Banner image: Footage from Making a Murderer. Courtesy of Netflix
True crime content is more popular than ever. In fact, over the last few months, Google searches for ‘true crime series’ and ‘true crime documentaries’ have risen by 123% and 50%, respectively.
But our fascination with true crime isn’t new – take for example when the UK still used public executions as punishment. People would treat them like social events; paying to attend, dressing up, and even taking children along.
Historically, British literature has also focused heavily on true crime – from 16th-century crime pamphlets to Truman Capote’s groundbreaking work, In Cold Blood (1966), which is widely seen as ‘the first true crime novel’.
Psychologists suggest that our innate curiosity about the darker aspects of human behaviour is what drives our interest in true crime. The tension between good and evil intrigues us, and we try to understand what compels individuals to commit extreme acts. Some also suggest that we seek out true crime content to gain knowledge that we subconsciously feel will keep us safe.
And nowadays, gaining access to true crime has never been easier – with on-demand services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX releasing what sometimes feels like an endless stream of new shows. But which ones are worth the watch?
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 13 of the most talked about true crime series; some documentary-style and others dramatised.
Trigger warning: This article is for informative purposes only and is not intended to glorify tragic events, or make light of them. Although true crime cases can provide helpful insight into the human psyche and criminal legal system, we also appreciate that exposure to topics relating to violence and death can be distressing for some people. Therefore, reader – and viewer – discretion is advised.
Our thoughts go out to the victims, families, and anyone else affected by the events depicted in these series.
1. American Nightmare (2024)
In 2015, Denise Huskins and her now-husband Aaron Quinn are subjected to a harrowing home invasion. Denise is kidnapped and Aaron is left alone, sedated, blindfolded, and bound, with instructions on how to get her back in exchange for a ransom.
But, before long, Aaron becomes a suspect in the kidnap himself…that is until Denise reappears, and suspicions are aroused as to whether she could be the true mastermind behind the ordeal.
The three-part docuseries, directed by Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins, combines real-life interviews, interrogation footage, and audio recordings to delve into the psychological toll, legal complexities, and media scrutiny faced by the couple during this traumatic event. Intriguing and suspenseful, American Nightmare becomes a terrifying example of what can happen when the justice system fails crime victims.
2. Making a Murderer (2015)
Making a Murderer is an American true crime documentary series – spread over two seasons – that delves into the gripping saga of Steven Avery.
After spending 18 years in prison for a 1985 crime he didn’t commit, Avery is finally free and attempts to sue Wisconsin’s Manitowoc County, along with several of the people involved in his arrest. But life takes another dark turn for Avery when he’s charged with the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach – and finds himself back behind bars.
Filmed over 13 years, the real-life thriller also unravels the story of Avery’s nephew, Brendan Dassey, who becomes an accessory to the crime. With twists, legal battles, and questions of coercion, this series captivates viewers as it exposes corruption and the pursuit of justice.
3. The Staircase (2018)
The Staircase is a compelling true-crime documentary series on Netflix that explores the enigmatic case of Michael Peterson, a novelist convicted in 2003 for the murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson. The story unfolds when Kathleen is found unconscious at the base of a staircase in their North Carolina home.
Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade has dedicated 15 years to unravelling this complex tale, capturing Peterson’s trials, legal battles, and the twists that surround his guilt or innocence. The series explores the human psyche, the justice system, and the haunting question: did Michael Peterson commit the crime?
4. Three Girls (2017)
This powerful three-part drama series, written by screenwriter Nicole Taylor and directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, centres around Holly, Amber, and Ruby – a trio of vulnerable teenagers who are groomed and sexually abused by a circle of older Pakistani men. The men ply them with food and vodka, before raping them.
Though dramatised, Three Girls is the true story of the child abuse sex ring in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, which saw nine men convicted in 2012. Holly, Amber, and Ruby (whose names have been changed) are three of 47 young girls who were interviewed as potential victims of the gang.
Although largely told from the perspective of the girls, the series also shows us the perspective of Sara Rowbotham – a health worker whose damning evidence helped convict the grooming gang, after her concerns were repeatedly ignored by her bosses.
The series sheds light on how the authorities failed to investigate rape allegations because the victims were perceived as unreliable witnesses. Local authorities also hesitated to act out of fear of being accused of racism due to the ethnicity of the perpetrators.
5. The Keepers (2017)
In 1969, Sister Cathy, a beloved teacher at Baltimore’s Archbishop Keough High School, vanished without a trace. Her body was discovered months later, shrouded in mystery. But The Keepers goes beyond the crime scene tape, as Gemma Hoskins and Abbie Schaub, two of Sister Cathy’s former students, embark on a relentless quest for truth.
Their investigation uncovers a web of secrets, sexual abuse, and institutional collusion. The prime suspect? Father Joseph Maskell, the school’s chaplain and counsellor. Students allege he preyed on them, and Sister Cathy may have known too much. As the women confront powerful institutions, they expose a cult of silence within the Catholic Church.
Six years after the docuseries premiered, survivors of sexual abuse are witnessing progress. Maryland’s Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminates the civil statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims. A damning report on child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore names over 150 clergy members as abusers and more than 600 children as victims. The truth, like Sister Cathy’s memory, refuses to stay buried.
6. 24 Hours in Police Custody (2014 – present)
24 Hours in Police Custody is a riveting British documentary series that thrusts viewers into the heart of real-life crime drama. Imagine a high-stakes chess match where detectives battle against the clock; their moves scrutinised under the unforgiving gaze of 80 unblinking cameras.
Each episode unfolds over a relentless 24-hour period, capturing the raw intensity as investigating officers navigate murky waters – chasing leads, arresting suspects, and unearthing secrets.
In one episode, a break-in and a high-speed car chase have tragic consequences. And, in another, Cambridgeshire Police grapple with shadows while attempting to solve the impossible: a murder with no body.
But it’s not just about solving crimes; it’s about the human psyche laid bare – the raw emotions, shattered lives, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride through the corridors of justice, where darkness meets the spotlight and justice teeters on the edge.
7. Don’t F**ck with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
Twisted, gruesome, and quite frankly, unbelievable, Don’t F**ck with Cats starts with an upsetting video that’s posted online by an unknown man. Outraged by the video, a Facebook group of online detectives joined hands to identify him and bring him to justice.
But what they don’t know is that they’re about to be pulled into a dark underworld, and that video is only the beginning.
Don’t F**ck with Cats is the true story of how one of Canada’s worst murderers showcased his crimes to the world – but wasn’t arrested until 18 months later, and only thanks to the work of amateur online sleuths. Ninety per cent of Google users like this bizarre and grizzly documentary; largely due to how thorough, well-put-together, and impossible to stop watching it is.
8. Manhunt, Series 2 (2021)
Martin Clunes stars in this chilling true crime story of DCI Colin Sutton’s mission to find a serial burglar rapist in South London. Delroy Grant escaped justice for more than 15 years between 1992 and 2009 – deliberately targeting elderly women who lived alone. He’d often watch their movements beforehand to work out how to get into their homes undetected.
Despite the brutality of his crimes, Grant masked his crimes under the guise of a seemingly gentle and caring persona. He was devoted to his full-time role as a carer for his disabled wife by day and worked as a taxi driver by night – and people knew him as warm, charming, and friendly.
Over four episodes, series 2 of Manhunt grants us a fascinating insight into Operation Minstead – the multimillion-pound inquiry that eventually led to the capture of one of the most wanted men in British history.
9. Athlete A
Though not a series, we felt this list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of Athlete A – a documentary film that sheds light on the dark history of USA Gymnastics. Focusing on the abuse scandal involving team doctor Larry Nassar, the film reveals how the organisation prioritised its brand over the well-being of young gymnasts.
The toxic culture led to decades of abuse, with gymnasts facing physical and emotional mistreatment. Tragically, more than 150 women have accused Nassar of assault and he pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2017. Among the survivors is Simone Biles, America’s most-medaled gymnast.
Athlete A follows the courageous gymnasts, intrepid reporters, and legal team who put Lazar behind bars. Though heartbreaking, the documentary balances the darkness of the story with the hope of the survivors, as the women find themselves and their inner voice.
10. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is a chilling descent into the mind of one of history’s most notorious serial killers. Created and directed by Joe Berlinger, and premiering on Netflix, this gripping documentary coincided with the 30th anniversary of Ted Bundy’s execution. It unearths over 100 hours of interviews and archival footage to weave a haunting narrative.
The series meticulously traces Bundy’s life, from his seemingly ordinary beginnings to his monstrous transformation. Viewers are introduced to the twisted psyche behind his heinous crimes – revealing the darkness that lurked beneath his charming facade. As the tension escalates, we witness the relentless pursuit by law enforcement, the survivors’ harrowing accounts, and the sensationalist press hungry for a story.
Each episode unveils a new layer of horror: the missing girls around the University of Washington, Bundy’s arrest, his daring escapes, and the electrifying courtroom drama. Prepare to be riveted, disturbed, and utterly captivated by this bone-chilling exploration of evil.
11. Who Killed Jill Dando? (2023)
This 2023 three-part docuseries plunges into the enigma surrounding the shocking murder of Jill Dando, Britain’s beloved television icon.
On a sunny spring day in Fulham, Southwest London, Jill, often dubbed the ‘golden girl’ of British TV, arrives home after a mundane morning of errands. But fate has other plans. As she steps onto her doorstep, a single gunshot shatters her life.
The killer, unseen, presses a 9mm pistol to her temple, silencing her forever. The following investigation is a labyrinth of motives, suspects, and unanswered questions. Was it criminal networks, the mafia, or a jilted lover? Or perhaps a Serbian gunman taking revenge for her appeal on behalf of Kosovan refugees?
The chilling truth? Almost 25 years later, Jill’s killer remains at large, haunting the corridors of justice. Nigel Dando, Jill’s brother, hopes the documentary will prompt the perpetrator to come forward.
12. When They See Us (2019)
Thought-provoking and heartbreaking, When They See Us is based on the true story of five boys, known as the ‘Central Park Five’, who are wrongfully incarcerated for the brutal beating and rape of a young female jogger. The series is told from the perspectives of the boys and their loved ones – which were rarely seen during the media storm that surrounded their trials and convictions.
All five boys were either black or Latino, and When They See Us is an exploration of how their racial identities played into their incrimination. The creator, Ava Duvernay, said that her goal was to humanise the boys and invite the audience to re-interrogate everyone that they define as a criminal.
It may be hard-hitting and gut-wrenching, but When They See Us is also important, educational, and powerful. It highlights the resilience, humanity, and innocence of the boys – as well as the issues with police abuse, racial discrimination, and social justice in America.
13. Unbelievable
In Unbelievable, we meet Marie Adler, a young woman who courageously reports her rape, only to face disbelief and scepticism from law enforcement. Charged with lying, she grapples with the trauma of her assault.
Set against the backdrop of the 2008–2011 Washington and Colorado serial rape cases, the show delves into the lives of three central characters. As well as Marie, we’re introduced to Detective Grace Rasmussen (inspired by real-life detective Edna Hendershot), who relentlessly pursues justice for rape survivors. We also meet tenacious detective Karen Duvall (inspired by Stacy Galbraith), who joins forces with Rasmussen to unravel a disturbing pattern of sexual assaults.
As the detectives follow leads, they uncover connections between multiple rape cases, ultimately leading to the conviction of a serial rapist. Unbelievable sheds light on the complexities of sexual assault investigations, the resilience of survivors, and the unwavering commitment of those who seek justice.
Final thoughts…
Retellings of tragic events that have taken place throughout history can be shocking and upsetting – but they can also give us great insight into human psychology and flaws in the justice system, and reinforce moral clarity.
Plus, in nearly every dark story, there are threads of hope, humanity, and courage, which can be humbling and inspiring.
If you’re interested in true crime, you might want to check out our other related content, such as 5 chilling cold cases solved by DNA evidence.
Have you seen any of the true crime series above? Or are there any others you’d recommend? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.