The most sought-after prestige crime dramas

In the vast sea of prestige television, some titles stood out the most—the ones that redefined "TV shows" and long-form storytelling in general. Here are the most popular ones in the crime genre.

The Sopranos (1999-2007) (JioHotstar)

Would 'Breaking Bad' and 'Boardwalk Empire' exist without the encouraging success of this show? Created by David Chase, it impressed with its grounded, unglorified approach to portraying its flawed principal characters, most notably its protagonist.

The Wire (2002-2008) (JioHotstar)

Exploring different institutions across five seasons and 60 episodes, the HBO series created by David Simon is a narrative juggernaut—a one-of-a-kind phenomenon boasting rich storytelling, numerous characters, and exceptional performances.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013) | Better Call Saul (2015-2022) (Netflix)

Vince Gilligan created another rare case of novelistic storytelling (including its spin-off about a grey-shaded attorney) where actor Bryan Cranston delivered his breakthrough performance as a chemistry teacher's evolution into a criminal mastermind.

Ozark (2017-2022) (Netflix)

Some may call this a 'Breaking Bad' imitation, but that's a grossly unfair estimation of a complex, exceptionally shot and directed crime series that saw significant directing contributions from its lead star, Jason Bateman.

Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014) (JioHotstar)

When gangster cinema veteran Martin Scorsese (who directed the pilot episode) is involved, you know you're in for something special. Like 'The Sopranos', it's as raw and gritty as they come, with stunning production value.

True Detective (Season 1) (JioHotstar)

It's a pity that the excellent quality of the first season, created by Nic Pizzolatto, wasn't maintained in the subsequent seasons. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson headlined a story with existential dilemmas and spine-chilling revelations.

The Shield (2002-2008) (SonyLiv)

Fans of Sidney Lumet's true story-based police dramas like 'Serpico' and 'Prince of the City' might appreciate this seven-season series that portrays the activities of a special unit in the Los Angeles Police Department.

Bosch (2014-2021) (Prime Video)

A consistently engaging and well-acted adaptation of Michael Connelly's crime novels featuring the titular Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, spawned seven seasons and a couple of spin-offs.