10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to River (2015)

Description: 'Wallander' and 'River' both feature detectives who are deeply affected by the crimes they investigate—Kurt Wallander and John River. Both series explore themes of mortality, loneliness, and the weight of responsibility, and both have a melancholic, introspective tone. The shows also share a strong sense of place—'Wallander' is set in the Swedish countryside, while 'River' is set in London.

Fact: Kenneth Branagh, who plays Kurt Wallander, also directed several episodes of the series. The show is based on the novels by Henning Mankell, one of Sweden's most famous crime writers. 'Wallander' was filmed on location in Ystad, Sweden, and the town has become a tourist destination for fans of the series.

Description: 'Luther' and 'River' both feature brilliant but troubled detectives—John Luther and John River—who are haunted by their pasts and struggle with their inner demons. Both series blend crime procedural elements with deep character studies, and both have a dark, intense tone. The shows also share a focus on the psychological aspects of crime and the moral ambiguities of justice.

Fact: Idris Elba won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of John Luther. The character of Alice Morgan, played by Ruth Wilson, was originally intended to appear in only one episode but became a fan favorite. The series was inspired by classic detective shows like 'Columbo' and 'The Sweeney'.

Description: 'The Bridge' and 'River' both feature detectives who are socially awkward but brilliant—Saga Norén in 'The Bridge' and John River in 'River'. Both series explore themes of isolation, trauma, and the search for truth, and both have a slow-burning, psychological approach to crime-solving. The shows also share a distinctive visual style and a focus on the relationship between the detectives and their partners.

Fact: 'The Bridge' was a collaboration between Swedish and Danish television, and the first season revolves around a body found on the border between the two countries. The character of Saga Norén, played by Sofia Helin, became an iconic figure in Scandinavian crime drama. The series has been remade in several countries, including the US ('The Bridge') and the UK ('The Tunnel').

Description: 'Top of the Lake' and 'River' both feature detectives who are outsiders in their communities—Robin Griffin in 'Top of the Lake' and John River in 'River'. Both series explore themes of isolation, trauma, and the search for truth, and both have a haunting, atmospheric quality. The shows also share a focus on the natural environment as a key element of the story.

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, and the stunning landscapes are integral to the story. Elisabeth Moss, who plays Robin Griffin, also served as a producer on the show.

Description: Similar to 'River', 'Happy Valley' features a troubled but determined detective, Catherine Cawood, who is haunted by personal tragedy. Both series blend crime investigation with deep character studies, exploring themes of grief, redemption, and justice. The shows also share a gritty, realistic tone and a strong sense of place—'Happy Valley' is set in West Yorkshire, while 'River' is set in London.

Fact: Sarah Lancashire, who plays Catherine Cawood, performed many of her own stunts in the series. The show's creator, Sally Wainwright, based some of the storylines on real-life events she heard about while growing up in West Yorkshire. 'Happy Valley' was praised for its realistic portrayal of police work and its strong female lead.

Description: Like 'River' (2015), 'Broadchurch' is a British crime drama that delves deep into the psychological impact of crime on both the investigators and the community. Both series feature a strong, emotionally complex lead detective (DI Alec Hardy in 'Broadchurch' and DI John River in 'River') who grapples with personal demons while solving cases. The shows share a melancholic tone and a focus on character development over procedural elements.

Fact: 'Broadchurch' was filmed on location in Dorset, England, and the stunning coastal scenery plays a significant role in the series. The show's first season mystery was kept tightly under wraps, with only the creator and a few key actors knowing the killer's identity. David Tennant and Olivia Colman's performances were widely praised, with Colman winning a BAFTA for her role.

Description: 'The Fall' shares with 'River' a slow-burning, psychological approach to crime drama. Both series explore the minds of their protagonists—Stella Gibson in 'The Fall' and John River in 'River'—as they pursue killers while dealing with their own emotional turmoil. The shows also share a dark, atmospheric tone and a focus on the psychological aspects of crime rather than action-packed sequences.

Fact: Gillian Anderson's character, Stella Gibson, was originally written as a man, but the role was changed to a woman to subvert expectations. The series was filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and makes use of the city's moody urban landscape. Jamie Dornan's portrayal of the serial killer Paul Spector earned him international recognition before his role in 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.

Description: 'Shetland' and 'River' both feature introspective detectives—DI Jimmy Perez in 'Shetland' and DI John River in 'River'—who are deeply affected by the crimes they investigate. Both series emphasize the emotional and psychological toll of police work, and both are set in distinctive locations that play a key role in the storytelling (the Shetland Islands and London, respectively). The shows also share a slow-paced, character-driven narrative style.

Fact: 'Shetland' is based on the novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves. The series is filmed on location in the Shetland Islands, and the rugged landscape is almost a character in itself. Douglas Henshall, who plays Jimmy Perez, won a BAFTA for his performance in the series.

Description: 'Unforgotten' and 'River' both focus on cold cases and the emotional impact of uncovering long-buried secrets. Both series feature detectives who are deeply empathetic and committed to justice, and both explore themes of memory, loss, and redemption. The shows also share a measured, thoughtful pacing and a strong ensemble cast.

Fact: 'Unforgotten' was created by Chris Lang, who also wrote for 'The Bill' and 'A Mother's Son'. Each season of the show focuses on a different cold case, with a new set of suspects and victims. Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar's performances as the lead detectives have been widely praised.

Description: Like 'River', 'Marcella' follows a detective with a fractured psyche—Marcella Backland, who suffers from blackouts and memory loss. Both series explore the blurred lines between sanity and madness, and both protagonists are haunted by their pasts. The shows also share a dark, suspenseful tone and a nonlinear storytelling approach.

Fact: 'Marcella' was created by Hans Rosenfeldt, the writer behind the original Swedish version of 'The Bridge'. Anna Friel, who plays Marcella, underwent intense physical training for the role, including learning how to fight. The series was originally titled 'The Forgotten', but the name was changed to avoid confusion with another show.