At just eight episodes long, Netflix’s trending action thrillerThe Madnessis extremely bingeworthy, but it may leave viewers looking for something similar to watch.The cast ofThe Madnessincludes Colman Domingo, who has previously starred inSing Sing,Euphoria, andFear the Walking Dead. The show also features accomplished actors like Marsha Stephanie Blake and John Ortiz, and there are opportunities to seeThe Madnessstars in othersuspenseful TV thrillers. Domingo’s role inThe Madnessis Muncie Daniels, a writer who becomes the only witness to a murder and finds himself framed for the crime.
The Madnessbegins in a remote cabin in the Poconos, and grows more intense with every episode after Muncie goes on the run. In an attempt to prove his innocence and discover who framed him, Muncie begins to uncover a global conspiracy that extends far beyond the original setting. Every episode ofThe Madnessis full of twists, revealing that nobody can be trusted.The Madness’s shocking endingsets up a potential season 2, but in the meantime,fans ofThe Madnesshave plenty of other crime and conspiracy shows to watch next.
Fargo
Cast
Fargo is a Black Comedy Crime Drama television series that is based on the film of the same name, which was originally created by the Coen Brothers. The TV adaptation was developed by Noah Hawley and follows an anthology format for each of its seasons, taking place in a different time period or location within the “Fargo” universe. So far, the series has seen big-name stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor, Chris Rock, and Kirsten Dunst.
LikeThe Madness, Fargo involves crime and conspiracy in a small town. The show is rated 93% positive onRotten Tomatoesand stars some big names, like Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst, and Chris Rock.Fargois based on The Coen Brothers' standout movie of the same name, and the series impressed them so much that they joined as executive producers.BothThe MadnessandFargoshow the darker side of small townsand share unexpected dark humor.
WhileFargois a critically acclaimed show with similar themes toThe Madness, it is different enough to give viewers something completely new to watch.Fargois an anthologywith each season featuring a new cast of characters and the occasional crossover. The show often features both gore and humor in the same scene, and whileThe Madnesshas its witty moments, it has a much grittier tone overall.
Prison Break
Prison Break tells the story of two brothers who must unravel a political conspiracy while escaping from one of the most secure places on Earth. When petty criminal Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is falsely convicted of murdering the Vice President’s brother, his own brother, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), has himself incarcerated to stage a daring prison break using the blueprints of the facility he has tattooed on his body.
WhileThe Madnessbegins in a remote setting and expands into the wider world with every episode,Prison Breaktakes the opposite path.Prison Breakbegins with a high-profile death row inmate who is framed for murder, but the action then moves to a series of smaller remote locations, like the ones seen inThe Madness. The two shows share their themes of framing and government conspiracies, but unlikeThe Madness,Prison Breakhas four seasons, a movie, and a reboot.
Viewers who liked the conspiracy angle inThe Madnessmight have wanted Muncie’s time on the run to last longer, as he attempted to clear his name and stay one step ahead of his pursuer. This makesPrison Breaka great show to watch afterThe Madness, as the first season introduces the conspiracy angle early. The subsequent seasons split the time between the terrifying government cover-up while showing multiple characters on the run.
The Following
The Following centers on Kevin Bacon’s Ryan Hardy, who hunts down a manipulative serial killer named Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) that has amassed a cult following willing to do anything he tells them to. The series was well received but was eventually canceled by Fox in 2015 after three seasons.
Viewers who love the dark and gritty tone ofThe Madnessbut would like to watch something with a different and unique plot should pick upThe Followingnext. WhileThe Madnessfollows the innocent Muncie as he is framed and tries to evade the authorities hunting him,The Followingis told from the perspectives of the hunters. Kevin Bacon stars as a former FBI agent who is trying to track down a serial killer who has started a cult.
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Unlike Muncie, the killer inThe Followingis guilty, and his band of followers makes him even more dangerous. The plot is unique compared to many other crime thrillers, butthe show has a similar feel toThe Madness,as both can be extremely disturbing at times and feature a central cat-and-mouse chase. Many actors inThe Followingwill now be very familiar, with Valorie Curry (Firecracker inThe Boys) playing a standout role.
Lupin
Lupin follows Assane Diop, a gentleman thief that seeks to settle a twenty-five-year vendetta against the people who accused his father of stealing a necklace once belonging to Marie Antoinette. Along the way, Assane’s quest will drag the two people he loves most, his son and ex-wife, into an ever-increasing conflict. Assane will be forced to decide what he will risk for revenge. Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief and master of disguise from the books by author Maurice Leblanc inspires the inspirations behind his heists and theft.
Writers often have a hard time in crime shows, andMuncie might have escaped being framed if he had just stayed at home to write his book. Still, his knowledge of words and storytelling helps him to think outside the box while trying to escape. He is even able to defend himself with his pen. Still, writers never know who they will inspire, and another show to watch isLupin, which features a writer very differently.
Lupinhas an incredible 98% positive rating onRotten Tomatoesand is about a professional thief who was inspired by a book character.Lupin’s main characteris Assane Diop, played by Omar Sy, who both admires and bases his crimes on the fictional gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin. LikeThe Madness,Lupintouches on some serious themes related to justice, background, and identity. It also features exciting twists, as well as a writer connection.
The Innocent Man
The Innocent Man is a six-part documentary series released in 2018, based on John Grisham’s non-fiction book. It explores two 1980s murders in Ada, Oklahoma, and the ensuing controversial events, shedding light on issues within the criminal justice system.
The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Townis one of manyJohn Grisham novels that have been adaptedfor the screen. Like the original novel,Netflix’sThe Innocent Mancovers two real-life murders that occurred in Ada, Oklahomaand a confession that might have been false. People who likedThe Madnessbut are also true crime fans may want to watchThe Innocent Mannext, as it has more of the same themes but in a different setting and with some shocking real-life twists.
ThoughThe Madnessis not based on a true story, many situations that Muncie finds himself navigating are also rooted in real stories of injustice and prejudice.The Innocent Manexplores more of the real-life injustices in the criminal system, while also covering a case that is not as well-known as many others.The MadnessandThe Innocent Maneach have very different endings, so the twists and turns in one do not necessarily reflect the other.
Quantico
Quantico is a crime-drama thriller series created by Joshua Safran that initially premiered in 2015. The series follows an FBI agent framed for a terrorist attack as she fights to prove her innocence while dealing with the internal tension that perpetually builds within her unit.
While the standout performance inThe Madnessis by Colman Domingo,Marsha Stephanie Blake is also fantastic as Muncie’s estranged wife, Elena. Many crime shows sideline the partners of their protagonists, but Elena is a well-rounded character who plays a key role in helping Muncie investigate the crime he is accused of. Blake has also appeared inOrange Is The New BlackandThis Is Us, and viewers wanting to see more of her should watchQuanticonext.
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Blake appears in an episode of the FBI drama seriesQuantico, which stars Priyanka Chopra as an FBI agent who becomes the prime suspect in a terrorist attack.The show shares the “wrongful accusation amid government conspiracy” themes withThe Madness, but it does so in a different location and with more of a focus on the FBI stars. Spot Blake in episode 7 of season 3, playing the scientist Leslie Thomas.
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a suspenseful thriller in which a dedicated FBI agent becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering an emergency line call. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the agent uncovers a mole within the White House, posing significant risks to national security.
The Night Agenthas been confirmed for season 2, which makes now the perfect time to start watching the show. It shares themes and its intense energy withThe Madness. If watchingThe Madnessdid not give viewers enough action, this is the best series to watch next.The Night Agentis intense and fast-paced from beginning to end, as the story follows an FBI agent who discovers a potential mole at the highest levels of the U.S. government.
The Madnesshas a more serious tone thanThe Night Agent,as it follows a Black man falsely accused of murder and addresses the racial dynamics of that.The Night Agenthas a less realistic and serious plot, making it ideal for viewers who want something a little less heavy. The conspiracy extends to the point that the entire U.S. is in danger, often making the show feel like aBondmovie but with a similar feel toThe Madness.
Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttown is a mystery crime-drama that stars Kate Winslet as a detective attempting to solve a murder as her life crumbles around her. Marianne “Mare” Sheehan is assigned to investigate the murder of one girl while trying to tackle a cold case of another missing girl. Having recently lost her son, Mare’s world is steeped in chaos as she attempts to reclaim her life in the eyes of the town - and herself.
Mare of Easttownis one of Kate Winslet’s most compelling TV shows yet. Winslet stars as Marianne “Mare” Sheehan as she tries to solve a murder soon after losing her son, and her attempts to reclaim her life mirror Muncie’s inThe Madness.While the characters are extremely different, bothThe MadnessandMare of Easttownshow off their main actors' rangeand ability to portray the torment of people in impossible situations.
Mare of Easttownis shorter thanThe Madness, spanning just seven episodes, and HBO is now considering a second season after the positive reviews thatMare of Easttown’s shocking finalehad. Viewers wanting a short show with the same emotional depth asThe Madnessshould watch this next. Both series also feature excellent and sensitive performances from the supporting cast, with Gabrielle Graham playing Muncie’s daughter inThe Madness, and much ofMare of Easttownrevolving around the first-episode murder of a character who is still three-dimensional.
The Capture
The Capture is a British crime drama series created by Ben Chanan. It follows Detective Inspector Rachel Carey as she investigates cases of manipulated video evidence and surveillance, addressing themes of governmental overreach and the ethics of digital manipulation. The series stars Holliday Grainger as DI Rachel Carey and exposes the complex intersection of technology, privacy, and justice in modern society.
The Capturefeatures some extremely modern elements that concern more people as time goes on.The British mystery thriller incorporates deepfakes, extreme surveillance and false reporting, making it one of the more frightening crime shows to watch afterThe Madness. InThe Madness, it is not always easy to tell who is telling the truth, and the show provides some shocking twists in that regard. For viewers wanting more of this,The Capturetakes things to the next level.
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The Capturecenters on Lance Corporal Shaun Emery, who is accused of murdering his barrister. When Detective Inspector Rachel Carey, played by Holliday Grainger, looks into the case, she discovers that she cannot believe her own eyes.InThe Capture, it is not just the characters that could be lying, as the show features many modern developments in technology that could be weapons in the wrong hands. BothThe CaptureandThe Madnesskeep viewers guessing until the end.
True Detective
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
All four seasons ofTrue Detectivemight have gotten very different critical receptions, butTrue Detectivecontains all the best things aboutThe Madness, with some extra elements added in.True Detectiveis an anthology series, with each season featuring a new cast of detectives and a disturbing crime, usually in a small town. These crimes have included murder and dismemberment, likeThe Madness, butTrue Detectiveoften adds a bigger (and less plausible) twist.
True Detectivehas tried to be many things at once, incorporating demonic cults and philosophy into some of its storylines. That said, its more extreme elements make the show thrilling, unpredictable, and sometimes darkly funny. At its worst,True Detectivehas too many stories stuffed into a season, but at its best,it is a compelling and disturbing mystery show that showcases the emotional range and development of the key characters. This human aspect is one of the best things aboutThe Madness, and is a good thing to showcase in any crime thriller.
The Madness
Muncie Daniels is a political consultant-turned-TV pundit who may have lost his way in life. While on a work sabbatical in the Poconos to write the great American novel, Muncie finds himself the only witness to the murder of a well-known white supremacist, and now he’s being framed for the crime. Muncie is forced to go on the run in a desperate fight to clear his name and unravel a global conspiracy before time runs out. Along the way he’ll reconnect with his family, find unlikely allies, and fight against disinformation in a post-truth age.
