12 Shows Like The Beast in Me You Must See

Netflix’s ‘The Beast in Me’ is the intriguing tale of Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), a renowned author. Due to the death of her young son, she has seemingly reached a point of crisis in her career, finding it difficult to write. When an enigmatic, rich man named Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) becomes her neighbor, her life takes an unexpected turn. The new neighbor, who was once a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, develops a unique relationship with the author, who also becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery behind his personality. As the two engage in deeper conversations, Aggie becomes increasingly curious about the case of the missing wife and hopes to uncover the truth.

She also offers to help her neighbor rebrand his public image by writing about him. The story becomes twisted as the two individuals try to outsmart each other. Created by Gabe Rotter, the mystery thriller drama series examines secrets and relationships in all their complexities. These shows, similar to ‘The Beast in Me,’ will thrill you and keep you guessing.

12. The Fear Index (2022)

‘The Fear Index’ chronicles the experiences of Dr. Alex Hoffman (Josh Hartnett), who becomes entangled in the mysterious world of Wall Street. Known for his computer skills, he leads a hedge fund to further his success. After developing an algorithm that targets the psychological aspects of fear in the market players, he finds himself targeted and followed by unknown individuals. Based on the eponymous novel by Robert Harris, who is also the writer of the show, the Sky original thriller drama series, directed by David Caffrey, follows the protagonist as he fights for survival in both his professional and personal lives. It resembles ‘The Beast in Me’ due to its exploration of the mind games and intriguing character dynamics built around secrets. The tense visual styles of the shows also complement each other.

11. The Affair (2014-2019)

Showtime’s drama series, ‘The Affair,’ created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, explores the repercussions of extramarital relationships through the story of teacher Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and waitress Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson). Their affair begins under challenging circumstances, resulting in unforeseen complications that profoundly impact their lives. The show centrally examines how this relationship strains existing familial bonds, particularly between Noah and his wife, Helen Solloway (Maura Tierney), delving into complex themes of love and loyalty. The husband-wife relationship and the element of secrecy play a major role in the story, just like ‘The Beast in Me.’ The involvement of a third party in marital issues is also a common factor in the shows.

10. Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ plunges into the privileged world of the British elite, exposing a sexual consent scandal and the women affected by it. James Whitehouse (Rupert Friend), a Minister in Parliament, and his wife Sophie Whitehouse (Sienna Miller) live an idyllic life, with his political future looking hopeful. However, the life of the politician becomes chaotic when secrets related to James’s affair with Olivia Lytton (Naomi Scott) come to light.

As the politician and his family deal with the scenario, a lawyer named Kate Woodcroft (Michelle Dockery) becomes the prosecutor. Based on Sarah Vaughan’s eponymous novel, Netflix’s thriller drama series shares similarities with ‘The Beast in Me’ in its portrayal of marital problems. Created by David E. Kelley and Melissa James Gibson, it also complements the Claire Danes starrer with depictions of secrets and twisted characters.

9. The Victim (2019)

BBC One’s ‘The Victim’ revolves around Anna Dean’s (Kelly Macdonald) continued search for those responsible for the murder of her son more than a decade ago. As the mother tries to get to the truth, she finds herself unexpectedly facing accusations of inciting the murder of Craig Myers (James Harkness), the man she believes is the killer. Craig is fatally targeted for his alleged role in the killing, which adds a layer of complication to the already troubling story of a mother’s quest for justice. What follows is a charged case, which challenges the morality of the system. Created by Rob Williams, the Scottish thriller drama series, akin to ‘The Beast in Me,’ is a vivid painting of familial affairs through the experiences of the main characters and the unraveling of secrets.

8. The Woman in the Wall (2023-2024)

‘The Woman in the Wall’ centers on Lorna Brady (Ruth Wilson), an Irish woman troubled by extreme sleepwalking due to her past imprisonment in the Kilkinure Convent. Her life descends into further horror when she wakes up one morning to discover a dead body in her house. As enigmatic detective Colman Akande (Daryl McCormack) begins investigating the case, Lorna is clueless about the identity of the deceased woman and whether she is actually the killer in BBC One’s British mystery drama series created by Joe Murtagh. In the lines ‘The Beast in Me,’ it is a navigation of psychological games, secrets, and the complex equations between characters who are either directly or indirectly related to murder cases.

7. Liar (2017-2020)

Created by Harry and Jack Williams, ‘Liar’ is a British psychological thriller series that follows the trials and tribulations of teacher Laura Nielson (Joanne Froggatt). She forges a connection with a surgeon, Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd), which results in a date. However, this comes at a great price as Laura believes the surgeon sexually assaulted her. After authorities fail to act on her accusation, Laura independently pursues the matter. What follows is a complex case, with conflicting perspectives. Due to its portrayal of intimate relationships, accusations, and secrets in tense spaces, the series is connected to the world of ‘The Beast in Me’ and its unique characters.

6. The Girl Before (2021)

BBC One and HBO Max’s ‘The Girl Before’ follows Jane Cavendish (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to rent an ultra-minimalist house designed by Edward Monkford (David Oyelowo), a secretive architect. She learns that she can rent the house only if she follows specific strict rules. Soon after moving in, the protagonist learns about the previous tenant, Emma Matthews (Jessica Plummer), who met her end living in the house. This leads her to a challenging situation, where she has to learn more about the secrets that plague the house, while trying to keep her own sanity intact. Based on the eponymous novel by the creator J.P. Delaney, the British thriller series resembles ‘The Beast in Me’ due to its portrayal of secrets, dark visual tones, and psychological themes of fear and obsession.

5. The Night Of (2016)

HBO’s ‘The Night Of’ follows Nasir Khan (Riz Ahmed), a young man who is falsely accused and arrested for the murder of a young woman. Facing a complex scenario, Nasir finds himself in a dangerous situation, with no evidence to support him. His sole hope lies with his defense attorney, John Stone (John Turturro), who could somehow earn his liberation. The crime drama series created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian examines the themes of secrets, lies, and obsession seen in ‘The Beast in Me.’ Based on the British series ‘Criminal Justice’ by Peter Moffat, the series, like the Matthew Rhys-starrer, also explores the aspect of psychological games that the main characters become entangled in.

4. The Fall (2013-2016)

‘The Fall,’ an Irish-British crime drama series created by Allan Cubitt, depicts a complex investigation into a series of murders. Set in Belfast, the plot revolves around Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson), a police officer brought in to consult on a murder case. Her involvement escalates into an obsessive search for a serial killer. As the protagonist delves deeper into the investigation, she faces unexpected dangers and challenges that ultimately threaten her life. With the killer still at large, the cop must go beyond her limits to catch the culprit. Like ‘The Beast in Me,’ the show features an obsessive crime investigation by a female protagonist, who must navigate significant challenges.

3. The Undoing (2020)

Based on the novel ‘You Should Have Known’ by Jean Hanff Korelitz, HBO’s ‘The Undoing’ centers on the wealthy Fraser family, which includes renowned psychologist Grace Fraser (Nicole Kidman), her husband Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant), and their son Henry Fraser (Noah Jupe). The family is thrown into chaos when the psychologist discovers her husband is missing and realizes she is somehow connected to a murder. In the psychological crime drama series created by David E. Kelley, the mother tries to redeem herself by saving her son’s life and her own. Like ‘The Beast in Me,’ the element of familial relationships is at the core of the narrative. Both stories deal with the inexplicable disappearances of family members, which drive the plots forward.

2. The Stranger (2020)

Netflix’s ‘The Stranger’ is the harrowing tale of a family deeply affected by secrets. It chronicles the experiences of Adam Price (Richard Armitage), who is approached by a mysterious woman (Hannah John-Kamen), who tells him horrifying secrets about his wife Corinne Price (Dervla Kirwan). This shockingly leads to the vanishing of the wife, leaving Adam and his kids looking for answers. Based on the creator Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name, the show examines the struggles of a family as more secrets emerge. The British mystery thriller series, akin to ‘The Beast in Me,’ explores the cost of secrets within a familial setting. The disappearance of a woman is at the heart of both stories, which also share a similar visual tone.

1. Fool Me Once (2024)

‘Fool Me Once’ centers on Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan), a woman striving to protect her daughter following the murder of her husband, Joe Burkett (Richard Armitage). Netflix’s British thriller series, developed by Daniel Brocklehurst, takes a surprising turn when Maya’s supposedly deceased husband appears to be alive. This leads to complex efforts by the wife to uncover the truth, in a race against the clock. Based on Harlan Coben’s eponymous novel, the show is connected to ‘The Beast in Me’ due to the angle of a family member disappearing and secrets coming to light. Both stories poignantly explore themes of obsession and deception, while also incorporating similar visual elements.