Everyone loves a gripping crime drama, but there’s something special about a strong female character at the forefront of the story, putting the pieces together to get to the bottom of the case at hand. In these five series, the ladies take the lead as detectives or police officers solving the mysteries that lie in front of them, and each one of these shows are better than the next. Here, take a look at five of our favorite female-led detective and crime series. Did your favorite make the list?
The Killing (2011-2014)
An American version of a popular Danish series, The Killing follows Sarah Linden, played by Mireille Enos, and Stephen Holder, played by Joel Kinnaman, who are two homicide detectives in Seattle. The series takes us through their experiences solving various cases, from the murder of a teenage girl to the investigation of a runaway connected to a previous case. Watch it on Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Hulu, Disney+ or AMC+.
Unbelievable (2019)
Based on a true story, Unbelievable stars Kaitlyn Dever as Marie, a teenager who reports being raped and is criminally charged for lying about it. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever star as Detective Grace Rasmussen and Detective Karen Duvall respectively, who pursue the truth behind Marie’s story. Watch it on Netflix.
The Fall (2013-2016)
Gillian Anderson leads the way as Stella Gibson, a detective from London who is tasked with aiding the authorities in Belfast, Northern Ireland in tracking down a notorious serial killer who has been terrorizing women within the area. The person behind these crimes is a man named Paul played by Jamie Dornan, a seemingly loving father and husband who is hiding his dark secret behind what looks to be a squeaky-clean existence. Watch it on Tubi, Pluto TV and Britbox.
Mare of Easttown (2021)
Mare, played by Kate Winslet, is a police detective in her small Pennsylvania town. Despite being a hometown hero for her successful high school basketball career, many doubt her abilities when it comes to her career due to her inability to solve the case of a missing girl. While investigating another recent murder of a young woman, Mare is also grappling with a series of personal issues, further complicating her day-to-day life. Watch it on Max.
True Detective: Night Country (2024)
Jodie Foster shined so brightly in the fourth season of True Detective that she was honored with the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. The famed actress brought to life the role of Liz Danvers, a detective in Ennis, Alaska working alongside Alaska State Trooper Evangeline Navarro, played by Kali Reis, to solve the mysterious disappearance and murder of a group of men working at an Alaskan scientific research station. The frigid setting of the fourth installment paired with its endless darkness and supernatural elements made for a truly gripping season in which the female leads shone brightly. Watch it on Max.
