“Perfect”: 10 best “gripping and disturbing” true-crime dramas on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more

We often hear that real life is stranger than fiction, but it’s not usually as dramatic. However, sometimes reality is incredibly dramatic – and those are the stories we’re highlighting. We’re celebrating true events that unfolded like something out of a movie, stories people have called perfect, powerful, and absolutely astonishing.

These stories – from major corporate crimes and murders to international spy cases – are based on real events, and that makes them even more fascinating, engaging, and believable.

1. The Dropout (Disney+)

Many people don’t know the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her company, Theranos, which promised to change blood testing. This eight-part series reveals the extent of the scandal it caused in the United States.

Amanda Seyfried gives a remarkable performance as the Stanford student who dropped out, perfectly capturing the complex and often contradictory nature of Holmes – she’s both charming and incredibly determined.

Although the show doesn’t excuse Holmes’ arrogance – portraying it as a key reason for Theranos’s failure – The Dropout also explores the harmful “tech-bro” environment of Silicon Valley, the eagerness of investors to make fast money, and the risks of prioritizing ambition over everything else.

2. Narcos (Netflix)

Man, Narcos is a show that really put Netflix on the map. It tells the crazy true story of the Colombian drug cartels, focusing on Pablo Escobar and his Medellin Cartel. You see how he built his empire, but also follow this DEA agent, Steve Murphy, and his team as they try to take him down. It’s a wild ride, seriously.

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Even without the drama of kidnappings, extortion, and murder, Narcos is a captivating show thanks to its excellent writing and acting. It offers a fascinating look at history, all wrapped up in Netflix’s signature high-quality production. Plus, Pedro Pascal is fantastic in it!

3. Mr Bates vs The Post Office (ITVX)

As a viewer, I was absolutely floored by Mr Bates vs the Post Office. It wasn’t just a good show, it actually made things happen! The public was so angry after watching it that it really pushed the government to finally offer compensation to the victims of the Horizon Post Office scandal. It’s amazing to see a TV show have that kind of impact.

Okay, so I just finished watching this show, and Toby Jones is incredible as Alan Bates. He plays this postmaster who basically said, ‘Hey, I didn’t mess up, something’s wrong with the computer system!’ and he does it so well – it’s not over the top or anything, he just lets the real story speak for itself. It’s about how the Post Office tried to blame him for money disappearing, but he knew the Horizon system was the problem. Seriously, his performance is captivating because it feels so genuine.

After being wrongly fired, Bates dedicates twenty years to fighting for justice in a classic underdog story. Be prepared to feel deeply upset if you don’t already know the details – you’ll be outraged on behalf of the 700 innocent post office workers who lost their jobs and good names because of a flawed computer system. Those responsible repeatedly hid and downplayed the problem to protect the company’s image.

4. Manhunt (ITV/Netflix)

Martin Clunes is known for his funny roles, like Doc Martin, but he’s actually a very talented and adaptable actor, as those who watched his recent performance in Wuthering Heights discovered.

You know, I really think Martin Clunes is amazing in Manhunt. It’s this ITV show about the real detective, Colin Sutton, who helped catch Levi Bellfield, that really creepy serial killer. It doesn’t get talked about enough, but it’s seriously good stuff – super tense and well-acted. I wish more people knew about it!

True crime often gets criticized for focusing too much on the bodies of female victims, and sometimes does so in a way that feels exploitative. A new series about the murders of Milly Dowler, Amélie Delagrange, and Marsha McDonnell faced the challenge of avoiding those same pitfalls.

Manhunt isn’t sensationalized at all. It’s a careful, well-considered, and respectful portrayal of the case and the dedication of those who solved it.

5. Mindhunter (Netflix)

Instead of focusing on one crime, David Fincher’s series slowly reveals the story of how the FBI created the team that originally identified, organized information about, and ultimately apprehended serial killers.

As you’d expect from director David Fincher, the show is carefully and precisely made. It stars Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford, an FBI agent who works with his partner Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv). Together, they begin to understand the minds of America’s most dangerous criminals by interviewing serial killers and using what they learn to help solve unsolved cases.

Okay, so this show is seriously intense and doesn’t shy away from disturbing stuff, but I couldn’t stop watching it. Cameron Britton nailed his role as the serial killer Ed Kemper – it was a truly amazing performance. And the way his character interacts with Ford really drives the whole suspense throughout the first season. It’s a really captivating dynamic.

Although Mindhunter only ran for two seasons, its widespread popularity has kept fans hoping for more.

6. The Serpent (Netflix)

Tahar Rahim, a French-Algerian actor, plays Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer who preyed on tourists traveling the ‘hippie trail’ through Thailand, India, and Nepal. Sobhraj was known for his charisma and ability to manipulate people, which helped him commit robberies and potentially kill over 20 travelers.

The series follows Sobhraj (played chillingly by Tahar Rahim) and his accomplice, Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman), as they travel through the 1970s, drugging, robbing, and ultimately murdering tourists to steal their identities and money.

The Serpent is a captivating and unsettling show. Like the woman at its center, Marie-Andrée, we’re drawn in by a charming manipulator who is solely focused on power and control.

7. White House Farm (ITVX)

In 1985, a shocking crime occurred in Britain when Nevill and June Bamber, their daughter Sheila, and her twin children were murdered. Initially, it appeared Sheila, who suffered from schizophrenia, was responsible, having seemingly taken her own life afterward. However, the true killer was Sheila’s brother, Jeremy Bamber, who had murdered his parents for financial gain and deliberately made it look like his sister was the perpetrator.

Freddie Fox gives a brilliant performance as the mysterious and distant Jeremy. However, Stephen Graham is even more impressive as DCI ‘Taff’ Jones, the detective investigating this violent case, especially as evidence suggests Sheila wasn’t the one who committed the crimes.

8. American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (Netflix)

Despite dealing with serious and unsettling topics, Ryan Murphy’s signature style – full of over-the-top theatrics and intense drama – makes American Crime Story consistently captivating.

Following his acclaimed series about the O.J. Simpson trial, this drama tells the story of Andrew Cunanan (played by Darren Criss), a dangerous killer, and reveals how he used lies and manipulation to get close to his victims before committing his crimes.

The series delves into the life and mind of Gianni Versace (portrayed by Edgar Ramirez), showcasing his captivating personality and his journey from a small-town tailor with a single rack of clothes to the founder of a worldwide fashion house. Penélope Cruz plays Donatella Versace, and Ricky Martin appears as Versace’s partner, Antonio D’Amico.

While the story isn’t entirely accurate according to the Versace family, the show is still captivating despite its over-the-top nature.

9. The Salisbury Poisonings (BBC iPlayer)

Salisbury, a typical, peaceful English city, became the center of an international crisis in 2018 when a crime occurred that dramatically altered the relationship between Russia and the rest of the world.

Two Russian agents attempted to kill Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his daughter Yulia with the dangerous nerve agent Novichok. Tragically, Dawn Sturgess, who had no connection to Skripal or the agents, died after unknowingly coming into contact with the poison, which the agents had discarded disguised as perfume.

The 2020 drama, created by Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, avoids sensationalism and instead offers a subtle portrayal of the ordinary people who worked to protect Salisbury during a unique and dangerous situation involving contamination.

10. A Cruel Love – The Ruth Ellis Story (ITVX)

The story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, isn’t new, but Lucy Boynton’s portrayal adds a remarkable and moving layer to this heartbreaking case.

The actress brilliantly shows the many sides of Ellis – she was tough and smart, but also deeply sensitive and easily hurt. The story follows her intense and damaging relationship with David Blakely, a love affair that was both exciting and toxic, and ultimately led to her ruin.

The film A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story presents Ellis not as a stereotypical villain, but as a woman trapped by the social constraints of her time – a society defined by class and male dominance that limited her options. This approach highlights the continuing importance of her case, reminding us that her story is compelling not just because it’s a dramatic crime, but because it raises important questions about fairness, gender roles, and power dynamics.

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2026-03-05 11:23