Shows Like The Witness: Netflix’s new true-crime story is heartbreaking, and its emotional performances have gripped viewers from start to end. The series highlights the human cost of crime rather than turning it into a sensational spectacle. As a result, the focus remains on the terrifying realities of what people go through after a crime is committed, as well as the shocking effects of sensational journalism.
The Witness is based on the murder of Rachel Nickell and its impact on her young son Alex, who was the sole witness. Grappling with suddenly losing his partner and now having to take care of their son alone, while overcoming the trauma of her murder, the series is a terrifying and deeply personal showcase of loss and grief.
If such emotional and hard-hitting shows are your thing, then the following shows will definitely leave you hooked as they blend emotional storytelling, true-crime intrigue and the long shadow left by tragedy.
5 Shows Like The Witness
Unbelievable
Based on real events, Unbelievable tells the harrowing tale of Marie Adler, a woman who was harassed by the police for reporting her sexual assault because they did not believe her. It’s a terrifying story that follows two detectives who give everything to find the serial rapist and connect the dots with Marie.
Few true-crime dramas are as emotionally devastating as this one, as it highlights societal failures and the police’s inability to do their job. It’s a terrifying reminder of just how vulnerable we are sometimes and the lasting trauma that victims experience, thanks to the authorities making them relive their trauma over and over again. Much like The Witness, the series focuses more on the emotional devastation of being disregarded and ignored and is a memorable and haunting watch.
Des
The three-part miniseries is based on the crimes of Dennis Nilsen, after police discovered his gruesome actions when a drain near his home got blocked by human remains. The series follows the police investigation that led to his arrest and shares shocking insights into his actions. The subject matter is extremely disturbing, but the series balances the disturbing elements with a more thoughtful approach.
Much like the above, Des does a great job of avoiding sensationalism and focuses on the people left devastated by Nilsen’s crimes. The focus is on both the victims’ families and the investigators, whose lives were forever changed by what they discovered and the truth behind Nilsen’s disturbing murders.
A Confession
Desperately trying to find the killer of Sian O’Callaghan, DSU Steve Fulcher puts his life and career on the line and finds the truth before it’s too late. The series is moving and a testament to what is possible when the police put their all into their job.
In A Confession, police decisions become make-or-break when it comes to bringing justice to bereaved families. Exploring how mistakes and ethical compromises can complicate the pursuit of justice, the series is a moving watch where viewers will root for the police to get to the bottom of the case, despite knowing the outcome.
When They See Us
The 2019 drama miniseries dramatises the wrongful conviction of the Central Park Five, who were convicted of raping a woman in 1989. The series showcases how wrongful convictions destroy families as the five of them endure years of injustice before the truth finally comes out in 2002. When They See Us tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you gasping as it focuses solely on the human impact of a broken system, viewers will find themselves frustrated and angry as the series goes over what happened to these innocent men and how their lives changed forever. It’s a heartbreaking but essential watch that will change anyone’s worldview forever.
The Pembrokeshire Murders
This 2021 three-part drama showcases the murders committed by serial killer John Cooper, who Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins caught after watching an episode of Bullseye. The series is an intriguing and thoroughly engaging watch as it reminds us how justice can take years to achieve. On top of that, it reminds us how advances in forensic science can breathe new life into impossible cases, as Wilkins was able to achieve what he did after reopening a cold case from years ago.
Which of these thrilling shows are you excited to watch next? Let us know in the comments below!
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