Mystery television has long been a staple of small-screen entertainment, whether it's overarching dramas with seasonal storylines like True Detective or serial classics like Law & Order. While hundreds of exceptional crime series have become television classics with their intriguing cases and the spectacular sleuths who solve them, there have also been plenty of equally brilliant mystery series that haven't received their due.
9 'The Killing' Creator: Veena Sud Flaunting a heavy atmospheric dread and commanding central performances as its strongest assets, The Killing serves as a gloomy re-working of the acclaimed Danish series Forbrydelsen. Set in Seattle's dreariness, it follows two homicide detectives investigating the violent demise of a teenage girl while documenting the grieving process of the victim's family. Meanwhile, a local political campaign becomes entangled in the case.
With its refined British tone and lack of big-budget thrills, it is perhaps understandable that Inspector Morse hasn't become a worldwide phenomenon. However, what it lacks in dazzling spectacle, it more than makes up for with its fantastic writing that is rife with English wit.
While it doesn't always compare to Inspector Morse in terms of its mystery elements, Endeavour has been harshly judged by some viewers as a cheap re-hash when, actually, it has plenty of excellent moments that appeal to lovers of the original series and new fans alike. Featuring nine seasons thus far that are set in the 60s and 70s, it makes smart decisions concerning its main character's origin story while also featuring an impressive acting performance from Evans to boot.