15 Shows Like Monsieur Spade

Serving as a testament to AMC’s investment in telling enthralling, well-written stories, Monsieur Spade stands as the most underrated phenomenon on television currently. Clive Owen masterfully channels film noir iconoclasts like Humphrey Bogart in the gripping series that follows a gruesome murder investigation in France of the ’60s.

For fans who either hope to indulge in similar series or reluctant viewers who hope to get a grasp of what Monsieur Spade offers, these series expertly emulate Monsieur Spade in their experimentation with suspense, history, and character development.

Read Our Review of Monsieur Spade

15 Goliath (2016-2021)

Goliath follows disgraced lawyer Billy McBride (Billy Bob Thornton) who embarks on a journey of redemption, emerging for the first time after years of seclusion. The series is a delightfully dark look into the corruption of the justice system with a lurching suspense that will surely draw prospective viewers in for the next episode.

A Thrilling Legal Drama

While the story itself provides moments of excitement and intrigue, the characters themselves are the main appeal of Goliath. Much like Owen, Thornton’s profound performance along with several multidimensional characters waiting to unfold before the audience makes Goliath a familiar yet rewarding series to look into. Stream Goliath on Prime Video.

14 Remington Steele (1982-1987)

Remington Steele opens with Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist), a stellar detective who suffers from a lack of clients due to misogyny. Aligning herself with a nameless con man (Pierce Brosnan), Laura creates the persona “Remington Steele” in order to circumvent the predicament at hand, setting the foundation for a truly fun and dark story to follow.

A Dynamic Duo at the Center of a Pool of Mysteries

Remington Steele combines romance, comedy, mystery, and political intrigue into a fascinating series that both displays entertaining cases to crack and a worthwhile interrogation of misogyny in the workplace, be it in the office or in the arena of law, justice, and public safety. Stream Remington Steele on Prime Video.

13 Wallander (2008-2016)

Wallander sees the Swedish mystery revitalized in a British context. With Kenneth Branagh at the helm, the series approaches existentialism as the titular detective (Branagh) solves crime after crime with consideration for the meaning of life.

A Stellar Exploration of Life Through the Lens of Crime

Much like Spade, Wallander is an enigmatic and entertaining protagonist, weaving his way from investigation to investigation with a unique craftiness and openness to learning. Sharing an almost esoteric truth with the audience, Wallander is a must-see for fans of one Monsieur Spade. Stream Wallander on Peacock.

12 Inspector Morse (1987-2000)

Inspector Morse sees John Thaw as the inquisitive detective from the beloved novels of the same name. Across seven seasons, the series provides audiences with fully-fleshed episodes that chronicle a complete story and subsequent investigation.

A Staple in the British Crime Canon

Morse carries himself with a unique magnetism that both leads him to the necessary truths buried under secrets and deceit, and also makes him an admirable detective that many would emulate in the years to come. Stream Inspector Morse on BritBox.

11 Columbo (1971-1978)

Columbo sees the titular lieutenant of the Los Angeles police department relying on a then-refreshing approach to detective stories. Starting at the end, the series focuses on how the perpetrators in question conducted their crimes and the eventual missteps that led to the arrest.

A Lighter Take on the Dark Police Procedural

Columbo (Peter Falk) brings the magic of the series with his complex performance. Juggling an approachable and jovial demeanor within an observant personality, Columbo brings forth an intriguing, nuanced investigation that subtly dissolves the binary between perpetrator and law enforcement. Stream Colombo on Prime Video.

10 Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-2015)

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries transports viewers back to Australia of the late 1920s, inviting viewers to an amusing, yet intriguing set of investigations led by the glamorous Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis). Alongside an exciting look at the growing, breathing city of Melbourne, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries ropes audiences into a family of charming characters.

A Whimsical, Personality-Driven Delight

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries offers viewers a seemingly amateur detective blossom. Whether it be on the dance floors of a jazz club or the comfortable homes of Melbourne, Phryne and friends wield the necessary magnetism to invite prospective fans and have them follow her every step. Stream Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on AcornTV.

9 Johnny Staccato (1959-1960)

Johnny Staccato is a concise collection of mysteries that center around the titular multi-hyphenate. A Greenwich Village jazz pianist with a knack for crime-solving, Staccato (John Cassavetes) marries music with mystery.

A Pivotal, Glamorous Crime Drama

Staccato spends his nights weeding through the corruption found in religious institutions, warring families, and the jazz club itself. As a result of his deep ties to Greenwich Village, he manages to solve mysteries with his approachable and sympathetic personality rather than a bureaucratic coldness that tends to appear in most crime dramas. Stream Johnny Staccato for free on Plex.

8 Ripper Street (2012-2016)

Ripper Street follows Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (Matthew MacFadyen) and the variety of crimes to solve six months after the last known killing. Alongside Detective Sergeant Drake (Jerome Flynn) and Captain Homer Jackson (Adam Rothenberg), Reid attempts to discover the truth behind the killing of more women in Whitechapel.

An Astute, Gritty Peek Into the Past

While Ripper Street excellently remains in conversation with real-life historical events relevant to the time, the characters themselves do not appear as one-dimensional artifacts but instead become immortalized through their earnest, raw, and messy motivations and behaviors. Stream Ripper Street on Peacock.

7 Mare of Easttown (2021)

Mare of Easttown is nothing short of riveting. Starring Kate Winslet as Marianne “Mare” Sheehan, the series tracks the many moving parts that allowed the murder to occur, and the eventual eruption between lifelong friends, former lovers, and co-workers.

A Worthwhile Mystery That Revels in its Earnestness

As Mare attempts to solve the murder and disappearance of two teenage girls, she comes to understand her own relationship with her children and the barrier that prevents her from fully grieving. The process is far from feasible, but Mare Of Easttown revels in the complexities of crime, familial conflict, and learning to make peace with moments of tragedy. Stream Mare of Easttown on Max.

Related: Mare of Easttown Ending, Explained

6 Luther (2010-2019)

Diligently solving each case he comes across, Detective Crime Inspector Luther finds himself entrapped by the depravity that defines the crimes he solves. His particular conundrum becomes once he runs into the nefarious Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), whose presence prompts him to question his relationship to crime-solving.

An Exciting Dance with Darkness

Praised for his ability to capture Luther’s pain, yearning, and frustration, Elba’s portrayal hearkens back to the greats of classic crime dramas and film noir films, a necessary evolution of the brooding, morally gray protagonist. Stream Luther for free on Tubi.

5 Perry Mason (2020-2023)

Perry Mason chronicles the rise of the beloved private investigator turned defense lawyer (Matthew Rhys). Reeling from traumatic experiences during the First World War and consequential predicaments during the Great Depression, Mason makes his pivot into law and soon, becomes embroiled in a controversial child kidnapping case.

A Close Look at a Complicated Mind

Approaching issues of bigotry and corruption with a particular tenacity, the series is as excellent of an examination of American law and justice as it is a profound and gripping look into a man whose time in the darkness set the foundation for his riveting race to the truth. Stream Perry Mason on Max.

4 True Detective (2014-Present)

True Detective takes audiences on a harrowing yet insightful investigation through remote parts of the United States. Chronicling the impact of corruption and vulnerable communities, the series takes the traditional role of the detective and transforms their crime solving into stellar moments of vigilante justice.

A Collection of Mystery Masterpieces

Rather than making spectacles out of bloodshed, True Detective allows viewers to learn more about the minds behind the investigation, their personal battles, and how it informs their subsequent steps towards accountability and truth-seeking. Stream True Detective on Max.

3 Vienna Blood (2019-Present)

Vienna Blood offers a glimpse into the lives of Jewish Europeans in the 1900s. Taking place in the Austrian capital, fans of Monsieur Spade are met with familiar faces and the all too recognizable sensation that period dramas evoke. Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard) is a Jewish doctor under the tutelage of Sigmund Freud, who also serves as one half of a crime-fighting duo alongside Catholic detective Oskar Reinhardt (Juergen Maurer).

A Mystery Series Rich in History

Aside from a look into Beard’s career before his current role as George, the series is both entertaining and informative in its mysteries and its depiction of rampant anti-Semitism that would define Europe of the 1900s. Stream Vienna Blood on PBS Masterpiece.

2 Sherlock (2010-2017)

In the early 2010s, Sherlock was inescapable. With Benedict Cumberbatch’s charisma shining in the titular role, as well as the accompanying performances by Martin Freeman and Andrew Scott, it becomes more than understandable as to why the BBC series was such a phenomenon upon its release.

A Refreshing Revival

A cherished fictional figure in his own right, Holmes has experienced centuries of reverence and fascination. However, the 2010 iteration of his tales share the same wittiness found in Monsieur Spade and both similarly remain true to the source material, capturing the essence of the stories many generations grew to love. Stream Sherlock on Max.

1 Ray Donovan (2013-2020)

Ray Donovan sees Liev Schreiber as a fixer, dealing with the unsavory trade between the elite and the underground that makes Los Angeles run. Throughout its seven seasons, the series largely focuses on Ray’s checkered past and his integral role in controlling the flow of power and information on behalf of his affluent clients.

The Other Side of a Special Coin

Unlike Monsieur Spade, Donovan does not operate within the legal boundaries of law enforcement, trade, or justice. However, both men carry themselves with a similar vulnerability while conducting particularly life-threatening missions. Their shared vulnerability keeps them grounded in their personal lives and offers a necessary insight into navigating the murky waters that is the world of crime. Stream Ray Donovan on Showtime.