10 Lighthearted Crime Drama TV Shows That Don’t Get Too Serious

Crime dramas are one of the most popular genres of television, and for good reason. There are few plot structures with as much built-in conflict and intrigue as a mystery, and film and TV shows have been capitalizing on this for a long time. Some of the best mystery series of the 2020s incorporate a little humor and light-hearted fun into their plots, all while crafting an interesting story with plenty of twists and turns. When it comes to crime dramas, the TV shows that aren’t afraid to poke fun at the genre are some of the easiest to rewatch.

Many classic murder mystery TV shows follow the procedural format, and this has long been the case with mystery and crime shows. Due to their episodic format, these series can be looser with their dramatic elements and might need to lighten the tone to keep the audience engaged throughout the story. However, satire is also a familiar aspect of mystery shows, especially in the modern day. Since the concepts of the detective show and whodunit narrative are so popular, the more light-hearted spin on the plot could be a successful way to subvert audience expectations.

10 Poker Face (2023–Present)

Rian Johnson’s mystery series has quickly become a fan-favorite

Rian Johnson, the mind behind the beloved Knives Out movies, successfully tried his hand at the crime drama with Poker Face. Modeled after the iconic mystery series Columbo, Poker Face is a road narrative that follows Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a self-proclaimed human lie detector who has to go on the run after she crosses the wrong man. This allows Charlie to solve a new case every week with her special skills while weaving a long-running conflict through the season.

The many stellar guest stars who match Lyonne’s comedic energy are an essential piece of
Poker Face
‘s success.

While there are some heinous crimes committed in Poker Face, Charlie takes them on with her characteristic charm and good-natured humor. She’s a worthy heroine to follow, and watching her accidentally uncover a twisted crime never gets old. As Poker Face season 2 approaches, it will be exciting to see how Charlie gets out of her next jam and who she helps along the way. Additionally, the many stellar guest stars who match Lyonne’s comedic energy are an essential piece of Poker Face‘s success.

9 Monk (2002–2009)

Tony Shalhoub anchors this classic early 2000s procedural

Tony Shalhoub is a large part of what makes Monk work, as his performance as the titular detective is the heart and soul of the show. While murder is a big part of Monk, and he faces his fair share of hardship and loss himself, not every crime he solves revolves around death, and there are plenty of times that Monk helps save the day and keep people safe. Shalhoub is a stellar comedic actor, but he’s also equally capable of carrying the dramatic moments.

While there are some harsh realities of rewatching Monk, for the most part, the series has held up well and remains popular with fans of the crime procedural. Monk’s desire for order sometimes gets in the way of the investigation, but it often lightens the mood when he’s looking into an upsetting crime. Additionally, by the end of an episode, the people in his life are usually more grateful for his help than they are frustrated with him.

8 Castle (2009–2016)

Comedy and romance play just as big a role in Castle as crime

At times, it feels like Castle is even more of a comedy than it is a drama since Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) can’t go more than a few moments without witty banter. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Castle and Beckett is what propels the show forward, but Castle is one of the rare series that still works after its romantic leads get together. This is because the dichotomy of their investigation styles is maintained after they admit their feelings.

The occasional intense story in
Castle
is usually part of a very special episode, as the typical fare sees Castle and Beckett put in humorous situations.

The occasional intense story in Castle is usually part of a very special episode, as the typical fare sees Castle and Beckett put in humorous situations. Often, the people they’re investigating come from unique parts of New York City and have special quirks that make the pair grapple with their differences. Additionally, the angle of the story that Castle writes mystery novels makes for some fun, tongue-in-cheek commentary on the genre.

7 Bones (2005–2017)

One of the most successful and beloved crime procedurals

Running for 12 seasons, Bones brought something new and interesting to every season but never strayed from the essential parts of the series. Booth (David Boreanaz) and Bones (Emily Deschanel) are an iconic pair, and their chemistry is some of the most believable in any crime drama. Though their styles couldn’t be more different, there’s no other duo that can solve murders as well as they can, even with cases that have gone cold.

For a show that spends so much time with dead bodies and corpses, it’s surprising that Bones is as funny and light-hearted as it is. However, the series puts boundaries between the remains of a victim and the person themselves, allowing the gang in the lab to get up to hijinx and experiments to determine the cause of death. Even when their debates get more serious, there’s affection and joy in every interaction between Bones and Booth.

6 White Collar (2009–2014)

A gentleman thief teams up with the FBI and finds himself along the way

No one but the charming Matt Bomer could bring Neal Caffrey to life so easily in White Collar, but Neal wouldn’t be half as compelling without his partner, Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). After spending years in a game of cat and mouse, Peter finally catches Neal, but the pair strike a deal, and Neal teams up with the white-collar division of the FBI to catch men like him. Though they began at odds, it turns out that Peter and Neal don’t just work together well; they also make great friends.

It will be interesting to see what the White Collar revival has in store for Peter and Neal since the show already touched upon so many different scenarios and crimes. However, it’s the relationship between Peter and Neal that kept the audience coming back throughout White Collar‘s seasons. Though they poke fun at each other, they share a deep love and friendship. By the time White Collar ends, both men have been changed for the better.

5 Death In Paradise (2011–Present)

A gorgeous island sets the scene for crimes and investigations

Like the dramedy Psych, Death in Paradise juxtaposes its beautiful setting with heinous crime but manages to find a successful balance nonetheless. On the air since 2011, Death in Paradise has become such a long-running smash hit because it doesn’t take itself too seriously and finds plenty of humor in even the dire moments. The early conceit of Death in Paradise is that a detective from London is sent to a small island and must deal with the change in setting and situation.

Death in Paradise is referential of many of the great mystery narratives and clearly has a deep love for the genre. Since the series has been going on for so long, many detectives have come and gone on the island, but Death in Paradise has retained its heart and humor no matter what. With every new character, they initially are hesitant to call the island home and feel out of their depth, but by the time their tenure ends, they love it there and have overcome their demons.

4 The Librarians (2014–2018)

With fantasy and myths, The Librarians reinvents mystery

The Librarians is a great fantasy TV show with mystery elements, following the titular group of librarians as they fight to save the world every season. While gods, monsters, and magic all play a central role in The Librarians, each episode sees them investigate different crimes and events related to The Library, similar to Supernatural. For audiences looking for mysticism and adventure alongside investigations, The Librarians is the perfect project to get lost in.

By using famous myths and legends as well as fantastical artifacts within the story,
The Librarians
has fun playing with audience expectations surrounding these elements.

Using humor and heart to connect with audiences of all ages, The Librarians is a great introduction to the world of crime mixed with fantasy and features a great ensemble cast. By using famous myths and legends as well as fantastical artifacts within the story, The Librarians has fun playing with audience expectations surrounding these elements. The villain of every season also makes for a great addition to the story and is always interesting.

3 Elsbeth (2024–Present)

One of the best spinoffs of The Good Wife

Elsbeth differentiates itself by cluing the audience in to who the killer is early in an episode, making the thrust of the plot how Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) catches them. A spinoff of the legal drama The Good Wife,Elsbeth follows its titular character as she flexes her detective skills in addition to her prowess as an attorney. Though she’s unlike any of the other members of the NYPD, Elsbeth has insight into the interworkings of some of the most difficult criminals to catch.

Elsbeth and her dynamic with the other detectives, as well as the people she investigates, is the most interesting and light-hearted part of the series. Sometimes, her differences from others get her into trouble, but this is what makes her uniquely qualified and gets the audience on her side. It makes sense that Elsbeth was singled out to carry her own spinoff, as this series works within the franchise’s continuity but also stands on its own.

2 Death And Other Details (2024)

A high seas whodunit to remember

For audiences who enjoy spending time with detective Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out movies, Death and Other Details is the perfect series to get wrapped up in. Mandy Patinkin plays the central sleuth, Rufus, who is an archetypal match for the likes of Blanc or Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. He’s joined by Violett Beane as Imogene Scott, one of the central suspects and protagonist who claims she’s innocent. Death and Other Details is a familiar takedown of the rich and powerful, but it has fun with the narrative.

The characters and their witty banter are by far the best part of
Death and Other Details
, which doesn’t stray too far from the classic whodunit formula.

The characters and their witty banter are by far the best part of Death and Other Details, which doesn’t stray too far from the classic whodunit formula. However, this is part of the charm of a project like this, as its familiarity is comforting and allows Beane and Patinkin to revel in their iconic character types and play with their dynamic. Additionally, the visual style of Death and Other Details is a feast for the eyes.

1 The White Lotus (2021–Present)

Mike White’s satirical mystery series, The White Lotus, is an anthology that follows the parallel dynamics between the workers and the guests at a luxury hotel chain, the titular White Lotus. The stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots is one of the biggest sources of humor and conflict throughout the show, with the central murder mystery looming in the background over the course of the season. The White Lotus begins with a death, but the audience doesn’t find out who it is until the end.

When The White Lotus does get serious, it’s about the class commentary that the show is built on rather than the criminal elements. The deaths are more often accidental or the result of the character’s own stupidity rather than a hidden plot or conspiracy. By the end of the show, the audience is intrigued to find out who the victim is, as all the characters have grown rather unlikable by the end, caught up in their own personal dramas.