High-quality detective stories never go out of style. Whether it’s a quiet Scandinavian thriller or a pulpy suburban mystery, there’s something irresistible about trying to piece it all together before the characters do. In 2025, five new miniseries are stepping into the spotlight — and they’re bringing trauma, tenacity, and secrets buried deep (sometimes literally). We’re breaking down five intricate cases that you’ll uncover alongside a toxic genius, a persevering Swedish Olympic champion, a bold reporter, and more.

Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) doesn’t play well with others. He’s a brilliant but emotionally distant detective, still carrying the weight of a botched raid that left one officer dead, his partner paralyzed, and Morck himself injured. Pushed out of active duty, he’s reassigned to the basement — literally — to sort through cold cases no one else wants.

There, joined by two unlikely allies (Leah Byrne and Aleksey Manvelov), he stumbles on the unsolved disappearance of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie). What begins as just another dusty file turns into something far more dangerous.

Dept. Q is based on the bestselling novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen and brought to the screen by The Queen’s Gambit director Scott Frank. The series leans into atmosphere — Edinburgh’s wet stone and gray skies set the mood — but it’s Matthew Goode’s tightly coiled performance that anchors the slow-burn suspense. Fans of gritty character-driven mysteries won’t want to miss it.

Eliza (Denise Gough) is an influencer and flight attendant, accustomed to champagne and private jets. But after one long haul, she lets her daughter stay overnight at a friend’s place — and the next morning, she’s gone. No one answers the phone. The house is just a rental. And suddenly, Eliza and her husband Fred (Jim Sturgess) are thrown into every parent’s nightmare.

The Stolen Girl plays its cards early — the audience knows who took the child — but that’s not the mystery. Instead, it’s about why, and whether there’s still hope. As the police scramble, a sharp young journalist named Selma (Ambika Mod) starts to uncover the tangled history behind the seemingly perfect family.

Directed by Eva Husson (The Handmaid’s Tale), the series focuses less on police work and more on the emotional dynamics between three very different women: the grieving mother, the abductor, and the one person chasing the truth. It’s moody, intense, and refuses to offer easy answers.

In 2004, in a quiet Swedish town, a school teacher and a young boy are murdered in broad daylight. DNA is collected — but the tech just isn’t there yet. Years pass, and the case fades into the background. Until sixteen years later, when new science finally cracks open the door to justice.

The Breakthrough tells the true story of a cold case that nearly went unsolved. Director Lisa Siwe, known for her deft work in Nordic crime drama, gives space to both the procedural detail and the human cost. The detective leading the charge sacrifices his marriage chasing ghosts. The victims’ families cling to hope, even as time stretches out and leads go cold.

This isn’t about flashy forensics or high-stakes chase scenes. It’s about obsession, grief, and the quiet devastation of never knowing. And when that breakthrough finally comes, it hits hard.

December 1988. A Pan Am flight explodes midair over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing everyone on board — and dozens more on the ground. The image of wreckage scattered across quiet fields becomes a defining tragedy of the era.

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 picks up with detective Ed McCusker (Connor Swindells), who finds himself chasing a case that stretches far beyond his town — and far beyond his comfort zone. From charred debris to geopolitical complexity, the investigation is grueling and lonely.

This BBC and Netflix co-production stands apart from earlier tellings of the story. Rather than focusing on victims or dramatic spectacle, it tracks the slow, painful process of truth-finding. Directors Gillian Roger Park, Jonathan Lee, and Michael Keillor opt for restraint, creating a tone that’s more meditative than explosive. It’s about legacy, memory, and the people who refuse to let tragedy fade into silence.

Suburban Detroit. Sunlight, lawn sprinklers, pastel-colored houses — and something buried under the roses. A group of mismatched neighbors meet weekly for gardening, but behind the potlucks and plant swaps, secrets are blooming.

Alice (AnnaSophia Robb) dreams of escaping to New York. Brett (Ben Rappaport) is a dad trying to rebuild his life. Catherine (Aja Naomi King) is tired of smiling through suburbia. Birdie (Melissa Fumero) is a walking chaos machine in heels. Their connection? A body buried beneath a flower bed — and no one’s talking.

Grosse Pointe Garden Society blends elements of Desperate Housewives and Pretty Little Liars, but at its core, it also taps into the emotional depth found in the best Female Friendship Movies. Beneath the dark humor and constant twists, the show explores how complicated, messy, and even dangerous female bonds can become when trust is tested. Flashbacks, suburban secrets, and shifting alliances give the story texture — and just enough edge to keep it sharp. It’s vibrant, chaotic, and layered with just the right dose of melodrama.

From icy basements in Edinburgh to flower beds hiding dirty secrets in suburban Detroit, these five shows offer wildly different takes on the detective genre — and all of them are worth your time. Whether you’re into slow-burn investigations, emotionally complex thrillers, or stylish suburban scandals, 2025’s lineup proves that the mystery genre still has plenty of fresh ground to cover. And if you’ve been missing smart, character-driven crime stories with a real sense of place — you’ve just hit the jackpot.