7 Shows to Watch If You're Having Serious Mindhunter Withdrawals
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If you've made a nice, deep dent in your couch cushion from binging the entire first season of Mindhunter, you're definitely not alone. Learning about what exactly makes real-life serial killers like Ed Kemper, Richard Speck, and Dennis Rader (aka the BTK killer) tick is fascinating, and the 10-episode series left us wanting more. While our obsession with crime is hard to contain, we're definitely not up for a Holden Ford and Bill Tench-style visit to the nearest prison. So what's a Mindhunter fan to do? Get back on the couch and get ready to stream one of these addicting crime shows.
Forensic Files
If you fancy yourself an arm-chair detective and haven't come across this show yet, then you need to check yourself ASAP. Forensic Files is one of TV's OG crime shows. It's been on since 1996 and has 404 episodes to choose from (yes, you read that right, 404). That might as well be a lifetime of television. Added bonus: there's always a scientific spin, so it's educational! Well, sort of.
Cold Case Files
This docuseries takes viewers on a wild ride by examining evidence, interviewing law enforcement and running down the list of potential suspects in crimes that haven't been solved in decades.
The First 48 Hours
Did you know that if you don't solve a crime within the first 48 hours it was committed your chances of EVER solving it decrease dramatically? It's a straight-up race against time when you're trying to get to the bottom of a murder investigation. The First 48 Hours takes you through each and every step of the process of nabbing the bad guy: a look at the evidence, interviews with the cops, and talking to the suspects. Viewers get it all.
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Dexter
If you really want to get inside the head of a serial killer, you should probably follow one around for a few days, right? This oldie (but still a goodie!) gives you a fly-on-the-wall view of the life of Dexter Morgan, a Miami-based blood-spatter expert who knows more than he should about murders that take place in his area. Why? Because he's committing them.
Nightmare Next Door
You can't be a modern day Sherlock Holmes without having at least one favorite show on the Investigation Discovery Network. Nightmare Next Door is far and away the best option. Is the narrator a little cheesy? Yes. But do they look into real-life murders? Also, yes. FYI: there are already six seasons to pick from, so that means you get a 121-episode head start.
The Killing Season
When it comes to taking a closer look at the connections between murders and the habits of serial killers, this show totally nails it. The series opens with an in-depth explanation of the Long Island Serial Killer (aka LISK). Remember all those dead bodies found buried on the beach a few years back? Yeah, that's him. And the most chilling part is those cases are still unsolved to this day. Plus, Joshua Zeman, the director of the documentary Cropsey, created the series, so you know it's good.
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The Mentalist
When it comes to mimicking the plot line of Mindhunter, this show is right on the money. Patrick Jane, a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, is known for his unusual methods of investigation. Hm, ring a bell? He uses his position on top of his psychic abilities to hunt the serial killer who murdered his wife and daughter.