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| Best Shows Like Silent Night. |
Silent Night has given crime drama fans another reason to appreciate stories where the truth is considerably more complicated than the official version. Set in communist-era Poland, the six-part HBO Max series turns a devastating Christmas Eve incident into an unsettling investigation involving local corruption, buried secrets and an entire community seemingly determined to keep quiet. Naturally, viewers who have finished all six episodes may already be wondering what to watch next.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of television dramas exploring similar territory. From historical murder investigations and real-life criminal cases to isolated communities hiding uncomfortable truths, these 21 shows like Silent Night offer plenty of familiar ingredients, including atmospheric settings, complicated investigations and mysteries that refuse to stay buried.
Best Shows Like Silent Night
1. The Mire (2018)
The Mire is probably one of the closest recommendations for anyone who enjoyed Silent Night. This Polish crime drama follows two journalists investigating a suspicious death in a small provincial town during the 1980s. As they begin examining the circumstances surrounding the case, they encounter a network of corruption, institutional pressure and people who would rather keep certain information out of the newspapers. Its gloomy atmosphere and communist-era setting make it particularly relevant. Like Silent Night, the series explores how political influence and collective silence can prevent ordinary people from discovering the truth. It also understands that sometimes the most suspicious person in a town is the one insisting that absolutely nothing is wrong.
2. The Mire '97 (2021)
The story continues with The Mire '97, which moves between different periods while exploring another disturbing mystery connected to the same Polish community. A catastrophic flood brings long-hidden secrets back into public view, forcing investigators to reconsider events that people believed had been forgotten. The series combines historical drama with crime investigation, making it a strong choice for viewers interested in Silent Night's exploration of the past and its lasting consequences. Both productions use their historical settings to examine how communities protect their reputations, even when doing so means ignoring uncomfortable truths. Apparently, some towns have more secrets than residents willing to admit them.
3. The Investigation (2020)
This Danish crime drama follows investigators working to establish what happened to Swedish journalist Kim Wall after she disappeared during a submarine trip. Rather than relying on conventional thriller techniques, the six-part series concentrates on the painstaking process of gathering evidence, questioning witnesses and reconstructing events. Its restrained storytelling makes the investigation feel grounded and realistic. The connection with Silent Night lies in the determination to uncover the truth despite obstacles, uncertainty and the limitations of official procedures. Both shows demonstrate that serious investigations are rarely solved through one dramatic revelation. Sometimes, they require patience, persistence and an almost unreasonable number of interviews.
4. The Chestnut Man (2021)
Set in Copenhagen, The Chestnut Man begins with a disturbing murder investigation after detectives discover a small chestnut figure at a crime scene. The object contains a clue connected to a missing child, opening the door to a complicated case involving disturbing patterns and hidden connections. As detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess investigate, they discover that the mystery reaches much further than initially expected. Like Silent Night, the series gradually connects individual incidents to a larger web of secrets. Both productions also create an oppressive atmosphere through their settings, using cold weather and subdued surroundings to make the mystery even more unsettling. It is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys carefully constructed crime stories.
5. The Killing (2007)
The original Danish version of The Killing, also known as Forbrydelsen, follows detective Sarah Lund as she investigates the murder of a young woman in Copenhagen. What initially appears to be a straightforward case develops into an investigation involving political ambitions, family relationships and suspicious individuals. The series is particularly effective at showing how a single crime can affect an entire community. Its slow-burning approach and complicated network of potential suspects make it a natural recommendation after Silent Night. Both dramas focus on the consequences of uncovering uncomfortable information, while their investigations gradually reveal that the truth is rarely as simple as the first official explanation.
6. Broadchurch (2013)
Broadchurch takes viewers to a quiet coastal town in Dorset, where the discovery of an 11-year-old boy's body changes the lives of everyone around him. Detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller investigate the case while dealing with a community struggling to understand what has happened. As the investigation progresses, suspicion falls on people who previously seemed perfectly ordinary. The connection with Silent Night is particularly clear in their examination of collective grief, social pressure and the complicated relationships within small communities. Both series understand that a close-knit town can offer support, but it can also make an investigation considerably more complicated when everyone knows everyone else's business.
7. Trapped (2015)
This Icelandic crime drama begins when a mutilated body is discovered in a remote fishing town shortly before a powerful snowstorm cuts off access to the area. With outside assistance unable to arrive, local police officers must investigate while dealing with increasingly difficult circumstances. The isolated setting becomes an important part of the story, creating an atmosphere in which suspicion spreads quickly and personal relationships complicate the investigation. Like Silent Night, Trapped uses harsh winter conditions and a relatively small community to create a sense of confinement. Both series explore what happens when people are forced to confront secrets they would much rather leave untouched.
8. The Valhalla Murders (2019)
The Valhalla Murders follows Icelandic detective Kata and Norwegian investigator Arnar as they investigate a series of killings connected to a disturbing institution from the past. Their work gradually uncovers a history involving vulnerable children, institutional failures and people who have spent years avoiding accountability. The historical dimension is particularly important because the present-day crimes cannot be understood without examining earlier events. This is where the series shares considerable ground with Silent Night. Both dramas explore how powerful institutions and individuals can influence what becomes publicly known. The cold Icelandic landscapes also provide the kind of bleak atmosphere that crime drama fans will probably appreciate.
9. Deadwind (2018)
Finnish crime drama Deadwind centres on detective Sofia Karppi, who returns to work following a personal tragedy and becomes involved in investigating the murder of a woman connected to a construction company. What follows is a complicated case involving business interests, personal relationships and suspicious dealings. The series balances its central investigation with the emotional difficulties experienced by its lead character. Like Silent Night, it uses a seemingly ordinary setting to introduce a much wider network of hidden problems. Both shows also feature investigators who must look beyond convenient explanations to understand what actually happened. Deadwind is particularly suitable for viewers who enjoy Nordic noir with a strong psychological element.
10. The Break (2016)
The Belgian crime drama The Break follows detective Yoann Peeters, who returns to his hometown and becomes involved in investigating the death of a young African footballer. The circumstances surrounding the case quickly become complicated, with local relationships and personal histories making the investigation difficult. The small-town environment plays a significant role, particularly as the detective discovers that familiarity does not necessarily mean honesty. Its connection with Silent Night comes from the atmosphere of suspicion surrounding a community where people know more than they are prepared to reveal. Both series also explore the emotional consequences of investigating a crime that has deeply affected the people living nearby.
11. Black Spot (2017)
Black Spot, originally titled Zone Blanche, is a French-Belgian mystery series set in Villefranche, an isolated town surrounded by a vast forest. Chief of police Laurène Weiss investigates unusual crimes while dealing with the strange history and mysterious circumstances surrounding the area. Although the series incorporates supernatural elements, its central appeal comes from the secrets buried within the community and the unsettling relationships between its residents. Fans of Silent Night may appreciate the similarly oppressive atmosphere and the sense that the location itself holds important clues. Both productions turn an isolated setting into a character of its own, although Black Spot takes its mysteries in a more unusual direction.
12. Mare of Easttown (2021)
Kate Winslet stars as detective Mare Sheehan in this American crime drama about a murder investigation in a working-class Pennsylvania community. While attempting to solve the case, Mare must also manage complicated family relationships and the expectations of people who have known her for years.
The series pays particular attention to how tragedy affects an entire neighbourhood, with personal connections making it difficult to separate suspicion from loyalty. This makes it a strong recommendation for Silent Night viewers. Both productions examine the emotional weight of a crime and the complicated dynamics of a small community. Mare of Easttown also delivers an excellent central performance without turning every conversation into an unnecessarily dramatic speech.
13. Sharp Objects (2018)
Sharp Objects follows journalist Camille Preaker, who returns to her Missouri hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. Her assignment forces her to confront difficult memories and reconnect with a family whose relationships are far from straightforward. As Camille interviews residents and investigates the deaths, the town's apparently respectable exterior begins to reveal something much darker.
Like Silent Night, the series explores the relationship between local secrets, social expectations and the consequences of refusing to discuss uncomfortable events. Its psychological approach is particularly compelling, making it a worthwhile choice for viewers who prefer crime stories driven by character development rather than constant action.
14. Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
Based on Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book, Under the Banner of Heaven follows detective Jeb Pyre as he investigates the murder of a woman and her young daughter in Utah. The case gradually leads him into a complicated religious community, where family connections and deeply established beliefs become important parts of the investigation.
Andrew Garfield leads the cast in a performance that balances professional determination with personal uncertainty. Its connection with Silent Night lies in the examination of communities where loyalty and social pressure can influence people's willingness to cooperate with investigators. Both series also draw inspiration from real events, giving their mysteries an additional historical and social dimension.
15. The Long Shadow (2023)
The Long Shadow is a British true-crime drama examining the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper murders between 1975 and 1981. Rather than concentrating solely on the criminal responsible, the series examines the police investigation, the victims and the wider social circumstances surrounding the case. Its historical setting and attention to investigative failures make it especially relevant to Silent Night.
Both productions explore how official decisions can affect the search for justice and how mistakes can have consequences far beyond the original crime. The Long Shadow is a particularly strong recommendation for viewers interested in serious historical crime dramas that prioritise investigation and human experiences over sensational storytelling.
16. The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021)
This three-part British crime drama revisits two unsolved double murders in Wales and follows the investigation that eventually brings renewed attention to the cases. Luke Evans stars as detective Steve Wilkins, who uses modern forensic techniques and investigative methods to revisit evidence that had remained unresolved for years.
Based on real events, the series examines the difficulties of reopening old cases and finding reliable evidence. Its connection with Silent Night comes from the determination to revisit events that were never properly settled. Both productions also demonstrate how the passage of time does not necessarily mean that a case has reached its final chapter.
17. The Serpent (2021)
Set mainly during the 1970s, The Serpent follows the criminal activities of Charles Sobhraj and the international investigation that gradually exposes his actions. Tahar Rahim stars alongside Jenna Coleman in this drama inspired by real events, with the story moving between different locations and perspectives.
Although its geographical scope is much wider than Silent Night, the historical setting and investigative storyline make it a relevant recommendation. Both series explore how people can manipulate their surroundings and exploit the reluctance of others to question suspicious circumstances. The Serpent also offers an interesting look at the difficulties of pursuing justice when evidence and witnesses are spread across different countries.
18. A Nearly Normal Family (2023)
This Swedish crime thriller begins when an ordinary-looking family finds its life turned upside down after their teenage daughter is accused of murder. Told through different perspectives, the series gradually reveals how the parents and daughter understand the events surrounding the case.
What makes it particularly interesting is its examination of family loyalty and the lengths people may go to protect someone they love. Like Silent Night, it questions how much people are willing to conceal when the truth threatens their personal relationships. It also demonstrates that an investigation can become more complicated when those closest to the people involved have their own versions of what happened.
19. The Åre Murders (2025)
The Åre Murders takes place in a Swedish mountain resort, where detective Hanna Ahlander becomes involved in investigating the disappearance of a young woman. As the investigation develops, the apparently peaceful surroundings reveal a more complicated collection of relationships and secrets. The snowy landscape provides an atmospheric backdrop, while the mystery gradually introduces questions about the people connected to the case. Its similarities to Silent Night are particularly noticeable in the winter setting, isolated community and investigative storyline. Both shows use the contrast between peaceful surroundings and troubling events to create tension. If the snowy atmosphere was one of your favourite parts of Silent Night, this series deserves a place on your watchlist.
20. The Asunta Case (2024)
This Spanish true-crime miniseries examines the disappearance and death of Asunta Basterra, an adopted girl whose parents become central figures in the investigation. Based on a real case that attracted considerable attention in Spain, the series follows the investigation as conflicting accounts and unexpected developments complicate the search for answers.
Its focus on family relationships, public scrutiny and the difficulty of establishing what happened makes it an interesting companion to Silent Night. Both dramas draw on real events and explore how an investigation can expose deeply uncomfortable circumstances. The Asunta Case is especially suitable for viewers who enjoy stories in which the people closest to the victim become an important part of the mystery.
21. The Snow Girl (2023)
Rounding off this list is The Snow Girl, a Spanish mystery thriller about the disappearance of a young girl during a crowded parade in Málaga. Journalist Miren Rojo becomes determined to investigate the case, following clues and pursuing information that others have struggled to uncover. The story moves across different periods as the investigation develops, revealing how one disappearance can affect families and communities for years. Like Silent Night, the series focuses on unanswered questions, determined investigators and the emotional consequences of a case that refuses to disappear from public attention. Its winter-themed title is another small bonus, although viewers should not expect the same Polish historical setting.
Is Silent Night Worth Following Up With These Shows?
Honestly, Silent Night has a rather specific combination of ingredients that makes finding a suitable replacement surprisingly difficult. It is not simply another murder mystery with a detective asking questions and everyone looking suspicious. Its historical setting, Christmas Eve tragedy and examination of an entire community's silence give it a much heavier atmosphere than a conventional crime series. That is precisely why The Mire, The Investigation and The Long Shadow stand out as particularly strong alternatives. They understand that the most interesting part of a crime story is often what happens after the initial discovery.
Personally, I would start with The Mire if the Polish setting appealed to you, followed by Broadchurch for its excellent character-driven investigation. Mare of Easttown is another easy recommendation, especially if you prefer emotional storytelling alongside a complicated mystery. Meanwhile, The Chestnut Man is ideal when you want something darker and more suspenseful. Not every recommendation here has the same historical background, of course, but they share enough thematic similarities to keep fans occupied. And let's be honest, 21 shows should be enough to keep your watchlist busy for quite a while.
Which of these series comes closest to Silent Night in your opinion? Have you already watched any of them, or do you think another historical crime drama deserves a place on this list? Share your recommendations and let other viewers know what they should watch next.