HBO Max has some of the good collections of criminal offence drama that constantly bend their creative depth , withBarry’scontinued achiever into time of year 3 being one of the most recently celebrated example . The HBO brand in world-wide has garner acclaimed status as the case of premium TV across literary genre , but this subgenre is one of its particular strengths .

HBO Max has done well to put all of that content together in one software program , as well as throw in some original cyclosis programming . True Detectivehas been overall praise for its approach to the subgenre , and the more recent strike likeMare of EasttownandTokyo Vicehave retain to strengthen the brand name ’s originative brawn .

True Detective (2014-)

Though time of year 2 might have been a step down compared to what come forthwith before and after , the anthology seriesTrue Detectiveis anoverall acclaimed crime show for HBO . It ’s unforgiving , cerebral , and fabulously hook to learn , with some impressive headliner exponent to back up the leading roles .

time of year 3 ’s duo of Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff made for a great dynamic with a head - twist mystery story at its core . Still , time of year 1 ’s pairing of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is arguably the show ’s crowning accomplishment . It ’s the good encapsulation ofTrue Detective ’s soak up brand of grit and trippy psychological element .

Mare Of Easttown (2021)

WhereTrue Detectiveis darkly psychological , HBO ’s modified crime drama seriesMare of Easttowngets emotionally intimate . Kate Winslet leads this show in one of the hard performances to date , playing the office of a celebrated local investigator in a little town as she tries to tack together together the slaying of a teenage female parent .

The habit of the small - scale setting as a quiet townspeople where everybody seems to bed each other emphasizes that intimacy , and it work the grim secret at the center of the story become more investing as it unravels . Mare of Easttownalso realise far-flung acclaim , among the honors being an spectacular Lead Actress Emmy for Winslet .

The Wire (2002-2008)

Often regarded as one of HBO property ’s all - time greats , The Wireis one of the most gripping law-breaking drama and police procedurals uncommitted . It ran for five seasons , revolve around around a vast and divers cast of fictional character across jurisprudence enforcement institutions and local gangs . Across those seasons , The Wiretackled issues of the illegal drug patronage , porting system , metropolis government , the pedagogy scheme , and the public media .

On top of the aforementioned standout cast of role with unique personality , motivating , and backstories , the series was lauded for its shockingly exact and raw depiction of the plagues on social politics , as well as the bureaucratic ruddy tape that stunt police force and detective work behind the scenes .

Tokyo Vice (2022-)

An original serial publication for the pour side of the HBO brand , Tokyo Vicewas a high spot of this tv set genre within the last yr . It may not have the same biff as the the like ofTrue DetectiveorMare of Easttown , butTokyo Vicesucceeds in being an enthralling and stylish brand of crime drama .

The story is a dramatized version of American journalist Jake Adelstein ’s ventures in uncovering the world of Japanese unionized criminal offence . It stars a well - round off dramatis personae of characters with intriguing motivations to conform to into the larger story , with actor Ken Watanabe and the rest of the Japanese project shining the brightest . Should the show keep up the stride , it ’ll belike go down asone of the best HBO Max originalsand an alluring slice of neo - noir crime as well .

Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

Boardwalk Empireis an HBO original that take in the criminal offense drama musical genre and place it against the backcloth of a period slice . Taking position mostly in Atlantic City , New Jersey , Boardwalk Empirefollows the feat of the fictional criminal kingpin Enoch Thompson , a corrupt politician of Atlantic County during the Prohibition geological era .

The series spanned five seasons and was consistently acclaimed for its stylistic portrayal of the era and top - tier stamp of character and their associated gift – including the lead played by Steve Buscemi . It ’s another engrossing mob - theme play that is sure to meet fans of Martin Scorcese gangster movie , especially since the filmmaker directed the first episode .

The Sopranos (1999-2007)

When it comes to mobster television set dramas , The Sopranosis another HBO classic that ’s a must - see for rooter of the subgenre . It was one of the late James Gandolfini ’s best performances and arguably the most iconic one . Focusing on Gandolfini ’s lead character , Tony Soprano , the series serves as a psychological deconstructionism as it conk through Tony ’s Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - to - sidereal day life as a leading mob genus Bos in New Jersey .

The Sopranosis brightly framed as a deconstructionism of the character reference ’s liveliness through his psychiatric sessions with Dr. Jennifer Melfi . Often dubbed one ofthe best show in TV history , The Sopranosachieved emphatic plaudit for its imaginative , ground take on the mobster genre – while showing all of its ugly brutality .

We Own This City (2022)

A more recent HBO endeavor , We Own This Citywas another praise crime drama miniseries that refer on thematic elements fromThe telegram . Based on the non - fiction book of the same name , this series chronicle the deep - rout corruption surrounding the Baltimore Police Department ’s Gun Trace Task Force . It in the main fall out Jon Bernthal ’s part as Sergeant Wayne Jenkins , who was one of the police officer convicted on various corruption charges .

Like other police force dramas of standardised premises , We Own This Cityis a brutal facial expression into the corruption in law enforcement establishment , except even more scathing and misanthropic than evenThe Wire ’s . Bernthals ' execution was a particular high spot , with critic reference his superb and convincing terrific performance .

Big Little Lies (2017-2019)

Though not a crime drama in the traditional sense , Big Little Liesis still a in darkness riveting story build around a raw premise . magnanimous Little Liesfollows the story of five upper - class women and mother living in California with kids at a prestigious elemental school . However , thing take a serious turn when the five become entangled in an alive murder investigation .

Based on the novel of the same name and supersede by a studded plaster bandage of actresses , Big Little Liesearned high congratulations across the board , mainly for its compelling characters , smart writing , and virtuoso residue of glum mood with vivid dramatic play .

Barry (2018-)

Barryis one of the most imaginative crime dramas in recent class . The HBO original series starts as a crime dramatic play mixed with a sound dose of dark humour , telling the story of the titular down - on - his - lot hitman who finds a newfangled heat in the shape of act . As Barry get under one’s skin further into his acting class , he end up feeling conflicted over his criminal life as a employ gun .

Its three season have all achieved celebrate decisive reception , with Bill Hader ’s leading role being especially well - received . critic and audiences particularly cited the show ’s seamless purpose of cleverly bleak humor to complement the underlying nuanced themes that carry its case drama , even when time of year 3 leaned hard into the dramatic play than the comedy .

Watchmen (2019)

Shifting into the superhero region , HBO and showrunner Damon Lindelof ’s take on Alan Moore ’s landmarkWatchmencomic book became one of the most decorated TV series in the genre . A sequel to Moore ’s comedian , theWatchmenlimited series takes place 34 years after the event of the original story and hone in on a lily-white supremacist resurgence in Tulsa , Oklahoma , with the investigator known as Sister Knight investigate the police chief and the murder of her friend .

Dirty secret unravel as the plot progresses , andWatchmenwas praised for its nuanced societal commentary on racial fury and prejudice , as well as for staying true to the source textile while thrive its world .

NEXT:14 Things Only Die - Hard Fans Know About Game Of Thrones

Cassian in Andor Season 2

Star Wars Stormtrooper

Din Djarin and Ahsoka-1

Split image of Mare of Easttown, Tokyo Vice, and True Detective posters.

True Detective season 1 promo art featuring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey’s characters.

Mare of Easttown promo art featuring Kate Winslet as the titular detective in uniform.

The Wire promo poster featuring officers Jimmy McNulty and Kima Greggs looking out of their patrol car.

Neon-colored Tokyo Vice promo art featuring Ken Watanabe and Ansel Elgort’s characters.

Boardwalk Empire promo art featuring the show’s main cast.

The Sopranos promo featuring members of Tony’s mafia at a graveyard.

We Own This City promo art featuring the show’s main cast.

The main cast of Big Little Lies stands together on a beach in a promo image

A surprised Barry (Bill Hader) turning toward the viewer while holding a gun.

Sister Knight standing in front of a glowing yellow clock in Watchmen promo art.