10 Underrated Shows Like Mare of Easttown To Watch If You Miss the Series

Broadchurch (2013-2017)

A murder in a small town where everyone knows everyone? Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Broadchurch is a British crime drama that will give you a glimpse of seaside England, along with a gut-wrenching mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman lead the cast, because who wouldn't want a Doctor Who alumni and an Oscar winner to solve crimes? It holds a solid 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and is a guaranteed binge-watch material. And remember, just because it's British doesn't mean there will be scones and afternoon tea. There's a whole lot more crying than that.

Sharp Objects (2018)

Did you love Mare Sheehan's troubled, complex persona? Then meet Camille Preaker, a reporter returning to her hometown to cover a grisly crime, all while grappling with her traumatic past. Played by the versatile Amy Adams, Camille's character will surely fill that Mare-sized hole in your heart.

Sharp Objects, based on Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, boasts an 8.1 rating on IMDb. The series was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, who also directed the first season of Big Little Lies. So, if you fancy a mix of gripping crime drama and deeply flawed characters, this one's for you.

The Killing (2011-2014)

Let's move from the seaside and small towns to the perpetually rainy city of Seattle. The Killing is an American adaptation of a Danish series that follows two detectives trying to solve the murder of a local teenager. It's a slow burn, just like Mare of Easttown, but with 100% more rain.

Funnily enough, Joel Kinnaman and Mireille Enos, who play the lead detectives, later reunited in Amazon's Hanna, but this time on opposite sides of the law. The Killing holds a solid 8.3 rating on IMDb and, quite frankly, deserved way more recognition than it got.

Happy Valley (2014-2023)

Don't let the title fool you. There's not much happiness going around in this valley. This British crime drama revolves around a strong-willed police sergeant juggling her demanding job and personal life, just like our beloved Mare. But instead of basketball, you'll get a whole lot of Yorkshire accents. Happy Valley has an impressive 8.5 rating on IMDb, and Sarah Lancashire's outstanding performance won her a BAFTA.

Top of the Lake (2013-2017)

Jane Campion's dark crime drama features a detective (played by Elisabeth Moss) returning to her small hometown in New Zealand to investigate a case involving a missing pregnant 12-year-old girl. Besides the uncanny plot similarities with Mare of Easttown, the series also shares its explorations of deep-seated community issues and secrets.

The first season scored 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a fun fact: it's partly filmed in Queenstown, known as the 'Adventure Capital of the World.' But the only adventures you'll be getting here involve dark mysteries and haunting pasts.

The Sinner (2017-2021)

This anthology series delves into why ordinary people commit brutal crimes. It's like a reverse whodunnit, but instead of who, we're asking why. Bill Pullman plays the persistent detective who likes unraveling human psyches more than untangling Christmas lights. The first season, which features Jessica Biel in a Golden Globe-nominated performance, stands tall with a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's dark, it's twisty, and it's like peeling an onion of crime, layer by layer.

Cardinal (2017-2020)

If you like your crime dramas cold, then welcome to Algonquin Bay. Based on Giles Blunt's award-winning novels, Cardinal is a Canadian series that follows two detectives investigating crimes in their snowy town. With a wintry backdrop reminiscent of Fargo and a deep-dive into its characters' psyche akin to Mare of Easttown, this series might be your next binge-watch. Its chilling atmosphere won it the 2018 Canadian Screen Award for Best Limited Series.

Marcella (2016-2021)

She's a detective. She's a mother. She's got a violent uncontrollable rage and possibly a multiple personality disorder. Meet Marcella Backland, the deeply flawed yet compelling lead of this British crime noir series. The show has an intriguing mix of complex murder cases and an exploration of Marcella's turbulent personal life, which should soothe your Mare withdrawals. A bit of trivia: The series is created by Hans Rosenfeldt, who also created the acclaimed Scandinavian series The Bridge.

Unbelievable (2019)

Based on a true story, this limited series is about two female detectives investigating a serial rapist, while a young woman struggles to convince the authorities that she's been raped. It's heartbreaking, it's gripping, and with a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it's highly acclaimed. The show's nuanced depiction of trauma and the painstaking pursuit of justice won it a Peabody Award in 2020. Unbelievable might not have Mare, but it's got Toni Collette, and that's pretty close.

River (2015)

Stellan Skarsgård plays Detective Inspector John River, who can see and interact with manifests – visions of dead people, including his murdered partner. Sounds pretty spooky, but this is not a ghost story; it's a cop show that explores grief and mental health. The series boasts an 8.0 rating on IMDb, and it also stars Nicola Walker, who's quite the detective herself in the series Unforgotten. So if you're looking for something more offbeat, then River might be the show that helps you cross over the Mare of Easttown hangover.