Loved ‘Scarpetta’? Here are 4 crime shows to watch next
Loved ‘Scarpetta’? Here are 4 crime shows to watch next
From psychological profiling to gritty detective work, these shows hit the same crime-solving sweet spot.
If you just finished “Scarpetta” on Prime Video, I already know what happened. You told yourself you’d space it out… and then suddenly you were five episodes deep watching Nicole Kidman run autopsies, break down crime scenes, and quietly outthink everyone in the room. It’s not just the murders, it’s how they get solved. The forensics, the detail, the feeling that every tiny clue matters in the search for a serial killer. And it’s based on the book series by Patricia Cornwell, so you know it’s well thought-out.
Once you get used to that kind of smart, methodical crime-solving, it’s hard to go back. The good news? There are a few other shows that hit that same nerve, just from slightly different angles. Here’s what to watch next if you loved “Scarpetta.”
Scarpetta
Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta returns to her position as Virginia’s Chief Medical Examiner, where she investigates a haunting murder with eerie reminders from her first big case decades ago. In 1998, Scarpetta works alongside Detective Pete Marino and FBI Agent Benton Wesley as they investigate a series of brutal stranglings. Based on the best-selling novels by Patricia Cornwell.
Loved ‘Scarpetta’? Watch ‘Cross’
If what pulled you into “Scarpetta” was watching a seriously smart investigator break down a case piece by piece, then “Cross” is the closest match you’re going to find. Aldis Hodge plays Alex Cross, a homicide detective who also happens to be a forensic psychologist, which basically means he solves crimes by getting inside people’s heads instead of working in a lab. It scratches the same itch as “Scarpetta,” just flipped. Instead of analyzing bodies, he’s analyzing behavior, patterns, and motives. It’s still all about intelligence, detail, and connecting dots no one else sees.
Where it feels different is the perspective. “Scarpetta” lives in the medical world, very controlled, very clinical. “Cross” is out on the streets, dealing with real-time danger and a lot more emotional fallout. His personal life plays a bigger role, too, especially with the trauma he’s carrying. But the core appeal is identical: you’re watching someone smarter than everyone else slowly crack impossible cases. If that’s what got you hooked on “Scarpetta,” this one’s a no-brainer.
Cross
Alex Cross is a brilliant but flawed homicide detective and full of contradictions. A doting father and family man, Cross is single-minded to the point of obsession when he hunts killers. He is desperate for love, but his wife’s murder has left him too damaged to receive it.
Check out: ‘Bosch: Legacy’
One of the most satisfying parts of “Scarpetta” is just watching a pro do their job really, really well. No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just experience and instinct layered on top of hard evidence. That’s exactly what you get in “Bosch: Legacy.” Titus Welliver plays Harry Bosch, a longtime detective who’s now working as a private investigator, and the guy just knows how to solve cases. There’s not a lot of flashy tech here — it’s more about putting in the work, talking to the right people, and slowly building the truth.
The big difference is style. “Scarpetta” leans into cutting-edge forensics and lab work, while “Bosch: Legacy” is way more old-school. It’s boots on the ground, late nights, and following leads that don’t always pan out. The leads are just as obsessive, though, where both Bosch and Scarpetta refuse to let a case go, no matter how complicated it gets. If you liked the methodical side of “Scarpetta,” where every detail matters and nothing is rushed, this show hits that same groove in a more grounded, street-level way. And if you want to go even more old-school, watch the original “Bosch” before the reboot.
Bosch: Legacy
Bosch is now making a living as a private investigator two years after he quit the LAPD and finds himself working with one time enemy and top-notch attorney Honey “Money” Chandler. Meanwhile, Bosch’s daughter Maddie is venturing into the world of the LAPD.
Watch next: ‘The Killing’
If you found yourself getting pulled into the mystery side of “Scarpetta,” where each clue slowly builds into something bigger, then “The Killing” is a great next step. This show takes that idea and stretches it out, sometimes across an entire season, following detectives trying to solve a single case. It’s patient, detailed, and really lets you sit with the investigation. Every conversation, every discovery, every wrong turn matters.
The tone is where it really separates itself. “Scarpetta” is sharp and clinical, whereas “The Killing” is heavy, moody, and kind of haunting. It’s less about the science and more about the emotional weight of the case and the toll it takes on the detectives. Still, the season-long mystery is just as engaging. If you liked the puzzle-solving in “Scarpetta,” this is that same experience, just slower, darker, and way more atmospheric.
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.
Wildcard pick: ‘Luther’
Okay, this one hits a little different, but stick with me. If what you loved about “Scarpetta” was watching someone brilliant who just will not let a case go, then “Luther” takes that idea and cranks it way up. Idris Elba plays John Luther, a brilliant detective who’s borderline obsessed with catching killers. He’s not sitting in a lab or carefully documenting evidence. He’s in it, chasing suspects, pushing boundaries, and sometimes getting way too close to the people he’s hunting.
The biggest difference here is the energy. “Luther” is more intense, messier, and a lot more unpredictable than the precision of “Scarpetta.” It leans much more into psychology and moral gray areas, especially with characters like Alice, who’s one of the most fascinating villains in any crime show. But underneath all that, it’s still about the same thing: a brilliant investigator doing whatever it takes to solve the case. If you liked the relentless drive of “Scarpetta,” this gives you that same feeling, just with way more edge.
Luther
A dark psychological crime drama starring Idris Elba as Luther, a man struggling with his own terrible demons, who might be as dangerous as the depraved murderers he hunts.
More to watch after finishing ‘Scarpetta’:
‘The Chestnut Man’ | Netflix
The Chestnut Man
At a grisly murder scene sits a figurine made of chestnuts. From this creepy clue, two detectives hunt a killer linked to a politician’s missing child.
‘Mindhunter’ | Netflix
MINDHUNTER
An agent in the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit develops profiling techniques as he pursues notorious serial killers and rapists.
‘True Detective’ | HBO 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.
‘A Murder at the End of the World’ | Hulu
A Murder at the End of the World
Gen Z amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker Darby Hart and eight other guests are invited by a reclusive billionaire to participate in a retreat at a remote location. When one of the other guests is found dead, Darby must use her skills to prove it was murder before the killer takes another life.