Top 7 Murder Mystery TV Shows On Streaming Right Now
Let’s celebrate the return of Nicole Kidman to her “rich but miserable housewife somehow involved in murder” in Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Couple.’
Last week it was funny murder, now it’s just murder. With Nicole Kidman returning to her favorite “rich, unhappy housewife with dark and terrible secrets” role in the new murder mystery, “The Perfect Couple,” it’s time to countdown the top 7 murder mystery TV shows you can binge on streaming right now. So settle in, put your detective badge on, and let’s head to the scene of the crime.
Top 7 Murder Mystery TV Shows On Streaming Right Now:
No. 7: Presumed Innocent (2024) | Apple TV+
From a book to a movie starring Harrison Ford, and now to a TV series adaption… there’s a reason why this story keeps getting revisited. It’s simply that good.
“Presumed Innocent” follows prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal) who’s accused of murdering a colleague. The wild plot twists, cliffhanger episode endings, and grounded performances from the entire cast (Bill Camp is especially good as Raymond Horgan – Rusty’s mentor) will keep you glued to the TV until the very last moments. And like every truly great show, at its heart it’s about something we can all understand… a family fighting to stay together.
“Presume Innocent” stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard and Raymond Horgan. It’s created by David E. Kelley and holds a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Presumed Innocent
A horrific murder upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s Office when one of its own is suspected of the crime—leaving the accused fighting to keep his family together.
No. 6: The Perfect Couple (2024) | Netflix
There may be some recency bias here, but “The Perfect Couple” is undeniably a fun watch. It tells the story of a rich family’s high-profile Nantucket wedding as it’s thrown into chaos when someone at the wedding is found murdered. As the investigation unfolds, the dysfunctional family drama reveals the hidden motives that may have fueled the killing. With a strong ensemble cast, led by “Bad Sisters” breakout Eve Hewson and the undeniably good Nicole Kidman, the series gives you everything you want in watching a rich family crumble.
“The Perfect Couple” was developed by Jenna Lamia, based on the novel by Elin Hilderbrand, and stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Meghan Fahy. It has a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Perfect Couple
Amelia is about to marry into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket, until a shocking death derails the wedding — and turns everyone into a suspect.
No. 5: Under the Banner of Heaven (2022) | Hulu
“Under the Banner of Heaven” makes this list because it’s not only a great murder mystery TV series, but it also explores a world we don’t often get to see in media – a tight-knit Mormon community struggling with its own identity.
That extends to the lead detective - Jeb Pyre (played by Andrew Garfield) – a Mormon himself who investigates a brutal murder. As his investigation deepens, Pyre uncovers some of his community’s darkest secrets, forcing him to examine his faith and morality in a new light. Andrew Garfield is excellent in the role, and the series continued great momentum for actress Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Normal People”) before her movie-star-making role in “Twisters” this summer.
Created by Dustin Lance Black, “Under the Banner of Heaven” stars Andrew Garfield, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Billy Howle, and Sam Worthington and rocks an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Under the Banner of Heaven
A devout detective’s faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder that seems to be connected to an esteemed Utah family’s spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government.
No. 4: The Staircase (2022) | Max
One of only two murder mystery TV shows on this list that are based on an actual case, “The Staircase” tells the story of Michael Peterson, a real-life novelist accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen, after she’s found dead at the bottom of their staircase. Just like real life, the show is a bit more ambiguous than is typical for the genre. In many ways, it’s the portrait of a complicated man whose secrets make the case difficult to wrap your head around.
Much of the show’s impact comes from the performances of its two heavy-hitting leads, Colin Firth and Toni Collette. We follow Firth through the investigation, trial, and eventual fallout with plenty of flashbacks with Collette for context as everything unfolds.
“The Staircase” holds a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating and was created by Antonio Campos.
The Staircase
An exploration of the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.
No. 3: Black Bird (2022) | Apple TV+
In a performance that won Paul Walter Hauser an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, “Black Bird” follows James Keene (played by Taron Egerton), a convict who’s offered his freedom in exchange for extracting a confession from a suspected serial killer, Larry Hall (Hauser). The central question is a simple one: can Keene get a confession before Hall is let out on bail?
Like all the best antagonists, Hauser feels dangerous anytime he appears on screen. And yet at the same time, he can be funny, sensitive, and even likable… all while maintaining the undercurrent that he’s capable of horrific acts. His performance, and the tense cat-and-mouse game he and Egerton play over the course of the season is what makes this series shine.
“Black Bird” is based on the real-life events told in Keene’s autobiographical novel, “In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.” The TV series was developed by Dennis Lehane, and stars Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ray Liotta while holding a whopping 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Black Bird
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the challenge of a lifetime.
No. 2: Mare of Easttown (2021) | Max
In “Mare of Easttown”, Kate Winslet stars as Mare Sheehan, a small-Pennsylvania-town detective investigating the murder of a young girl, while grappling with her own demons (including the death of her son). The show’s atmosphere is bleak and grounded, balancing the battle it can sometimes be just to get through the day, with the mystery of a high-stakes murder investigation.
When it comes to the cast, it’s a who’s who of Emmy winners. Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, and Evan Peters (who has one of the best actor-playing-drunk scenes I’ve ever seen on TV) all won for their performances, while Jean Smart garnered a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Each character feels full and real, with Winslet leading the way to a dramatic and satisfying ending.
Created by Brad Ingelsby, “Mare of Easttown” holds a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Mare of Easttown
A detective in a small Pennsylvania town (Kate Winslet) investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart. The stellar cast features Jean Smart, David Denman, and Guy Pearce.
No. 1: True Detective (2014) | Max
Okay, so after a little wobble (we can pretty much ignore Seasons 2 & 3), “True Detective” is so back! It turns out a new showrunner (Issa López replaced Nic Pizzolatto) and a few all-star female leads at the helm of Season 4, “Night Country,” is all the series needed to get back to its former glory.
Set in Ennis, Alaska, “True Detective: Night Country” follows two detectives, Liz Danvers (played by Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (played by Kali Reis), as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of six men who operated the Tsalal Arctic Research Station. When the long, dark Alaskan winter night falls, the men vanish without a trace. As Danvers and Navarro dig deeper into the case, they are forced to confront their own demons and unravel haunting secrets buried under the ice.
In addition to superb performances (Reis was nominated for an Emmy, while Foster won her category), the show’s location is like a character in and of itself. Ennis is dark and creepy, and yet the characters who inhabit this world are full of real-life struggle, trying to maintain their traditional culture in the face of a dark side that haunts them.
While it’s a little more horror-esque than previous entries, “Night Country” is exactly what the TV series needed to reclaim its spot as one of the top murder mystery TV shows streaming right now.
Created by Nic Pizzolatto, Issa López served as the showrunner for “True Detective: Night Country.” It boasts a 79% series score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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.