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| 20 Shows Like Netflix’s ‘Nemesis’ You Absolutely Need To Watch After That Wild LA Crime Spiral. (Credits: Netflix) |
Netflix’s ‘Nemesis’ dropped viewers straight into a brutal game of cops, criminals and emotional destruction without wasting time pretending anyone involved was mentally stable. Created by Courtney A. Kemp and Tani Marole, the crime thriller follows Detective Isaiah Stiles and master robber Coltrane Wilder as they tear through Los Angeles in a dangerous chase full of betrayals, gunfights and increasingly personal mind games.
One side wants justice, the other wants survival, and somewhere in the middle everyone’s relationships slowly collapse under pressure. Classic prestige crime television behaviour, really. What hooked audiences was not just the action. It was the tension between two men who gradually became obsessed with each other’s downfall while trying to keep their own lives from imploding.
Naturally, once viewers finished the series, social media immediately filled with people demanding more shows with chaotic antiheroes, morally exhausted detectives and enough criminal plotting to raise everyone’s blood pressure.
20 Shows Like NEMESIS
If you are still recovering from Netflix's ‘Nemesis’, these 20 series should keep that adrenaline going.
1. Lupin (2021– )
If there is one show that perfectly captures the intelligence, tension and stylish criminal energy of ‘Nemesis,’ it is Netflix’s French hit ‘Lupin.’
The series follows Assane Diop, played brilliantly by Omar Sy, a master thief inspired by the fictional Arsène Lupin stories. Assane uses deception, disguises and elaborate plans to expose the wealthy family responsible for destroying his father’s life years earlier.
Much like Coltrane Wilder, Assane survives through quick thinking and calculated risks while constantly staying one step ahead of authorities. Fans online still praise the show for making crime dramas feel smart again instead of just loud. Also, Assane somehow manages to look calm while pulling off plans that would emotionally destroy normal people within minutes.
2. The Endgame (2022)
NBC’s underrated thriller ‘The Endgame’ centres on FBI agent Val Turner and criminal mastermind Elena Federova, whose psychological battle becomes increasingly dangerous as the story unfolds.
Even while imprisoned, Elena orchestrates massive robberies and manipulates events from behind bars like she is casually playing chess while everyone else struggles with checkers.
The cat-and-mouse dynamic strongly mirrors the tension between Isaiah and Coltrane in ‘Nemesis.’ Viewers especially loved the battle of intelligence between two women operating under enormous pressure. Some fans still complain the show deserved more seasons, and honestly they may have a point.
3. White Collar (2009–2014)
A slightly lighter entry but still packed with crime, manipulation and clever mind games, ‘White Collar’ follows FBI agent Peter Burke and charming con artist Neal Caffrey. After years of chasing Neal, Peter recruits him to help solve white-collar crimes using his criminal expertise.
Like ‘Nemesis,’ the series thrives on uneasy partnerships and emotional trust issues. Fans adored the chemistry between Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay, while viewers still joke that Neal Caffrey committed the greatest crime of all by being unrealistically stylish every episode.
4. Kaleidoscope (2023)
Netflix’s experimental crime drama ‘Kaleidoscope’ follows master thief Leo Pap and his crew as they prepare a massive robbery worth billions. The story unfolds across different timelines, allowing viewers to piece together betrayals, greed and hidden motives slowly.
Fans of ‘Nemesis’ will appreciate the layered storytelling and tense criminal planning. Online reactions were mixed in the funniest way possible. Some viewers loved the unique episode structure, while others spent half the season wondering if Netflix had shuffled their screen accidentally.
5. Berlin (2023–2026)
The stylish ‘Money Heist’ spin-off follows Berlin during one of his ambitious robberies in Paris. Played by Pedro Alonso, the criminal mastermind leads a team of thieves through elaborate heists while juggling romance, ego and increasingly risky decisions.
Like Coltrane, Berlin is brilliant, reckless and emotionally exhausting to watch. Fans praised the fast pacing and glamorous production design, though many admitted the characters often behave like they have never once considered consequences in their lives.
6. The Blacklist (2013–2023)
Crime mastermind Raymond Reddington, played by James Spader, voluntarily surrenders to the FBI and offers to help capture dangerous criminals. There is just one condition: he only works with rookie profiler Elizabeth Keen.
The relationship between law enforcement and criminals constantly shifts throughout the series, much like the tension in ‘Nemesis.’ Reddington remains one of television’s most entertaining manipulators, delivering terrifying speeches with the energy of someone calmly ordering coffee.
7. Power (2014–2020)
Created by Courtney A. Kemp, the same creative force behind ‘Nemesis,’ this crime drama follows nightclub owner and hidden drug kingpin James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Ghost desperately wants to escape his criminal life while somehow continuing to make catastrophically bad choices every season.
Fans of ‘Nemesis’ will instantly recognise the themes of loyalty, ambition and family pressure. Online debates about the ending still continue years later, proving the series emotionally damaged audiences exactly as intended.
8. Task (2025– )
HBO’s crime thriller ‘Task’ follows FBI agent Tom and criminal Robbie Prendergrast as robberies, investigations and personal conflicts spiral dangerously out of control. The series leans heavily into emotional tension alongside brutal confrontations.
Viewers immediately compared it to ‘Nemesis’ because of its gritty visuals and obsession-driven storytelling. Also, every character looks like they have slept roughly three hours in total all season.
9. Animal Kingdom (2016–2022)
Inspired by the acclaimed Australian film, ‘Animal Kingdom’ explores the criminal Cody family and their dangerous operations in Southern California. At the centre is young Joshua Cody, who becomes trapped inside his relatives’ violent and manipulative world.
Like ‘Nemesis,’ the series mixes crime with emotional dysfunction and fragile alliances. Australian audiences especially embraced the drama, although many admitted the Cody family gatherings looked deeply stressful.
10. Banshee (2013–2016)
Few crime dramas embrace absolute chaos quite like ‘Banshee.’ The series follows an ex-con who steals the identity of a murdered sheriff and attempts to maintain control over a violent Pennsylvania town.
Fans of Coltrane Wilder’s survival instincts will appreciate the way protagonist Lucas Hood somehow survives endless fights, criminal feuds and emotional disasters. Honestly, the man spends most episodes looking one inconvenience away from starting another war.
11. Sneaky Pete (2015–2019)
Con artist Marius Josipović steals his former cellmate’s identity after leaving prison and hides with the man’s unsuspecting family. Naturally, pretending to be someone else immediately creates even more dangerous problems.
Like ‘Nemesis,’ the series thrives on deception and people desperately trying to outrun consequences. Fans still argue the show deserved far more attention than it received during its original run.
12. City on a Hill (2019–2022)
Set in 1990s Boston, ‘City on a Hill’ pairs ambitious prosecutor DeCourcy Ward with corrupt FBI veteran Jackie Rohr to investigate a violent robbery crew.
The morally messy dynamic between law enforcement and criminals strongly echoes the atmosphere of ‘Nemesis.’ Viewers loved the performances, though many joked Jackie Rohr behaves like every possible HR complaint merged into one person.
13. The Night Agent (2023– )
Netflix’s conspiracy thriller follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland after he becomes trapped inside a dangerous government plot. Every episode piles on more paranoia, betrayals and increasingly stressful phone calls.
Fans of ‘Nemesis’ will enjoy the relentless pacing and constant feeling that absolutely nobody can be trusted.
14. Reacher (2022– )
Alan Ritchson stars as former military investigator Jack Reacher, a wandering problem-solver who handles corruption and crime mostly through intimidation and tactical violence.
Like Isaiah Stiles, Reacher walks into dangerous situations with absolute confidence. Criminals continuously underestimate him, which repeatedly turns out to be a terrible career decision.
15. Mindhunter (2017–2019)
David Fincher’s psychological crime drama follows FBI agents studying serial offenders to develop criminal profiling techniques. Unlike the explosive action of ‘Nemesis,’ this series builds tension through chilling conversations and psychological manipulation.
Fans remain furious Netflix cancelled the show. Every few months, social media revives demands for a new season like an organised movement.
16. Narcos (2015–2017)
The rise and fall of Pablo Escobar unfolds through violent cartel wars, law enforcement operations and political corruption in Netflix’s acclaimed crime drama.
Like ‘Nemesis,’ the series explores obsession from both sides of the law. The more authorities chase Escobar, the more destructive everything becomes.
17. Mayor of Kingstown (2021– )
Set in a town dominated by prisons and organised crime, ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ follows Mike McLusky as he tries to maintain balance between gangs, police and inmates.
The show shares ‘Nemesis’ obsession with morally compromised people trapped inside violent systems. Also, the town itself genuinely feels cursed.
18. Top Boy (2011–2023)
This British crime drama follows Dushane and Sully navigating survival and power inside London’s drug trade. Unlike more glamorous crime shows, ‘Top Boy’ stays grounded in harsh realities and emotional consequences.
Fans praised the series for its realism and layered storytelling. Nearly every episode leaves viewers emotionally exhausted in some way.
19. Gangs of London (2020– )
When a London crime boss is assassinated, gangs across the city descend into violent chaos. The action scenes are brutal, the alliances shift constantly and nobody feels remotely safe.
Fans of ‘Nemesis’ will appreciate the relentless violence and emotional tension. Some viewers described the series as “stressful cinema disguised as television”.
20. Ozark (2017–2022)
Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ remains one of the strongest crime dramas of the streaming era. Financial adviser Marty Byrde relocates his family after a laundering scheme collapses, forcing them deeper into criminal operations.
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| Best Crime Shows Like Netflix’s Nemesis |
Like Coltrane Wilder, Marty constantly balances survival, family pressure and impossible decisions. Viewers praised the dark storytelling and tense atmosphere, though many admitted watching the Byrdes make decisions feels like witnessing a disaster in slow motion.
Fans online continue debating which show best captures the same energy as ‘Nemesis.’ Some prefer stylish masterminds like Lupin and Berlin, while others want darker, emotionally brutal stories like Ozark or Gangs of London.
Either way, audiences clearly cannot get enough of criminals, detectives and catastrophically messy people trying to outsmart each other for ten episodes straight. So which one are you queueing up next?