More of the Best Crime Fiction TV Adaptations of the Past Decade
There has been such an explosion in crime fiction adaptations on TV in the past decade that one list isn’t enough. With so many popular and acclaimed TV series based on both classic and recent mysteries and thrillers, here are five more of my picks for the best crime fiction TV adaptations of the last 10 years.
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
There has been a renaissance in Agatha Christie adaptations in the past decade, with multiple limited series drawn from the legendary mystery author’s work. This three-episode BritBox original from writer-director Hugh Laurie is a highlight, mixing Christie’s compelling whodunit with sharp humor and engaging characters. Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton have sparkling chemistry as childhood friends who reunite to solve a murder in their seaside hometown. Laurie (who also plays a supporting role) retains the 1930s setting and emulates the wit of that era’s movies in the banter between the main characters. It’s a refreshingly energetic and lighthearted take on a Christie classic.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Michael Connelly’s novels about Los Angeles defense attorney Mickey Haller get a lively, often fun adaptation in this series starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. Mickey is a scrappy lawyer who initially bases his operations in his various Lincoln vehicles, as he rebuilds his business following a stint in rehab. The cases that Mickey takes on are flashy and often dangerous, but an even bigger appeal of The Lincoln Lawyer is the entertaining ensemble cast, including two of Mickey’s ex-wives. Lorna Crane (Becki Newton) is his paralegal, while Maggie McPherson (Neve Campbell) is a local prosecutor. Mickey embeds himself in LA’s underground culture, and he never shies away from taking a risk in order to defend his clients.
Magpie/Moonflower Murders
Author Anthony Horowitz cleverly deconstructs the traditional murder mystery in his novels featuring book editor turned amateur detective Susan Ryeland, who investigates crimes connected to the fictional adventures of private investigator Atticus Pünd. In the TV series based on Horowitz’s novels Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders, Lesley Manville plays Susan, who imagines interacting with the Hercule Poirot-like Pünd (Tim McMullan) as she looks into murders that are tied to the Pünd books she edited. Created and written by Horowitz himself, the show deftly weaves together the modern-day murder investigations with Pünd’s period-piece cozy mysteries, intertwining dual mysteries that pay off simultaneously.
Presumed Innocent
Scott Turow’s gripping legal thriller was previously adapted into a movie starring Harrison Ford, and this TV series from creator David E. Kelley takes the story in a slightly different direction, while retaining Turow’s central hook. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Rusty Sabich, a devoted prosecutor who finds himself on the other side of the courtroom when he’s accused of murdering one of his associates. It doesn’t help that Rusty was having an affair with the victim, or that he seems increasingly volatile, even as he maintains his innocence. Kelley adds new dimensions to the supporting characters, including Ruth Negga as Rusty’s wife and Bill Camp as his mentor, while bringing fresh twists to an already twist-filled story.
Bad Monkey
Author Carl Hiaasen’s off-kilter sense of humor has proved difficult to translate to the screen in the past, but this series from creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Cougar Town, Ted Lasso) finally gets it right. Lawrence puts together a top-notch cast to play Hiaasen’s typically quirky set of Florida characters, led by Vince Vaughn as demoted former Miami police detective (and current food inspector) Andrew Yancy. Yancy gets involved in an elaborate conspiracy when his former partner tasks him with resolving an investigation into a severed arm found by a fishing boat. Lawrence mixes offbeat humor with suspense and intrigue, with Meredith Hagner and Rob Delaney as a pair of bumbling but dangerous villains.
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Josh Bell is a freelance writer and movie/TV critic based in Las Vegas. He has written about movies, TV, and pop culture for the Boston Globe, Vulture, Tom’s Guide, Inverse, Crooked Marquee, and more. With comedian Jason Harris, he co-hosts the podcast Awesome Movie Year.