12 Best Shows Like Dept. Q to Watch Next (2026)
Craving shows like Dept. Q? Explore crime, mystery, and thriller picks including Ballard, Bodies, Bosch: Legacy, and more for your next watch.
If you’re searching for shows like Dept. Q, the best matches usually blend crime-solving with pressure, secrets, and a strong mystery at the center. This list leans into that mix with titles such as Ballard, Secrets We Keep, Countdown, Bodies, and Graveyard, each offering its own take on investigations and buried truths. Some go darker, like Grotesquerie, while others bring a more procedural focus, like Bosch: Legacy and On Call. Whether you want a cold-case angle, a tense thriller, or a character-led crime drama, these picks give you plenty of options to follow next.
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01
Ballard
crime · drama
Detective Renée Ballard plunges into a web of murder and corruption as she hunts a ruthless serial killer and uncovers a sinister police conspiracy that threatens everything she stands for. With her own demons nipping at her heels, Ballard must outwit both criminals and colleagues to bring long-overdue justice to the victims and their families.
Why watch: If you enjoy a detective-led crime drama with corruption in the mix, Ballard is an easy fit. Its murder case and police-conspiracy angle make it a strong match for viewers who like their mysteries tied to deeper institutional trouble.
Directed by Sarah Boyd, Patrick Cady, Logan Kibens, Jet Wilkinson, Tori GarrettCast Maggie Q, Rebecca Field, Michael Mosley, Victoria Moroles, Amy HillAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
02
Secrets We Keep
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
When a neighbor's au pair vanishes from her wealthy suburb, Cecilie seeks answers — and unravels secrets that shatter her seemingly perfect world.
Why watch: If you like stories where a missing person case opens the door to wider secrets, Secrets We Keep should work well. The crime, drama, mystery, and thriller blend makes it a good pick for anyone who wants tension and gradual unraveling.
Directed by Per FlyCast Marie Bach Hansen, Excel Busano, Danica Curcic, Sara Fanta Traore, Simon SearsNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
Countdown
crime · drama · thriller
When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate. But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions.
Why watch: If you want a fast-moving crime thriller with a large investigative setup, Countdown may be the right choice. Its race-against-time premise should appeal to viewers who like urgency alongside the procedural side of the story.
Directed by Jonathan Brown, Lisa Robinson, Avi Youabian, Chris Grismer, Rashidi Natara HarperCast Jensen Ackles, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, Uli LatukefuAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
04
On Call
action · crime · drama
Traci Harmon, a veteran female training officer, and her rookie male ride-along, Alex Diaz, navigate the loss of a fellow officer and politics of modern day policing — in the department and on the streets of Long Beach.
Why watch: If you prefer police drama grounded in day-to-day work and department politics, On Call is worth a look. The action, crime, and drama mix gives it a broader feel while still keeping the focus on policing.
Directed by Eriq La Salle, Brenna MalloyCast Troian Bellisario, Brandon Larracuente, Eriq La Salle, Mac Brandt, Rich TingAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
05
Grotesquerie
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · horror · thriller
A series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community, and Detective Lois Tryon feels they are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her.
Why watch: If you like your mysteries darker and more unsettling, Grotesquerie leans that way. Its crime, drama, horror, and thriller genres make it a fit for viewers who want tension with a harsher edge.
Directed by Max Winkler, Alexis Martin Woodall, Elegance Bratton, Ryan MurphyCast Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Micaela Diamond, Raven GoodwinHuluMore details on IMDb → -
06
Harina
action · comedy · crime · mystery
The misadventures of Lieutenant Harina and his partner, Officer Ramírez, a very special police couple, who find themselves with the opportunity of a lifetime
Why watch: If you’re open to a crime mystery with a lighter touch, Harina stands out from the more serious picks. Its action-comedy mix may suit you if you still want police characters and a mystery-driven setup.
Directed by Salvador EspinosaCast Memo Villegas, Verónica Bravo, Luis Fernando Peña, Dagoberto Gama, Luz AldánAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
07
Bodies
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
One victim, found dead on a London street. Four detectives, in four different time periods, must solve the mystery to protect Britain's future.
Why watch: If you enjoy a puzzle built across different timelines, Bodies is a strong option. The mystery-thriller structure and detective perspective make it especially appealing if you like cases that feel bigger than one moment in time.
Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner, Haolu WangCast Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, Greta ScacchiNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
08
Wayward
drama · mystery · thriller
A small-town cop suspects that the local school for troubled teens — and its dangerously charismatic founder — may not be all it seems.
Why watch: If you want a mystery with a suspicious small-town setting, Wayward is a natural choice. A cop investigating a school for troubled teens gives it a tense, character-driven setup.
Directed by Euros Lyn, John Fawcett, Renuka JeyapalanCast Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Sydney Topliffe, Toni ColletteNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
09
Graveyard
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Police Commissioner Önem leads a special investigations unit that solves tough cases involving violence against women.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to police work centered on serious social issues, Graveyard may be the one to try. The special investigations angle and crime-drama-thriller mix give it a focused, case-led feel.
Directed by Abdullah Oguz, Ömer BaykulCast Birce Akalay, Olgun Toker, Şehsuvar Aktaş, Hakan Meriçliler, Sezgin UzunbekiroğluNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
10
Bosch: Legacy
crime · drama
Bosch is now making a living as a private investigator two years after he quit the LAPD and finds himself working with one time enemy and top-notch attorney Honey “Money” Chandler. Meanwhile, Bosch's daughter Maddie is venturing into the world of the LAPD.
Why watch: If you like crime drama with a veteran investigator at the center, Bosch: Legacy is a solid pick. It should appeal to viewers who enjoy a more grounded, character-driven detective story.
Directed by Patrick Cady, Sharat Raju, Alex Zakrzewski, Adam Davidson, Ernest DickersonCast Titus Welliver, Mimi Rogers, Madison Lintz, Stephen A. Chang, Denise G. SanchezAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
11
Clark
action · comedy · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
This is the incredible story behind Sweden's most notorious gangster, Clark Olofsson, whose infamous crimes gave rise to the term "Stockholm Syndrome".
Why watch: If you want a crime story with mystery and some sharp tonal shifts, Clark is a good option. Its mix of action, comedy, crime, drama, mystery, and thriller makes it the most eclectic pick here.
Directed by Jonas ÅkerlundCast Bill Skarsgård, Vilhelm Blomgren, Nicklas Berglund, Sandra Ilar, Kolbjörn SkarsgårdNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
12
Dope Girls
crime · drama
It follows the birth of the nightclub scene in London's Soho
Why watch: If you prefer crime drama with a period-world backdrop and a focus on nightlife beginnings, Dope Girls may fit. It’s a good choice if you want a crime story that feels a little different from the usual police procedural.
Directed by Miranda Bowen, Shannon MurphyCast Julianne Nicholson, Eliza Scanlen, Ian Bonar, Fiona Button, Rory Fleck ByrneHuluMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
That’s the shortlist if you want more stories built around investigations, pressure, and layered mysteries. From cold cases and police conspiracies to small-town suspicion and time-bending puzzles, these picks cover a lot of ground without losing the crime-drama core. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want another next-watch idea. We update it regularly, so it’s worth checking again as new titles fit the same lane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these shows similar to Dept. Q?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.