TV Thrillers to Watch After Bingeing Dept Q
Dept Q, the recent Netflix series about a highly skilled but down-on-his-luck detective given a batch of seemingly unsolvable crimes, has been a resounding success. According to Esquire, the show’s success can be attributed to its talented team, including writer-director Scott Frank, who is behind The Queen’s Gambit, and a high-calibre cast, including Matthew Goode and Kelly Macdonald. As noted by Esquire, "It has a crack team involved… and a high-calibre cast, including Matthew Goode and Kelly Macdonald. Plus, given that it’s based on an acclaimed book series by Danish crime writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, just the right hint of Scandi noir."
If you’ve finished bingeing Dept Q and are looking for your next TV obsession, Esquire has recommended five thrilling series to add to your watchlist. From psychological thrillers to spy dramas, these shows are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Madness
One of Esquire’s top recommendations is The Madness, a 2024 mini-series starring Colman Domingo as a media pundit who witnesses a murder in Upstate New York. As Esquire noted, "Colman Domingo is a definite man of the minute – though he’s been around for years and has the acting chops to stay the course a good while longer – and this 2024 mini-series was a classic example of his range." Domingo brings gravitas to playwright Stephen Belber’s psychological thriller, and his stylish appearance in the show is a bonus. You can stream The Madness on Netflix.
Slow Horses
Another Esquire-recommended series is Slow Horses, a spy thriller that debuted in 2022 and stars Gary Oldman as the head of MI5’s supposedly useless Slough House outpost. As Esquire stated, "If it’s heavyweight actors you want, they don’t come more so than Gary Oldman, who has been steadying the ship (or rocking it, as the case may be) as the head honcho of MI5’s supposedly useless Slough House outpost since Slow Horses debuted in 2022." With its slow-burn masterclass storytelling, Slow Horses is a must-watch for fans of the genre. You can stream Slow Horses on Apple TV+.
River
Esquire also recommends River, a 2015 BBC series created by Abi Morgan that follows a troubled Met police detective grieving a murdered colleague. As Esquire noted, "Stellan Skarsgård’s eldest son Alexander might have got the Cannes cameras clicking for his kinky menswear combos (try saying that three times after a glass of aquavit), but the pater familias of the Skarsgård acting dynasty continues to make noteworthy outings of his own." This series is a great example of Skarsgård’s talent, and you can stream it on ITVX.
Criminal Record
The fourth series recommended by Esquire is Criminal Record, a 2024 British crime thriller series created by Paul Rutman. As Esquire stated, "Big-name actors, cold-case tropes and gloomy settings were all present and correct in this 2024 British crime thriller series created by Paul Rutman." The series stars Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo as detectives from different generations who find themselves on either side of a case of a possibly wrongful murder conviction. You can stream Criminal Record on Apple TV+.
Bodies
Finally, Esquire recommends Bodies, an eight-part series from 2023 based on Si Spencer’s 2015 graphic novel and adapted for TV by Paul Tomalin. As Esquire noted, "Something a little bit different (but not too different, fear not!) is this eight-part series from 2023, based on Si Spencer’s 2015 graphic novel and adapted for TV by Paul Tomalin." The series tells the story of a Whitechapel murder that happens across four different time periods, creating a crime thriller with a sci-fi twist. You can stream Bodies on Netflix.
These five series are sure to provide you with your next TV obsession after bingeing Dept Q. With their talented casts, gripping storylines, and expert direction, they are a great addition to any TV watchlist. Source: Esquire – 5 Thrillers to Watch After Dept Q.
