5 Detective Shows to Watch If You Love 'Lanterns'
Fans of HBO’s Lanterns can explore five detective series that blend procedural tension with rich character dynamics and layered mysteries.
True Detective remains a benchmark for the genre, pairing detectives in slow-burn investigations that prioritize character depth over flashy resolutions. The first season’s pairing of Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey set a high standard, while the latest installment, Night Country, features Jodie Foster and Kali Reis navigating a remote Alaskan setting. Subsequent seasons explore noir aesthetics and existential themes, though not all entries match the original’s acclaim.
Spider-Noir shifts the detective formula into a 1930s comic-inspired noir, following aging private eye Ben Reilly as he reluctantly resumes the mantle of Spider. The show’s monochrome visuals and Depression-era backdrop ground its superhero elements in hard-boiled realism, emphasizing Reilly’s jaded worldview and melancholic tone. Fight sequences and quieter character moments balance the series’ gritty atmosphere.
The X-Files centers on FBI agents Mulder and Scully, whose partnership balances skepticism and belief amid paranormal and conspiracy-driven cases. The show’s mix of standalone mysteries and an overarching mythology, including the enigmatic Cigarette Smoking Man, sustains tension across 11 seasons. Its focus on interpersonal dynamics and evolving characters keeps the procedural format compelling.
Mare of Easttown offers a grounded procedural set in a claustrophobic small town, where Detective Mare investigates a murder while grappling with personal grief. The seven-episode series prioritizes character study over procedural tropes, with Kate Winslet’s performance anchoring the exploration of community and loss. Its brevity and focus on Mare’s inner conflict distinguish it within the genre.