What to watch after ‘Dexter: Original Sin’—the best crime thrillers to binge next
What to watch after ‘Dexter: Original Sin’—the best crime thrillers to binge next
From serial killer profilers to morally gray antiheroes, these crime thrillers will fill the ‘Dexter: Original Sin’-shaped hole in your watchlist.
The “Dexter” franchise has some serious staying power. What started as a one-of-a-kind crime thriller about a blood-spatter analyst named “Dexter” with a dark secret went on to rack up eight seasons and spawn three connected series: the sequel “Dexter: New Blood,” the prequel “Dexter: Original Sin,” and the upcoming sequel (yes… another sequel) “Dexter: Resurrection.” More than a decade later, audiences still can’t get enough of Dexter Morgan - whether he’s learning to follow his father’s code or trying (and failing) to leave his past behind.
Set years before the events of “Dexter,” “Dexter: Original Sin” goes back to the beginning, following a young Dexter as he learns to balance his need to kill with his father’s strict moral guidelines. It brings everything fans love about the franchise - dark psychological twists, tense cat-and-mouse suspense, and a morally complex lead - while adding a fresh perspective on how it all started. And if you finished “Dexter: Original Sin” (the season finale dropped on Friday, Feb. 14) and are craving more smart, suspenseful crime thrillers, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other shows that explore the psychology of killers, cat-and-mouse investigations, and morally ambiguous leads. Here’s what to watch next.
Dexter: Original Sin
In 1991 Miami, Dexter Morgan transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry, he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcements’ radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.
Loved ‘Dexter: Original Sin’? Watch: ‘Bates Motel’
If you love stories about how killers are made, “Bates Motel” is a must-watch. This show rewinds the clock on Norman Bates, the infamous character from “Psycho,” and digs into his teenage years. At the center of it all is his intense relationship with his mother, Norma, whose love and protectiveness shape Norman’s slow descent into something much darker. It’s a fresh take on a classic story, giving fans a front-row seat to the events that turned Norman into the person we know from the original film.
Like “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Bates Motel” is all about exploring the early years of a character destined for darkness. Both shows follow young men with hidden urges, shaped by their upbringing and the rules they learn (or break) along the way. There’s that same slow-burn psychological tension, complicated family dynamics, and a growing sense that the main character is headed toward something they can’t escape.
But what really sets “Bates Motel” apart is its focus on Norman’s relationship with his mother. While “Dexter: Original Sin” is all about Dexter’s father guiding him with a strict moral code, “Bates Motel” leans into the unsettling, sometimes almost suffocating bond between Norman and Norma. Their dynamic is the heart of the show - sometimes loving, sometimes creepy, always fascinating. And with its mix of psychological drama and modern horror, “Bates Motel” brings something totally unique to the genre.
Check out ‘Prodigal Son’
If you love crime thrillers that dive deep into the minds of both killers and those who hunt them, “Prodigal Son” should be next on your list. The show follows Malcolm Bright, a brilliant criminal profiler with a disturbing past - his father, Dr. Martin Whitly, is a notorious serial killer known as “The Surgeon.” Now working with the NYPD, Malcolm uses his unique insight into the criminal mind to catch dangerous killers. But no matter how far he tries to run from his father’s legacy, he can’t escape the fact that they might have more in common than he’d like to admit.
Like “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Prodigal Son” explores a main character shaped by a complicated relationship with his father. Both Malcolm and young Dexter were heavily influenced by the men who raised them - Dexter’s adoptive father gave him a strict moral code to follow, while Malcolm’s dad is a full-blown psychopath who still tries to manipulate him from prison. Both shows lean into psychological tension, dark humor, and the idea of whether nature or nurture defines who we become.
What makes “Prodigal Son” stand out is Malcolm’s constant battle with himself. While Dexter was trained to manage his homicidal urges, Malcolm’s struggle is more about whether he’s destined to inherit his father’s darkness. He wants nothing to do with his dad, but at the same time, Martin is the only one who truly understands how his mind works. That push-and-pull relationship, combined with the show’s mix of thrilling cases, dark humor, and psychological twists, makes “Prodigal Son” a fresh and addictive take on the crime thriller genre.
Prodigal Son
The son of a notorious serial killer becomes an acclaimed criminal psychologist who uses his unique insight into how killers think to help the NYPD.
Don’t miss ‘Hannibal’
If you’re into dark, psychological thrillers, “Hannibal” is a must-watch. The show follows FBI profiler Will Graham as he teams up with brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter to solve gruesome murders. The only problem? Hannibal is secretly the very killer they’re hunting. As Will gets drawn deeper into Hannibal’s mind games, their relationship becomes a twisted, fascinating battle of wits. With its stunning visuals and eerie atmosphere, Hannibal isn’t just another crime show—it’s a slow-burning psychological nightmare.
Like “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Hannibal” is all about a killer leading a double life. Both Dexter and Hannibal are experts at blending in — Dexter is a forensic analyst with a moral code, Hannibal is a refined psychiatrist with a taste for human flesh. The tension in both shows comes from the people around them slowly starting to suspect the truth, making every interaction feel like a high-stakes chess match.
But what really sets “Hannibal” apart is its artistic, almost hypnotic storytelling. It’s visually stunning, with some of the most surreal and beautifully shot murder scenes you’ll ever see on TV. The relationship between Will and Hannibal also takes center stage in a way that’s more complex than a typical hero-villain dynamic - it’s psychological warfare wrapped in a weirdly intimate bond. If you like crime thrillers with depth, suspense, and a little bit of horror, “Hannibal” is the perfect next binge.
Hannibal
Both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
One more: ‘The Following’
If you love crime thrillers that keep you on edge, “The Following” should be next on your list. The show follows former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), who gets pulled back into action when serial killer Joe Carroll escapes from death row. But this isn’t just a simple manhunt - Carroll has built a cult of devoted followers who are willing to kill for him, turning what should be a straightforward case into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. With every step Hardy takes, he realizes he’s not just chasing one man - he’s up against an entire army of killers.
Like “Dexter: Original Sin,” “The Following “digs into the psychology of both the hunter and the hunted. Both shows feature protagonists who are shaped by their pasts and are locked in a relentless pursuit of serial killers. “Dexter: Original Sin” explores Dexter’s internal struggle with his dark urges, while “The Following” throws Hardy into a never-ending battle against Carroll and his murderous cult. The tension in both shows comes from that constant feeling that the enemy is always one step ahead.
What makes “The Following” stand out is its focus on the idea of a killer cult. Joe Carroll isn’t just another serial murderer - he’s a master manipulator who convinces others to kill for him, creating a network of seemingly normal people who could strike at any time. That twist makes the show even more unpredictable since Hardy isn’t just dealing with one psychopath - he’s facing an entire movement. The way the show explores influence, manipulation, and blind loyalty adds an extra layer to the crime thriller formula, making “The Following” an intense and addicting watch.
The Following
Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
More to watch after finishing ‘Dexter: Original Sin’
‘You’ | Netflix
You
A dangerously charming, obsessive man goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of women who fascinate him.
‘Dexter’ | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
Dexter
Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police also leads a secret life as a serial killer, hunting down criminals who have slipped through the cracks of justice.
‘Dexter: New Blood’ | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
Dexter: New Blood
10 years after Dexter went missing in the eye of Hurricane Laura, we find him living under an assumed name in the small town of Iron Lake, New York. Dexter may be embracing his new life, but in the wake of unexpected events in this close-knit community, his Dark Passenger beckons.
‘Mindhunter’ | Netflix
MINDHUNTER
An agent in the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit develops profiling techniques as he pursues notorious serial killers and rapists.
‘Mr. Mercedes’ | Peacock
Mr. Mercedes
A demented serial killer taunts a retired police detective with a series of lurid letters and emails, forcing the ex-cop to undertake a private, and potentially felonious, crusade to bring the killer to justice before he can strike again.
‘True Detective’ | Max
True Detective
An American anthology police detective series utilizing multiple timelines in which investigations seem to unearth personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.
‘The Killing’ | Hulu
The Killing
The Killing is an American crime drama television series based upon the Danish television series Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle, Washington, the series follows the various murder investigations by homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder.