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Between the news and the drama that just comes with being a person, real life can be pretty stressful. That’s why there’s nothing that can make you feel better about the horrors of your own life than a good crime drama. You may hate your job, but at least you don’t have to worry about Walter White dissolving your body in a barrel of chemicals, right?
When it comes to thrilling watches featuring larger-than-life criminals, Netflix more than delivers. The streaming service has access to many classic shows you know and love, including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Broadchurch, Narcos, and Sons of Anarchy. However, hidden underneath these widely discussed and critically-praised watches is a whole underworld of relatively unknown and underrated crime dramas. From badass ladies determined to go around the law and build their own empires from heartfelt explorations of modern missteps, consider this your guide to some of the best crime dramas hiding in your Netflix library.
'Ozark': Season 1
If you haven’t checked out this Jason Bateman epic, do yourself a favor and clear out your weekend. Starring Bateman and the ever-great Laura Linney, Ozark follows a married couple who has to launder millions of dollars for a drug cartel or risk getting killed. Along the way, they have to dodge authorities and petty criminals all while keeping up with their never-ending lies. It’s a fast-paced drama that makes money laundering look sexier and more thrilling than you probably thought was possible.
'River': Season 1
By far the saddest entry on this action-packed list, River isn’t a strict crime drama. Starring Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker, the British series follows one detective as he tries to solve the unsolved murders around him. However, the closer Detective Inspector John River gets to the truth, the more his unstable mind starts to crumble. If you like murder mysteries with a meta psychological twist, this one-season gem is the perfect watch for you.
'Surviving Escobar — Alias JJ': Season 1
There’s a good chance you’re already familiar with Pablo Escobar’s story, but you probably don’t know about his righthand man, John Jairo Velásquez. This Netflix and Caracol Televisión original follows the life of one of Escobar’s most notorious assassins, exploring how this devoted murderer adapted to the world after Escobar’s death. If you’re looking for a good watch to accompany your inevitable Narcos binge, this antihero drama is it.
'Peaky Blinders': Seasons 1-3
1920s England has never been cooler than it is in this British drama. Starring Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, and Helen McCrory, this Netflix Original chronicles the crimes, betrayals, and conflicts of the Peaky Blinders gang. The series is filled with incredible characters who are great to watch but would be horrible to run into at night. However, what transforms this show from criminally fun to amazing is its excellent use of anachronistic music.
'American Crime': Seasons 1-3
Though it’s on ABC, American Crime is one of those shows that never gets as much attention as it deserves. It’s also a drama that’s shockingly relevant in today’s world. Each season of this anthology series examines a different modern crime, from stories about abusing immigrant workers to cyberbullying in high schools.
'Doctor Foster': Season 1
The titular Dr. Foster (Suranne Jones) has the perfect life. She’s respected in her field, has a great group of friends, and an even better family. However, when her husband starts acting suspiciously, she starts down a road that threatens to completely destroy her world. Tonally, watching Doctor Foster is like watching Gone Girl the series. Who doesn’t want to watch that?
'The Bletchley Circle': Season 1-2
Not all crime dramas need to focus on drug use and murders. This British miniseries about a group of scrappy and inquisitive women explores the world of codebreaking. Set in the 1950s, The Bletchley Circle follows four women who are sick of the authorities’ inability to solve crimes after the war. Naturally they take things into their own hands, and the result is addicting to watch.
'Queen of the South': Season 1
There’s something undeniably fierce about this drug-fueled rags to riches story. The series follows Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga), a poor woman who hopes her relationship with her drug-dealing boyfriend will lead to a better life. However, when he’s murdered and she’s forced to leave the country, Teresa pulls herself up by her bootstraps even more, eventually becoming the leader of her own drug empire.
'Shetland': Seasons 1-3
This British drama series is the perfect watch if you’ve finished Broadchurch and you’re looking for something similar but a little less heart-wrenching. The series follows Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) and his team as they solve murders along the Shetland Isles. It’s a beautiful locale for some truly horrific crimes.
'Ingobernable': Season 1
This Netflix Original isn’t a strict crime drama but more of a reaction to organized crime and scandal as a whole. The Mexican drama series follows Emilia Urquiza (Kate del Castillo), the First Lady of Mexico. However, as Emilia starts to learn more about the lies and crimes of her country, government, and husband, her morals are tested.
