There are a lot of crime shows which don’t have time for relationship drama, but some great shows have been able to balance these two themes. Any genre of TV show can have a dash of romance added to it, since relationships are a near-universal human experience that so often reflects who people are. Crime shows usually have romantic subplots to humanize their characters and to raise the emotional stakes.
The best crime shows can make room for romance without either letting it crowd out the action or making it seem unnecessary. Romance can be used as comic relief in more lighthearted shows likeOnly Murders in the BuildingandCastle, but it can also reflect dark truths about the characters, just as it does inJustifiedandFargo. For all these reasons and more, there’s no shortage of crime shows with romance running through them.
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TheBreaking Badspinoff had a tough act to follow, butBetter Call Saulsoon developed its own reputation as one of the best crime shows of the 21st century. As well as tracking Jimmy McGill’s transformation into Saul Goodman,Better Call Saulalso follows his relationship with Kim. Fans ofBreaking Badwould have known from the beginning that their marriage was doomed, so it’s remarkable thatBetter Call Saulstill makes it feel so lifelike.
Fans ofBreaking Badwould have known from the beginning that Jimmy and Kim’s relationship was doomed, so it’s remarkable thatBetter Call Saulstill makes it feel so lifelike.
Jimmy and Kim’s relationship inBetter Call Saulis beautifully written, developing organically over the course of the show’s run, but always heading toward a depressing finale.The relationship is perfectly balanced out with the crime elements of the show, and the romance never feels like a distraction because it’s so closely tied to the corruption of Jimmy’s soul. It helps that Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn are so consistently compelling to watch.
Only Murders in the Buildingis generally more concerned with the unusual dynamic between its three main characters than romance. Each season follows the three mismatched characters solving a new murder, but their love lives are often tangentially related to the cases. Throughout the four seasons ofOnly Murders in the Buildingso far,all three characters have had love interests coming into the Arconia, with mixed results.
Only Murders in the Buildingrepeatedly finds interesting ways to weave the romance plots into the main arc of each season.
Season 4 ends with Oliver marrying Loretta, which constitutes the happiest ending for any of the show’s big relationships. Mabel’s most recent love interest, Tobert, is conspicuously absent from season 4, but at least she’s had more luck in relationships than Charles.Only Murders in the Buildingrepeatedly finds interesting ways to weave the romance plots into the main arc of each season.Only Murders in the Buildingseason 5could bring Tobert back, and it could also find a love interest for Charles who isn’t a killer.
The one relationship which holdsJustifiedtogether more than any other is the one between Timothy Olyphant’s tough lawman and Walton Goggins' unpredictable criminal. The two get themselves into so many dangerous situations that romance is often the farthest thing from their minds, butJustifiedgives them both interesting romantic arcsthroughout the show’s run. Raylan Givens often has to contend with the fact that his lifestyle is antithetical to his dreams of love and fatherhood.
Raylan’s relationship with Winona is always measured perfectly to bring out different sides of his character.
Raylan’s relationship with his ex-wife Winona never gets in the way of the show’s bigger action, but it’s always measured perfectly to bring out different sides of Raylan’s character and challenge him in ways that can’t be solved using his usual methods. Just as Raylan and Winona’s relationship falls apart because of his inability to live a quiet and peaceful life, his headstrong danger-seeking ways often get him into more trouble than he needs.
Castleis a comedic crime procedural much likeMonkorPsych, but with more of a romantic focus. The will-they-won’t they relationship between Detective Beckett and her unofficial partner, crime novelist Richard Castle, propels a lot of the show’s drama. They are the classic odd couple, with his fun-seeking immaturity and her Type A personality creating a fiery working relationship.
Castleis simple but effective in its approach to romance.
Castleis simple but effective in its approach to romance. Some episodes develop the central relationship more than others, but there are always fun moments of banter between the two characters. Most ofCastle’s best seasonscome before Beckett and Castle finally admit their feelings for one another, since their odd courtship is so fun to watch.The show also has enough time to explore the love lives of other detectives.
Much likeCastle,Bonesalso features a will-they-won’t-they relationship between an analytical and dedicated woman and a more relaxed man. However,Bonesdrags out the relationship to the extreme, creating one of the slowest slow burns in the history of TV. Bones and Booth grow much closer to one another, but it takes an incredibly long time for them to admit their feelings for one another and start dating.
Bonesdrags out the relationship to the extreme, creating one of the slowest slow burns in the history of TV.
Although the show never explicitly states it, Bones has many of the symptoms of ASD. This is just one reason why Booth struggles to understand her at first, but it’s heartwarming to see him putting in the effort to understand her as their relationship blossoms. There has been consistent talk of apotentialBonesrevivalever since the show’s final season.A reboot could explore Booth and Bones' married life, while also catching up with the show’s secondary romantic pairings.
The original movie version ofFargowhich inspired the show features a man who organizes for his wife to be kidnapped so that he can collect ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. The show continues this trend of destructive, damaging relationships. For example, season 1 follows a man who accidentally kills his wife and reaches out to a sociopathic hitman to help him cover it up. Romantic relationships inevery season ofFargoare often just as disturbing, with very little love on display.
Ed and Peggy’s genuine care for one another is a rarity inFargo, where so many relationships are measured in power, sex and money.
There are some exceptions toFargo’s dim view of relationships.Season 2 features real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons as two honest civilians who find themselves pulled into a dangerous criminal underworld. Their genuine care for one another is a rarity inFargo, where so many relationships are measured in power, sex and money.Fargoalso inspired some real life romance. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ewan McGregor met while filming season 3, and got married a few years later.
While it’s normal for TV shows to start with two people right at the start of their relationship,Based on a True Storyfollows a married couple experiencing a lot of tension while they prepare for the birth of their first child. This is a different angle, especially when they discover the identity of a local serial killer and start making a true-crime podcast with him. Their attempts to keep him from misbehaving become a hilarious metaphor for first-time parenting.
It’s a thrilling dark comedy, as the married couple find themselves babysitting a deranged serial killer.
As a crime comedy based on podcasting,Based on a True Storyinitially drew comparisons toOnly Murders in the Building,but the Peacock original is a much different prospect. It’s a darker kind of comedy, as the married couple find themselves babysitting a deranged serial killer while juggling their own personal woes. It’s now a great time to catch up with season 1 beforeBased on a True Storyseason 2comes out in late November.
Spanish crime dramaMoney Heisthas developed a global fan base, aided by Netflix’s continuation of the series. It’s a classic heist story in some ways, with a genius plan that brings together a lovable group of misfits.One thing that makesMoney Heiststand out from similar crime thrillers is the intelligent characterization, as the members of the crew are perfectly designed to rub each other the wrong way.
The major relationships in the show see thieves falling in love with each other, with hostages, and even with the detectives trying to hunt them down.
Thecharacters inMoney Heistfind time for a bit of romance while they carry out their dangerous robberies, and love can come from anywhere. The major relationships in the show see thieves falling in love with each other, with hostages, and even with the detectives trying to hunt them down. The Professor urges his crew to use code names so that they don’t grow too attached to one another, but even he breaks this cardinal rule.
Youis one of Netflix’s biggest shows, partly due to the captivating presence of Penn Badgley as the serial killer Joe Goldberg.Youfrequently flips the tropes of romance stories on their head, starting with the meet-cute in season 1 that soon turns into a dangerous obsession. Joe thinks that he’s in love with the women he fixates on, but his version of “love” is more about control and ownership.
Youfrequently flips the tropes of romance stories on their head.
Youisn’t exactly a romance show, so fans of the genre could well be disappointed, but romance is an important part ofYou’s premise. Although any genuine happy relationship inYouis invariably destroyed by Joe, the way that the show examines relationships is fascinating. It provides an uncomfortable insight in the way that some men - and not just serial killers - view romantic partnership.Youseason 5will wrap up the story, and the big question is whether Joe will be captured or not.
Jessica Barden and Alex Lawther play out a twisted romance inThe End of the F***ing World, adark British comedy-drama with brilliant writing. Lawther plays a teenager who is convinced that he’s a psychopath, and that the next step in his journey is to become a serial killer. When he picks an antisocial classmate and whisks her away for his first murder, he realizes that he isn’t as closed-off as he thought.
The End of the F***ing Worldis based on a graphic novel, and it maintains the same dry humor and stark visual framing.
What starts as an uneasy dynamic between a potential murderer and his victim gradually morphs into something surprisingly sweet. James and Alyssa are both outsiders with nobody at school or at home who understands them.The End of the F***ing Worldis based on a graphic novel, and it maintains the same dry humor and stark visual framing. Two great lead performances and a shocking script make ita must-watch for fans of British comedy.
