Saagar Kote
Created by Rob Williams, Netflix’s ‘The Witness’ is a British crime drama series that chronicles the experiences of Alex Hanscombe (Max Fincham) and André Hanscombe (Jordan Bolger) in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy. The brutal murder of Rachel Nickell (Eleanor Williams), Alex’s mother and André’s partner, in 1992, sets the stage for the narrative. André suddenly finds himself raising his son alone while trying to cope with his own grief. With Alex being the only eyewitness to the attack, André dedicates himself to protecting and supporting his traumatized son as they navigate intense media attention and a police investigation under growing pressure to solve the case.
As the cops open up the investigation after many years, Alex must not only confront his past trauma, but also serve as the key witness that could help crack the case and get justice for his deceased mother. The engaging show is based on the 1992 killing of Rachel Nickell, as well as the memoir ‘Letting Go’ by Alex Hanscombe. You will appreciate the intensity, suspense, and character-driven storytelling in these shows, similar to ‘The Witness,’ that focus on puzzling crimes.
14. The Salisbury Poisonings (2020)
Based on true events, ‘The Salisbury Poisonings’ takes place in 2018 and picks up when emergency responders are called to Salisbury city center after Sergei Skripal (Wayne Swann) and Yulia Skripal (Jill Winternitz) are discovered unconscious on a park bench. As medical professionals struggle to determine the cause, local authorities become increasingly involved in the investigation. The situation escalates into a national emergency when it is revealed that Sergei is a former Russian military intelligence officer.
Investigators find out that Sergei and Yulia were exposed to a highly potent Novichok nerve agent, which could have an impact on Salisbury’s other residents. As the chaos unfolds, the lives of those in the area hang in the balance. Directed by Saul Dibb, the BBC British drama series, akin to ‘The Witness,’ is a terrifying take on true incidents. Both shows place their characters in vulnerable positions as they fight for their futures amid growing uncertainty and chaos.
13. Manhunt (2017-2020)
‘Manhunt’ is a crime-drama anthology series based on real-life high-profile criminal investigations. The first season, ‘Manhunt: Unabomber,’ follows FBI profiler Jim Fitzgerald (Sam Worthington) during the agency’s pursuit of the Unabomber in the 1990s. He faces resistance from colleagues who are skeptical of his innovative use of forensic linguistics. Despite opposition, he continues developing his methods to identify and capture the suspect. The second season, ‘Manhunt: Deadly Games,’ centers on Richard Jewell (Cameron Britton), a security officer who helps prevent greater loss of life after discovering a bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
However, he soon becomes the focus of an intense FBI investigation and the storm of public opinion. Andrew Sodroski, Jim Clemente, and Tony Gittelson steer the show, which is a deeper look into the consequences of crime. While ‘The Witness’ is about the aftermath of a crime and the ways in which it affects those close to the victim, ‘Manhunt’ is about the desperate hunt for truth and justice in a broken world.
12. The Victim (2019)
With Rob Williams at the creative helm, BBC’s ‘The Victim’ is a Scottish thriller series that centers on Anna Dean (Kelly Macdonald), a mother whose son was murdered years earlier. Anna’s life takes a turn when the one she thinks is responsible for the crime is allegedly living under a new identity after serving time. Anna faces a legal battle when she is accused of revealing his identity, which led to a violent attack against him.
The man at the center of the controversy is Craig Myers (James Harkness), a husband and father who is brutally assaulted after being publicly accused of being a child killer. While Anna continues her search for answers about her son’s killer, moral standards are tested. The series is spiritually connected to ‘The Witness’ due to its portrayal of the mother-son bond. In the BBC show, a mother goes beyond her limits to get justice for her son years after his murder. In the Netflix series, a son does the same for his murdered mother and seeks justice.
11. Anne (2022)
‘Anne’ is based on real events and explores the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. The British drama series from director Bruce Goodison follows Anne Williams (Maxine Peake), a mother whose 15-year-old son, Kevin Williams (Campbell Wallace), was among those who lost their lives during the tragedy at Hillsborough Stadium. Devastated by Kevin’s death, Anne becomes determined to uncover the truth about the events that led to the disaster. Over the following decades, she dedicates herself to seeking answers by tracking down witnesses and campaigning relentlessly for justice.
However, justice is not an easy destination, and tests Anne at every stage. There is much in common between Anne’s experiences in the story and the turbulent reality of André and Alex in ‘The Witness.’ These characters deal with the deeply haunting loss of loved ones, while also dealing with the complexities of the justice system, which seems to present more questions than answers.
10. The Sixth Commandment (2023)
BBC’s ‘The Sixth Commandment’ examines the deaths of Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall) and Ann Moore-Martin (Anne Reid) in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton. The BBC crime series chronicles the events surrounding the cases, the subsequent police investigation, and the criminal proceedings involving Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke) and Martyn Smith (Jonathan Aris). At the center of the Sarah Phelps creation is the relationship between Peter Farquhar and a younger man, which causes chaos. The circumstances surrounding Peter and Ann’s deaths become increasingly complex as the truth lurks in the shadows. If the gritty and puzzling tone, the visuals, and the character dynamics in ‘The Witness’ entertained you, ‘The Sixth Commandment’ will give you a similar experience with its take on real events and the dark corners of the human mind.
9. White House Farm (2020)
‘White House Farm’ deals with the investigation into the deaths of five members of the Bamber-Caffell family in Essex in 1985. The authorities launch an inquiry into what initially appears to be a tragic murder case. The investigation is led by DCI Taff Jones (Stephen Graham) and DS Stan Jones (Mark Addy). During questioning, Jeremy Bamber (Freddie Fox) claims that his sister, Sheila Caffell (Cressida Bonas), who has schizophrenia, was responsible for the killings, before taking her own life. However, as the detectives continue examining the evidence, doubts begin to emerge.
Determined to uncover the truth, the investigators pursue new leads, revealing twists that turn the case upside down. Helmed by Paul Whittington, the crime drama series is based on the real-life White House Farm murders. On the lines of ‘The Witness,’ the show captures the consequences and trauma of murder and how it affects the family members of the victims. Both shows utilize creative visual choices and intense moments to dive into the truth of real-life cases intricately.
8. Des (2020)
Set in 1983, ‘Des’ begins when a Scotland Yard investigation is launched following the discovery of human remains blocking the drainage system of a London residence. What initially appears to be a strange and isolated incident soon develops into a far more disturbing case. As detectives follow the evidence, their search increasingly points toward Dennis Nilsen (David Tennant), raising the possibility that he may be responsible for multiple killings. The investigation takes an unexpected turn when Nilsen openly admits to his crimes, forcing authorities to confront the full extent of the case.
The gripping crime series follows the efforts of investigators as they piece together the details of the murders and deal with the unsettling reality revealed by Nilsen’s confession. Guided by the creative vision of Lewis Arnold and Luke Neal, the show is adapted from Brian Masters’ book ‘Killing for Company.’ The element of mystery, confused characters, harrowing truths, trauma, the relentless pursuit of offenders, and the consequences of crime are some of the many commonalities between ‘Des’ and ‘The Witness.’
7. The Moorside (2017)
With Paul Whittington in the director’s chair, BBC’s ‘The Moorside’ is a British crime-drama series based on actual events. Set in Yorkshire in 2008, the story begins when nine-year-old Shannon Matthews (Gemma Chana) is reported missing. This leads to a major search effort from the local community. Julie Bushby (Sheridan Smith) helps rally support for Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews (Gemma Whelan), as the community hopes to bring the child home.
As the search intensifies and the police investigation takes unexpected turns, doubts begin to emerge about Karen’s involvement. With Karen’s role unclear, Shannon’s fate and the truth behind the case get intertwined. While ‘The Witness’ is about a son’s struggles to get justice for his mother at any cost, ‘The Moorside’ twists this idea and presents the mother as someone who could be hiding secrets and may have a darker role to play in determining her daughter’s future.
6. Little Boy Blue (2017)
‘Little Boy Blue’ focuses on the ordeal of Rhys Jones (Sonny Beyga). The 11-year-old boy, while returning home from football practice in Liverpool, is fatally shot by a hooded individual. Rhys’ death shocks the city, which is already going through the chaos and impact of gang violence. The investigation is led by Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly (Stephen Graham), who is tasked with bringing the murderer to justice. With the identity of the suspected shooter remaining a mystery, securing clues proves difficult.
As the case unfolds, Kelly and his team face intense pressure to deliver results while dealing with intimidation. Paul Whittington steers this show, which is based on true events, and is a deeply haunting experience. Both ‘Little Boy Blue’ and ‘The Witness’ place investigators in puzzling situations, testing them at every stage. The narratives are also connected by their focus on the importance of evidence in complex cases and on the meaning of justice itself.
5. The Long Shadow (2023)
‘The Long Shadow’ chronicles the investigation into the murders committed by the serial killer known as the Yorkshire Ripper. Set between 1975 and 1981, the British crime drama series depicts a significant manhunt as police forces across northern England work to apprehend the perpetrator. The show highlights the experiences of the victims, their families, survivors, and the detectives involved in the investigation. As the number of victims grows and fear spreads throughout Yorkshire and Manchester, West Yorkshire Police undertake an extensive search.
Throughout the case, investigators, including DCS Dennis Hoban (Toby Jones), face numerous challenges that complicate their efforts. Directed by Lewis Arnold, the show, based on the book ‘Wicked Beyond Belief’ by Michael Bilton, is a harrowing dramatization of real events, akin to ‘The Witness.’ The two crime-drama shows delve into the sense of fear and uncertainty that crimes lead to in small communities. The law enforcement authorities in both shows face mounting challenges in their relentless pursuits.
4. The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021)
With Nick Stevens at the creative helm, ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ is based on the book ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching the Bullseye Killer’ by Steve Wilkins. It centers on Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins (Luke Evans) after he receives a promotion and is presented with a difficult new challenge. His attention turns to two unsolved murder cases from the past that are reopened years later in the hope of finally getting to the truth.
As Steve and his team make progress, they find connections between the murders and a series of local robberies. With the suspect potentially nearing release from prison, Steve and his colleagues must work quickly to solve the crimes before the clock runs out. The show dramatizes real happenings, which makes it complementary to the visual and thematic flavor of ‘The Witness.’ The shows not only deal with a “race against time” scenario, but also focus on the themes of justice and the procedural elements of police investigations.
3. Four Lives (2022)
BBC’s ‘Four Lives’ is based on a true story and focuses on the murders of four young gay men. The British crime-drama series from creator Neil McKay focuses on the devastating impact of the crimes on the victims’ families and loved ones, whose lives are permanently altered by the tragic losses. As police efforts to uncover the truth encounter significant difficulties, the families find themselves confronting frustration. Determined to seek answers, they persist in their pursuit of justice despite the obstacles they face.
Along with all this chaos, the narrative also delves into the mind of the killer, Stephen Port (Stephen Merchant), and his motivations behind the horrifying acts. The show sheds light on the psychological factors related to the act of murder, while also dealing with the emotional complexities of families dealing with unexpected and brutal deaths of loved ones, much like ‘The Witness’ does through its layered characters.
2. A Confession (2019)
‘A Confession’ revolves around the ups and downs of an investigation led by DSU Stephen Fulcher (Martin Freeman) into the disappearance of 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan (Florence Howard). As police launch an extensive search and work tirelessly to locate the missing young woman, hopes remain that she will be found alive. As the inquiry progresses, Stephen identifies a suspect whose involvement could prove crucial to the case. However, the situation places Stephen in a difficult position, forcing him to choose between strictly adhering to police procedures and pursuing a different course of action he believes could help catch a dangerous killer.
With Paul Andrew Williams in the director’s chair, the British crime-drama series is based on real events and ‘Catching a Serial Killer,’ a book by Stephen Fulcher. The show captures the gritty nature and essence of ‘The Witness,’ which is also an intense, dramatic take on the complexities of a real-life case. The visual elements and the character dynamics in the shows connect them on a deep level.
1. Deceit (2021)
Based on a true story, ‘Deceit’ is a British crime-drama series that follows Sadie Byrne (Niamh Algar), an undercover officer codenamed “Lizzie James.” Set in the aftermath of the 1992 murder of Rachel Nickell, the narrative examines the investigation in all its complexities. The authorities go beyond their limits to secure a conviction against prime suspect Colin Stagg (Sion Daniel Young). With intense media scrutiny and public pressure surrounding the case, Detective Inspector Keith Pedder (Harry Treadaway) and criminal profiler Paul Britton (Eddie Marsan) develop an ambitious undercover operation in which Sadie is tasked with forming a relationship with Stagg in the hope of obtaining evidence against him.
As the operation unfolds, Sadie finds herself in increasingly uncomfortable situations while remaining driven to apprehend and secure evidence against the alleged offender. Niall MacCormick steers the show, which, akin to ‘The Witness,’ sheds light on the importance of evidence in a criminal case. The two stories not only share visual similarities but also depict the human side of murder investigations. The shows also feature characters who find themselves in morally puzzling situations and deal with the moral layers of the criminal justice system.
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