Apple TV's Best Crime Series To Binge
Hey guys! If you're anything like me, you love diving into a good crime series. There's just something about unraveling a mystery, following complex characters, and trying to piece together clues that keeps you glued to the screen. Well, if you're an Apple TV+ subscriber, you're in luck because they've been dropping some seriously amazing crime shows. Forget scrolling endlessly; I've got the lowdown on the must-watch crime series that will have you hooked from the first episode to the last. Whether you're into gritty detective dramas, psychological thrillers, or true crime-inspired fiction, Apple TV+ has got your back. Let's get into it!
"Slow Horses": Spies Gone Wild on Apple TV+
Alright, let's talk about Slow Horses, shall we? This crime series on Apple TV+ is an absolute gem, and honestly, it's one of the most underrated shows out there. Imagine a bunch of disgraced MI5 agents, the ones who screwed up so badly they're basically exiled to a dingy office called Slough House, and their leader is the truly cantankerous, brilliantly portrayed Jackson Lamb, played by none other than the legendary Gary Oldman. This show is not your typical slick spy thriller. Instead, it’s a masterclass in dark humor, character development, and surprisingly high-stakes espionage. The premise is simple: these agents, the titular "slow horses," are relegated to tedious, dead-end work, seemingly forgotten by the agency. But, wouldn't you know it, they often stumble upon or get dragged into major espionage plots that the main MI5 division has missed. It’s this juxtaposition of mundane office life and life-or-death missions that makes Slow Horses so compelling. Gary Oldman is absolutely phenomenal as Jackson Lamb. He’s gruff, he’s smelly, he’s a chain-smoking, coffee-guzzling force of nature, and yet, you can’t help but be drawn to his sharp intellect and surprisingly paternal (in his own twisted way) approach to his team. The supporting cast is equally brilliant, with each "slow horse" bringing their own baggage and unique skill set (or lack thereof) to the table. You've got River Cartwright, the ambitious one desperate for redemption; Louise Guarnieri, the tough cookie with secrets; Sid Baker, the enigmatic newcomer; and Roddy Ho, the tech genius who’s as arrogant as he is skilled. The writing is witty, sharp, and consistently surprising. The show expertly balances tense action sequences with laugh-out-loud moments, often stemming from the sheer incompetence or bizarre coping mechanisms of the agents. It’s a refreshing take on the spy genre, proving that you don't need James Bond-level glamour to tell a thrilling story. The storylines are intricate, often involving moles, international incidents, and the kind of bureaucratic red tape that makes real-life intelligence work seem impossibly complicated. If you’re looking for a crime series that’s intelligent, funny, and utterly binge-worthy, Slow Horses is your ticket. It’s a show that respects its audience, offering complex plots and characters you’ll genuinely care about, even if they are a bunch of screw-ups. Prepare to be thoroughly entertained, guys!
"Severance": The Eerie Workplace Mystery That Will Mess With Your Head
Now, let's switch gears to something a bit more surreal and deeply unsettling: Severance. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and mind-bending crime series, this one is an absolute must-watch on Apple TV+. The core concept is what makes it so unique and instantly captivating. Imagine a procedure called "severance" that surgically divides your memories between your work life and your personal life. When you’re at work, you have no idea who you are outside of it – your "innie" knows nothing about your "outie." Conversely, when you leave work, your "outie" has no recollection of what you did or experienced during your workday – your "innie" is completely erased from your memory. This creates two distinct consciousnesses within one body, and the show dives deep into the ethical, philosophical, and psychological implications of such a drastic separation. We follow Mark Scout, played brilliantly by Adam Scott, as he leads a team in the enigmatic Lumon Industries. His "innie" is a mild-mannered, seemingly content office drone, but his "outie" is grieving the loss of his wife. The duality of his existence is the central focus, and as you watch, you start questioning everything. What exactly is Lumon Industries doing? What are these workers actually producing? The sterile, retro-futuristic office environment is as much a character as the people in it. The endless white corridors, the bizarre team-building exercises, the cryptic pronouncements from management – it all adds to an atmosphere of creeping dread and profound mystery. The performances across the board are stellar. Patricia Arquette is chillingly good as Harmony Cobel, Mark's boss, who seems to have an almost obsessive interest in her employees' well-being (or perhaps, their control). John Turturro and Christopher Walken provide a wonderfully poignant and surprisingly touching storyline as Irving and Burt, two older employees who find solace and connection in their severed existence. Britt Lower shines as Helly R., a new recruit who vehemently rejects her "innie" existence, becoming the audience's surrogate in questioning the system. The show is masterfully directed by Ben Stiller, who brings a distinct visual style and a keen sense of pacing. Each episode peels back another layer of the onion, revealing more questions than answers, which is exactly what makes it so addictive. It’s a crime series in the sense that there’s a massive conspiracy unfolding, secrets being buried, and the potential for a dark, hidden truth to be exposed. It plays with themes of identity, free will, corporate control, and the nature of consciousness itself. It’s the kind of show that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting endless discussions about what it all means. If you’re looking for a crime series that’s intellectually stimulating, visually striking, and guaranteed to make you think, Severance is a total game-changer, guys. Just be prepared for your own mind to feel a little... severed.
"The Morning Show": Drama, Scandal, and the Price of Fame
Okay, let's talk about a crime series on Apple TV+ that might not immediately spring to mind but delivers compelling drama, scandal, and plenty of intrigue: The Morning Show. While it's primarily a drama about the cutthroat world of morning television, it frequently delves into criminal acts, ethical breaches, and the investigation of serious wrongdoing. The show kicks off with a bang: news anchor Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) is fired amidst widespread allegations of sexual misconduct. This scandal rocks the foundation of the fictional UBA network and throws his co-anchor, Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston), into a crisis. Enter Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon), a fiery field reporter who is unexpectedly tapped to replace Mitch, setting the stage for a complex and often explosive dynamic between the two women. What makes The Morning Show a compelling watch, especially for fans of crime series, is how it meticulously dissects the consequences of these alleged crimes. It explores the power dynamics within media, the #MeToo movement's impact, and the desperate measures people take to protect their careers and reputations. You’ll find yourself engrossed in the corporate maneuvering, the legal battles, and the personal vendettas that fuel the narrative. The show doesn't shy away from the messiness of it all. It shows the fallout for the victims, the defense strategies of the accused, and the media's role in shaping public perception. While not a traditional police procedural, the investigations into Mitch's behavior and the subsequent fallout create a suspenseful, almost detective-like atmosphere. We see journalists digging for truth, lawyers building cases, and characters wrestling with their own moral compasses. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon deliver powerhouse performances, showcasing incredible range as they navigate their characters' ambition, vulnerability, and fierce determination. Steve Carell is also brilliant in his portrayal of Mitch, making him a complex and sometimes sympathetic figure, which only adds to the show's moral ambiguity. The series expertly weaves together multiple storylines, exploring themes of accountability, truth, and the often blurry line between public persona and private reality. The writing is sharp, timely, and often provocative, sparking conversations about important societal issues. If you're looking for a crime series that offers a sophisticated look at scandal, power, and the human cost of ambition within the high-stakes world of media, then The Morning Show is definitely worth your time, guys. It’s a juicy, addictive drama that keeps you guessing and makes you think.
"Shining Girls": A Supernatural Twist on the Detective Genre
For those of you who crave a crime series with a genuinely unique twist, let me introduce you to Shining Girls. This show takes the classic detective narrative and injects it with a chilling, supernatural element that makes it unlike anything else on Apple TV+. Based on the novel by Lauren Beukes, it stars the incredibly talented Elisabeth Moss as Kirby Mazrachi, a newspaper archivist in 1990s Chicago. Kirby survived a brutal attack years ago, but her attacker seemingly vanished, leaving her with a fractured sense of reality and a deep-seated need for answers. The twist? Her attacker, Harper Curtis (played with unsettling menace by Jamie Bell), doesn't just kill; he travels through time. He finds women who are bright, full of potential – the "shining girls" – and murders them in ways that defy logic and the passage of time. Kirby's investigation into her own unsolved assault becomes intertwined with a series of seemingly unrelated murders that bear the same hallmarks as her attack. As she delves deeper, aided by a seasoned crime reporter, Dan Velazquez (Wagner Moura), she starts to uncover the impossible: that her attacker might be responsible for multiple deaths across different decades. The concept is absolutely mind-bending. It’s a crime series that functions like a puzzle box, where the pieces don't just fit together geographically, but temporally. The killer’s ability to move through time means that clues can appear out of sequence, and the investigation has to contend with the unreliability of memory and perception. Elisabeth Moss is, as always, phenomenal. She perfectly captures Kirby's trauma, her determination, and her growing sense of dread as she realizes the true nature of the monster she’s hunting. Jamie Bell is equally captivating as Harper, portraying him not just as a killer, but as a chilling, almost elemental force of destruction. The show masterfully builds suspense, blending the procedural elements of a detective story with a sense of cosmic horror. The production design and cinematography are stunning, effectively transporting you to different time periods and reflecting the fractured state of Kirby’s mind. It’s a show that demands your attention, requiring you to pay close attention to details and timelines. The narrative structure is non-linear, jumping between Kirby’s present investigation and the moments leading up to the murders of other victims in different years. This can be disorienting at first, but it’s crucial to the show's central mystery and its exploration of how trauma can warp one's perception of reality. If you're looking for a crime series that pushes the boundaries of the genre, offers a gripping mystery, and features incredible performances, Shining Girls is a fantastic choice, guys. It’s a dark, haunting, and utterly original take on the serial killer story.
Conclusion: Apple TV+ Crime Series Await!
So there you have it, folks! A roundup of some of the most compelling crime series on Apple TV+. Whether you're leaning towards the dry wit and spy antics of Slow Horses, the existential dread of Severance, the media maelstrom of The Morning Show, or the time-bending mystery of Shining Girls, there's a show here to satisfy your craving for suspense and intrigue. Apple TV+ is really stepping up its game in the crime series department, offering diverse, high-quality productions that are perfect for binge-watching. Each of these series brings something unique to the table, from stellar acting to thought-provoking plots that will keep you guessing. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready to dive into some seriously good television. Happy watching, guys!
