TOP 10 TV THRILLERS

by Ali Burden |

Here’s a round-up of the certifiably best thriller series streaming in 2016.

10. Jessica Jones

Back in 2001 this fictional superheroine exploded onto the scene on the cover of Marvel’s The Pulse—but now you can find her on Netflix! This Netflix original series starring Krysten Ritter (Jones) and the beloved David Tennant (Kilgrave) focuses around Jones herself. After her hero days were brought to a tragic end, Jessica settles in The Big Apple and begins a private investigation business, Alias Investigations. Follow her through terrifying adventures chasing her arch-nemesis Kilgrave—it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

9. House of Cards

This popular show, available on Netflix, has just launched its newest season—South Carolina good ole’ boy Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) is back and more vicious than ever as he continues his political career. Fans have lost their minds over this show time and time again with good reason: Spacey never fails to deliver a riveting and intense ride, and supporting characters, including First Lady Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) will make you both love and fear them all at once. Get a good look at how dirty politics can be with House of Cards.

 

8. Blacklist

James Spader, one of television’s most beloved actors stars as Raymond “Red” Reddington in Blacklist, which opens with his surrender to the FBI. Upon being brought into custody, Red makes them an irresistible offer—he will help put away a number of dangerous criminals (compiled on his “Blacklist”) which includes everyone from mobsters to international terrorists and high-level politicians…on one condition. He will only work with rookie Liz Keen—he trains her to think like the criminals she is hunting to help her track her prey. Overall this pick of the best thriller series litter will keep you binging for more.

 

7. Breaking Bad

Quiet and timid high school chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) lived a pretty ordinary life—until he discovered he had terminal cancer. In a mad dash race against the clock, Walt teams up with a troubled ex-student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to convert an RV into a mobile meth lab—follow this unlikely pair through dangerous drug deals, shootouts, run-ins with the DEA and of course, the ever present pressure from Walt’s family.

 

6. Sherlock

British babe Benedict Cumberbatch absolutely wows audiences in this modern twist on a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless tales. Brilliant, eccentric Sherlock needs a roommate and Dr. John Watson (the beloved Martin Freeman) needs much of the same. Through a mutual friend, the two find each other and rent the flat at the iconic 221 Baker Street—with absolutely brilliant writing, Sherlock takes Doyle’s old stories and breathes new life into them—it’s a whirlwind from start to finish, leaving every fan hungry for more.  Of course it makes our best thriller series list!

 

5. True Detective

Odds are you’ve seen the first season of this smash-hit crime thriller starring heartthrob Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, but did you know about season two? New faces, new crimes and all the same thrills. Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, the lovely Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch find themselves in a tangled web of conspiracy. A bizarre and brutal murder in the scorched Southern California and the disappearance of a city manager throw all these explosive personalities together—and what a bang it ends up being.

 

 

4. Boardwalk Empire

Found on HBO, Boardwalk Empire revolves around Atlantic City during the dawn of the prohibition. Gangster Politician Enoch Thompson (Steve Buscemi) calls the shots alongside his brother Elias, Atlantic City’s sheriff. Before long Enoch becomes the go-to guy for illegal alcohol, and he runs into a slew of notorious gangsters, including Al Capone, “Big Jim” Colosimo and others. Thompson does quite well…until a former apprentice turns on him. This charming look back at prohibition-era crime never fails to disappoint.

 

3. The Shield

Alright, this one is sort of a cheat, but still shouldn’t be missed—this American drama, which you can find on Netflix right now, stars Michael Chiklis as rogue LAPD cop Vic Mackey. We’ll slip it into our round-up of best thriller series, nonetheless, because the intense, corrupt action hardly stops. Vic has no problem stooping to the level of his prey just to bring them to heel, but soon the madness of his method comes back to haunt him. Watch Vic straddle the fine line between justice and criminal behavior in The Shield…we promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

 2. Dexter

If you’ve owned a television in the last ten years, odds are you’ve stumbled across Dexter, this unique twist on vigilante justice. One might call Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) an “antihero”— by day, Dexter is a forensic blood-splatter analyst working for a fictitious Miami police department…by night, he becomes a vigilante serial killer. His targets? Other murderers who have managed to slip through the cracks of the justice system. Dexter operates by two rules—he can only kill if he’s found conclusive evidence that they are guilty of murder…and he can’t get caught.

 

1. Supernatural

Stepping into the realm of paranormal thrillers, go no further than Supernatural! Sexy duo Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki play demon-hunting brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who search out and investigate all things that go “bump” in the night. With run-ins with demigods, monsters, ghouls and ghosts, every episode is a whirlwind of thrilling emotion—you’ll be cracking up laughing one moment, and in the next find yourself on the edge of your seat. If you haven’t watched Supernatural yet, (or heck, even if you have) catch it while you can on Hulu. Don’t have Hulu? No worries—Netflix has it too!