The 2000s were a huge decade for crime TV, and is responsible for some of the most iconic crime dramas ever made. It was a time when series had the room to explore with shifting characters and formats, and it paid off! Some shows were gritty, and some were funny, while others completely redefined what the genre could be.
They ultimately laid the blueprint for what these series could look like, and many of them still hold up better than most crime shows made today. Whether you’re into dark, high-stakes stories or quirky, light-hearted characters, the 2000s had something for everyone. No matter how many new crime shows hit streaming services every year, there’s just a certain spark from this era that hasn’t been matched since.
The Shield (2002 – 2008), 7 Seasons
Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) isn’t the typical TV cop. He’s messy, unpredictable, and isn’t afraid to cross the line. He was unlike any other protagonist of his time, and he was one of the first characters to show that even those responsible for serving justice can be corrupt. While anti-heroes are everywhere today, Mackey was a pioneer in the early 2000s.
The Shield is a show that manages to grab your attention right from the start and refuses to let go. Every bad decision Mackey makes comes back around, and the tension only builds as the series goes on. It’s got the classic grit that characterizes crime shows, but it’s amped up to extremes.
With seemingly never-ending twists and turns, this show is sure to keep you on your toes. The show won a Primetime Emmy, and it’s arguably one of the crime series that has a perfect ending.
CSI: Miami (2002 – 2012), 10 Seasons
With crime shows usually being set in either New York City or Los Angeles, it’s a nice change to see detectives take on pressing cases near the beaches of Miami. The switch to a more tropical location turns up the heat and bumps this series up to the best of the CSI franchise.
Other than the change in scenery, CSI: Miami follows the standard formula for a crime series — a team of no-nonsense investigators joining forces to hunt down and solve crime plaguing the city. Probably the biggest standout element is how the show really leans into the cheesier side of production, especially with the eminently memable sunglasses moments!
While it’s objectively interesting and engaging, it’s a format we’ve seen plenty of times before, which makes it difficult to put higher on the list. It also notably won 2 Primetime Emmys.
Monk (2002 – 2009), 8 Seasons
If you’re drawn to the classic “quirky” detective, look no further. After his wife is murdered and her case remains unsolved, Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) develops extreme obsessive-compulsive disorder, which ultimately leads to him getting fired from his position as a successful homicide detective. But he doesn’t let that stop him.
He continues to solve crimes with the help of his assistant, who also happens to be his former boss. It’s refreshing to see a successful investigator use something that’s generally perceived as a disability as his superpower, which easily makes him one of the greatest TV detectives of all time.
This show is both funny and fulfilling, and you can’t help but grow attached to Monk and genuinely root for him to succeed. It puts a light-hearted spin on crime, which makes for a great rewatch at any time. The show was lauded and won an impressive 8 Primetime Emmys.
Psych (2006 – 2014), 8 Seasons
Similar to Monk, Psych is a light-hearted spin on the typically dark and gritty tones of crime shows. However, what ranks this show higher is the unique storyline of the protagonist having to not only investigate mysterious murders, but also have to keep up with the lie that he’s psychic.
The job is already taxing enough, but also needing to convince an entire police force of your supernatural abilities adds another layer of stress that’s both exhausting and exciting to watch unfold.
Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) has a powerful skill of observation, but it can only get him so far. Now, he has to deal with the consequences of his own actions as they unfold before him. Its humor also makes it a great change from the intensity of other crime shows.
While Psych isn’t a major award-winner, the fanbase is devoted – and the show was followed up by 3 movies, with a 4th potentially on the way.
The Wire (2002 – 2008), 5 Seasons
This series completely reinvented the crime genre in the 2000s. Instead of following a single detective or unit, the show explores Baltimore through the eyes of both law enforcement and citizens affected by crime. Each season changes focus, ranging from drug trade to politics to education, creating a layered representation of urban America that today’s television hasn’t come close to replicating.
The Wire relies on its storytelling to draw viewers in, and you know it’s a masterpiece within minutes. It doesn’t need flashy guest appearances or frustrating cliffhangers to reach an audience, and it knows that. It’s rooted in authentic, vulnerable perspectives that make a city what it is. There are no exaggerations or overplayed cop stereotypes, which is something we’re very much missing in today’s crime TV.
Castle (2009 – 2016), 8 Seasons
This show is a masterclass in balancing humor, suspense, romance, and an absolutely brilliant storyline. A narcissistic novelist teaming up with a decorated detective shouldn’t work, but there’s no doubt that it does. Sure, it’s not always smooth-sailing between them, but that dynamic makes for some of the best TV that’s graced the screen.
You can’t help but become incredibly invested in Castle and Beckett’s relationship, especially when things start to heat up in later seasons. It’s a rare instance of crime and romance going hand in hand, and the two complement each other incredibly well. But with a world of never-ending crime unfolding before them, it’s safe to say their relationship is anything but ordinary.
Rizzoli & Isles (2010 – 2016), 7 Seasons
It’s the underdog of crime TV. Rizzoli & Isles is one of the less-talked-about crime series, but it’s one of the most innovative of its time. A detective and medical examiner with practically polar opposite personalities work together to solve Boston’s most troubling crimes. Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) is tough and work-focused, and Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) is witty and optimistic.
Seeing them navigate that dynamic in the most intense situations is guaranteed to bring you a good laugh.
Two powerful female leads carry the show, which has been long overdue in this genre. It’s one of the rare instances where you often find yourself more interested in their personal lives and growing friendship than the mysteries that drive the story forward.
Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013), 5 Seasons
What starts out as a desperate attempt by a terminally ill high school chemistry teacher to ensure financial security for his family quickly spirals into something much darker, and it ultimately becomes one of the best television shows of all time.
A quick way to make money turns into a full-on double life for Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he gets pulled deeper into the world of illegal activity. Teachers don’t usually turn into drug lords, but Breaking Bad is an expert at throwing in the unexpected.
A big part of the show’s tension comes from Walter trying to keep his crimes hidden from his wife and son while also battling lung cancer. This storyline is a great example of how easily someone with good intentions can slip into dark paths, and you almost don’t notice how far Walter’s fallen until it’s too late.
However, it isn’t the first series people think of when they picture a traditional crime show, which is why it doesn’t rank higher on this list, even though its impact and storytelling are hard to beat. Breaking Bad also managed to scoop an enviable 16 Primetime Emmys.
Dexter (2006 – 2013), 8 Seasons
A murderer who’s also a trusted blood splatter analyst tasked with investigating his own crimes leads to some great TV. Dexter is one of the first crime series to explore this double-life narrative, and it’s been difficult to find another that’s been able to top it since. Audiences get in-depth looks into his personal life and his struggle to keep his dark desires hidden, which isn’t always easy.
With an insatiable urge to kill, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) suppresses his needs in a way that takes justice into his own hands. It’s a complex disparity, and, unfortunately, he’s a criminal easy to root for. It’s exactly this that keeps you hooked, and the stakes only get higher as the show progresses.
The show not only won 4 Primetime Emmys, but has a legacy that continues today. The series got a follow-up in 2021, Dexter: New Blood, and while this only lasted a short time, two prequels have also been released: Dexter: Original Sin (2024 – 2025) and the ongoing Dexter: Resurrection (2025).
Criminal Minds (2005 – ), 19 Seasons
This should come as no surprise, seeing as it has solidified itself as one of the most iconic crime shows of all time – and the only entry on this list that is still on the air today, 20 years after it premiered. The mix of extremely dark cases, a focus on psychology as well as action, and iconic characters is the perfect formula.
Criminal Minds introduced a wide variety of characters who all possess uniquely distinct personalities, ranging from the quirky genius Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) to the smooth-talking “baby girl” Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore). They’re all completely different, but they somehow manage to complement each other perfectly.
The show doesn’t heavily focus on the detectives’ personal lives very often, but when it does, it draws you in. The Reaper (C. Thomas Howell) targeting the wife and child of Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) in season 5 is still regarded as one of the series’ saddest and most well-known episodes.
