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10 Crime Dramas That Deserve as Much Hype as The Sopranos

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agosto 14, 2025

The Sopranos is, without a doubt, one of the best and most critically acclaimed crime dramas. The original HBO series follows Tony Soprano, a mafia boss struggling with the pressures of his day-to-day life, which results in him suffering from panic attacks and eventually going to see a psychiatrist. To this day, The Sopranos remains one of the most influential crime dramas of all time, and the show is credited with making HBO the prestigious network it is today. But while there’s no denying that The Sopranos is a masterpiece and a television series worthy of all the praise and acclaim, there are many other crime dramas that deserve just as much hype and acclaim as the original HBO series.

The crime drama genre is filled with incredible shows and gripping storylines, from shows about the mafia and gangsters to series about the police or a murder investigation. The Sopranos was a flawless show, boasting incredible acting, writing, and directing. While other crime dramas may not be as good as the HBO series, there are still some shows that deserve more hype and attention than they receive. Some of these crime dramas might’ve received acclaim from critics but struggled with viewership, while others were hits at the time but later forgotten, struggling to leave a long-lasting impression, even with an incredible cast and story to tell.

Mayor of Kingstown Sees a Town Filled With Crime and Gangsters

Image via Paramount+

Jeremy Renner is probably best known now for his portrayal of Clint Barton in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But outside of his superhero role, Renner is currently starring as Mike McLusky in the crime drama series Mayor of Kingstown. The series follows a company town whose business is incarceration, and the McLusky family is there to keep the peace between street gangs and law enforcement.

Mayor of Kingstown follows a town consumed by violence, street gangs, and prisoners trying to take control over prison guards and police officers. The crime drama didn’t get the best reviews from critics in its first season, but the show soon picked up steam and got better with each episode. Mayor of Kingstown is dark and oftentimes bleak, with strong character development and a good exploration of what makes people good or bad, and it’s a show that deserves more hype than it gets.

Mayor of Kingstown

Release Date: November 14, 2021
Network: Paramount+

Jeremy Renner

Mike McLusky

The Killing Follows a Gripping Mystery

Sarah and Stephen in The Killing — Image via Netflix

The Killing is a crime drama series that’s an adaptation of the Danish show Forbrydelsen. The American version follows the murder of a local teenage girl, with the show depicting the police investigation, the family’s grief and trauma, and a political campaign that soon becomes involved in the murder investigation. The Killing is a slow-burning, character-driven show with an eerie atmosphere throughout.

The Killing received critical acclaim from the start, with many critics noting similarities between the crime drama and the cult classic Twin Peaks. However, The Killing never got the recognition of shows like Twin Peaks or The Sopranos, and was eventually canceled before the show got a final fourth season after negotiations. The Killing explores grief and the effect the murder has on the victim’s family and the community as well, and it deserves more hype and popularity than it has.

The Killing

Mireille Enos

Sarah Linden
Joel Kinnaman

Stephen Holder
Annie Corley

Regi Darnell
Brendan Sexton III

Belko Royce

Boardwalk Empire Follows Real-Life Gangsters

Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson from Boardwalk Empire. — Image via HBO

Boardwalk Empire is another HBO crime drama series about the mafia, only based on real events and historical figures. The show follows the rise of some of the biggest gangsters in history, from Lucky Luciano to Al Capone. Set during the Prohibition era in Atlantic City, Boardwalk Empire follows the bootlegging business and how the city became a safe haven for partying and drinking, as well as for criminal activity.

Boardwalk Empire received critical acclaim and many accolades throughout its five-season run. However, the show never reached the same levels of interest and popularity as The Sopranos, even though both shows deal with the criminal underworld. Boardwalk Empire is almost forgotten now, except for fans of the genre, even though the show featured incredible actors and an accurate depiction of the era and the historical figures and events that shaped that part of history.

Sharp Objects Features a Dark Murder Mystery

Camille and people from her town find a girl's body in Sharp Objects-1 — Image via HBO

Sharp Objects is a crime drama miniseries starring Amy Adams and based on the novel by Gillian Flynn. The show follows Camille Preaker, played by Adams, a crime reporter who has to go back to her small hometown to investigate a series of murders. But there’s a reason why Camille left her small town, and her past traumas and the strained relationship with her family, especially with her mother, pick up steam as she returns home.

Sharp Objects is a gripping miniseries that takes viewers down a dark path, and its eerie atmosphere remains with viewers long after the show’s over. Sharp Objects received critical acclaim, particularly for its dark tone and Amy Adams’ performance. However, other HBO miniseries like Mare of Easttown or Big Little Lies have more hype than Sharp Objects, even though the crime drama miniseries deserves as much hype as shows like The Sopranos for its smart storytelling, shocking twists, and memorable performances.

Bosch Is a Captivating Police Procedural

Titus Welliver as Bosch surveying a crime scene in Bosch 'Ask the Dust' — Image via Prime Video

Bosch is a crime drama and police procedural series that follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver. The series is based on the book series by Michael Connelly, and sees Bosch and his partner, Jerry Edgar, as they investigate a different case each season. Bosch deals with murder, corruption, and the LA scene as Harry investigates different cases and gets involved with some of the most dangerous criminals.

Bosch was a hit for Amazon, and the show went on to have seven seasons and a sequel series, Bosch: Legacy. However, the show never had the hype of other crime dramas like The Sopranos or The Wire, even though many actors and writers from The Wire also worked on Bosch. Bosch broke TV cop rules and featured captivating cases with twists that left viewers wanting more, and many fans will agree that the show deserved a lot more hype and attention than it got.

Bosch

Release Date: 2014 – 2021-00-00
Showrunner: Eric Ellis Overmyer

Godfather of Harlem Tells the Story of a Real Crime Boss

Bumpy Johnson, played by Forest Whitaker, is wearing a black three-piece suit in Godfather of Harlem. — Image via MGM+

Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama series based on real events, and follows a fictionalized version of crime boss Bumpy Johnson’s life. Starring Forest Whitaker, the show depicts Johnson’s return after spending 10 years in prison, as he finds his old neighborhood under the control of the Italian mafia. Godfather of Harlem sees Bumpy Johnson joining forces with human rights activist Malcolm X as they try to get back control of their neighborhood.

Godfather of Harlem shares many similarities with The Sopranos, even if it doesn’t have the same hype. The show sees a gang war take control of the city as Johnson takes on the Genovese crime family. Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama and gangster show that also includes themes of racism, class disparity, and family, and the incredible acting and writing deserve more praise and attention.

Mr Inbetween Follows the Life of a Hitman

Ray in the crime drama series Mr Inbetween — Image via FX

Mr Inbetween is an underrated crime drama and dark comedy series that follows the life of hitman Ray, also known as «The Magician.» The show follows Ray’s life as he balances his job with his personal life, taking care of his eight-year-old daughter and going on dates. Mr Inbetween is a mixture of comedy and drama, similar in tone to shows like Barry.

Mr Inbetween is a series adaptation of the film The Magician, with Scott Ryan reprising his role as Ray. The series is a more day-to-day look at a hitman working for a criminal organization, showing his more «normal» activities and relationships in contrast with his chosen career. Scott Ryan delivers an incredible performance, and the show has enough twists to keep viewers engaged, and it definitely deserves more hype from fans of the genre.

Line of Duty Sees the Police Investigating the Police

Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes) from Line of Duty sits with Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) and Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) behind her as they all stare at the camera. — Image via World Productions and ITV Studios

Line of Duty is a British crime drama and police procedural that follows the Anti-Corruption Unit 12, or AC-12. This unit is tasked with investigating fellow police officers, much like Internal Affairs in American police departments. Line of Duty sees different police officers investigated every season, and the cases become increasingly more dangerous for the AC-12 detectives, especially after they get involved with organized crime.

Line of Duty has a large cult following, but it’s not a show that’s popular with the general public. Instead, the British drama struggled with international distribution, which hindered its chances of becoming as popular as it should have been. Line of Duty delivers gripping storylines and shocking twists each season, yet the crime drama remains severely underrated and doesn’t have as much hype as other crime dramas.

Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), and Steve Arnott (Marton Compston) look serious as they gather together on the poster of Line of Duty.

Line of Duty

Release Date: 2012 – 2020
Directors: David Caffrey, Douglas Mackinnon, Daniel Nettheim, Michael Keillor, John Strickland, Jed Mercurio, Sue Tully, Gareth Bryn, Jennie Darnell

Gangs of London Sees Rival Gangs and the Violence They Spew

Sean Wallace (Joe Cole) and Alexander Dumani (Paapa Essiedu) are standing next to each other in suits while looking perplexed in Gangs of London. — Image via Sky Atlantic

Gang of London is a British crime drama and action thriller based on the video game of the same name. The series follows the Wallace family, a crime family dealing with the death of their patriarch, who was also one of the most powerful crime bosses. The show depicts the war between rival gangs and how the death of this crime boss affects other crime families across the world, as a police officer goes undercover to infiltrate the Wallace family.

Gangs of London is a crime drama that some might consider too violent, but this adds to the appeal of the show. The series deals with gangsters and criminal organizations, much like The Sopranos, so it makes sense that violence is at the center of the story. Yet even though Gangs of London received critical acclaim for its narrative, acting, and action sequences, the show doesn’t have as much hype or popularity outside of fans of the genre.

We Own This City Takes a Look at Police Corruption

Jon Bernthal as Wayne Jenkins in We Own This City — Image via HBO

We Own This City is a crime drama miniseries by the same creator of The Wire, David Simon. The show follows the real story of the Baltimore police Gun Trace Task Force and its downfall, following a group of corrupt police officers, with Sgt. Wayne Jenkins at the center. We Own This City shows the darkest side of the Baltimore PD, and how the department turned a blind eye to the many complaints some of the officers in the department got, until it was too late.

The Wire is considered one of the best crime dramas of all time, right next to The Sopranos. However, We Own This City didn’t get as much hype or interest from the public as David Simon’s previous series, even if the miniseries received critical acclaim. Without a doubt, We Own This City deserved as much hype as The Sopranos, as the show had incredible performances, a captivating non-linear storyline, and an honest and raw look at police corruption, racial profiling, and abuse of power.