15 Obscure Crime TV Shows That Are Surprisingly Gripping

1. Romanzo Criminale (Italy)

You think you know mafia stories? Think again. Romanzo Criminale dishes out the rise of a gang in Rome during the '70s. We follow Lebanese, Ice, and Dandy, as they go from small-time hustlers to narcotics overlords. The show has its Godfather-esque moments but what sets it apart is its raw portrayal of the Italian political landscape. They're not just fighting rival gangs; they're deep in the political game. Watch out for friendships that crumble and lovers who double-cross.

2. Gomorrah (Italy)

Still in Italy, but a completely different beast. Gomorrah dives into the underbelly of Naples, through the eyes of Ciro, a member of the Savastano clan. The show kicks off with an internal war, as old man Pietro gets arrested and his son Genny isn't fit to lead. Ciro plays both sides, and let's just say loyalty is... flexible. Drug deals, assassinations, betrayals—it's got it all.

3. Bron/Broen (Sweden/Denmark)

The title literally means The Bridge, and it all starts with a body cut in half, placed precisely on the border between Sweden and Denmark. Swedish detective Saga Norén teams up with Danish cop Martin Rohde to solve this macabre puzzle. As the duo digs deeper, they uncover a terrorist plot aimed at causing political chaos. The crime scenes are grotesque, but it's the interplay between the socially awkward Saga and family-man Martin that steals the show.

4. Wentworth (Australia)

Imagine Orange is the New Black, but way darker. Bea Smith lands in Wentworth Prison for attempted murder and quickly learns that to survive, you need alliances. From smuggling contraband to rising as the top dog against the ruthless "Freak", Bea's journey is nothing short of gripping. Forget about sisterhood; it's every woman for herself in this lock-up.

5. Sacred Games (India)

Ever heard of a crime thriller mixed with mythology? Welcome to Sacred Games. Mumbai cop Sartaj gets a call from notorious gangster Ganesh Gaitonde, who's been missing for 16 years. He warns of a catastrophic event in 25 days. What unfolds is a maze of crime, politics, and cosmic theories. Sartaj fights to uncover the mystery, while Gaitonde's life unfurls in flashbacks, revealing a complex web of spirituality and corruption.

6. Engrenages aka Spiral (France)

Paris is the backdrop, but don't expect any romantic walks by the Seine here. The show follows police captain Laure Berthaud and her team as they navigate the gritty streets of Paris. We're talking corruption, drugs, and yes, even terrorism. Laure's not above bending the law to get the job done, making her one of those morally ambiguous characters you can't help but root for.

7. Happy Valley (UK)

Set in the bleak landscape of West Yorkshire, this series is a far cry from cozy British mysteries. Catherine Cawood is a police sergeant dealing with a heap of personal issues, like a daughter's suicide and raising a grandson. When the man she blames for her daughter's death is released from prison, Catherine becomes obsessed with finding a way to get him back behind bars.

8. The Break (Belgium)

We're in a small Belgian town where everyone knows everyone. Detective Peeters returns to his hometown and is immediately swept into a murder investigation. A young African football player is found dead, looks like it is suicide, but the more Peeters digs, the more the town's ugly secrets surface. Racism, illicit affairs, and shady business deals—it's a small-town nightmare that makes you question if you ever truly know your neighbors.

9. La Casa de Papel aka Money Heist (Spain)

You've probably heard of this one, but have you actually watched it? A criminal mastermind known as The Professor recruits eight people to rob the Royal Mint of Spain. But this ain't just a smash-and-grab; it's a meticulously planned operatic heist with hostages and a whole manifesto against the capitalist system. It's as tense as a tightrope, and you'll love every second of it.

10. Marcella (UK)

Marcella Backland is a retired detective who comes back to the force when an old serial killer case she worked on resurfaces. Problem is, Marcella's dealing with blackouts and her own shaky sanity. The show twists and turns as Marcella's professional and personal life spirals out of control. Forget finding the killer; can Marcella even trust herself?

11. Fargo (USA)

Inspired by the Coen Brothers film, each season tells a different crime story in the snowy landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota. Season one kicks off with Lester Nygaard, whose accidental murder of his wife spirals into a series of tragicomic events, involving hitmen, sheriffs, and even a grocery kingpin.

12. Signal (South Korea)

A walkie-talkie allows a modern-day detective to communicate with a cop from the past. Together, they solve crimes that are connected across time. As they dig into unsolved cases, they begin to unravel a larger conspiracy that impacts both their timelines. It's like your standard buddy cop film got a PhD in complexity and suspense.

13. El Marginal (Argentina)

Set in the slums of Buenos Aires, the series follows Miguel Palacios, an ex-cop who goes undercover in a prison to help kidnap the daughter of a judge. In a world full of gangs and corruption, Miguel has to tread carefully as he navigates the dangerous labyrinth of prison politics. The tension is high, and alliances are as fragile as glass. It's raw, it's gritty, and it'll have you at the edge of your seat.

14. Broadchurch (UK)

The murder of an 11-year-old boy shakes the small coastal town of Broadchurch. Detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller are on the case, but it's not just about finding the killer. It's a dissection of how tragedy can tear a community apart. Everyone's a suspect, and you're constantly second-guessing your own theories. It's psychological warfare, and it's brilliant.

15. Trapped (Iceland)

In Iceland, a small town is paralyzed by a snowstorm, just as a dismembered body is found in the river. Andri, the town's chief of police, has to solve the murder while dealing with family issues and the harsh weather. Between avalanches and frozen fjords, it's not just the crime that's chilling.