Foreign TV Crime and Mysteries
This page contains an extensive list of foreign language crime and mystery television series and movies. Though I am American, my appetite for these series and movies is insatiable and beyond an addiction level. As compared to their American counterparts, these foreign language series and movies tend to rely less on glitz and gimmicks, and focus more on the investigation, procedure, sub-plots, and character development. One key factor that enables this is the program length, which can range up to multiple hours per case or story. Due to the sheer number, they are divided into some very rough categories, which are summarized below.
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Police Detectives: The theme of this category concerns murder, and the main characters are one or more police detectives.
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Private Detectives: The theme of this category concerns private detectives that solve mysteries and cases which involve a crime or murder.
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Citizen Sleuths: The theme of this category concerns private citizens who are sleuths that solve mysteries involving crime or murder.
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Forensics: The theme of this category concerns forensic experts that assist police detectives with murder investigations.
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Profilers: The theme of this category concerns profilers or criminal psychologists, and they assist the police with solving serial murders.
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Policing: The theme of this category is policing of crime, and uniformed police or non-murder detectives are the predominant characters.
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Legal: The theme of this category concerns the legal aspect, the legal team, or the resulting trial of crimes including murder.
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Journalists: The theme of this category concerns journalists who investigate crime, murder, or political corruption.
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Espionage, Terrorism & Political: The theme of this category concerns espionage, terrorism, or political intrigue and scandal.
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Heists & Organized Crime: The theme of this category concerns heists, where thieves are the predominant characters, or organized crime.
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General Mysteries & Crime: The theme of this category is mystery or crime, and the predominant characters are generally not the police.
Repeat visitors can visit the Update History on the About page to see what was added by date. The summaries and my comments about each series are dynamic, and might be updated over time, so a date is listed when each was updated.
Police Detectives
The general theme of this particular collection concerns murder or serial murders, and the primary characters are police detectives. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
The Simple Heist (TV Series 2017-2019)
This was a series that I viewed via Acorn TV. It is a light hearted and entertaining series,. There are comedic elements and situations throughout, and my only criticism would be that there are some parts which were slow moving. The second series was dull and slow moving, so I did not even finish it. If you enjoyed The Simple Heist, consider the series Dicte.
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Citizen Sleuths
The general theme of this category concerns citizen sleuths that solve mysteries and cases generally involving crime or murder. Some of these sleuths may operate cooperatively with the police, while others may have antagonistic relationships with the police. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
L’Accident (TV Mini-Series 2016)
Forensics
The general theme of this category concerns forensic experts that are the predominant characters of murder investigations, and may have antagonistic relationships with the police. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
Before We Die (TV Series 2017-2019)
Without giving away any spoilers, the plot is completely over the top. But given that, there was good character development, and it was still somewhat entertaining. I’ve only seen the first season, and not planning on viewing the second season.
Black Spot (TV Series 2017-2019)
Borderliner (TV Series 2017)
Bordertown (TV Series 2016-2020)
The Break (TV Series 2016-2019)
This was an entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Netflix. I’ve seen the first season, and plan to watch the second season. The series has a subplot that includes a psychological element concerning Peeters, so it leaves you guessing until the conclusion. The cinematography and scenery of the Ardennes is outstanding. If you enjoyed The Break, and another series with a psychologically flawed character is Rebecka Martinsson
The Bridge (TV Series 2011-2018)
Deadwind (TV Series 2018-2020+)
Department Q (Theatrical Movies 2013-2016)
The Disappearance (TV Mini-Series 2015)
This was a highly entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Acorn TV. Every person involved has something to hide, and eventually becomes a suspect at some point. Some online reviews describe it as a French version of Broadchurch, which is a complimentary comparison, as I thoroughly enjoyed both. If you enjoyed The Disappearance, consider Spiral, Bordertown, or Rebecka Martinsson.
The Forest (TV Series 2017)
This series was entertaining, but is a bit over the top. Without giving away any spoilers, Musso’s daughter previously went missing, but she is still allowed on the case.
The Frozen Dead (TV Series 2017)
This series contains an overused and over the top plot, so it is not one that I particularly enjoyed, but the cinematography and scenery were a saving grace. If you enjoyed The Frozen Dead, consider the series The Mantis, The Bridge, or The Killing.
The Invisible Guardian (TV Movies 2017-2019)
The Killing (TV Series 2007-2012)
This was solidly entertaining. The series was remade to an English language version in the USA by the AMC network. If you like actress Sofie Gråbøl, she has a role in the British series Fortitude.
Profilers
The general theme of this particular category concerns a profiler or criminal psychologist, who assists the police with solving serial murders. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
L’Accident (TV Mini-Series 2016)
Legal
The general theme of this category concerns the legal aspect, where the primary characters are lawyers or judges, and the resulting trial of crimes including murder. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
Before We Die (TV Series 2017-2019)
Without giving away any spoilers, the plot is completely over the top. But given that, there was good character development, and it was still somewhat entertaining. I’ve only seen the first season, and not planning on viewing the second season.
Black Spot (TV Series 2017-2019)
Borderliner (TV Series 2017)
Bordertown (TV Series 2016-2020)
The Break (TV Series 2016-2019)
This was an entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Netflix. I’ve seen the first season, and plan to watch the second season. The series has a subplot that includes a psychological element concerning Peeters, so it leaves you guessing until the conclusion. The cinematography and scenery of the Ardennes is outstanding. If you enjoyed The Break, and another series with a psychologically flawed character is Rebecka Martinsson
The Bridge (TV Series 2011-2018)
Deadwind (TV Series 2018-2020+)
Department Q (Theatrical Movies 2013-2016)
The Disappearance (TV Mini-Series 2015)
This was a highly entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Acorn TV. Every person involved has something to hide, and eventually becomes a suspect at some point. Some online reviews describe it as a French version of Broadchurch, which is a complimentary comparison, as I thoroughly enjoyed both. If you enjoyed The Disappearance, consider Spiral, Bordertown, or Rebecka Martinsson.
The Forest (TV Series 2017)
This series was entertaining, but is a bit over the top. Without giving away any spoilers, Musso’s daughter previously went missing, but she is still allowed on the case.
The Frozen Dead (TV Series 2017)
This series contains an overused and over the top plot, so it is not one that I particularly enjoyed, but the cinematography and scenery were a saving grace. If you enjoyed The Frozen Dead, consider the series The Mantis, The Bridge, or The Killing.
The Invisible Guardian (TV Movies 2017-2019)
The Killing (TV Series 2007-2012)
This was solidly entertaining. The series was remade to an English language version in the USA by the AMC network. If you like actress Sofie Gråbøl, she has a role in the British series Fortitude.
Lava Field (TV Series 2014)
La Mante (TV Series 2017)
Monster (TV Series 2017)
Paris by Night (TV Movie 2012)
Public Enemy (TV Series 2016-2019)
Rocco Schiavone (TV Series 2016-2019)
Serial Killer 1 (Theatrical Movie 2015)
This was a solid and entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Netflix. If you enjoyed Serial Killer 1, consider the British series Code of Killer, which also concerns one of the first usages of DNA.
Spiral (TV Series 2005-2021)
This a highly entertaining series, that features inter-weaved and evolving stories. It portrays the police, lawyers, and judges. They all severely bend the rules, for both positive and negative reasons. So far, I have seen six of the eight seasons or series. If you enjoyed Spiral, some other series to consider include The Disappearance. If you like actress Audrey Fleurot, she appears in the second series of Witnesses.
Thou Shalt Not Kill (TV Series 2015-2018)
Trapped (TV Series 2015-2019)
This was an entertaining police procedural, with some unique plot lines. It was specifically recommended by a friend from Australia. I absolutely loved the first series, but did not enjoy the second series. If you enjoyed Trapped, consider the series Lava Field, or Case, or the other British series Fortitude, based in the arctic. If you like actress Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir, consider the the series Case.
Wallander (TV Series 2005-2013)
Witnesses (TV Series 2015-2017)
This was an entertaining police procedural, that I watched via Netflix. If you enjoyed Witnesses, consider the series Spiral and Dicte.
Journalists
The general theme of this category concerns journalists as the primary characters, and they investigate crime, murder, or political corruption. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
No Second Chance (TV Mini-Series 2015)
No Second Chance (TV Mini-Series 2015)
Espionage, Terrorism & Political
The general theme of this category concerns espionage, terrorism, or political corruption and scandal. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
Before We Die (TV Series 2017-2019)
Without giving away any spoilers, the plot is completely over the top. But given that, there was good character development, and it was still somewhat entertaining. I’ve only seen the first season, and not planning on viewing the second season.
Black Spot (TV Series 2017-2019)
Borderliner (TV Series 2017)
Bordertown (TV Series 2016-2020)
The Break (TV Series 2016-2019)
This was an entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Netflix. I’ve seen the first season, and plan to watch the second season. The series has a subplot that includes a psychological element concerning Peeters, so it leaves you guessing until the conclusion. The cinematography and scenery of the Ardennes is outstanding. If you enjoyed The Break, and another series with a psychologically flawed character is Rebecka Martinsson
The Bridge (TV Series 2011-2018)
Deadwind (TV Series 2018-2020+)
Department Q (Theatrical Movies 2013-2016)
The Disappearance (TV Mini-Series 2015)
This was a highly entertaining police procedural, which I watched via Acorn TV. Every person involved has something to hide, and eventually becomes a suspect at some point. Some online reviews describe it as a French version of Broadchurch, which is a complimentary comparison, as I thoroughly enjoyed both. If you enjoyed The Disappearance, consider Spiral, Bordertown, or Rebecka Martinsson.
The Forest (TV Series 2017)
This series was entertaining, but is a bit over the top. Without giving away any spoilers, Musso’s daughter previously went missing, but she is still allowed on the case.
The Frozen Dead (TV Series 2017)
This series contains an overused and over the top plot, so it is not one that I particularly enjoyed, but the cinematography and scenery were a saving grace. If you enjoyed The Frozen Dead, consider the series The Mantis, The Bridge, or The Killing.
The Invisible Guardian (TV Movies 2017-2019)
The Killing (TV Series 2007-2012)
This was solidly entertaining. The series was remade to an English language version in the USA by the AMC network. If you like actress Sofie Gråbøl, she has a role in the British series Fortitude.
Heists & Organized Crime
The general theme of this category concerns heists where thieves and grifters are the predominant characters, or organized crime where gangsters or hitmen are the predominant characters. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
L’Accident (TV Mini-Series 2016)
The Simple Heist (TV Series 2017-2019)
This was a series that I viewed via Acorn TV. It is a light hearted and entertaining series,. There are comedic elements and situations throughout, and my only criticism would be that there are some parts which were slow moving. The second series was dull and slow moving, so I did not even finish it. If you enjoyed The Simple Heist, consider the series Dicte.
General Mysteries & Crime
The general theme of this category concerns general mysteries or crime, and the predominant characters are generally not the police. The themes of these series and movies do not readily fit into the other categories, so this is simply a catch-all category. Click on each toggle to expand it and show further details.
L’Accident (TV Mini-Series 2016)
No Second Chance (TV Mini-Series 2015)