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| Best Shows Like Nocturne to Watch Next. |
If Nocturne has caught your attention with its ruthless serial killer, troubled detective and dangerous psychological games, there is plenty more television worth adding to your watchlist. The upcoming Apple TV crime thriller is scheduled to premiere globally on 30 October 2026, bringing Lars Kepler's bestselling Joona Linna novels to an American setting. Its combination of a veteran investigator, a brilliant criminal operating from behind prison walls and a family caught in the crossfire makes it particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy mysteries that refuse to play fair.
Fortunately, several crime dramas explore similar territory, from detectives facing manipulative murderers to investigators whose personal lives become dangerously entangled with their cases. These 19 shows like Nocturne offer tense investigations, morally complicated characters and unsettling mysteries, making them strong choices for anyone who wants another gripping series while waiting for the new thriller.
Shows Like Nocturne
1. Hannibal (2013)
Few crime dramas understand the relationship between criminal intelligence and psychological manipulation quite like Hannibal. The series follows FBI criminal profiler Will Graham, whose unusual ability to understand murderers helps him investigate disturbing cases. His professional relationship with psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter becomes increasingly complicated as their connection develops into a dangerous psychological contest.
Like Nocturne, Hannibal centres on an exceptionally intelligent killer whose influence extends beyond individual crimes. Both series explore the fragile boundaries between understanding a criminal and becoming vulnerable to their methods. The characters also face questions about morality, identity and how much darkness a person can confront before it begins to change them. Hannibal is considerably more stylised, but viewers who appreciate clever adversaries and unsettling mind games should find plenty to enjoy.
2. The Fall (2013)
The Fall follows detective superintendent Stella Gibson as she investigates a series of murders in Belfast while attempting to understand the person responsible. Gillian Anderson leads the drama opposite Jamie Dornan, whose character presents a disturbing contrast between his ordinary public life and his secret activities.
The resemblance to Nocturne lies in its emphasis on the psychological relationship between an investigator and a calculating killer. Rather than relying entirely on dramatic revelations, the series examines behaviour, deception and the methods criminals use to avoid suspicion. Its deliberate pacing gives the characters room to develop, while the investigation becomes increasingly personal. Anyone looking for a crime thriller that treats its central criminal as more than a convenient plot device should put this one high on the list.
3. The Killing (2011)
The American version of The Killing begins with a murder investigation that gradually exposes secrets throughout a community. Detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder work through conflicting accounts, hidden motives and political complications as they attempt to establish what really happened.
Like Nocturne, the series uses its setting to create an atmosphere of unease. Rain-soaked streets, subdued colours and emotionally complicated characters give the investigation a bleak quality, while the mystery extends beyond the immediate crime. Both dramas also explore how professional responsibilities can affect the people expected to solve difficult cases. The Killing places greater emphasis on a murder investigation and its ripple effects than on a single mastermind directing events from prison, but its patient storytelling and constant uncertainty make it an excellent alternative.
4. Mindhunter (2017)
Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interview imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think and behave. Working alongside psychologist Wendy Carr, the agents develop techniques that help investigators recognise patterns in violent criminal behaviour.
The connection to Nocturne is particularly strong when it comes to understanding the minds of dangerous offenders. Both series recognise that catching a killer is not always simply a matter of following physical evidence. Sometimes investigators must understand the person's motivations, manipulation tactics and ability to exploit the people around them. Mindhunter is more procedural and rooted in criminal psychology, but its interviews create the same uncomfortable feeling of watching intelligent people attempt to understand an opponent who may be deliberately misleading them. It is ideal for viewers who prefer thoughtful tension over constant action.
5. Black Bird (2022)
Black Bird centres on Jimmy Keene, a prisoner offered an opportunity to secure his freedom by gaining the trust of suspected serial killer Larry Hall. The assignment requires him to enter a dangerous psychological game with a man whose apparent personality makes it difficult to determine what he truly intends.
That premise makes Black Bird one of the closest recommendations for Nocturne fans. Both dramas explore the difficulties of obtaining information from a dangerous criminal who is already behind bars. Prison does not necessarily remove the threat; instead, the confined environment creates a different kind of tension. The characters must rely on observation, conversation and psychological pressure rather than straightforward police work. Based on real events, Black Bird also offers a grounded examination of manipulation and the emotional strain involved in getting close to someone who may be hiding far more than they reveal.
6. The Sinner (2017)
The Sinner follows detective Harry Ambrose as he investigates crimes that appear straightforward until their deeper motivations begin to emerge. Each season introduces a different central mystery, often involving buried memories, personal trauma and complicated relationships.
Like Nocturne, the series is interested in the psychological forces behind criminal behaviour rather than simply identifying the person responsible. Ambrose frequently encounters situations in which the apparent explanation proves inadequate, forcing him to reconsider the evidence and the people involved. The show's focus on unsettling personal histories gives its mysteries an emotional dimension, while its changing cases provide plenty of variety. Viewers who enjoy stories where a detective must look beyond the obvious will find this an especially rewarding choice.
7. True Detective (2014)
True Detective is an anthology crime drama in which each season introduces a new investigation, a different set of detectives and a distinct atmosphere. Its stories frequently combine complex murder cases with damaged investigators, institutional problems and questions about the nature of justice.
The similarity to Nocturne comes through its bleak tone and its interest in detectives whose professional lives cannot easily be separated from their personal struggles. Both dramas favour difficult investigations in which the truth is obscured by conflicting accounts, hidden motives and deeply flawed people. True Detective also makes effective use of its locations, turning landscapes and communities into essential parts of the storytelling. The first season is an especially strong starting point for anyone who enjoys dark mysteries and complicated partnerships, although each season offers a different experience.
8. The Chestnut Man (2021)
This Danish crime thriller follows detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess as they investigate a series of murders connected by an unusual clue. As they pursue the case, the investigation reveals disturbing connections that make the mystery increasingly difficult to untangle.
The Chestnut Man shares Nocturne's interest in methodical killers, interconnected clues and investigations that expose vulnerabilities within seemingly ordinary communities. Its Nordic noir atmosphere is another major attraction, with cold surroundings and restrained performances reinforcing the sense of dread. Although the series takes place in Denmark rather than Pennsylvania, it offers the same appeal for viewers who like crime stories in which the environment feels almost as unsettling as the investigation itself. It is a strong option for anyone who wants a compact mystery without committing to several seasons.
9. The Bridge (2011)
The original Swedish-Danish series The Bridge begins when a body is discovered on the border between Denmark and Sweden, forcing detectives from both countries to work together. What initially appears to be a single murder investigation develops into a wider case involving carefully constructed crimes and difficult social questions.
Its connection to Nocturne comes from its Nordic noir foundations, complex investigative work and criminals who challenge conventional policing. The series also explores how professional differences and personal weaknesses affect the people tasked with solving the case. Its central mystery rewards patience, while the partnership between its detectives gives the story an additional layer of tension. For viewers drawn to Nocturne's Scandinavian literary origins and American crime-drama setting, The Bridge offers a useful reminder of how effectively atmosphere and psychology can work together.
10. The Alienist (2018)
Set in late nineteenth-century New York, The Alienist follows criminal psychologist Dr Laszlo Kreizler, newspaper illustrator John Moore and police secretary Sara Howard as they investigate a series of disturbing murders. Their methods challenge the assumptions of law enforcement at a time when psychological profiling remains unfamiliar.
Like Nocturne, the drama centres on investigators attempting to understand a criminal whose behaviour does not fit conventional explanations. The characters must combine observation, emerging psychological ideas and painstaking investigative work to identify patterns that others overlook. The historical setting makes the series visually distinct, but its interest in criminal psychology feels closely aligned with modern thrillers. Viewers who enjoy intelligent investigations and difficult questions about the human mind should find this an absorbing alternative.
11. The Following (2013)
The Following follows former FBI agent Ryan Hardy as he becomes involved in the pursuit of Joe Carroll, a charismatic serial killer whose influence extends to a network of devoted followers. Hardy's knowledge of Carroll becomes essential to understanding the threat, but their history also makes the investigation intensely personal.
This is a particularly relevant recommendation for Nocturne because it explores how a dangerous criminal can continue to exert influence while authorities attempt to contain him. Both series build tension around manipulation, hidden connections and the difficulty of predicting an intelligent opponent. The Following leans more heavily into action and conspiracy than some of the other shows on this list, so expect a faster pace and more dramatic turns. Still, viewers who enjoy criminal masterminds and investigators pushed beyond their limits should find it an entertaining choice.
12. The Blacklist (2013)
The Blacklist begins when Raymond Reddington, a highly wanted criminal, unexpectedly surrenders to the FBI and offers to help track down dangerous offenders. His cooperation comes with conditions, and his complicated relationship with agent Elizabeth Keen becomes an important part of the wider mystery.
Like Nocturne, the series explores the unusual influence a criminal can maintain while interacting with law enforcement. Reddington's intelligence, secrets and ability to control conversations often make him more difficult to understand than the people the FBI is pursuing. The show differs in its more expansive, case-of-the-week structure, but its recurring questions about trust and manipulation should appeal to viewers who enjoy psychological crime stories. It is also a suitable choice for anyone who wants a longer series with plenty of investigations and an ongoing mystery connecting them.
13. Criminal: UK (2019)
Criminal: UK takes place almost entirely inside an interrogation room, where detectives question suspects and attempt to establish the truth through conversation. Each episode focuses on a different case, making the series a concentrated examination of conflicting statements, pressure and human behaviour.
Its connection to Nocturne is its belief that psychological tension can be just as compelling as a chase through city streets. Investigators must notice inconsistencies, assess the people in front of them and decide when a confession or explanation deserves further scrutiny. The limited setting also makes every pause and change in tone feel significant. Criminal: UK is a particularly good recommendation for viewers who enjoy verbal battles between investigators and suspects. There are no elaborate action sequences to distract from the central challenge: working out whether someone is telling the truth.
14. Sharp Objects (2018)
Sharp Objects follows journalist Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of young girls. Her reporting brings her into contact with a community shaped by long-standing tensions, complicated family relationships and painful personal history.
Like Nocturne, the series combines a criminal investigation with the emotional consequences of returning to an environment that feels far from safe. The mystery is closely connected to the characters' past experiences, and the setting creates a sense of isolation that grows more uncomfortable as the story progresses. Sharp Objects is more of a psychological mystery than a conventional police procedural, but that distinction makes it an interesting choice for viewers who appreciate layered characters and carefully developed suspense. Its slow-building atmosphere rewards attention rather than demanding that every mystery be solved immediately.
15. Broadchurch (2013)
Broadchurch begins with a death that shocks a small coastal community and places detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller at the centre of an increasingly complicated investigation. As they question residents and examine conflicting accounts, the case exposes tensions within a town where people know one another's business, or at least think they do.
The resemblance to Nocturne is particularly clear in its small-town setting and the way a single crime threatens to destabilise family life and community relationships. Both series understand that danger can feel especially unsettling when it reaches places people associate with safety. Broadchurch places more emphasis on collective grief, suspicion and the wider effects of an investigation, but its layered mystery and character-driven storytelling make it a strong choice for fans of grounded crime dramas.
16. Marcella (2016)
Marcella follows a former detective who returns to investigative work while dealing with a complicated personal life. Her cases involve disturbing crimes, elusive suspects and investigations that become difficult to separate from her own experiences.
Like Nocturne, the series explores the cost of pursuing dangerous criminals while trying to maintain some sense of personal stability. Its central investigator is far from flawless, and her vulnerabilities complicate the decisions she makes at work. The show also relies on uncertainty, encouraging viewers to question what they know about the characters and their motivations. Marcella is a fitting option for anyone who prefers crime dramas in which the investigator is not simply a calm, dependable figure solving problems from a safe distance. Sometimes the person following the clues has plenty of complications of their own.
17. The Outsider (2020)
The Outsider begins with an investigation into a disturbing crime that becomes increasingly difficult to explain through ordinary evidence. Detective Ralph Anderson leads the case, while the story gradually moves beyond a conventional procedural into more unsettling territory.
Its connection to Nocturne lies in the way a criminal investigation challenges the characters' understanding of what is happening around them. Both series create tension by making familiar investigative methods appear insufficient, forcing their central characters to reconsider the evidence and their assumptions. The Outsider also uses a quiet community and a grim atmosphere to heighten the sense that something is seriously wrong beneath the surface. Viewers who enjoy crime stories with a darker, more mysterious edge should find it a compelling alternative, particularly if they like investigations that become stranger as the answers emerge.
18. Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
Under the Banner of Heaven follows detective Jeb Pyre as he investigates a murder connected to a religious community in Utah. The case leads him into difficult questions about belief, family loyalty, authority and the motivations behind criminal acts.
Like Nocturne, the series is concerned with the relationship between personal convictions and dangerous behaviour. Its central investigator must examine not only the evidence but also the social structures that influence the people involved. The story is less focused on a single criminal mastermind and more interested in how a community can shape individual decisions. Nevertheless, its serious approach to investigation, morally complicated characters and gradual unravelling of hidden motives make it a worthwhile recommendation for fans of psychological crime dramas.
19. Bosch (2014)
Bosch follows Los Angeles homicide detective Harry Bosch, a determined investigator who continues pursuing difficult cases despite institutional obstacles and personal complications. His work involves complex murders, conflicting evidence and the challenge of maintaining professional standards in an imperfect system.
The connection to Nocturne comes through its experienced detective protagonist, the pressure of criminal investigations and the effect of demanding work on personal relationships. Both series feature investigators who cannot simply leave their cases behind when they return home. Bosch is generally more procedural and grounded than a thriller built around a highly manipulative serial killer, but its focus on persistence, moral ambiguity and complicated investigations makes it a strong choice for viewers who want another substantial crime drama. With multiple seasons and a follow-up series, it also offers plenty to watch once the credits roll.
My opinion: Which show is the best follow-up to Nocturne?
For me, the strongest choices are Hannibal, Black Bird and Mindhunter because each understands that a clever criminal can be far more frightening than a conventional villain. Hannibal delivers the most intense psychological rivalry, Black Bird makes the prison setting feel genuinely threatening, and Mindhunter offers a fascinating look at the thinking behind criminal behaviour. The Fall deserves a mention too, particularly for viewers who prefer a grounded investigation rather than a story that constantly tries to outdo its previous twist.
Meanwhile, The Chestnut Man and The Killing are excellent options for anyone who enjoys bleak settings and mysteries that take their time. Of course, not every series needs a criminal genius who appears to have planned everyone's breakfast three weeks in advance. Sometimes a solid detective, a convincing mystery and a few questionable decisions are more than enough. My advice is to start with Black Bird if Nocturne's prison-based psychological battle is your biggest draw.
If you're building a watchlist ahead of Nocturne's 30 October 2026 premiere, these 19 series offer plenty of suspense, intricate investigations and complicated characters to keep you occupied. Start with Black Bird for the dangerous prison setting, try Hannibal for a more stylised psychological rivalry, or choose Broadchurch if you prefer a mystery that shakes an entire community. The best choice ultimately depends on whether you want clever criminal masterminds, troubled detectives or mysteries that gradually reveal their darker connections. Which of these shows would you watch first, and is there another crime thriller you think deserves a place on this list? Share your pick and your recommendations with fellow thriller fans.