Potential’ (2024–Present)
One of the best new crime procedurals/dramedies is High Potential, which brought Kaitlin Olson her long-overdue starring role. She thrills as the single mother of three with a 160 IQ, a benefit she uses to help the police in solving tough cases. High Potential beautifully combines Morgan’s brilliance with street-smarts, while being a heartfelt family drama and an entertaining police procedural all in one. Fans who know Olson from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia love seeing her as a family woman and a very wholesome and inspiring character in High Potential (as opposed to Dee in It’s Always Sunny).
High Potential follows Morgan Gillory, a cleaning lady at the LAPD, who is also a “high potential individual.” When Morgan solves a case for one of the detectives, she becomes a consultant for the Major Crimes division. Her partner, Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), isn’t thrilled at first, but they soon become friends. High Potential is fresh, funny, and inventive, and provides an interesting spin on the consulting detective trope.
5
Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba)
‘The Residence’ (2025)
The Residence flew a bit under the radar. Although Uzo Aduba had been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, it couldn’t save the series from being cancelled by Netflix. Aduba is a greatly talented actor and all her characters are memorable; here, she plays the genius private detective Cordelia Cupp, commanding the room every time she speaks and adding a bit of eccentricity and flair with her investigation methods and dry wit. The Residence received praise for its brilliant blend of satire, suspense, and mystery, and has a funny and captivating ensemble cast.
The Residence was inspired by Kate Andersen Brower‘s book The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House; it follows a fictional murder scandal that happens inside the White House during a state dinner, and Cupp is the private detective hired to investigate the murder and find the killer. If you don’t fall for the brilliant cast or the fun plot twists of The Residence, you’ll surely fall for Aduba’s no-nonsense, dry-humored, genius detective Cupp (although you’ll most definitely fall for all three).
4
Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne)
‘Poker Face’ (2023–2025)
Poker Face is a show that feels both underrated and welcomed with enough enthusiasm. Still, a lot more people simply need to see Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, because it’s one of, if not her best, roles; she gives us her larger-than-life personality and charisma in combination with a great—also critically praised—performance. Rian Johnson’s whodunit series has a sort of retro, Columbo-ish vibe, lots of great humor, and standalone episodes that make the show feel like watching a new movie each week.
Poker Face is a “case of the week” series, following Charlie Cale, a human lie-detector who has a knack for solving murders and other mysteries. Charlie is on the run from a dangerous casino owner, and every place she comes to in America has a mystery taking place. Charlie is observant, witty, and has a way with words; though she can seem aloof and carefree, she cares about truth and justice, which is why her amateur sleuthing feels professional at times. Poker Face is a great show that keeps you glued to the screen during each episode.
3
Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge)
‘Cross’ (2024–Present)
Cross is Prime Video’s 2024 crime procedural series based on James Patterson‘s Alex Cross novel series. The novels feature the eponymous Washington D.C. detective, Alex Cross, as he solves crimes and catches elusive killers while grappling with a personal tragedy. The novels were a massive hit with a massive audience, and when the adaptation was announced, people were rightfully skeptical; with Aldis Hodge in the lead as Cross, all doubts were dispersed—he is the ideal actor to embody one of modern literature’s coolest American detectives. If the name sounds familiar, Morgan Freeman played Alex Cross in Kiss the Girls in 1997 and in Along Came a Spider in 2001.
Cross is a forensic psychologist turned detective, and he’s the typical, tormented detective, though with a lot more appeal and charm than most. This is also due to Hodge’s strong, charismatic, and layered performance, where viewers find themselves quickly cheering him on as he solves the toughest cases. The show adapts Patterson’s classics with great style, modernizing the story and giving Hodge some leeway to make Cross an iconic TV detective.
2
Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay)
‘Law & Order: SVU’ (1999–Present)
Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay in Law & Order: SVU, is a television icon. She’s been on our TV sets for way longer than the last five years, but she still deserves a spot here. Olivia Benson is TV’s longest-running live-action character, and though there’s been some criticism of her reduced detective role over the years, she remains the one who displays leadership skills and empathy and advocates for victims and survivors.
Benson is a veteran leader who was originally a detective and now a captain overseeing the Special Victims Unit in NYC. She mainly works on cases of sexual and child abuse, which is why her empathy is so important. Her first partner was Elliott Stabler (Christopher Meloni), who left the show after Season 12, was often considered her other half, and the duo was legendary. Even after separating them, Benson remains relevant and the show’s emotional and moral core. She’s a role model to young girls and women everywhere, and, pretty obviously, the reason Law & Order: SVU is still as relevant as it is.
1
Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro (Jodie Foster and Kali Reis)
‘True Detective: Night Country’ (2024)
This may be cheating, but, oh well—two heads are better than one. Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) go hot and cold several times in True Detective: Night Country, and not only in terms of their relationship. The two women both display a certain anger that fizzles out with a powerful emotional resolution of trauma and PTSD. They also open up to each other and bond, making their tense partnership feel natural by the end. Season 4 of True Detective is a chilling mystery, a truly dark and atmospheric noir that gives us a powerful detective duo and an interesting murder mystery.
True Detective: Night Country is set in the fictional Alaskan town, Ennis; there’s a research station nearby, from which everyone suddenly disappears one night. Danvers is the local police chief, and she and Navarro have a strained relationship at first; but, her experience and skill encourage Navarro to engage her mystery-solving side more, and they solve an intense and difficult murder by the end of the season. They’re not just super-cool despite being hard-headed and angry; Foster and Reis have amazing chemistry and succeed in making these women two of the most inspiring detectives of the 2020s.
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Anja Djuricic
Almontather Rassoul
