Crime Series Where the Detective Is the Real Criminal

Crime dramas usually rely on a clear distinction between the hero with a badge and the villain in handcuffs. Some of the most compelling television series flip this dynamic by making the investigator the lawbreaker. These shows explore the complex morality of characters who hide behind their authority to commit heinous acts. The tension rises when the protagonist must investigate their own crimes to avoid capture. Viewers often find themselves in the uncomfortable position of rooting for a character who deserves to be behind bars.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Dexter Morgan leads a double life as a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department and a vigilante serial killer. He adheres to a strict code taught by his father to only target other murderers who have escaped the justice system. The series creates tension by placing him in the middle of investigations where he must often sabotage evidence to protect his own identity. His ability to blend in with law enforcement allows him to hide in plain sight while satisfying his dark urges. This unique dynamic forces the audience to root for a protagonist who is objectively a monster.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

Dr. Hannibal Lecter serves as a brilliant forensic psychiatrist who assists the FBI in catching some of the most twisted killers in the country. While he aids criminal profiler Will Graham in solving gruesome murders, Lecter secretly commits his own horrific crimes and cannibalizes his victims. The show masterfully displays his manipulation of the FBI team as he steers investigations away from himself or frames others. Lecter treats the law enforcement agents around him as pawns in his elaborate psychological games. His position as a trusted consultant makes his predatory nature even more terrifying.

‘The Shield’ (2002–2008)

Vic Mackey leads the experimental Strike Team in the Farmington district of Los Angeles using brutal and illegal methods to maintain order. He and his team operate as a criminal gang within the police department by stealing drug money and planting evidence. The narrative begins with Mackey murdering a fellow officer to cover up their corruption which sets the tone for the entire series. Mackey justifies his actions as necessary evils to keep the streets safe while lining his own pockets. The show explores the slippery slope of moral compromise when those with a badge act above the law.

‘Banshee’ (2013–2016)

A master thief assumes the identity of Lucas Hood after the real incoming sheriff is killed in a bar fight. He attempts to enforce the law in the Amish town of Banshee while continuing his criminal activities and hiding from a dangerous crime boss. The protagonist uses his new authority to dispense his own violent brand of justice that often bypasses legal protocol. His past life constantly threatens to catch up with him as he navigates local power struggles. The series blends immense action with the tension of an imposter trying to maintain his cover.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Light Yagami is a student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name. He adopts the persona of Kira to cleanse the world of criminals while simultaneously joining the police task force dedicated to catching him. Light engages in a dangerous battle of wits with the eccentric detective L while working from the inside to sabotage the investigation. The story highlights his descent into a god complex as he manipulates his own father and colleagues. It presents a gripping psychological game where the hunter and the hunted are often in the same room.

‘Line of Duty’ (2012–2021)

The series follows the internal affairs unit AC-12 as they investigate corrupt officers within the police force who are often working for organized crime. Several seasons focus on senior detectives who actively sabotage inquiries and facilitate murders to protect their criminal associates. These antagonists are deeply embedded in the system and use their knowledge of police procedure to evade capture. The show builds immense tension as the protagonists try to uncover the identity of the top corrupt official known only as H. Viewers watch as respected officers twist the law to serve their own nefarious ends.

‘We Own This City’ (2022)

This miniseries dramatizes the true story of the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department Gun Trace Task Force. Sergeant Wayne Jenkins leads a squad of plainclothes officers who rob citizens and resell seized drugs while racking up overtime pay. The officers operate with impunity by exploiting their authority to target vulnerable individuals who cannot fight back. It depicts the systemic corruption that allowed these detectives to act as gangsters with badges for years. The narrative exposes how the pressure to produce arrest numbers incentivized criminal behavior among the police.

‘Shades of Blue’ (2016–2018)

Harlee Santos is a charismatic detective and mother who is part of a close crew of dirty cops in Brooklyn. She accepts bribes and protection money to provide a better life for her talented daughter. The FBI catches her in a trap and forces her to become an informant against her own team and her mentor. Santos must walk a delicate line between betraying the people she loves and going to prison. The drama intensifies as her illegal activities and the federal investigation collide.

‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

Raymond Reddington is a notorious criminal who surrenders to the FBI with an offer to help them track down other dangerous fugitives. He works alongside profiler Elizabeth Keen while continuing to expand his own criminal empire using the immunity he negotiated. Reddington eliminates his competition by feeding their names to the FBI under the guise of justice. The show revolves around his mysterious agenda and the question of his true relationship with Keen. He effectively uses the resources of the federal government to serve his own illicit interests.

‘White Collar’ (2009–2014)

Neal Caffrey is a charming con artist and forger who agrees to help the FBI catch other financial criminals in exchange for his release from prison. Although he technically works for the law, he frequently uses his skills to pull off side heists and pursue personal vendettas. His handler Peter Burke must constantly monitor Caffrey to ensure he is not crossing the line back into complete criminality. The dynamic relies on the tension between Caffrey’s natural criminal instincts and his obligations to the bureau. He proves that sometimes it takes a crook to catch a crook.

‘Too Old to Die Young’ (2019)

Martin Jones acts as a grieving police officer by day while operating as a hitman for the cartel by night. He navigates the criminal underworld of Los Angeles and encounters various assassins and Yakuza soldiers. The series features long takes and atmospheric visuals that emphasize the moral decay of its protagonist. Jones displays a detached demeanor as he commits heinous acts of violence for money. The narrative explores his existential journey through a landscape of crime and corruption.

‘Low Winter Sun’ (2013)

Frank Agnew is a Detroit detective who murders a fellow cop in what he believes is the perfect crime. His actions pull him into a deep web of deception when the investigation into the death reveals connections to the local underworld. Agnew must investigate the very murder he committed while trying to cover his tracks and handle internal affairs pressure. The show portrays a gritty and bleak look at police corruption and the psychological toll of guilt. He finds that one crime inevitably leads to more in order to stay hidden.

‘City on a Hill’ (2019–2022)

Jackie Rohr is a corrupt FBI veteran in 1990s Boston who thrives on the status quo of cronyism and backdoor deals. He forms an unlikely alliance with an idealistic assistant district attorney to take on a case involving armored car robbers. Rohr frequently bends the law and engages in unethical behavior to maintain his influence and protect his reputation. The series examines how institutional corruption was deeply woven into the fabric of Boston law enforcement. His character represents the old guard resisting the necessary changes in the justice system.

‘Tin Star’ (2017–2020)

Jim Worth is a former undercover London police officer who becomes the police chief of a small town in the Canadian Rockies. He struggles with a violent alter ego named Jack Devlin who emerges when he relapses into alcoholism. This split personality commits brutal acts of violence and revenge against those who threaten his family. The line between the lawman and the criminal blurs completely as he unleashes chaos on the town. Viewers witness a man at war with himself where the monster often wins.

‘StartUp’ (2016–2018)

Phil Rask is a corrupt FBI agent who leverages his position to extort money from a tech entrepreneur and a Haitian gang leader. He becomes deeply entangled in their cryptocurrency laundering scheme while pursuing his own financial gain. Rask is willing to murder and betray anyone who stands in the way of his survival or profit. The series shows his desperate spiral as he loses his grip on his badge and his life. He serves as a primary antagonist who hides behind federal authority.

‘Graceland’ (2013–2015)

A group of undercover agents from various law enforcement agencies live together in a confiscated beach house in Southern California. The senior FBI agent Paul Briggs has a dark past and secretly skims drugs and money from the operations he runs. Rookie agent Mike Warren is sent to the house specifically to investigate Briggs for these crimes. The show balances the camaraderie of the housemates with the suspicion that their leader is a major criminal player. Loyalty is tested as the agents realize the corruption runs deeper than they imagined.

‘Sneaky Pete’ (2015–2019)

Marius Josipovic is a con man who assumes the identity of his cellmate Pete Murphy to hide from a vicious gangster. He integrates himself into Pete’s estranged family who run a bail bonds business and starts working as a skip tracer. Marius uses his criminal skills to catch fugitives while simultaneously running cons to pay off his debts. The tension arises from his constant need to lie to the family he grows to care about. He plays the role of an investigator while being a fugitive himself.

‘Your Honor’ (2020–2023)

Michael Desiato is a respected New Orleans judge who breaks the law to protect his son after a fatal car accident. He uses his knowledge of the legal system to dispose of evidence and mislead the police investigation. His actions draw him into a dangerous alliance with a local organized crime family. The series illustrates how far a father will go and how easily a pillar of the community can become a criminal. Desiato compromises every ethical standard he once upheld in court.

‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (2021–Present)

Mike McLusky acts as a power broker in a town where the business of incarceration drives the local economy. Although not an official police officer, he operates as an intermediary between the gangs, guards, and police. He frequently engages in illegal activities to maintain the fragile peace within the prison and on the streets. McLusky dispenses his own form of justice that ignores due process and legal rights. The show depicts a world where the law is merely a suggestion and survival requires criminal tactics.

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

John Luther is a brilliant but troubled detective who is tormented by the dark side of humanity. He forms a complicated and illicit relationship with Alice Morgan who is a brilliant psychopath and murderer he failed to arrest. Luther often breaks the law and tampers with evidence to achieve what he believes is justice. His willingness to cross ethical lines makes him a pariah among his colleagues but an effective investigator. The series questions whether a good man can remain good while constantly immersed in evil.

Tell us which corrupt detective shocked you the most by leaving your opinion in the comments.