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WeirdThe Best Crime Show From Each Country
By Claire Spellberg
@c_spellberg
Published
Oct. 9, 2017, 9:00 p.m. ET
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Visit police departments around the world with Decider's list of the best crime shows from each country, ranked according to their IMDB scores.
Photos: Everett Collection ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Argentina: El Marginal
IMDB Score: 8.5/10
This series follows an ex-cop who goes undercover in a California prison in order to infiltrate the gang that kidnapped a judge's daughter.
[Stream El Marginal]
IMDB Score: 8.5/10
This series follows an ex-cop who goes undercover in a California prison in order to infiltrate the gang that kidnapped a judge's daughter.
[Stream El Marginal]
Photo: Netflix
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Australia (TIE): City Homicide and Top of the Lake
City Homicide IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Top of the Lake IMDB Score: 7.6/10
From 2007-2011, City Homicide ran on Australian television as a standard procedural about the homicide unit at the Melbourne police headquarters. Top of the Lake, however, follows Detective Robin Griffin as she solves two different murders (one in each season) that end up hitting much closer to home than she could have ever imagined.
[Stream City Homicide]
[Stream Top of the Lake]
City Homicide IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Top of the Lake IMDB Score: 7.6/10
From 2007-2011, City Homicide ran on Australian television as a standard procedural about the homicide unit at the Melbourne police headquarters. Top of the Lake, however, follows Detective Robin Griffin as she solves two different murders (one in each season) that end up hitting much closer to home than she could have ever imagined.
[Stream City Homicide]
[Stream Top of the Lake]
Photo: Hulu
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Belgium: Hotel Beau Séjour
IMDB Score: 8.0/10
A young woman, Kato, wakes up to find her own body in a hotel bath tub, but despite being dead, a few people can still see her. Kato enlists these people to help her discover the truth surrounding her death, but the group soon learns much more.
[Stream Hotel Beau Séjour]
IMDB Score: 8.0/10
A young woman, Kato, wakes up to find her own body in a hotel bath tub, but despite being dead, a few people can still see her. Kato enlists these people to help her discover the truth surrounding her death, but the group soon learns much more.
[Stream Hotel Beau Séjour]
Photo: Netflix
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Britain: Sherlock
IMDB Score: 9.2/10
Sherlock Holmes is pretty much a crime-solving legend, and Benedict Cumberbatch's modern-day interpretation of the detective certainly does him justice. This award-winning British series follows the the greatest detective in the world and his partner Watson as they uncover some of Britain's most intricate crimes.
[Stream Sherlock]
IMDB Score: 9.2/10
Sherlock Holmes is pretty much a crime-solving legend, and Benedict Cumberbatch's modern-day interpretation of the detective certainly does him justice. This award-winning British series follows the the greatest detective in the world and his partner Watson as they uncover some of Britain's most intricate crimes.
[Stream Sherlock]
PBS
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Canada: Murdoch Mysteries
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
In the 1890s, Detective William Murdoch uses radical forensic techniques (he utilizes fingerprint technology before anyone of his time) to solve Canada's most ghastly murders.
[Stream Murdoch Mysteries]
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
In the 1890s, Detective William Murdoch uses radical forensic techniques (he utilizes fingerprint technology before anyone of his time) to solve Canada's most ghastly murders.
[Stream Murdoch Mysteries]
©Acorn TV / courtesy Everett Collection
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Chile: Profugos
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
HBO enters the best international crime show mix with Profugos, a Chilean series that follows four men as they go on the run after a drug deal goes bad.
[Stream Profugos]
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
HBO enters the best international crime show mix with Profugos, a Chilean series that follows four men as they go on the run after a drug deal goes bad.
[Stream Profugos]
Photo: HBO
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China: The Disguiser
IMDB Score: 7.7/10
Secret Agent Ming Tai and his brother Ming Lao battle Japanese occupiers in an attempt to assert Chinese dominance in this thrilling political crime drama.
[Stream The Disguiser]
IMDB Score: 7.7/10
Secret Agent Ming Tai and his brother Ming Lao battle Japanese occupiers in an attempt to assert Chinese dominance in this thrilling political crime drama.
[Stream The Disguiser]
Photo: Netflix
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Colombia: Narcos
IMDB Score: 8.9/10
Netflix's drug-filled Original Series, Narcos, follows the world of drug cartels in Colombia and their ripple effect across the world. The series is a cat and mouse chase between boss Pablo Escobar, his enemies, the Colombian government, and the Americans, and it's a battle that no one really wins.
[Stream Narcos]
IMDB Score: 8.9/10
Netflix's drug-filled Original Series, Narcos, follows the world of drug cartels in Colombia and their ripple effect across the world. The series is a cat and mouse chase between boss Pablo Escobar, his enemies, the Colombian government, and the Americans, and it's a battle that no one really wins.
[Stream Narcos]
Photo: Netflix
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Cuba: Four Seasons in Havana
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
Lieutenant Mario Conde solves crime, dates beautiful women, and navigates the corruption of the island's political system during Cuba's chaotic Special Period.
[Stream Four Seasons in Havana]
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
Lieutenant Mario Conde solves crime, dates beautiful women, and navigates the corruption of the island's political system during Cuba's chaotic Special Period.
[Stream Four Seasons in Havana]
Photo: Netflix
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Finland: Bordertown
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
This Netflix Original follows Detective Inspector Kari, an officer who moves to a quiet border town near Russia after his wife nearly dies of brain cancer. Kari wants to retire from police work, but he's forced to get back in the saddle when he realizes that the town isn't so peaceful after all.
[Stream Bordertown]
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
This Netflix Original follows Detective Inspector Kari, an officer who moves to a quiet border town near Russia after his wife nearly dies of brain cancer. Kari wants to retire from police work, but he's forced to get back in the saddle when he realizes that the town isn't so peaceful after all.
[Stream Bordertown]
Photo: Netflix
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France: The Returned (Les Revenants)
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
This Emmy-winning series follows a small French town where dead people keep coming back to life, completely unaware that they've died. As the citizens of the town try to figure out what's happening, they unravel a seemingly never-ending string of mysteries, including one particularly gruesome murder.
[Stream The Returned]
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
This Emmy-winning series follows a small French town where dead people keep coming back to life, completely unaware that they've died. As the citizens of the town try to figure out what's happening, they unravel a seemingly never-ending string of mysteries, including one particularly gruesome murder.
[Stream The Returned]
©Sundance Film/Courtesy Everett Collection
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Iceland: Case
IMDB Score: 7.4/10
After a teenager is found hanged in a local theater, Detective Gabríela begins looking into the mysterious situation surrounding her death. However, as Gabríela digs for the truth, she discovers information that could rock the small Icelandic town.
[Stream Case]
IMDB Score: 7.4/10
After a teenager is found hanged in a local theater, Detective Gabríela begins looking into the mysterious situation surrounding her death. However, as Gabríela digs for the truth, she discovers information that could rock the small Icelandic town.
[Stream Case]
Photo: Netflix
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India: Agent Raghav: Crime Branch
IMDB Score: 6.1/10
Agent Raghav Sinha uses his exceptionally high IQ, ability to read body language, and understanding of the human mind to solve crime for the Crime Branch Special Unit.
[Stream Agent Raghav: Crime Branch]
IMDB Score: 6.1/10
Agent Raghav Sinha uses his exceptionally high IQ, ability to read body language, and understanding of the human mind to solve crime for the Crime Branch Special Unit.
[Stream Agent Raghav: Crime Branch]
Photo: Netflix
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Ireland: The Fall
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
Set in Belfast, Northern Ireland (which is technically part of the UK, but semantics), this crime drama follows Superintendent Stella Gibson as she attempts to track down a serial killer tormenting the city.
[Stream The Fall]
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
Set in Belfast, Northern Ireland (which is technically part of the UK, but semantics), this crime drama follows Superintendent Stella Gibson as she attempts to track down a serial killer tormenting the city.
[Stream The Fall]
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
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Israel: Fauda
IMDB Score: 8.4/10
This complex Netflix Original depicts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from two sides. The series centers on Doron, an Israeli Special Forces commander hunting down Hamas terrorist Abu-Ahmed. On the other side of the conflict, in Palestine, Abu-Ahmed denies the validity of the State of Israel and will do whatever it takes to win back his country.
[Stream Fauda]
IMDB Score: 8.4/10
This complex Netflix Original depicts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from two sides. The series centers on Doron, an Israeli Special Forces commander hunting down Hamas terrorist Abu-Ahmed. On the other side of the conflict, in Palestine, Abu-Ahmed denies the validity of the State of Israel and will do whatever it takes to win back his country.
[Stream Fauda]
Photo: Netflix
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Italy: Suburra: Blood on Rome
IMDB Score: 8.5/10
Netflix's newest Original Series is also the best crime show to come out of Italy.
[Stream Suburra]
IMDB Score: 8.5/10
Netflix's newest Original Series is also the best crime show to come out of Italy.
[Stream Suburra]
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
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Mexico: Sr Avila
IMDB Score: 8.6/10
Sr. Avila is your average family man, but he has a secret: he's a first-rate hit man, as well. When Avila decides to build an organization of contract killers, he's forced to cross the thin line between his regular life and his hidden one.
[Stream Sr Avila]
IMDB Score: 8.6/10
Sr. Avila is your average family man, but he has a secret: he's a first-rate hit man, as well. When Avila decides to build an organization of contract killers, he's forced to cross the thin line between his regular life and his hidden one.
[Stream Sr Avila]
Photo: HBO
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New Zealand: Top of the Lake
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Yes, Top of the Lake is on here twice, representing both Australia and New Zealand, but there's a reason. The first season focuses on the disappearance of Tui Mitchem, a young girl living in the rugged landscape of New Zealand's South Island, and it was shot entirely on location in Otago. In the second season, the location shifts to Sydney, Australia, where Detective Robin Griffin investigates the death of a sex worker.
[Stream Top of the Lake]
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Yes, Top of the Lake is on here twice, representing both Australia and New Zealand, but there's a reason. The first season focuses on the disappearance of Tui Mitchem, a young girl living in the rugged landscape of New Zealand's South Island, and it was shot entirely on location in Otago. In the second season, the location shifts to Sydney, Australia, where Detective Robin Griffin investigates the death of a sex worker.
[Stream Top of the Lake]
©Sundance Film Series/Courtesy Everett C / Everett Collection
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Norway: Lilyhammer
IMDB Score: 8.0/10
This series follows a former underboss in the American mafia who, after testifying against his former mob associates, must go into hiding in rural Norway.
[Stream Lilyhammer]
IMDB Score: 8.0/10
This series follows a former underboss in the American mafia who, after testifying against his former mob associates, must go into hiding in rural Norway.
[Stream Lilyhammer]
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
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Romania: Comrade Detective
IMDB Score: 7.3/10
This comedy-crime series spoofs Cold War propaganda that reminded citizens of the dangers of capitalism, no matter the situation. The Amazon Prime show follows detectives Gregor Anghel and Joseph Baciu as they investigate the death of a fellow officer. In the process, the two uncover a plot that could unravel the entire country of Romania.
[Stream Comrade Detective]
IMDB Score: 7.3/10
This comedy-crime series spoofs Cold War propaganda that reminded citizens of the dangers of capitalism, no matter the situation. The Amazon Prime show follows detectives Gregor Anghel and Joseph Baciu as they investigate the death of a fellow officer. In the process, the two uncover a plot that could unravel the entire country of Romania.
[Stream Comrade Detective]
©Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
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Russia: Silver Spoon
IMDB Score: 7.8/10
After the son of a rich politician gets in trouble with the law, he's sent to work in the local police precinct as a punishment. His fellow police officers are wary of trusting such a brat, but the new hire begins earning their trust as he succeeds in his police work.
[Stream Silver Spoon]
IMDB Score: 7.8/10
After the son of a rich politician gets in trouble with the law, he's sent to work in the local police precinct as a punishment. His fellow police officers are wary of trusting such a brat, but the new hire begins earning their trust as he succeeds in his police work.
[Stream Silver Spoon]
Photo: Netflix
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Scotland: Shetland
IMDB Score: 7.9/10
This critically-praised series centers around detective Jimmy Perez, a cop tasked with solving a muder mystery on the Shetland Isles. As Jimmy tries to solve the dark crimes around him, he must also fight off the darkness inside of him.
[Stream Shetland]
IMDB Score: 7.9/10
This critically-praised series centers around detective Jimmy Perez, a cop tasked with solving a muder mystery on the Shetland Isles. As Jimmy tries to solve the dark crimes around him, he must also fight off the darkness inside of him.
[Stream Shetland]
Photo: Netflix
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South Korea: Bad Guys
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
South Korea's best crime show asks a familiar question: who better to fight crime than a group of former criminals? In this series, law enforcement officials bring together a group of former criminals to assist in catching South Korea's real bad guys.
[Stream Bad Guys]
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
South Korea's best crime show asks a familiar question: who better to fight crime than a group of former criminals? In this series, law enforcement officials bring together a group of former criminals to assist in catching South Korea's real bad guys.
[Stream Bad Guys]
Photo: Netflix
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Sweden: The Bridge
IMDB Score: 8.6/10
After a body is found on a bridge spanning the Swedish-Danish border, detectives from each country must come together to find the killer before he strikes again.
[Stream The Bridge]
IMDB Score: 8.6/10
After a body is found on a bridge spanning the Swedish-Danish border, detectives from each country must come together to find the killer before he strikes again.
[Stream The Bridge]
Photo: Hulu
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Turkey: Behzat Ç
IMDB Score: 8.8/10
A troubled, unlikable police chief battles with the bureaucratic and corrupt Ankara Police Force that so often prevents him from actually stopping crime in the city.
[Stream Behzat Ç]
IMDB Score: 8.8/10
A troubled, unlikable police chief battles with the bureaucratic and corrupt Ankara Police Force that so often prevents him from actually stopping crime in the city.
[Stream Behzat Ç]
Photo: Netflix
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United States: Breaking Bad
IMDB Score: 9.5/10
After being diagnosed with cancer, a high school chemistry teacher begins making meth in order to provide for his family in this critically-acclaimed show. If you haven't seen Breaking Bad, stop what you're doing and watch it immediately.
[Stream Breaking Bad]
IMDB Score: 9.5/10
After being diagnosed with cancer, a high school chemistry teacher begins making meth in order to provide for his family in this critically-acclaimed show. If you haven't seen Breaking Bad, stop what you're doing and watch it immediately.
[Stream Breaking Bad]
©AMC/courtesy Everett Collection
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Wales: Hinterland
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
This series follows Detective Mathias, a police officer who leaves the city but is met by a surge of crime in his new home of Aberystwyth, Wales. He soon starts to sort through a complicated series of murders all while guarding his own secrets.
[Stream Hinterland]
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
This series follows Detective Mathias, a police officer who leaves the city but is met by a surge of crime in his new home of Aberystwyth, Wales. He soon starts to sort through a complicated series of murders all while guarding his own secrets.
[Stream Hinterland]
©BBC/Courtesy of Everett Collection / Everett Collection
