WhodunitTV shows are always fun to watch. At the beginning of each season or episode, viewers are presented with a case (typically a murder). From there, they must play detective and follow the investigation as it unfolds. The best whodunit shows feature plenty of twists and turns that keep viewers guessing from one installment to the next.
Everything culminates in the final answer to the big question: who committed the murder (or other crime) and why? The best of the genre always result in a satisfying conclusion, with viewers either pumping their fists in the air, celebrating that they were right all along, or left with mouths agape at the shocking discovery.
10’The Afterparty' (2022 - 2023)
Created by Christopher Miller
The Afterpartytakes genre-bending to a whole new level, with the comedy murder mystery presenting every episode as a parody of a different genre, from rom-com to action movie to psychological thriller. This is because, as Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish), who appears across both seasons, conducts her interrogations of potential suspects, each one recalls the events on the night of the murder from their own unique perspective. Most people are hiding things, glossing over facts that might paint them in a negative light, or even recalling events in a way that makes them look heroic.
Aseach personpresents their story, fans either become convinced they’re involved or clear them of any wrongdoing. But each recollection also cleverly pieces together the case, with Detective Danner perceptively taking it all in and noticing details she doesn’t reveal until the very end.The Afterpartyis downright hilarious, and each season has a killer cast list of comedic talents.
The Afterparty
9’Fargo' (2014 - 2024)
Created by Noah Hawley
In this black comedy crime drama anthology series based on the 1996 movie of the same name, each season ofFargofocuses on a different case with a different cast, though there’s some continuity throughout. The one common thread throughout every season is that someone in law enforcement is working to solve a crime, and they cross paths with other eccentric characters along the way.
The series, which has earned many awardsthroughout its run, has featured a talented cast of actors, ranging fromBilly Bob ThorntonandMartin Freemanin season one toJuno TempleandJon Hammin the latest.
8’Mare of Easttown' (2021)
Kate Winsletstars in this crime drama miniseries as a single mother and police detective living in a suburb of Philadelphia. Through the prior year, she has been haunted by the unsolved case of a missing young girl. When a teenage mother is murdered, Mare (Winslet) feels connected to the case. But she also wants to prove to the community that this time, she’ll be able to figure out who is responsible and bring justice for the victim and her family.
Mare of Easttownreceived an impressive 16 Emmy nominations for its seven-episode season. Throughout the episodes, viewers are taken along for the ride as Mare investigates while also dealing with her own troubled personal life that takes a toll on her from every side.
Mare of Easttown
7’Twin Peaks' (1990 - 1991)
Created by Mark Frost, David Lynch
One of those shows that was canceled too soon,Twin Peaksis a surrealist mystery-horror drama that uses campy, melodramatic styles to deliver a gripping mystery about who killed local teenager Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). As FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) investigates, he uncovers clues that he slowly pieces together, which viewers love doing along the way as well.
Twin Peakswasn’t necessarily huge when it was on the air, though it has since developed a cult following and is dubbedan iconic series. In fact, the show is often named among the best TV series of all time.
Twin Peaks
6’Broadchurch' (2013 - 2017)
Created by Chris Chibnall
Danny Latimer (Oskar McNamara) is an 11-year-old boy who sadly passes away at the beginning ofBroadchurch. The story in the first season centers around the investigation into his death and the suspicion and media attention it has garnered. The plot inBroadchurchevolves from there in subsequent seasons, with a case from the past that comes back to haunt Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and the rape of a young woman. All three seasons have received rave reviews.
Set in a fictional English town, the British crime drama maintains a solid92% Rotten Tomatoes critics scoreand 91% audience score.
Broadchurch
5’Poker Face' (2023 - Present)
Created by Rian Johnson
Natasha Lyonneis Charlie Cale in the crime comedy dramaPoker Face, which draws clear inspiration fromColumboand hasRian Johnson’s signature style all over. Charlie has a unique gift — she can look at or listen to anyone and immediately tell if they’re lying. Following some trouble, she goes on the run and winds up doing odd jobs in small towns across the U.S. While there, she meets all types of eccentric locals and, coincidentally, every place she goes, she finds herself in the middle of a murder she helps solve.
In traditional “howcatchem” style, viewers know who the killer is and see how things go down first, then watch as Charlie comes across the body or hears of the crime and gets involved.Poker Facehas the perfect mix of exciting mystery and hilarious comedy.
Poker Face
4’Only Murders in the Building' (2021 - Present)
Created by Steve Martin, John Hoffman
No one could have predicted thatSteve Martin, Martin Short, andSelena Gomezstarring together in a mystery comedy drama would result in one of the best whodunit shows of this generation.Only Murders in the Buildingstars the trio as amateur sleuths Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, respectively. They all live in the same building and share a mutual love of true crime podcasts. When a murder happens in the building in Season 1, they use the knowledge they have amassed from all their favorite podcasts to help the investigation, but they wind up getting too mixed up in the drama.
As the show progresses, people oddly keep dying in the building under weird circumstances. Eventually, the trio develops their own true crime podcast, following the cases in real time.Only Murders in the Buildingis totally delicious fun that will keep you guessing and laughing from one episode to the next. The show has an incredible list of guest and recurring stars, includingMeryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Andrea Martin, and more.
Only Murders in the Building
3’Columbo' (1968 - 1978)
Created by Richard Levinson, William Link
The whodunit crime drama on which all other procedurals of its kind are measured,Columboshowed others how it’s done.Peter Falkstars as the title character, a homicide detective with incredible observational skills. But most don’t know it until he ends his casual interrogation with a subtle “just one more thing” that reveals what he has realized all along, catching the bad guys off guard in the process.
From the signature beige raincoat to the Peugeot 403 car, cigar, and constant mentions of the wife who is never seen,Columbois one of themost memorable and distinct TV detectives, and the show is one of the best whodunits of all time.
2’True Detective' (2014 - Present)
Created by Nic Pizzolatto
Each compartmentalized season of this anthology crime drama centers around a different murder case and the detectives who are investigating it. The story twists and turns throughout as new information comes to light, and fans are left guessing what really happened.
Some seasons ofTrue Detectiveare better than others, with seasons one, three, and four (in that order) lauded amongthe best. The cast lists are impressive, with heavyweight movie actors likeMatthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Mahershala Ali, andJodie Foster.
Darker than a traditional procedural whodunit,True Detectiveis wonderfully acted, written, and presented in a different setting every season to make it fresh and exciting.
True Detective
1’Murder, She Wrote' (1984 - 1996)
Created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, William Link
What makes Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) fromMurder, She Wroteso interesting is that, while she’s integral to investigating cases, she isn’t actually a detective. She’s a mystery writer whose skills in researching and telling stories give her a unique ability to observe crime scenes and analyze people in a way that law enforcement can’t. This makes her valuable in assisting when a murder is committed, which seems to happen often in her fictional town.
Murder, She Wroteis one of the best detective series, with Fletcher one of the best TV detectives who isn’t officially a detective. The show earned Lansbury a dozen Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, marking a record for the category.
