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| Best Shows Like CharoScuro. |
Finding another television series like ChiaroScuro might be harder than expected, particularly if what caught your attention was its unusual combination of elaborate murder mysteries, art history, eccentric investigators and an unlikely police partnership. Fortunately, there are plenty of crime dramas that explore similar territory, even if they approach their mysteries from slightly different angles. Netflix's Italian series brings together an unconventional art advisor and a traditional police inspector as they investigate theatrical killings connected to Rome's prestigious cultural institutions.
With paintings becoming clues, old family secrets complicating the investigation and two very different personalities attempting to work together, the eight-episode drama offers considerably more than a straightforward police procedural. If you enjoyed Cosmo Speranza and Angelo Tiberi's unusual investigative partnership, these 21 shows should be next on your watchlist. Some feature art-related crimes, others explore historical mysteries or unconventional detective partnerships, but they all offer something that makes them worthwhile alternatives.
Best Shows Like ChiaroScuro
1. The Art of Crime (2017)
If there is one series that deserves the top spot for fans of ChiaroScuro, it is The Art of Crime. This French crime drama follows Antoine Verlay, a police captain who knows considerably more about investigating criminals than understanding paintings. His professional life becomes rather complicated when he is paired with Florence Chassagne, an art historian whose knowledge of famous artists and their work proves invaluable to solving unusual cases.
Together, they investigate murders connected to celebrated paintings, historical artists and the complicated world of art. The similarities are almost impossible to miss. Like Cosmo in ChiaroScuro, Florence uses her understanding of artistic details to identify clues that conventional investigators might overlook. The contrast between her personality and Antoine's more traditional police methods also creates an entertaining partnership. If you particularly enjoyed the combination of art history and murder investigations, this should be your first choice.
2. Vienna Blood (2019)
Set in early 20th-century Vienna, Vienna Blood follows Max Liebermann, a young doctor and student of psychoanalysis who becomes involved in criminal investigations alongside Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt. Their different approaches to understanding human behaviour frequently lead them into complicated cases involving murder, deception and hidden motivations.
Max relies on psychological observation, while Oskar approaches investigations through conventional police work. Sound familiar? Their partnership shares plenty with the relationship between Cosmo and Angelo, particularly the way two very different minds gradually learn to work together. The historical setting also provides an atmospheric backdrop, with grand buildings, cultural institutions and a society full of secrets. Anyone who appreciates ChiaroScuro's elegant visual style and intellectually challenging mysteries will find plenty to enjoy here.
3. Astrid: Murder in Paris (2019)
Astrid: Murder in Paris, also known as Astrid et Raphaëlle, introduces viewers to an unusual investigative partnership between Astrid Nielsen, an exceptionally observant police archivist, and Raphaëlle Coste, a more conventional detective.
Astrid possesses an extraordinary ability to recognise patterns and organise information, making her particularly valuable when investigations become complicated. Raphaëlle brings practical police experience and a willingness to approach cases from different perspectives. Their contrasting personalities gradually develop into a strong professional relationship.
The connection with ChiaroScuro comes through their unconventional approach to crime-solving. Like Cosmo, Astrid notices details that other people frequently overlook, while Raphaëlle provides the investigative experience needed to turn those observations into meaningful leads. The series also balances individual mysteries with character development, giving viewers reasons to remain invested beyond the weekly cases.
4. The Madame Blanc Mysteries (2021)
Art, antiques, suspicious deaths and a detective who knows how to recognise something valuable make The Madame Blanc Mysteries a particularly entertaining recommendation.
The series follows Jean White, an antiques dealer who travels to the south of France after the unexpected death of her husband. While attempting to understand what happened, she becomes involved in local mysteries and gradually uses her professional knowledge to help solve crimes.
Jean's understanding of antiques, historical objects and valuable collections gives her an advantage that ordinary investigators do not necessarily possess. That is precisely where the connection with ChiaroScuro becomes interesting. Both series explore how objects can contain information that goes far beyond their appearance. The French setting also adds considerable charm, although the mysteries are generally lighter in tone. It is a good option if you want something involving investigation without spending every episode in an unnecessarily gloomy atmosphere.
5. Leonardo (2021)
For viewers particularly interested in the relationship between art, history and mystery, Leonardo offers another fascinating alternative. This historical drama follows Leonardo da Vinci, exploring his extraordinary artistic abilities, personal relationships and complicated life during the Italian Renaissance.
The series is not a conventional detective procedural, but its focus on artistic genius, historical intrigue and the stories behind famous works makes it relevant to ChiaroScuro. Both productions understand that art can be much more than something attractive hanging on a museum wall. It can reflect personal struggles, hidden motivations and the cultural circumstances surrounding its creation.
The Italian locations and period atmosphere are also worth appreciating. While Leonardo takes a more historical approach, viewers who enjoyed the artistic dimension of ChiaroScuro may appreciate discovering the world behind some of history's most recognisable paintings.
6. Ludwig (2024)
Ludwig takes the unconventional detective concept in a wonderfully entertaining direction. The British comedy-mystery follows John Taylor, a quiet puzzle enthusiast who unexpectedly assumes the identity of his missing police detective brother.
Although John has little experience working as an actual investigator, his extraordinary ability to solve puzzles makes him surprisingly effective at understanding complicated criminal cases.
The similarity with ChiaroScuro lies in its central character. Like Cosmo, John possesses a particular intellectual skill that makes him valuable to the police, even though he is hardly a conventional detective. The series also plays with the contrast between analytical thinking and everyday police work. It is considerably more comedic, but that is hardly a disadvantage when you fancy a mystery that does not take itself too seriously.
7. The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023)
Set in late 19th-century Italy, The Law According to Lidia Poët follows a determined woman challenging the restrictions of her time while pursuing a career in law. Based on the life of Italy's first modern female lawyer, the series combines courtroom drama, historical intrigue and criminal investigations.
Lidia frequently finds herself examining complicated cases, questioning established assumptions and searching for information that others have overlooked. Her intelligence and determination make her an engaging central character.
Although its legal focus differs from ChiaroScuro's police investigations, both series share an Italian setting and an interest in uncovering the truth behind complicated situations. The historical atmosphere and strong character-driven storytelling also make it an appealing choice for viewers who appreciate Italian productions with more than one mystery unfolding.
8. The Irrational (2023)
If Cosmo's unusual way of understanding people and situations was one of your favourite aspects of ChiaroScuro, The Irrational deserves a place on your watchlist.
The American crime drama centres on Alec Mercer, a behavioural science professor whose expertise in human psychology helps law enforcement solve complicated investigations. He applies his understanding of human behaviour to cases involving deception, unusual motives and criminal activity.
Rather than interpreting paintings, Alec examines people and the decisions they make. Nevertheless, the underlying concept is surprisingly similar: an unconventional specialist brings a different perspective to investigations that traditional police methods cannot always solve. The series also combines individual cases with an ongoing personal storyline, giving it a structure that should appeal to viewers who enjoy mysteries with a larger narrative running underneath.
9. Inspector Ricciardi (2021)
Returning to Italy, Inspector Ricciardi offers a crime drama with a distinctive historical atmosphere. Set in 1930s Naples, the series follows Commissioner Luigi Alfredo Ricciardi, a police investigator who possesses an unusual ability to perceive the final thoughts of people who have died violently.
His extraordinary gift helps him investigate murders, although it also makes his personal life considerably more complicated.
The connection with ChiaroScuro comes through its central investigative concept. Both series feature protagonists whose unusual abilities allow them to recognise information that other investigators cannot access. The Italian locations, carefully constructed mysteries and personal secrets also provide familiar territory. However, Inspector Ricciardi is more atmospheric and melancholic, making it a good choice when you want something with a slower, more thoughtful approach to crime-solving.
10. The Alienist (2018)
The Alienist takes viewers into late 19th-century New York, where a series of disturbing murders leads a group of unconventional investigators into a complicated investigation.
The story follows Dr Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist, who works alongside newspaper illustrator John Moore and police secretary Sara Howard. Together, they attempt to understand the mind of a killer using methods that challenge conventional investigative practices of the period.
Like ChiaroScuro, the series revolves around a specialist whose knowledge offers a different way of examining criminal behaviour. Both productions also pay considerable attention to the details surrounding their crimes, with clues and observations gradually revealing the larger picture. Its historical setting and carefully recreated environments make it particularly appealing for viewers who enjoy crime stories with a strong visual identity.
11. Balthazar (2018)
French crime drama Balthazar follows Raphaël Balthazar, a brilliant forensic pathologist whose unconventional personality makes him something of a challenge for his colleagues.
He works alongside police commander Hélène Bach, helping investigate complicated deaths through his ability to interpret forensic evidence and reconstruct what happened. Their contrasting approaches create a partnership that gradually becomes central to the series.
The similarities with ChiaroScuro are particularly noticeable in the relationship between its two leads. Both stories feature an unconventional specialist working alongside a more traditional police investigator. Their differences frequently create amusing exchanges, but those same differences become valuable when an investigation reaches a difficult point. If you enjoyed the mixture of crime, character development and occasional humour, Balthazar is an excellent next choice.
12. The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014)
Not every mystery needs an elaborate museum or a priceless painting to become interesting. The Brokenwood Mysteries demonstrates that an ordinary-looking town can contain more than enough suspicious activity to keep a detective busy.
The New Zealand series follows Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd, who arrives in the small town of Brokenwood and becomes involved in a succession of unusual murder investigations. He works alongside local officers, including Detective Kristin Sims, as they examine the secrets and relationships hidden beneath the town's seemingly peaceful surface.
Like ChiaroScuro, the series combines individual investigations with an evolving group of characters. Its mysteries often involve unexpected motives and unusual circumstances, while its dry humour prevents the atmosphere from becoming too serious. It is a particularly enjoyable choice for viewers who appreciate an investigator with an unconventional personality.
13. Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018)
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators brings a lighter approach to the crime genre through an unlikely partnership between former police inspector Frank Hathaway and private investigator Lu Shakespeare.
Working together in Stratford-upon-Avon, the pair investigate cases involving suspicious behaviour, missing people, complicated relationships and occasional criminal schemes. Their personalities are very different, which naturally creates plenty of entertaining disagreements.
The connection with ChiaroScuro is not particularly about art history but rather the central relationship between two investigators who approach problems differently. Both series understand that an effective investigative partnership does not require two people to think alike. In fact, watching them disagree before eventually reaching the correct conclusion is often half the entertainment. It is a solid option for anyone looking for clever mysteries with a generous helping of comedy.
14. Petra (2020)
Italian crime series Petra follows Deputy Inspector Petra Delicato, an investigator working in Genoa whose sharp intelligence and unconventional personality make her an interesting presence within the police department.
Based on the novels by Alicia Giménez Bartlett, the series follows Petra as she handles complex investigations while navigating her relationships with colleagues and the people around her.
Its connection with ChiaroScuro comes through its Italian identity, character-driven investigations and emphasis on the personalities behind the cases. Petra does not always follow the expected approach, which can make her methods challenging for those around her. Nevertheless, her ability to examine situations from different angles makes her an effective investigator. If you want another Italian crime drama with a distinctive central character, this one deserves attention.
15. The Mallorca Files (2019)
The Mallorca Files follows British detective Miranda Blake and German detective Max Winter, who find themselves working together on investigations across the Spanish island of Mallorca.
Their professional relationship begins with considerable differences in personality and investigative style. Miranda is more serious and methodical, while Max approaches situations with a considerably more relaxed attitude. Their contrasting methods frequently create amusing moments as they investigate crimes involving the island's international community.
The connection with ChiaroScuro is straightforward: an unlikely partnership between two investigators who need to overcome their differences to solve cases. The Mediterranean setting also provides a welcome change of scenery. While its tone is lighter and its mysteries are generally more conventional, it offers a similarly entertaining balance of crime-solving and character chemistry.
16. The Name of the Rose (2019)
Based on Umberto Eco's celebrated novel, The Name of the Rose is a historical mystery set in a medieval Italian monastery. The story follows Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and his young companion Adso as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths.
The investigation leads them towards a complicated world of religious politics, secret knowledge, forbidden books and conflicting beliefs. Much of the mystery revolves around understanding what has happened inside an institution where information is carefully guarded.
This makes it an interesting recommendation for ChiaroScuro viewers. Both productions use important cultural settings as the centre of their mysteries, with historical objects and hidden information playing significant roles. The Name of the Rose is more serious and philosophical, but its combination of investigation, intellectual puzzles and Italian atmosphere makes it a worthwhile addition.
17. The Chelsea Detective (2022)
The Chelsea Detective follows Detective Inspector Max Arnold as he investigates murders in one of London's wealthiest neighbourhoods.
Despite the area's polished appearance, the series regularly reveals complicated relationships, private conflicts and suspicious circumstances beneath the surface. Arnold works with his colleagues to examine the evidence and uncover the truth behind each case.
The similarity with ChiaroScuro comes from its interest in the world behind prestigious institutions and seemingly respectable environments. Just because a place looks impressive does not mean everyone inside it has something worth celebrating. The series also combines individual investigations with the personal lives of its main characters, creating a familiar crime-drama structure. It is a particularly good choice if you enjoy mysteries set among wealthy communities and cultural surroundings.
18. Montalbano (1999)
One of Italy's most recognisable detective dramas, Inspector Montalbano follows Salvo Montalbano, a sharp and occasionally impatient police commissioner working in the fictional Sicilian town of Vigàta.
Based on the novels by Andrea Camilleri, the series combines traditional murder investigations with an engaging portrait of local life. Montalbano frequently finds himself dealing with complicated cases involving family relationships, business interests and the secrets people would rather keep hidden.
Like ChiaroScuro, the series places considerable importance on its Italian setting and the personality of its central investigator. Montalbano is intelligent, observant and not particularly interested in following unnecessary formalities. His approach may frustrate colleagues from time to time, but it often helps him get closer to the truth. Fans of Italian crime storytelling should certainly give it a chance.
19. The Marlow Murder Club (2024)
The Marlow Murder Club follows Judith Potts, an independent crossword enthusiast who unexpectedly becomes involved in a murder investigation in the quiet English town of Marlow.
After discovering a suspicious death, Judith teams up with two other local women to investigate what happened. Their unlikely group gradually develops into an effective amateur detective team, despite having rather different backgrounds and personalities.
The series shares ChiaroScuro's interest in unconventional investigators who succeed because they notice details that other people miss. Judith's intelligence and puzzle-solving abilities become particularly useful when the evidence starts pointing in unexpected directions. The tone is lighter, but the central mystery remains engaging. It is ideal for viewers who enjoy clever characters, unexpected partnerships and crime stories that leave room for humour.
20. The Hunter (2018)
Italian crime drama The Hunter, originally titled Il Cacciatore, follows Saverio Barone, a young magistrate working to investigate organised crime in Sicily during the early 1990s.
Inspired by the experiences of prosecutor Alfonso Sabella, the series explores the complicated investigations and personal challenges involved in pursuing powerful criminal organisations.
Although its subject matter is quite different from ChiaroScuro, both series share an Italian setting and an overarching narrative that develops beyond individual cases. The Hunter also explores how personal history, professional ambition and difficult decisions can influence an investigation. It is considerably more serious and grounded, making it a suitable alternative for viewers who enjoyed the broader criminal storyline in ChiaroScuro rather than just its lighter partnership moments.
21. Professor T (2021)
Rounding off the list is Professor T, a British crime drama centred on Jasper Tempest, an eccentric criminology professor at Cambridge University who assists the police with difficult investigations.
His extraordinary analytical abilities and academic knowledge make him particularly effective at identifying patterns and understanding criminal behaviour. However, his personality and unusual working habits can make professional relationships rather complicated.
The similarities with ChiaroScuro are especially strong in the central character concept. Like Cosmo, Professor T is an unconventional intellectual whose specialist knowledge helps investigators approach cases from a different perspective. Both characters also have personal histories that influence their present circumstances, adding another layer to the mysteries. If you enjoy watching brilliant but socially complicated characters solve crimes while frustrating practically everyone around them, Professor T should be right up your street.
Opinion: Which Shows Like ChiaroScuro Are Actually Worth Watching?
Honestly, ChiaroScuro has a rather appealing formula, and finding another series that combines all its ingredients is not quite as easy as searching for another police procedural. The art world gives its mysteries a distinctive identity, while Cosmo and Angelo's contrasting personalities provide the entertainment that keeps the investigations from feeling repetitive. That is why The Art of Crime would be my first recommendation. It captures the closest combination of artistic knowledge, unusual murder cases and an unlikely investigative partnership.
Astrid: Murder in Paris and Vienna Blood are also excellent choices if you prefer intelligent characters who approach problems differently from conventional detectives. Meanwhile, Ludwig is worth considering when you want something lighter without sacrificing clever mysteries. Personally, I would rather watch two detectives arguing over an obscure clue than another predictable investigation where everyone somehow reaches the answer immediately. At least give the audience something to think about.
Ultimately, these 21 shows offer plenty of alternatives for anyone who enjoyed ChiaroScuro's unusual mixture of crime, art, personal secrets and unconventional detective work. Whether you prefer the artistic investigations of The Art of Crime, the historical atmosphere of Vienna Blood or the amusing partnership in Ludwig, there is something here to suit different tastes.
Of course, not every recommendation follows exactly the same formula, but that is rather the point: sometimes the best follow-up is a series that offers a familiar feeling while bringing something different to the table. Which of these 21 shows would you watch first, and do you think The Art of Crime is the closest match to ChiaroScuro? Share your picks and let other crime-drama fans know which series deserves a place on their watchlist.