10 Shows and Movies Like The Fall (2013)

Description: Luther shares with The Fall a focus on a brilliant but troubled detective (Idris Elba in Luther, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) who becomes deeply entangled with a dangerous criminal. Both shows explore the blurred lines between good and evil, and the psychological toll of the job. The visual style of both shows is dark and intense, with a focus on the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the detective and the criminal.

Fact: Luther was created by Neil Cross, who also wrote the BBC's Doctor Who episode 'The Rings of Akhaten'. Idris Elba won a Golden Globe for his performance as John Luther. The show's theme music, composed by Massive Attack, is iconic and sets the tone for the series.

Description: The Killing, like The Fall, is a slow-burning crime drama that focuses as much on the emotional toll of the investigation as on the mystery itself. Both shows feature complex female detectives (Gillian Anderson in The Fall, Mireille Enos in The Killing) and explore themes of obsession, justice, and the personal costs of pursuing the truth. The visual style of both shows is dark and moody, with a focus on the psychological depth of the characters.

Fact: The Killing is based on the Danish series Forbrydelsen. The show's first season follows a single murder case over 13 episodes, a structure that was innovative at the time. Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman's performances were critically acclaimed, with Enos earning an Emmy nomination.

Description: The Bridge, like The Fall, is a crime drama with a strong female lead (Sofia Helin in The Bridge, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) and a focus on the psychological and emotional toll of the investigation. Both shows explore themes of justice, morality, and the nature of evil, and feature a dark, moody visual style. The pacing and storytelling style are similarly deliberate, with a focus on character development over action.

Fact: The Bridge is a Swedish-Danish co-production, and the title refers to the Øresund Bridge connecting the two countries. The show's protagonist, Saga Norén, became a cultural icon for her unique personality and fashion sense. The series was remade in several countries, including the US (The Bridge) and the UK (The Tunnel).

Description: Top of the Lake, like The Fall, is a crime drama with a strong female lead (Elisabeth Moss in Top of the Lake, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) and a focus on the psychological and emotional impact of the investigation. Both shows explore themes of gender, power, and violence, and feature stunning cinematography that reflects the bleakness of the story. The pacing and storytelling style are similarly deliberate, with a focus on character development over action.

Fact: Top of the Lake was co-created by Jane Campion, the first woman to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The series was filmed in New Zealand, with the stunning landscapes playing a key role in the story. Elisabeth Moss's performance was widely praised, and the show won numerous awards, including a Golden Globe.

Description: Happy Valley shares with The Fall a focus on a strong, complex female detective (Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) and a gritty, realistic portrayal of crime and its aftermath. Both shows explore themes of justice, revenge, and the personal costs of policing. The visual style of both shows is dark and intense, with a focus on the emotional and psychological depth of the characters.

Fact: Happy Valley was created by Sally Wainwright, who also wrote the acclaimed series Last Tango in Halifax. The show's title refers to the nickname for the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, where the series is set. Sarah Lancashire's performance as Catherine Cawood was widely praised, and the show won numerous awards, including a BAFTA.

Description: Broadchurch shares with The Fall a focus on a small community rocked by a violent crime, and the psychological impact on both the investigators and the victims' families. Both shows feature strong female leads (Gillian Anderson in The Fall, Olivia Colman in Broadchurch) and explore themes of grief, justice, and the ripple effects of crime. The pacing and storytelling style are similarly deliberate, with a focus on character development over action.

Fact: Broadchurch was created by Chris Chibnall, who later became the showrunner for Doctor Who. The series was filmed on location in Dorset, England, and the stunning coastal scenery became a character in its own right. David Tennant and Olivia Colman's performances were widely praised, with Colman winning a BAFTA for her role.

Description: Like The Fall, True Detective is a dark, psychological crime drama that delves deep into the minds of both the detectives and the criminals. Both series feature strong, complex female characters (Gillian Anderson in The Fall, Michelle Monaghan in True Detective) and explore themes of obsession, morality, and the nature of evil. The visual aesthetics of both shows are moody and atmospheric, with a focus on the psychological tension between characters.

Fact: True Detective was created by Nic Pizzolatto, who wrote all eight episodes of the first season. The first season starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, who both received critical acclaim for their performances. The show's title sequence, featuring a haunting song by The Handsome Family, became iconic.

Description: Shetland, like The Fall, is a crime drama with a strong focus on character development and the psychological impact of the investigation. Both shows feature a small, close-knit community rocked by violent crime, and explore themes of justice, grief, and the ripple effects of violence. The visual style of both shows is moody and atmospheric, with a focus on the stark beauty of the setting.

Fact: Shetland is based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, who also created the Vera series. The show is filmed on location in the Shetland Islands, and the stunning scenery is a key part of the series. Douglas Henshall's performance as DI Jimmy Perez has been widely praised, and the show has won numerous awards.

Description: Marcella shares with The Fall a focus on a troubled female detective (Anna Friel in Marcella, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) who becomes deeply involved in a complex murder investigation. Both shows explore themes of identity, memory, and the psychological toll of the job. The visual style of both shows is dark and intense, with a focus on the emotional and psychological depth of the characters.

Fact: Marcella was created by Hans Rosenfeldt, who also created The Bridge. The show's title character suffers from dissociative fugue states, which play a key role in the story. Anna Friel's performance was widely praised, and the show was a hit for ITV.

Description: The Sinner, like The Fall, is a psychological crime drama that delves deep into the motivations behind violent acts. Both shows feature strong female leads (Jessica Biel in The Sinner, Gillian Anderson in The Fall) and explore themes of trauma, memory, and the nature of evil. The visual style of both shows is dark and intense, with a focus on the emotional and psychological depth of the characters.

Fact: The Sinner is based on the novel by Petra Hammesfahr. The show's first season was a critical and commercial success, with Jessica Biel earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. The series has an anthology format, with each season focusing on a different crime and set of characters.