Television has given us many fantastic detectives, but some truly great ones have been overlooked, overshadowed by more famous characters like Sherlock Holmes. Several of the best TV series ever made are detective shows, and while some lead characters have become incredibly popular, others deserve more recognition.
I’m a huge fan of detective shows, and while everyone loves characters like Sherlock Holmes, Columbo, Magnum, Poirot, and Monk, I think there are so many other amazing detectives that don’t get the recognition they deserve. Whether you’re into lighter, comedic mysteries, shows with a supernatural twist, or classic crime dramas, there are definitely some seriously underrated detective shows out there!
Shawn Spencer
Psych
Psych is a funny and intriguing TV show about crime, created by Steve Franks. The series centers around Shawn Spencer (played by James Roday), who works as a consultant for the police in Santa Barbara. Shawn pretends to be psychic by using his amazing attention to detail and memory to solve crimes, convincing both people and the police that he has real psychic powers.
Shawn, a gifted detective, teams up with his sensible best friend Gus (Dulé Hill) to solve crimes for the police. Each episode starts with a look back at Shawn’s childhood, revealing how his police officer father trained him to be so observant.
Shawn appears to be a funny and carefree guy, but he’s actually quite clever. Though his psychic abilities are a hoax, he’s been professionally trained as a detective. What makes him especially appealing is that, despite being a detective, his quirks, passions, and silliness make him someone viewers can easily connect with.
Nicholas Burkhardt
Grimm
Grimm is a horror show that blends fantasy, crime drama, and police procedural elements. Created by Stephen Carpenter, Jim Kouf, and David Greenwalt, the series centers on Nicholas Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), a detective in Portland, Oregon. He discovers he’s descended from a long line of “Grimms” – protectors who maintain balance between humans and the world of mythical creatures.
After that, Nicholas dedicates himself to solving crimes involving these creatures and other dangers, whether caused by people or supernatural forces. The show Grimm also explores Nicholas’s efforts to manage his work as a detective with his responsibilities as a Grimm, all while uncovering more about his family history.
Nicholas is a uniquely compelling TV detective because he transforms from an ordinary person into a Grimm, unexpectedly finding himself immersed in a world of myths and monsters. The added challenge of unfamiliar powers further complicates his life and makes his story particularly engaging.
Chloe Decker
Lucifer
Lucifer is a fantasy TV show inspired by the DC Comics character of the same name. The series centers on Lucifer Morningstar (played by Tom Ellis), a powerful angel who was banished from Heaven and spent centuries ruling Hell.
Feeling restless and dissatisfied with life in Hell, Lucifer abandons his throne and starts a nightclub in Los Angeles. He soon becomes entangled in a murder investigation, using his charisma and influence to uncover the hidden motivations of those involved.
The investigation brings Lucifer face-to-face with Chloe Decker (Lauren German), a talented homicide detective who surprisingly isn’t affected by his abilities. Chloe is also navigating personal struggles, including a difficult past involving a police shooting and a failing marriage.
Chloe was a complex character often misinterpreted by viewers, leading to her being undervalued. She was fiercely independent, strong, and professional, initially protecting her emotions before gradually learning to become more open and vulnerable.
Emerson Cod
Pushing Daisies
Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies is a quirky comedy-drama about Ned (Lee Pace), a pie maker who has the extraordinary ability to bring the deceased back to life with a single touch. There’s a catch, though: anything he revives for over a minute causes something else nearby to die to maintain balance. And if Ned touches the revived person or thing a second time, they die for good.
Ned has a unique ability to restore things – he can make spoiled fruit good as new for his pies (and that’s why he avoids eating them himself!), and even briefly bring murder victims back to life to gather clues. He works with private investigator Emerson Cod, who discovered Ned’s power and now uses it to help solve cases.
Cod provides a lot of the humor in Pushing Daisies with his sarcastic wit, which complements the show’s overall comedic style. Actor Lee McBride is perfectly timed and delivers his lines flawlessly. As the series unfolds, Cod’s character becomes more complex, particularly when his difficult family history is revealed.
Horatio Caine
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is a popular crime drama created by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, and Carol Mendelsohn. It’s part of the larger CSI television franchise and focuses on a team of detectives in the Miami-Dade Police Department’s crime lab, led by Lieutenant Horatio Caine, played by David Caruso.
Caine is a highly capable detective with a background in bomb disposal and expertise in explosives analysis. He’s a man of few words, but fiercely loyal to his team and carries significant emotional baggage from past experiences, revealing a hidden depth beneath his stoic exterior.
Caruso’s portrayal of a reserved character sometimes overshadows the more significant and intricate aspects of Caine’s personality, but this also effectively communicates Caine’s hidden pain and past trauma.
Kurt Wallander
Wallander
Kurt Wallander is a detective created by Henning Mankell, and he’s been featured in several TV adaptations. This list focuses on the British version, which stars Kenneth Branagh as Wallander. The show follows the detective as he solves various cases.
Kurt Wallander is a surprisingly overlooked TV detective, despite being a fan favorite. He’s highly effective at solving crimes, but also a deeply troubled man, struggling with personal issues that lead to emotional vulnerability and decline.
The show Wallander creates a relatable detective in Kurt Wallander, though he’s not always someone you’re actively cheering for. He’s a deeply complex character, and it’s compelling to watch him grow, face challenges, and experience both success and failure.
Holly Gibney
The Outsider, Mr. Mercedes
Holly Gibney is a character created by Stephen King. She first appeared in his Bill Hodges trilogy and later played a key role in the novels Holly and Never Flinch, as well as a supporting role in The Outsider. She’s been portrayed on television in both the miniseries The Outsider and the show Mr. Mercedes.
In The Outsider, Holly helps detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) investigate a young boy’s murder. In Mr. Mercedes, she’s connected to the case Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) is working on as the cousin of someone who died by suicide.
Holly Gibney is a fascinating character with a unique skillset. She has obsessive-compulsive tendencies, a remarkable memory for detail, and a knack for noticing things others miss. While she struggles with social interactions and carries emotional baggage, these qualities actually make her endearing and contribute to her courage. Beneath a seemingly simple exterior, Holly is a surprisingly complex and highly effective detective.
John Luther
Luther
As a huge fan of crime dramas, I’m completely hooked on Luther. It’s a really intense psychological thriller created by Neil Cross. The show centers around John Luther, played brilliantly by Idris Elba, a detective who’s come back to work after a tough time – he had a breakdown dealing with a particularly nasty serial killer case. He’s an amazing detective, no doubt, but his methods? Let’s just say they’re often… unconventional and stir up a lot of trouble.
Luther is a troubled man – he’s obsessive, acts on impulse, and can even be violent. This often leads to serious problems, impacting not only the people he investigates but also his colleagues. He’s a deeply flawed and complicated character, making it difficult to fully support his actions and prompting viewers to consider the lines between right and wrong.
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2025-12-25 20:42