10 Best Thriller TV Shows of the 21st Century

Do you enjoy unpredictable plots, gritty detective stories, and suspenseful dramas? Then you’ll find plenty to love in these 21st-century TV thrillers. While the 90s had some great shows, television really hit its stride in recent decades. From the hilarious characters of 30 Rock, the mysteries of Lost, and the supernatural adventures of the Winchester brothers in Supernatural during the 2000s, to the shocking twists of Breaking Bad and the epic scope of Game of Thrones in the 2010s, TV has consistently delivered. And the 2020s are already shaping up to be another golden age, with exciting new series like The Pitt, The Bear, Pluribus, and Heated Rivalry vying for our attention.

Thriller fans have a lot to look forward to in 2026, especially with the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series based on Patricia Cornwell’s popular and suspenseful Scarpetta books. But it’s also a great time to revisit or discover some fantastic TV thrillers from the last 25 years.

‘The Sinner’ (2017-2021)

USA Network

The crime anthology series The Sinner ran for four seasons, and each season begins with a compelling mystery: why did the suspect commit the crime? While many thrillers focus on who committed the crime, The Sinner immediately reveals the perpetrator, allowing it to delve into the why behind their actions. The show also explores the personal motivations of Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman), a fascinating element that sets it apart from other thrillers.

Even with a compelling performance from Bill Pullman and a talented cast including Tracy Letts, Christopher Abbott, Carrie Coon, and Jessica Biel, The Sinner often gets overlooked in conversations about great thrillers. However, the show boasts one of the most intriguing starting points of any thriller since 2001. Plus, the title alone—who is the sinner?—immediately makes you want to tune in and start questioning everything. It’s a show that really makes you think.

‘You’ (2018-2025)

Netflix

It’s hard to believe that You, the popular five-season Netflix thriller, isn’t considered one of the best thrillers of the 21st century. What makes it so captivating is that all its parts work together seamlessly. Viewers might be most fascinated by the complex character of Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley)—he’s charming yet deeply flawed. Others might enjoy watching Joe’s love interests uncover his true nature and seek justice, or appreciate how each season offers a fresh and unique storyline.

‘Dexter’ (2006-2013)

Paramount+

Let’s be real, Dexter Morgan was the original captivating TV serial killer, charming and always having a reason for his actions. While Joe Goldberg is clearly just a bad guy who hurts the people he supposedly loves, Dexter is a much more complex character. The show often makes you question whether you should like him and feel sorry for him. He positions himself like Robin Hood, claiming he only targets deserving criminals. Ultimately, Dexter was groundbreaking for introducing a lead character who wasn’t always pleasant or easy to root for.

If you enjoy thrillers, Dexter is a must-watch. It’s remained popular thanks to three spin-off series, and it’s clearly influenced many other shows exploring complex themes like morality, who we are, dealing with trauma, and how the past affects us.

‘Industry’ (2020-)

HBO

Season 4 of Industry is the strongest yet, which is impressive considering most shows put their best stories and character development in the first season. The show is described as a ‘financial thriller,’ but that doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? You might expect it to just be people talking about finances. However, Industry is surprisingly gripping – you’ll actually find yourself thoroughly entertained.

Industry is a compelling and often gritty drama centered around ambitious, intelligent individuals constantly striving for success. The show follows both familiar faces like Harper Stern, as well as newcomers Jonah and Whitney. Expect a mix of intense workplace competition, personal relationships, scandal, and even political intrigue, all explored alongside themes of trauma and difficult family dynamics. If you’re interested in seeing what the show has to offer, Season 4, Episode 2, “The Commander and the Grey Lady,” is a standout episode that truly showcases its strengths – it’s award-worthy viewing.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

HBO

HBO’s miniseries Sharp Objects is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling. The show explores difficult themes like mental illness, growing up, finding yourself, and complicated family relationships. It culminates in a truly shocking and terrifying finale, featuring a scene so powerful and disturbing that it will stay with you long after you’ve watched it – it’s a real masterpiece.

Amy Adams delivers a powerful performance as Camille Preaker in Sharp Objects, a series based on Gillian Flynn’s 2006 novel. While many thrillers focus on missing or murdered people, this one uniquely weaves together the present-day investigation with Camille’s past experiences. Unlike shows that rely on predictable flashbacks, Sharp Objects maintains a consistently suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere, feeling both dreamlike and nightmarish.

‘Cruel Summer’ (2021-)

Freeform

Don’t underestimate Cruel Summer! This teen thriller is surprisingly good and absolutely deserves a place among the best shows of recent years. If you haven’t watched it, you’re missing out – especially that shocking twist at the end of Season 1! The show originally premiered on Freeform in April 2021, and the second season, released in June 2023, was just as gripping and emotionally powerful. Good news: Freeform and Hulu are already working on a third season!

Cruel Summer is a suspenseful anthology series focusing on the complicated lives of high school students facing difficult circumstances. Each season features a new story – the first revolves around a mystery where either Jeanette Turner or Kate Wallis isn’t telling the truth, and the second centers on a murder. The show explores themes of friendship, love, family conflict, and the challenges of growing up, all told through a complex narrative that jumps between three different time periods. While dealing with tough topics like manipulation and abuse, Cruel Summer handles these issues with more sensitivity and depth than many other shows aimed at young adults.

‘Veronica Mars’ (2004-2019)

UPN/The CW

Lots of young people have dreamed of being like Nancy Drew, but Kristen Bell truly captured the spirit of the character in the early 2000s series Veronica Mars. She played a quick-witted, smart, and humorous high school student with remarkable skill. The show ran for three seasons and is notable for having both a well-received movie released in 2014 and a successful revival season that premiered on Hulu in 2019 – even featuring a cameo by Taylor Sheridan.

While the romantic relationships and friendships in Veronica Mars are enjoyable, the show truly shines because of the mysteries Veronica solves. It’s inspiring to watch her grow more determined with each case. Though the thrill of discovering who committed the crimes keeps you hooked, at its heart, Veronica Mars is a captivating story about staying true to yourself. Even when facing heartbreak or the challenges of college, Veronica maintains her self-respect, which is both admirable and relatable. The show also explores Veronica’s journey of healing after experiencing family disappointment, as she was raised by her single father, Keith, and has a strained relationship with her mother.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013-2017)

ITV

Many people are huge fans of Broadchurch, praising the powerful acting by Olivia Colman and David Tennant, and the unexpected turns the story takes across its three seasons. If you haven’t watched it, you might be asking what makes it so special. It’s easy to see how it could just seem like another mystery about a murder, the detectives investigating, and the impact on a small community.

This show has all the typical elements you’d expect from a crime thriller, but unlike many others, it’s genuinely captivating. Broadchurch really set the bar for British crime dramas, influencing a lot of shows that followed. It’s a surprisingly powerful and often heartbreaking story, centering around the death of a child – some scenes are almost unbearably sad. Like Sharp Objects and Dexter, it deeply explores pain and trauma, and maintains a consistently serious tone. Definitely watch the original British version and skip the American remake, Gracepoint.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

HBO

Similar to shows like Broadchurch, Mare of Easttown uses familiar crime drama elements but executes them exceptionally well. Viewers consistently praise Kate Winslet’s portrayal of Detective Mare Sheehan, calling it outstanding.

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For thriller lovers seeking a gripping and emotionally resonant story, Mare of Easttown delivers. The show portrays a difficult and often heartbreaking life for its main character, Mare, and doesn’t shy away from bleakness. While it doesn’t offer a neatly tied-up ending, Mare of Easttown is ultimately compelling because of Mare’s strong spirit and the powerful performances from the entire cast, including Cailee Spaeny, Jean Smart, Evan Peters, and Julianne Nicholson. Fans are hoping for a second season, and many are eagerly awaiting news from HBO.

‘Mindhunter’ (2017-2019)

Netflix

It’s no surprise Mindhunter is at the top! This Netflix series, even with just two seasons, remains incredibly popular because it offers a unique approach to the thriller genre. Instead of relying on shocking twists, the show focuses on understanding the psychology of criminals.

Many recent thrillers, including Netflix’s The Beast in Me and His & Hers, feature protagonists who are detectives – or who act like them. These shows typically involve investigations in small towns, lots of questioning (even when it doesn’t lead anywhere), and moments where investigators finally connect the dots. Mindhunter, for example, follows FBI agents like Holden Ford who try to understand the motivations of serial killers. Because the show is based on the book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by former FBI agent John E. Douglas, it’s a chilling story inspired by real-life criminals, including Charles Manson.

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2026-02-09 00:38