8 Most Innovative Murder Mystery Series Of The 21st Century

BBC via MovieStillsDB Published Nov 12, 2026, 8:00 AM EST El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel. Sign in to your ScreenRant account It's arguably never been harder for murder mysteries to stand out. From British detective dramas and familiar American procedurals to adaptations of classic novels and the new wave of cozy crime, there's a massive selection of murder mystery series to watch. If a show really wants to claim its place in this oversaturated genre, it needs to do something unexpected and give audiences something they've never seen before. This could involve an interesting new storytelling structure, a unique setting, a brand-new take on an iconic character, or even giving their leading sleuths an unusual but no less useful skill (or supernatural power) to solve every puzzling murder case that comes their way. It's not an easy balance to strike, of course. Whodunits rely on familiar tropes and narrative conventions, and straying too far from the genre's tried-and-tested formula might alienate potential viewers. These innovative murder mystery series offer the best of both worlds: the promise of a crime solved and a creative twist. Magpie/Moonflower/Marble Hall Murders (2022-2026) Based on Anthony Horowitz's Susan Ryeland series, the BBC's Magpie Murders is one of the most inventive murder mystery TV adaptations in recent years. Magpie Murders utilizes a "story in a story" structure. In the real world, celebrated crime writer Alan Conway (Conleth Hill) dies under suspicious circumstances after having handed in the final draft of his next detective novel. When the last chapter goes missing, his editor, Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville), begins investigating his death, the incomplete manuscript highlighting new clues. In the fictional, 1950s-set world, Sherlockian German detective Atticus Pünd (Tim McMullan) investigates the deaths of a village housekeeper and local lord. The two stories are constantly interwoven, with people from Conway's life influencing his characters and the novel nudging Susan in certain investigative directions. It's a unique take on the genre, giving viewers not one, but two mysteries to solve. The sequel series, Moonflower Murders and Marble Hall Murders, use a similar structure, as Susan finds new mysteries to solve within Atticus Pünd's fictional saga while building a new life in Greece. It's a modern whodunit and a period detective drama in one. All three seasons are streaming now on PBS Masterpiece. Only Murders in the Building (2021-Present) MovieStillsDB Hulu's Only Murders in the Building has lasted five seasons (so far) for a reason. It's the perfect blend of comedy and murder mystery shenanigans, as unlikely amateur sleuthing trio Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) launch their true-crime podcast, chronicling their investigations into their beloved building's frankly alarming number of violent deaths. It marries this era's fascination with true crime and the popularity of the cozy mystery subgenre to great effect while telling real, relatable, even difficult stories about friendship, love, marriage, family, wealth, Hollywood, and more. The upcoming sixth season, officially retitled Only Murders in London, will see the trio head across the pond to solve the murder of fellow podcaster Cinda Canning (Tina Fey). The new season will include a massive cast of A-list British acting talent, including Olivia Colman, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Martin Freeman, among others. Interestingly, all four actors have starred in some of the most acclaimed and popular British detective dramas: Colman, Tennant, and Whittaker were all in ITV's three-season sensation Broadchurch, while Freeman played John Watson on the BBC's Sherlock. It would be fun to see Only Murders in London embrace some hallmarks of the British detective drama canon, just as it embraced musical theater in season 3, Hollywood in season 4, and old-school mobster stories in season 5. If any show can pull it off, it's Only Murders in the Building. Sherlock (2010-2017) Image via MovieStillsDB To this day, Sherlock remains one of the BBC's biggest-ever success stories, an international phenomenon that continues to influence new detective and mystery drama shows, despite its divisive ending. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's Sherlock updated Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic investigator for the modern era. Forensic science, cell phones, and the internet were all suddenly part of Sherlock Holmes' (Benedict Cumberbatch) life, and thus, his investigations. Gatiss and Moffat brilliantly translated Conan Doyle's most famous stories for the 21st century. Even Holmes' most dastardly enemy, James Moriarty, a character the author arguably created to have an excuse to kill off his most famous creation, became one of TV's most definitive villains. Andrew Scott's portrayal was both terrifying and terrifyingly modern, threatening Sherlock's world with bombs and digital key codes. Above all, Sherlock proved Conan Doyle's famous detective was timeless; its success led to other more modern interpretations of the Sherlock Holmes canon, including CBS's fantastic New York-set procedural, Elementary, and fun twists like the Enola Holmes stories. Watch Sherlock now via PBS, Hulu, and BritBox. The Residence (2025) Credit: Erin Simkin / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection Netflix and Shonda Rhimes' The Residence is a miniseries set in one of the world's most well-protected buildings: the White House. Inspired by Kate Andersen Brower's The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, the show stars Orange Is the New Black's Uzo Aduba as world-famous detective Cordelia Cupp, a bird-watching, brilliant sleuth hired to investigate the death of the White House's Chief Usher (Giancarlo Esposito). Split between a present-day congressional hearing and the night of the murder — which occurred during a massive state dinner with the Australians — The Residence is a tightly plotted, fast-paced, genuinely funny and unexpected murder mystery. Cordelia Cupp deserves to be named alongside detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Rian Johnson's more recent Benoit Blanc, and the White House setting never feels like a gimmick. Its inner workings, history, and layout are integral to the story. It's a shame Netflix didn't renew The Residence after its first season. Although Detective Cupp solved the White House case, future seasons could have easily seen her enjoy other secretive, high-profile murder investigations, providing a different mystery angle than its peers. Still, The Residence is a great watch on its own and well worth a weekend binge session. iZombie (2015-2019) Credit: Jack Rowand / ©The CW / courtesy Everett Collection A light-hearted supernatural horror take on the classic American police procedural series, the CW's iZombie stars Rose McIver (Ghosts) as Liv, a medical student-turned-cannibalistic zombie trying to find a new way to blend in and continue living her undead life. When she discovers that eating people's brains keeps her from devolving into a mindless, homicidal zombie, she takes a job at a local morgue so that she can feed her cravings without having to kill anyone. Eating people's brains doesn't just satisfy her nutritional needs, though — it also gives her a brief glimpse into the memories of the victims and temporarily forces her to absorb their personalities, leading to many hilariously awkward interactions with her colleagues, friends, family, and key witnesses. Still, it's a strangely useful skill to have when helping the police solve crimes. Based on the DC Comics series by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, iZombie is a fun, unusual combination of urban fantasy storytelling and TV's most traditional format. Despite its familiar formula, the show is never afraid to play around with its lore, and McIver has a blast in the role, playing not just one but dozens of different characters throughout iZombie's five-season run. Watch the show on Prime Video now. Ludwig (2024-Present) Colin Hutton/Courtesy of BritBox One of the BBC and BritBox's biggest recent breakout hits, Mark Brotherhood's Ludwig is a real treat for lovers of Agatha Christie-esque characters, clever whodunits, and unexpected comedy. Starring British comic icon David Mitchell as introverted puzzle setter John "Ludwig" Taylor, the first season is essentially a murder-mystery Parent Trap reimagining, as John (reluctantly) takes his twin brother James' place when he disappears. The catch? James is a high-ranking detective in Cambridge, and now John has to convince trained police officers that he's actually his much less awkward brother. Determined to bring James home and figure out what made him leave his family behind, John and his sister-in-law, Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin), become one of TV's most fabulous amateur detective duos. This is especially true in the recently released Ludwig season 2, which sees Lucy take on a sort-of made-up job as an investigative photojournalist for the East Anglia Advertiser. Ludwig cleverly combines weekly murder cases with a sprawling, intricate overarching conspiracy, keeping viewers coming back week after week, season after season. The third season is already in the works, and a Christmas special is due this December, starring Poirot's one and only David Suchet as a suspect in a snow-covered Yorkshire murder case. Tommy & Tuppence (2026-Present) Credit: Lara Cornell/Courtesy of BritBox BritBox's Tommy & Tuppence does for Agatha Christie what Sherlock did for Arthur Conan Doyle. The first modern English-language adaptation of Christie's work, Tommy & Tuppence brings two of Christie's most underrated sleuths into the spotlight as 30-something, 21st-century Londoners who love true crime and need a fresh start. It's a far cry from their first investigation in the 1920s-set The Secret Adversary, but it's a genuinely fun whodunit romp and a fresh new take on Christie's work and characters. Tommy (Josh Dylan), a talented crime writer suffering from writer's block, and Tuppence (Antonia Thomas), a down-on-her-luck actress running from relationship problems, reunite at an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding only for one of the guests to get killed. Determined to rekindle their friendship (while ignoring their lingering romantic feelings), the pair attempt to revive Tommy's aunt Ada's old detective agency, Blunt's Brilliant Detectives, solving crimes across London and into the countryside. Tommy & Tuppence is a great mix of mystery and romance. Who knows what other contemporary Agatha Christie adaptations it might inspire next? Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) Image via Everett Collection Bryan Fuller's genre-blending Pushing Daisies was ahead of its time. Though it was sadly canceled after just two seasons, it's still one of the most imaginative, colorful, and well-written TV murder mysteries, a strangely delightful blend of death, romance, and fantasy. The show stars Lee Pace as Ned, a sweet, cautious pie-maker who can resurrect the dead with the slightest touch. That power comes with a price, though. If anyone is resurrected for more than a minute, another life will be taken away nearby. If a revived person is touched a second time, they'll die forever. When private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) discovers Ned's power, they strike a deal. Ned will revive any murder victims to tell them who killed them, and the pair will split the reward money. Along for the ride is Ned's recently resurrected childhood friend and current object of his affection, Chuck (Anna Friel), an adventurous spirit Ned can't help but want to kiss. Even now, nearly two decades later, Pushing Daisies is still finding new fans. Who knows? Perhaps Bryan Fuller's wish to revisit the show will one day come true. One can only hope. As a fantasy murder mystery, it has no equal. Unfortunately, Pushing Daisies is currently only available to purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.