Jodie Foster in ‘True Detective: Night Country’.Photo:Michele K. Short/HBO
Michele K. Short/HBO
HBO’sTrue Detective: Night Countryhas become one of the first major television hits of 2024. Set in northern Alaska during the polar night, the series follows a town that gets sucked into a massive mystery after the bodies of six scientists are found frozen on the desolate ice.
It’s a gritty crime drama that’s interwoven with supernatural elements, creating a gripping, terrifying and suspenseful mystery. Leading the cast areJodie Fosterand Kali Reis, who both portray strong yet broken characters who struggle not only with their elusive case but also with their fractured lives. With its great setting, murder mystery and scary supernatural undertones,Night Countryhas become another hit in theTrue Detectiveseries.
There are also tons of other shows thatNight Countryfans will love, from detective dramas to paranormal frights, shows set in the far north, and more. Check out these 11 bingeable series that all offer somethingNight Countryfans will love.
The Outsider
Cynthia Erivo in ‘The Outsider’.Bob Mahoney/HBO
Bob Mahoney/HBO
If you loveNight Country’s combo of murder mystery and supernatural elements, you’ll loveThe Outsider. Based on theStephen Kingnovel of the same name, this miniseries centers around a murder investigation that unintentionally begins to unravel a dark supernatural secret. Fans ofNight Countrywill love the show’s combination of gritty crime and haunting paranormal elements. Plus, the series has a fantastic cast that includesJason BatemanandCynthia Erivo.
WatchThe Outsideron Max
Fargo
Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons in ‘Fargo’.Chris Large/Mgm Tv/Fx Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock
Chris Large/Mgm Tv/Fx Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock
Fargois an anthology series just likeTrue Detectiveand each season centers on crime and often a murder. The main difference between the two shows is thatFargooften utilizes dark humor, which gives it a really unique vibe of being both captivating and suspenseful, yet smart and witty. But bothFargoandTrue Detectivehave compelling plots and often attract major stars who deliver spot-on performances. Throughout the years,Fargohas featured actors likeKirsten Dunst,Chris Rock,Ewan McGregorandMartin Freeman, among many others.
WatchFargoon Hulu
The Fall
Gillian Anderson in ‘The Fall’.Netflix
Netflix
WatchThe Fallon Prime Video
Twin Peaks
If you enjoyed the blend of murder and surrealism inNight Country, then consider watching the' 90s seriesTwin Peaksfor the same reason. WhileTwin Peaksleans more heavily toward the bizarre, it is still anchored around a mysterious murder in a small mountain town. Though different, the two series feel like kindred spirits and the building tension inTwin Peakswill be a treat for fans ofNight Country. The series also has a robust cast that includesKyle MacLachlan, Lara Flynn Boyle,Piper LaurieandPeggy Lipton.
WatchTwin Peakson Paramount+
A Murder at the End of the World
Chris Saunders/FX
A Murder at the End of the Worldboasts a similarly dark and bleak arctic setting asNight Country. In the show, a group is invited to a retreat at a secluded resort in Iceland … but soon, one of the guests is found dead.A Murder at the End of the Worldis geared toward a younger audience thanNight Countryand feels pulpier and more Agatha Christie-inspired, but it’s still an enjoyable watch thatNight Countryfans will love thanks to its northern-set mystery.
WatchA Murder at the End of the Worldon Hulu
Mare of Easttown
Kate Winslet Mare of Easttown.Michele K. Short/HBO
For fans who love the complicated characters inNight Country, Max’sMare of Easttownis a must-watch. In the series,Kate Winsletplays Mare Sheehan, a detective investigating a murder in a small Pennsylvania town. But what really sets the show apart is Sheehan’s own chaotic and destructive life, which begs the question: Is she keeping others safe, or is she too busy struggling with demons of her own? Winslet won both anEmmyand aGolden Globefor her role.
Watch theMare of Easttownon Max
The X-Files
David Duchovny in ‘The X-Files’.20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
If you want to watch a show about detectives solving mysteries that leans further into the supernatural, check outThe X-Files. While each episode focuses on something different, from deadly parasites to telekinesis, vampires and more, the real strength of the show comes from the relationship between the two leads, skeptic Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and believer Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). This dichotomy will also feel familiar to fans ofNight Countrysince Foster and Reis often banter about their different beliefs in God, religion and the paranormal. WhileThe X-Filesis often billed as a sci-fi show, the truth is that it’s also a great drama filled with mystery and suspense.
WatchThe X-Fileson Hulu
Sharp Objects
Amy Adams as Camille Preaker in ‘Sharp Objects’.HBO/Kobal/Shutterstock
HBO/Kobal/Shutterstock
InSharp Objects, a journalist (Amy Adams) returns to her rural hometown to investigate the murder of two teenagers. But secrets from the past paired with her own mental health struggles turn the visit into a nightmare she wasn’t expecting. The rural setting inSharp Objectsgives the miniseries the same friction and isolation that makesNight Countryso captivating. The one-season series also starsPatricia ClarksonandSydney Sweeney.
WatchSharp Objectson Max
Yellowjackets
YELLOWJACKETS season 2.Kailey Schwerman/SHOWTIME ;
With its supernatural horror and northerly setting,Yellowjacketsis an unexpected show thatNight Countryfans will love. Set in two time periods, the series follows a group of girls who survive a plane crash in the desolate wilderness and their later adult selves who are forced to grapple with their lasting trauma. While it’s not a detective series, the plot does center around a juicy, terrifying and dark mystery: What is the unexplained and ruthless entity guiding the girls in the wilderness? It’s perfect for fans who loveNight Country’s horror elements and deep character development. Plus,Yellowjacketshas a phenomenal castthat includesChristina Ricci,Melanie LynskeyandJuliette Lewis.
WatchYellowjacketson Paramount+ with Showtime
Dark Winds
‘Dark Winds.'.AMC
AMC
WatchDark Windson AMC+
Happy Valley
This British crime series follows Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) as she attempts to confront the man who assaulted her since-deceased daughter several years prior. Spanning three seasons,Happy Valleyincorporates similar suspense, darkness and small-town setting asNight Country. The series, which ended in 2023, won five BAFTAs, including best actress for Lancashire.
WatchHappy Valleyon Amazon Prime Video
source: people.com
