Why you should watch: As well as being nominated for three Golden Globes, Unbelievable was also nominated for three Emmys, and won a Critic’s Choice Television Award. It’s a show that’ll compel you just as much as it’ll anger you, and will undoubtedly break your heart. The Mail were particularly praiseworthy of the show back, describing it as “excellent and insightful and important”. With a 89% popcorn-meter rating on Rotten Tomatoes (based on more than 1,000 reviews), this is a series well worth getting engrossed in.

Available on Netflix

Why you should watch: This harrowing drama will move you to tears - and make your blood boil with the injustice suffered by the families. Anything with Sheridan Smith in it is worth watching, and this is no exception. Merchant’s performance was praised by critics too, with The Guardian describing it as “chilling”. If you want a drama that’s really going to get under your skin and stay with you, we can’t think of many better than Four Lives.

Available on BBC iPlayer and BritBox

Why you should watch: Gypsy Rose has been all over the news since her release from prison last year, so why not go and see what her story is about with this gripping true crime drama? It’s a truly chilling story, and will leave you feeling very uncomfortable. It proved to be a hit when it came out too, with Patricia Arquette winning a Golden Globe for her role as Gypsy Rose’s mother, Dee-Dee. It has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is currently available to buy on Amazon Prime.

Available to buy on Prime Video

Why you should watch: Candy has a mystery that will you completely inthrall you. Not only will you be guessing what happens next, but it has some fantastic performances from its leads. The Guardian went so far as to describe Biel’s performance as “mesmerising”. Hailed as “intelligent” and a “welcome study of female rage”, Candy is well worth streaming on Disney+ now, if you have access to it!

Available on Disney+

Why you should watch: The performances in this series are brilliant. Gladstone, who was nominated for an Oscar last year, has been described as having a 'reassuring presence on-screen', and Keough is just as enjoyable to watch. As The Observer said earlier this year: “Keough and Gladstone are superb. Even they are outperformed, however, by an amazing young cast led by Vritika Gupta as the rebellious but vulnerable Reena and Chloe Guidry as a young queen bee.” It’s dark, it’s harrowing, and it has a mystery that’ll keep you gripped until the very end. With eight episodes, you won't want to finish this too quickly because you'll want more. What else could you ask for?

Available on Disney+

Why you should watch: This one is enough to send literal shivers down your spine. The real story is so chilling and evil that it’ll leave you feeling uneasy but you won't want to stop watching. The performances in particular drew much praise from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes describing Fanning’s portrayal of Michelle Carter as “disturbingly powerful”. The Guardian came to the conclusion that she didn't 'put a foot wrong' in her portrayal from a difficult case based on real events. Worth the watch for Fanning alone.

Available to buy on Prime Video

Why you should watch: The performances. It’s that simple. The performances in this "masterfully composed" true crime series are magnificent. It might not be full of twists and turns, and the mystery may not be the most compelling of all time, but the performances raise this one higher than some of the other true crime dramas out there because they’re that good. The Guardian teased "if you didn't know it was true, you wouldn't believe it", commenting on the fizzing 'tension' throughout. I mean, what more would you expect from acting legends such as Firth and Collette?

Available on NOW TV

Why you should watch: This one was a proper conversation starter when it first aired, and reignited controversy in the Mormon faith. If you’re looking for a drama that will examine faith and the darker side of it, then this is perfect for you. It’s not going to be an easy watch either, as The Guardian wrote in a review at the time: “As a whole, the series is almost always discomforting, relentlessly ominous and occasionally nauseating”. If that sounds like a bit of you, then its streaming now on ITVX!

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: When it comes to dramas that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, they don’t get much better than this one. The acting in this one is fantastic too, with both Egerton and Hauser putting in career-defining performances. In fact, Hauser actually won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of the convicted serial killer. With a 95% popcorn-meter rating on Rotten Tomatoes (based on more than 500 reviews), this is easily one of the best true crime dramas currently out there.

Available on AppleTV+

Why you should watch: This is one of the better true crime dramas out there, with The Guardian describing it as being “one of the best TV investments you can make”. Anything with Stephen Graham in it is bound to be good, and this is no exception. He is, once again and as usual, brilliant in the lead role. The Walk-In is also a hugely important drama, especially in this day and age, and is arguably necessary viewing, even if it’s just to inform people that this kind of hatred is still happening in Britain.

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: They really don’t get much better than this. Des is a brilliant piece of drama that really hammers home how utterly horrific Nielsen’s crimes were. David Tennant is fantastic in the main role, with the Radio Times saying at the time it was “one of his best in an impeccable career”. In fact, his performance was so good that he won an International Emmy for it in 2021. If the subject matter is putting you off, we highly recommend pushing through and watching, even if it’s just for Tennant’s performance.

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: This true crime drama, based on events that took place in the 1970s, has been widely praised since being released two years ago. It’s intense and can be harrowing at times, but will undoubtedly have you in tears too. The acting is brilliant (as is expected when a young star like Grace is involved). It also features “some of the best performances and filmmaking on television” (Film Inquiry) - so if that doesn’t convince you, then we don’t know what will.

Available to buy on Prime Video

Why you should watch: It might be the same subject matter as Candy, but this is arguably the superior version of the two. It has a Rotten Tomatoes critics rating of 88%, and it stars both Plemons and Olsen, who are two fantastic actors (not that Biel isn’t). The Guardian were big fans of Olsen’s performance, describing her as “mesmerising”. It is seven episodes, which is longer than Candy (and you can feel that sometimes), but it’s just as good, if not better.

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: With a cast like that, why wouldn’t you watch?! Not only are the cast mesmerising on screen, but the story will 100% keep you glued to the edge of your seat. But it’s also an emotional one (“a profoundly sad drama”, The Guardian described it as), which might be difficult for some to watch. As the publication also wrote: “It is a sad, ruthless dramatisation of ruthlessly sad events that asks – especially in later episodes – profound questions about how we want to – and how we should – obtain justice for the murdered and missing”. For dramas that ask big questions, there isn’t many better than A Confession.

Available on ITVX and Netflix

Why you should watch: This one is bound to anger you with the injustice the young men suffer throughout. A difficult watch, this drama has had some fantastic reviews since being released, and currently holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It won a slew of awards at the time too, including a BAFTA, an Emmy, and a Peabody Award. Described as being a “urgent, astonishing” (The Guardian) drama that “pulls no punches”, this is well worth adding to your watchlist.

Available on Netflix

Why you should watch: Another difficult watch that takes a magnifying glass to the abhorrent crimes committed by the infamous Ted Bundy. This is an interesting, compelling look at Bundy’s life, crimes, and trial. The serial killer is brilliantly portrayed by Efron, who was praised by critics for his accurate portrayal. Variety were big fans of the drama, writing: “Extremely Wicked doesn't rub our noses in the horror of Ted Bundy. It shows us just enough, keeping the horror where it belongs, in the recesses of our imagination”. Very watchable, and it’s not too long either, which is always a good thing.

Available on Now TV

Why you should watch: A bit of a slow burner, this series - which is eight episodes long - is a fascinating game of cat and mouse, which will keep you entertained throughout. The performances are great, with Rahim chilling and calculating in the main role. The Spectator were big fans indeed, branding it “the best BBC drama series in ages”. Most of the British actors are playing their roles with Dutch or French accents, which can be a little off-putting, but if you manage to ignore all that, then this is a drama that is well worth your time.

Available on Netflix

Why you should watch: It really is compelling television. Both Marsan and Dolan are so believable in their roles that you have to keep reminding yourself that they’re just acting. Dolan in particular is fantastic as long-suffering Anne, whilst Marsan will make your blood boil as the narcissistic John. It raises a lot of interesting questions about complicity and coercion - and will leave you thinking for a long time afterwards whether or not Anne’s fate was truly justified…

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: This one should be on your watch list for the performances alone. Colman and Thewlis are, as expected, excellent in the roles. Their performances are so good that The Guardian called for them to win awards at the time. Described as “unforgettable” by The Independent (who gave it 5 stars), this is one that might slip under the radar, but definitely shouldn’t!

Available on NOW TV

Why you should watch: It is an interesting, informative look at Dahmer’s life and his horrific crimes. Evan Peters’ performance has drawn much praise since the series’ release, and for good reason. The show became an international mega-hit following its release, eventually becoming the second most-watched English language programme on Netflix of all time. It’s won Golden Globes and Emmys too, so it must be doing something right.

Available on Netflix

Why you should watch: You might be thinking, ‘is this a true crime drama?’ and we’re here to say ‘yes, yes it is’. What the post office did has become one of the biggest scandals in British history, and there were numerous court cases, so we believe that this fits into the ‘true crime drama’ category. But anyway - why should you watch? Because it’s one of the most important dramas of the past decade, and sparked a national conversation which is still raging on. The performances are of course brilliant, but it’s the bringing such an injustice to such a widespread audience makes this one worth the watch.

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: It’s another series on this list that features a stellar performance by David Tennant - who was nominated for a TV Choice Award for his portrayal of the Russian officer. If you’re into police procedural dramas - that might be a bit of a slow burner - then this will be right up your street.

Available on ITVX

Why you should watch: Inventing Anna, like the New York Times article it was based on, is a lot of fun. Whilst Garner’s performance has divided some, the general consensus is that it’s still very entertaining, which is always a good thing. It proved to be popular with critics, and was nominated for an array of awards, including Emmy’s, Critic’s Choice Awards, and a Golden Globe. If you’re after something a bit lighter (without any murders or other horrific crimes), then this will be more up your street. Oh, and Garner's accent is intentional...

Available on Netflix

Why you should watch: This is a big, sprawling show, that takes you from a mining town in Virginia to the offices of big pharmaceutical companies. If you enjoy shows with a lot of scope and many characters, then you’ll be lapping this one up. The performances have been widely praised too, with the cast being described as “stellar”. Screen Daily said it best about the show, describing it as “solid, increasingly effective and satisfyingly well-made drama”.

Available on BBC iPlayer

Why you should watch: It’s based on a scandalous true story that sees someone who was at the top of the world lose billions. It also has a stellar cast, with Seyfried firing on all cylinders in the main role with a “hugely skilful performance” (The Guardian). It’s not deeply serious all the time either - it’s actually quite funny at points too, so if you’re worried it’s going to be a dour, doom-fest, don’t be! With 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s certainly worth checking out.

Available on BBC iPlayer and Disney+

We're sure your December will be jam-packed with the long list of true crime dramas and thrillers available on streaming platforms. From harrowing crimes to police overturning every stone to uncover the truth, there will be something for everyone on the list.