Hardboiled Detective
by Skavation | created - 5 months ago | updated - 5 months ago | PublicThe genre of "Hardboiled Detective" in TV shows and films encompasses narratives centered around gritty, morally complex, and often lone investigators navigating a world rife with crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity. It draws inspiration from classic noir literature and cinema, featuring hard-edged protagonists who operate within a bleak, shadowy landscape where justice is rarely straightforward.
At its core, the hardboiled detective genre revolves around a tough and cynical investigator, typically a private detective or a disillusioned law enforcement officer. These protagonists often possess a code of honor or personal ethics that they adhere to, even in a world where such principles are frequently challenged.
The setting often mirrors the dark underbelly of urban environments or seedy locales, where crime thrives and the line between good and evil blurs. The atmosphere is characterized by dimly lit alleys, rainy streets, and smoky bars, setting the tone for suspenseful and brooding storytelling.
Narratives within this genre involve intricate and convoluted plots, filled with twists, turns, and moral dilemmas. The detective is usually embroiled in complex cases involving murder, corruption, or blackmail. They face adversaries ranging from cunning criminals to corrupt officials, often dealing with their own personal demons along the way.
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1. Gotham (2014–2019)
TV-14 | 42 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The story behind Detective James Gordon's rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman's arrival.
Stars: Ben McKenzie, Jada Pinkett Smith, Donal Logue, Camren Bicondova
Votes: 240,831
2. Luther (2010–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
John Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.
Stars: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown
Votes: 154,423
3. The Sinner (2017–2021)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detective Ambrose employs some unusual tactics and a deep capacity for empathy to solve his cases. His boundless dedication is driven by his dark past, leading him into powerful and often dangerously intimate bonds with his suspects.
Stars: Bill Pullman, Jessica Hecht, Dohn Norwood, Adam LeFevre
Votes: 139,127
4. Bosch (2014–2021)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama
An L.A.P.D. homicide detective works to solve the murder of a 13-year-old boy while standing trial in federal court for the murder of a serial killer.
Stars: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick
Votes: 83,529
5. Mr. Mercedes (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A demented 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.
Stars: Brendan Gleeson, Holland Taylor, Jharrel Jerome, Breeda Wool
Votes: 26,634
6. C.B. Strike (2017– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
War veteran turned private detective Cormoran Strike solves brutal murders with the help of his trusted partner Robin Ellacott.
Stars: Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Kerr Logan, Jack Greenlees
Votes: 24,699
7. Vera (2011–2025)
TV-PG | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
With her caustic wit and singular charm, DCI Vera Stanhope leads her team as they face a series of captivating murder mysteries set against the breathtaking Northumberland landscape.
Stars: Brenda Blethyn, Jon Morrison, Riley Jones, Kenny Doughty
Votes: 20,122
8. Hinterland (2013–2016)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A noir crime drama set in Aberystwyth, Wales, where troubled DCI Tom Mathias solves murders while searching for redemption.
Stars: Richard Harrington, Mali Harries, Alex Harries, Hannah Daniel
Votes: 15,124
9. Cardinal (2017–2020)
TV-MA | 42 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detectives John Cardinal and Lise Delorme investigate the murder of a young girl, while Cardinal struggles to right past wrongs that could derail the investigation and end his career, as the case grows more violent and twisted.
Stars: Billy Campbell, Karine Vanasse, Kristen Thomson, Glen Gould
Votes: 11,713
10. Baptiste (2019–2021)
Not Rated | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Mercurial retired police detective, Julien Baptiste, specializes in missing-persons cases.
Stars: Tchéky Karyo, Anastasia Hille, Tom Hollander, Fiona Shaw
Votes: 10,254
11. Rudra: The Edge of Darkness (2022)
53 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
In the crime-ridden streets of Mumbai, journeying through the maze of psychopathic minds is brilliant super-cop Rudra Veer Singh.
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Raashi Khanna, Esha Deol, Ashwini Kalsekar
Votes: 8,806
12. Cracker (1993–1996)
TV-MA | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Dr Edward "Fitz" Fitzgerald is a criminal psychologist. He is rather anti-social and obnoxious but he has a gift for solving crimes. Thus he is employed as a consultant by the Manchester Police.
Stars: Robbie Coltrane, Geraldine Somerville, Kieran O'Brien, Barbara Flynn
Votes: 7,879
13. The Break (2016–2018)
TV-MA | 52 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Crime series kick-started by the finding of a young man's body.
Stars: Yoann Blanc, Jasmina Douieb, Lara Hubinont, Tom Audenaert
Votes: 6,782
14. The Equalizer (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A retired Intelligence Agent turned private detective helps various threatened clients to equalize the odds.
Stars: Edward Woodward, Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing, Mark Margolis
Votes: 5,928
15. Ubice mog oca (2016– )
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
The action series takes place in Belgrade at the present time. Aleksandar Jakovljevic (Vuk Kostic), a young but experienced inspector, gets his first big case: the murder of the daughter of... See full summary »
Stars: Vuk Kostic, Marko Janketic, Nina Jankovic, Slavko Stimac
Votes: 5,279
16. Crime (2021– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When an Edinburgh schoolgirl is abducted, DI Ray Lennox investigates her disappearance whilst confronting his own past trauma.
Stars: Dougray Scott, Joanna Vanderham, Ken Stott, Sarah McCardie
Votes: 6,167
17. Case Histories (2011–2013)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Former soldier and policeman Jackson Brodie becomes a private investigator.
Stars: Jason Isaacs, Amanda Abbington, Zawe Ashton, Millie Innes
Votes: 4,859
18. Edge of Darkness (1985)
53 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When his daughter Emma is murdered, cop Craven discovers that she was in a GAIA group of activists occupied with exposing Northmoor nuclear waste storage facility for illegal activities.
Stars: Bob Peck, Joe Don Baker, Charles Kay, Ian McNeice
Votes: 4,165
19. Bancroft (2017–2020)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A dark thriller surrounding Elizabeth Bancroft, a senior detective with explosive secrets.
Stars: Sarah Parish, Ryan McKen, Adam Long, Lee Boardman
Votes: 4,067
20. Rogue (2013–2017)
TV-MA | 50 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Grace, an undercover detective, is tormented by the possibility that she might have contributed to her son's mysterious death. While trying to uncover the truth, she gets involved with a dangerous criminal.
Stars: Cole Hauser, Thandiwe Newton, Sergio Di Zio, Sarah Jeffery
Votes: 3,256
21. Forever Knight (1992–1996)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Fantasy, Horror
800-year-old vampire Nick Knight quests for redemption as a cop in Toronto, trying to hide his vampiric nature from the rest of the world.
Stars: Geraint Wyn Davies, Catherine Disher, Nigel Bennett, Deborah Duchene
Votes: 3,062
22. The Clearing (2023)
Not Rated | 49 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
A woman is forced to confront the nightmares of her past in order to stop a secret cult intent on gathering children to fulfil its master plan.
Stars: Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce, Erroll Shand
Votes: 3,432
23. We Hunt Together (2020– )
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A gripping twist on a classic cat-and-mouse story, this British drama series explores the intoxication of sexual attraction and the dangerous power of emotional manipulation as two conflicted detectives track down a pair of deadly killers.
Stars: Eve Myles, Babou Ceesay, Hermione Corfield, Vicki Pepperdine
Votes: 2,794
24. Rellik (2017)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Told in reverse, the show follows DCI Gabriel Markham and his team as they try to hunt down a serial killer.
Stars: Richard Dormer, Jodi Balfour, Kieran Bew, Lærke Winther
Votes: 2,659
25. Jack Taylor (2010)
Not Rated | 93 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Irish ex-cop Jack Taylor solves crimes as a maverick private investigator. Based on Ken Bruen's crime-drama books.
Stars: Iain Glen, Nora-Jane Noone, Killian Scott, Paraic Breathnach
Votes: 2,588
26. Rocco Schiavone (2016– )
TV-MA | 100 min | Crime, Thriller
A cranky and unorthodox detective is exiled to the snowbound Val D'Aosta where he is confronted with compelling cases.
Stars: Marco Giallini, Ernesto D'Argenio, Francesco Acquaroli, Christian Ginepro
Votes: 2,365
27. Dark Heart (2016–2018)
Not Rated | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
DI Will Wagstaffe and his team investigate horrifying and brutal attacks.
Stars: Tom Riley, Joseph Teague, Anjli Mohindra, Charlotte Riley
Votes: 1,718
28. Murphy's Law (2003–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
As a maverick cop with a dark past, DS Tommy Murphy fails a psychiatric assessment but is given one last chance by his boss and given a dangerous undercover assignment.
Stars: James Nesbitt, Del Synnott, Claudia Harrison, Owen Teale
Votes: 1,481
29. Raven (2018–2022)
55 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
A police inspector is sent to his hometown to investigate a kidnap case, but apart from solving the mystery, he has to face the demons of his past.
Stars: Michal Zurawski, Tomasz Wlosok, Katarzyna Wajda, Danuta Kierklo
Votes: 1,202
30. Vincent (2005–2006)
90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Ex Cop turned private investigator Vincent Gallagher and his team of PI's do whatever it takes to tackle cases that come to them.
Stars: Ray Winstone, Suranne Jones, Joe Absolom, Angel Coulby
Votes: 927
31. Falcón (2012–2013)
Crime, Drama
Falcón is a brilliant detective whose personal and professional life is compromised by dark secrets from the past.
Stars: Carla Sánchez, Hayley Atwell, Kerry Fox, Marton Csokas
Votes: 805
32. Hassel (2017)
43 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Hassel is a street-smart detective. When his father figure is brutally murdered, he leads a below-the-radar investigation to avenge his death which cause consequences for his family.
Stars: Ola Rapace, Aliette Opheim, Wilma Lidén, Shanti Roney
Votes: 724
33. Serangoon Road (2013)
561 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Serangoon Road is a detective noir series set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1960s Singapore.
Stars: Don Hany, Joan Chen, Maeve Dermody, Alaric
Votes: 692
34. Cracker: Mind Over Murder (1997–1998)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Unconventional psychologist Gerry "Fitz" Fitzgerald is one of the best police interrogators in the business, mostly because his own quirks and perversities help him get inside the criminal mind.
Stars: Robert Pastorelli, Carolyn McCormick, Josh Hartnett, Robert Wisdom
Votes: 450
35. Public Eye (1965–1975)
60 min | Crime, Drama
Cynical, dour and world-weary, private eye Frank Marker is frequently the unwitting stooge in bigger criminal wheels in his attempts to make a tenuous living on the outskirts of London.
Stars: Alfred Burke, Ray Smith, Pauline Delaney, Brenda Cavendish
Votes: 427
36. Deep (2015–2016)
TV-MA | Action, Crime, Drama
A police investigator is dealing with a life threatening illness, while trying to map out the spreading of a new synthetic drug that's all the rage in Paris.
Stars: Patrick Ridremont, Olivier Chantreau, Emmanuelle Meyssignac, Salem Kali
Votes: 369
37. Cape Town (2015–2016)
Crime, Thriller
Police Captain Mat Joubert used to be best, solve every crime, get every killer. But that was a year ago.
Stars: Trond Espen Seim, Boris Kodjoe, Arnold Vosloo, Marcin Dorocinski
Votes: 350
38. Erin (2022– )
45 min | Crime, Drama, History
Edward Popielski, a detective of extraordinary intellect and physical strength but tormented by epileptic visions that help him in his investigations, is specially appointed by the gods to avenge crimes in the city of Lviv in 1930s Poland.
Stars: Marcin Dorocinski, Wiktoria Gorodecka, Szymon Wisniewski, Wojciech Mecwaldowski
Votes: 397
39. Look of a Killer (2011)
42 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
In Finnish with English subtitles. In this gripping thriller based on the novels by Finnish author Matti Rönkä, Viktor Kärppä is a former KGB agent who settles in Finland, the country of ... See full summary »
Stars: Samuli Edelmann, Martti Suosalo, Maria Ylipää, Katja Küttner
Votes: 265
40. Harry (2013)
60 min | Crime, Drama
Gritty and suspenseful, this award-winning drama probes the narcotics underworld of New Zealand's largest city and the toll it takes on those caught in its grip.
Stars: Oscar Kightley, Sam Neill, Hunter Kamuhemu, Erroll Shand
Votes: 253
41. Kommissarie Winter (2010)
58 min | Crime, Thriller
Magnus Krepper (The Bridge) stars as Inspector Erik Winter in this Scandi Noir based on author Åke Edwardson's bestselling novels about the dedicated, yet tormented Gothenburg police detective.
Stars: Magnus Krepper, Peter Andersson, Amanda Ooms, Sharon Dyall
Votes: 241
42. Blochin: Die Lebenden und die Toten (2015– )
TV-14 | Crime
A homicide cop with a mysterious past and a bad attitude works the seedy underbelly of Berlin in this gritty, complex thriller from the director of 'Cenk Batu Undercover Agent'.
Stars: Jürgen Vogel, Thomas Heinze, Jördis Triebel, Maja Schöne
Votes: 239
43. Victor Lessard (2017– )
44 min | Crime
Adapted from the bestselling novels by Martin Michaud, this fast-paced psychological thriller series leaves no emotion unturned as it tells the story of a driven detective and his pursuit of the evil behind unspeakable crimes.
Stars: Patrice Robitaille, Julie LeBreton, Sarah Dagenais, Maxime Mailloux
Votes: 225
44. Syndrome E (2022– )
Crime, Drama, Thriller
He is Franck Sharko, a crabby cop at the end of his rope. She is Lucie Henebelle, a lieutenant on the anti-crime squad obsessed with evil. Sharko and Lucie investigate top-secret scientific experiments and programs.
Stars: Vincent Elbaz, Jennifer Decker, Kool Shen, Bérengère Krief
Votes: 146
45. Luther (2021)
52 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
French adaptation of the British series Luther (2010).
Stars: Christopher Bayemi, Chloé Jouannet, Léo Dussollier, Barbara Cabrita
Votes: 116
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