For over 70 years, the detective genre has delighted audiences with its cerebral mysteries and morally complex protagonists. Whilecrimedramasoften showcase law enforcement fighting evil from within the system andpolice procedurals focus more on routine police work, detective stories are an art form of their own.
At the heart of the very best detective series lies a likable and unconventional lead who observes far more than they let on. Their eccentric personalities and unusual interrogation styles make them think out of the box and usher them to a killer no one else can catch. This meticulous unraveling of crimes is what captivates fans of every generation.
FromSherlock Holmes’masterful deductions toMonk’shyper-focused insight andMagnum’snonchalance, each iconic sleuth has brought a unique flair to the genre of non-linear problem-solving week after week. FromThe X-Files’sci-fi mysteries toDeath in Paradise’sisland-set comedies, television has also evolved by pushing creative boundaries andblending other genres. This list celebrates 20 of the best and most influential detective series of all time.
20Dragnet (1967 – 1970)
A reboot of the iconic black-and-white series from 1951,Dragnetwas also created by Jack Webb. He led the show with Harry Morgan, the two playing Sgt. Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon respectively. In a format updated for the 1960s, the series saw them embarking on a never-ending pursuit of criminals. From minor infractions to heinous felonies, Friday, who almost always led the investigation, and Joe would follow leads with care and precision until the case was solved.
Has All the Elements of a Classic
With Webb as the iconic lead,Dragnet(also known asDragnet 1967to distinguish it from the original) established the standards that define police and detective dramas even today. The series was lauded for its realistic approach, in that it was less violent than the previous series and focused even on the mundanities and less glamorous aspects of law enforcement work. Its minimalist storytelling had one goal – to keep viewers fully absorbed. And nearly 60 years later,Dragnetremains timeless.
19Mannix (1967 – 1975)
Played by Mike Conners, Joe Mannix is a private investigator who frequently finds himself mixed up in dangerous capers. In season one ofMannix, he’s working for a large L.A. detective agency, Intertect. But by the time season two rolls in, he’s bowed out and started his own agency. Assisted by Peggy Fair, the widow of a police officer, Mannix tracks missing persons, infiltrates crime rings, and guards VIPs. No case is too tough or precarious for Mannix, because even if he gets bloodied and bruised in his pursuit, he always gets the man.
TV’s Coolest Private Eye
Connorsis brilliant in the leading role; he wears Mannix like a skin and brings out his cool demeanor in every stunt-filled, high-octane episode. Breaking the mold created by all the shows that came before,Mannixdares to place its detective in the most impossible situations, making him chase perps, put on disguises, and indulge in street fights. Popular around the world for the decade it aired and after, the series proved that well-crafted and genuinely intriguing detective stories can provide popcorn entertainment as well.
18Columbo (1971 – 1978)
10 Seasons
Lieutenant Columbo may seem like a bumbling, disheveled police detective, but it’s best not to get fooled by his rumpled beige raincoat and seemingly absent-minded facade. Because beneath it lies one of the sharpest criminal profiling minds there are.Columbois an iconic series that follows the titular character investigating high-profile murders and catching arrogant killers through the smallest clues and inconsistencies in their plans, questioning them until their trip themselves up.
Turns Stereotypes Around Its Head
If you’re a fan of recent shows likeMindhunter,Columbois right up your alley. Starring Peter Falk to legendary effect, it proves that the most fascinating and skilled detective protagonists are often the most unassuming. Its pioneering profiling format, which showed a particular crime unfold,was a masterstroke in the 1970s. The show remained massively popular throughout the decade and influenced the genre as sustainable top-tier storytelling. Many even consider it “comfort viewing.”
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17Kojak (1973 – 1978)
Be it the gritty streets and back alleys of New York City or lavish estates of prosperous businessmen, Lieutenant Theo Kojak manages to tackle some of the toughest crimes the city has ever seen. Bald and lollipop-loving Kojak maintains his dapper personality, is tenacious, but never lets his personal dilemmas get in the way of hunting down murderers, mobsters and criminals. His intuition and street smarts help him put together pieces of puzzles that would stun most.
A Time Capsule of the 1970s
Like many others on the list,Kojakbroke ground by being one of the earliest realistic crime dramas. It was praised greatly for its gritty atmosphere, authentic depiction of crime scenes, and for showcasing a side of law enforcement rarely seen before. Telly Savalas became an icon for his role as the Greek American detective. The show dominated the airwaves for a really long time and earned Savalas immense popularity for his commitment to the role and for setting the tone for multi-layered characters in the future.
16The Rockford Files (1974 – 1980)
InThe Rockford Files, James Garner plays the role of Jim Rockford, a falsely accused ex-convict with a trail of unpaid bills and irate ex-wives behind him. Despite having lemons thrown at him, Jim continues to take on cases as a private investigator and passionately solves them from his dilapidated home office. His solo operations and unconventional ways often place him at odds with the police, but they are also what help him box the results.
Pioneered Fish-Out-Of-Water Style for Television
The Rockford Filesbasically penned the rulebook for every successful detective show that followed. With its open and serialized format, it wasn’t just ahead of its time but also astonishing in its realism, portrayal of unsung heroes, and examination of themes of justice. Garner stars in a title role he was born to play, infusing an innate charm, clever sense of humor, and brilliant heart into the working class private investigator. Each of Rockford’s investigations leave audiences wanting for more. Overall, even decades later,the series endures as one that influenced ’70s pop culture.
15Magnum P.I. (1980 – 1988)
Magnum P.I.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Hawaiian island of Oahu,Magnum P.I.revolves around an easy-going and free-spirited private investigator named Thomas Magnum, who lives a life of leisure in the guest house of his employee, Robin Masters. Between cruising the island and crashing at the luxury estates, he moonlights as an investigator and takes on cases that intrigue him. His near-perfect lifestyle, however, is often interrupted by the house’s caretaker Jonathan Higgins, who disapproves of Magnum’s easygoing methods.
Selleck’s Style and Swagger Is Unparalleled
Exotic locales, dangerous criminals and a P.I. with a devil-may-care charm – the combination is rare in the genre. ButMagnum P.I.has consistently been part of television’s highest-ranked TV shows of all time. It captured hearts with its perfect fusion of mystery, action, and escapism. Tom Selleck stars in his career-defining role as Magnum, embodying the characterization of the rebel detective with unmatched precision. Lauded for its slick production values and clever narratives, the show has proved that detective dramas can be fun too.
14Remington Steele (1982 – 1987)
Remington Steele
Co-created by Robert Butler and Michael Gleason and starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan in the lead roles,Remington Steelefollows LA private investigator Laura Holt, who opens her own detective agency but finds it hard to receive cases because of the clients’ refusal to hire a woman. So she fakes the identity of a fictitious detective boss and lands a big case. What Holt does not expect, however, is to encounter a charming man who decides to join in the ruse as the mysterious but suave Remington Steele.
Combines Slow-Burn Romance and Screwball Comedy
Remington Steeleis a breath of fresh air in the genre. It broke ground by adding a romantic element to the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled mysteries. Brosnan is incredible as the leading man with a secret past, his witty banter and the sizzling sexual tension with Zimbalist’s character making the traditional crime-solving format seem obsolete.Their will-the-won’t-they, however, is just one of the many aspects that make the series so intriguing, influential and irresistible.
13Murder, She Wrote (1984 – 1996)
12 Seasons
Murder, She Wrote
The main character ofMurder, She Wroteis a widowed mystery writer named Jessica Fletcher. She seems to have the quiet life of a best-selling author in her picturesque village of Cabot Cave, Maine. However, murder and intrigue have an uncanny way of finding the amateur sleuth wherever she goes. Whether she’s visiting friends or is having her own adventures abroad, Jessica is always embroiled in one mind-blowing mystery on another, forced to use her powers of observation and identify the killer.
Delivers Well-Crafted Whodunits Every Week
Starring Angela Lansbury in the role of a lifetime,Murder, She Wrotedelivered weekly doses of the good ol’ murder mystery perfection viewers crave time and again. For over 250 episodes, audiences looked forward to seeing Jessica outwit the most creative and clever criminals and establish herself as a smart and independent, one-of-a-kind senior female lead. The show earned a long-running success for 12 seasons and its self-contained but highly immersive storytelling makes it a beloved show on syndication as well.
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12Miami Vice (1984 – 1989)
Miami Vice
Featuring a pastel-colored, neon-lit world of 1980s Miami, the series follows detectives James “Sonny” Crockett and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs as they go undercover and infiltrate the city’s high-stakes criminal underworld, use their expert street skills and custom sports cars, to pursue the most notorious drug lords and gang members. Using imaginative disguises, they catch criminals dealing in firearms, money laundering, and violence.
A Fusion of Art and Crime Storytelling
A style-over-substance drama,Miami Vicewas described by critics as the “first show to look really new and different since color TV was invented.” Naturally, it brought a darker,more unsettling edge to the genrewhile also massively glamorizing it. The signature visuals paired with expertly choreographed action that defined the decade, as well as the focus on complex character development and social commentary left an indelible mark on viewers. Also, Crockett and Tubbs, portrayed by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, had flawless chemistry.
11Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989 – 2013)
13 Seasons
Based on a bunch of Agatha Christie’s famous crime fiction series,Agatha Christie’s Poirotrevolves around the egotistical yet brilliant Hercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective, who puts his extraordinary “little gray cells” to work on a series of notorious murders with the help of Captain Hastings and Scotland Yard Chief Inspector James Japp. Whether a wealthy businessman is poisoned or an aristocrat is shot, Poirot is called upon to untangle the web of clues and dismiss red herrings in pursuit of the culprit.
Most Faithful Agatha Christie Adaptation
Embodying Christie’s iconic character is no joke, but David Suchet does it with such perfection, and for decades, that it’s almost impossible to imagine the character otherwise. His meticulousness, vanity, knack for precision, unorthodox but highly effective techniques of crime solving, align well.Each episode acts as a standalone for most part, the brilliant direction and production values transporting viewers to a historically accurate atmosphere where the air is full of mystery.
