Over the years, we have read about the gumshoe, the P.I. or the Private Dick, all synonymous with our mystery detective. An individual for hire that will pursue justice in the face of danger, deal with unknown villains and handle obstacles at every turn.
The story of the mystery detective started off on the pages of the novel The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1841. The stories then found their way into cinemas and with the invention of the television, they wandered into living rooms across the world.
We believe the first crime television show to be Telecrime produced in 1938 in the UK. Since then, many detective shows have found their way into our homes. Today I have compiled 37 detective television shows for the next time you need to binge watch a detective mystery.
- Peter Gunn 1958-1961
- Philip Marlowe 1959-1960
- The Saint 1962-1969
- Ironside 1967-1975
- Mannix 1967-1975
- Cannon 1971-1976
- Griff 1973-1974
- Harry O 1973-1976
- Barnaby Jones 1973-1980
- The Rockford Files 1974-1980
- Switch 1975-1978
- Charlie Angels 1976-1981
- Vegas 1978-1981
- Hart to Hart 1979-1984
- Magnum P.I. 1980-1988
- Simon & Simon 1981-1989
- Matt Houston 1982-1985
- Knight Rider 1982-1986
- Remington Steele 1982-1987
- Riptide 1984-1986
- Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer 1984-1987
- Murder She Wrote 1984-1996
- Spencer for Hire 1985-1988
- Moonlighting 1985-1989
- Father Dowling Mysteries 1989-1991
- Poirot 1989-2013
- Nero Wolfe 2001-2002
- Monk 2002-2009
- Agatha Christie's Marple 2004-2013
- Veronica Mars 2004-2019
- Castle 2009-2016
- Sherlock 2010-2017
- Unforgetable 2011-2016
- Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries 2012-2015
- Elementary 2012-2019
- Father Brown 2013-Present
- Frankie Drake Mysteries 2017-2021
Have I missed one of your favorite detective television shows? If so, leave me a comment, down below.