10 Shows to Watch If You Miss ‘The Killing,’ 15 Years Later
The Killing, which debuted 15 years ago this April 3, is the rare American remake that lives up to its foreign forerunner. Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman led the cast of the AMC-turned-Netflix drama, playing Seattle homicide detectives trying to find the killer of a local teenager in the first two seasons.
And critics and viewers lapped up the Nordic noir-influenced story. Adapted from a Danish television series by screenwriter Veena Sud, The Killing presented season-long (and even seasons-long) mysteries at a time when other crime dramas opened and shut cases in the span of one episode.
The Killing is still steaming on various platforms — Hulu included — but if you’ve seen all four seasons, we have some recommendations for other TV shows to check out, including one that just reunited Enos and Kinnaman for a third time.
1. Forbrydelsen
Some viewers prefer The Killing; others prefer its Danish source material. Judge for yourself as you watch Sofie Gråbøl and Søren Malling investigate the case of this show’s murdered Larsen girl in a first-season storyline matching that of The Killing’s first two seasons. Currently streaming on Hoopla and MHz Choice.
2. The Fall
For Gillian Anderson, the truth is again out there — only this time, the question is who’s killing young women in Belfast. But right from the start, we viewers know what Anderson’s Metropolitan Police superintendent doesn’t: it’s Jamie Dornan’s character doing the killing. Currently streaming on Acorn TV, AMC+, BritBox, Fawesome, Peacock, Pluto TV, and Prime Video.
3. Under the Bridge
Based on a nonfiction book of the same name by the late Rebecca Godfrey, this miniseries dramatizes the real-life 1997 murder of teenager Reena Virk in the town of Saanich, British Columbia. Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone plays the cop investigating the case, while Riley Keough portrays Godfrey herself. Currently streaming on Hulu.
4. Broadchurch
Decreed the British answer to Forbrydelsen and The Killing, this crime drama followed another case involving a dead child in a seaside community. And the show — found to be one of the most popular British detective shows — boasted an impressive cast that included David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, and Jonathan Bailey. Currently streaming on Netflix, PBS Passport, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
5. Cardinal
Like The Killing and Broadchurch, Cardinal has a pair of investigators — played by Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse — investigating the murder of a local youth. But there’s an intriguing subplot — and subterfuge — because Vanass’ character is also secreting investigating Campbell’s character on suspicion of corruption. Currently streaming on Hulu.
6. The Outsider
Bringing to the screen a bestselling story by Stephen King, this miniseries stars the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Julianne Nicholson, Jason Bateman, and Ben Mendelsohn, and it tells the mystery of a murder of a young boy found dead in the Georgia woods. On Twitter, King hailed it as one of the best adaptations of his work. Currently streaming on HBO Max.
7. Top of the Lake
Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Jane Campion co-created this mystery drama set in Australia and New Zealand. Both seasons center on crimes involving young women, and Elisabeth Moss is the detective on both cases. The supporting cast has big names, too: Moss squares off against Holly Hunter in Season 1 and Nicole Kidman in Season 2. Currently streaming on Hulu.
8. Mare of Easttown
This crime drama almost dominated the limited-series acting Emmy Awards categories in 2021, with Kate Winslet, Evan Peters, and the aforementioned Julianne Nicholson all earning trophies. In the lead role, Winslet plays a haunted Pennsylvania detective trying to solve the case of a murdered teen mother. Currently streaming on HBO Max.
9. Hanna
The Killing reunion alert! Enos and Kinnaman costarred again in this series, which David Farr adapted from the 2011 action thriller he co-wrote. Like the film, the TV series follows a young recluse as she learns about her powers while outrunning the CIA. Currently streaming on Prime Video.
10. For All Mankind
As with Hanna, For All Mankind isn’t a murder mystery like The Killing, but it does feature yet another Enos–Kinnaman pairing. In this alternate-history version of the space race, Kinnaman stars in all five seasons, playing astronaut Edward Baldwin, while Enos has joined the cast of Season 5 — which just premiered on March 27 — in the role of Mars peacekeeper Celia Boyd. Currently streaming on Apple TV.
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