10 Crime Thriller Series That Are Just as Good as ‘Task’ (If Not Better)

HBO’s Task has got everyone talking. Created by Brad Ingelsby (better known for Mare of Easttown), the crime thriller follows Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), a former priest turned FBI agent, aiming to stop a string of violent robberies targeting homes owned by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang. The culprit just might be Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), an unassuming trash collector who finds it noble to take from criminals to provide for his family. Things really heat up when one heist goes wrong.

The show has been extremely well-received so far, earning an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Episodes will air weekly until October 19, and as you wait, you can always check out similar crime thrillers that are as good, if not better. The options below have great plots, wonderful performances, and great production values all around. Sit back, raise the volume, and enjoy.

Here are 10 TV thrillers that are just as good as Task.

‘SUGA: Ride or Die’ (2025)

Like Task, SUGA: Ride or Die centers on a motorcycle gang. The camera mainly stays on Sander “Suga” Zoeteman (Jeroen Spitzenberger), the leader, who begins spiraling after the death of his daughter. Rival gangs and a relentless prosecutor happen to be pressing him, too, so his emotional state is understandable. What will he do about it?

It’s All Too Much For Him

SUGA is yet another potent slice of gang life in contemporary society. The show packs a punch, its thriller structure giving it a bracing immediacy. Any viewer will feel themselves standing right next to the increasingly desperate Suga as he tries to fix things, and, even though he is a lawbreaker, the story makes us feel his pain. Thanks to the lurid detail, you notice all the small cracks build up and fervently wish for a great dose of good fortune for the antihero. Will things get any better?

‘Riviera’ (2017 – 2020)

Art curator Georgina Clios (Julia Stiles) is enjoying a daily life of opulence on the French Riviera until her billionaire husband, Constantine Clios (Anthony LaPaglia), is killed in a mysterious yacht explosion. Determined to establish the truth, she investigates Constantine’s business, uncovering a large web of violence and corruption. What’s next for her in Riviera?

The Spouse Slowly Learns the Game

Writer/director Neil Jordan may be better known for intricately plotted, politically themed movies and shows like the Liam Neeson-led thriller, Michael Collins, and the period drama, The Borgias, but here he proves equally adept in the realm of crime and family. This gem serves up twists in generous portions and doesn’t skimp on pleasing the cinematography lovers, with plenty of wonderful outdoor views. In Riviera, you’ll learn more about the world of the rich than from a documentary.

‘Jett’ (2019)

Every criminal dreams of retiring at some point, but movies and TV shows have taught us that it is easier said than done. In Jett, skilled thief Daisy “Jett” Kowalski (Carla Gugino) aims to stay clean as soon as she gets paroled, but crime bosses start fighting for her services when she is out. She is soon pulled into a work-pleasure arrangement with the feared kingpin, Charlie (Giancarlo Esposito).

Colorful and Fun

Unlike many crime shows, Jett never tortures viewers with a grey and dark palette. There is a splash of color in every scene, making this a very pleasant viewing experience. The crime thriller series indicts the underworld’s “accept-or-suffer economy,” where a criminal is never really independent. They have to accept certain conditions or else they won’t exist peacefully. And, does Carla Gugino ever disappoint? We are also glad to have Giancarlo Esposito here. He was born for these kinds of roles. Watch this gritty nailbiter — you won’t be sorry.

‘Hap & Leonard’ (2016 – 2018)

Hap & Leonard‘s Hap Collins (James Purefoy) and his Vietnam veteran buddy Leonard Pine (Michael Kenneth Williams) first existed in John R. Lansdale’s series of novels, but the show only borrows their paper characterization. Many other plots are exclusive, and they mostly stem from Hap’s ex-wife’s discovery of a treasure. Who will get their hands on it?

Getting Rich Is the Goal

This tense, unsettling crime thriller explores the fragile nature of human friendships and fizzling trust to propel the plot. The central mystery, unveiled bit by bit, remains intact until the show’s later stages, and while at it, we get to enjoy incredible performances from Purefoy, Williams, and Christina Hendricks (playing Hap’s ex-wife). Besides that, racism is tackled head-on, and several LGBTQ challenges are addressed. You’ll be glad to know Hap & Leonard was the highest-rated original production in the history of Sundance TV.

‘Dope Thief’ (2025)

Produced by Ridley Scott, Dope Thief is a little similar to Task. Here, Narcos star Wagner Moura plays Manny, who, together with his childhood buddy, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry from Atlanta), survives by posing as a DEA agent and stealing drugs from dealers. They soon mess up by robbing a well-organized network that the real DEA has its eyes on.

One of the Best-Acted Shows of 2025

Wagner Moura is in top form here as a paranoid and ultimately hysterical presence, while Tyree Henry is the headstrong friend, ensuring nothing falls apart while carving a place for himself in the underworld. The pilot episode is directed by Scott himself, and the fluid camerawork he employs is retained throughout the series. So is the taut direction, which lends an everlasting menace. Watch out for Ving Rhames, too, in a crucial supporting role.

‘Noble House’ (1988)

Before he played James Bond, Pierce Brosnan starred in the miniseries Noble House, based on James Clavell’s books. His character is Ian Dunross, the newly appointed tai-pan (leader) of a powerful trading company known as the “Noble House.” The job seemed lucrative, but he now must deal with rivals and criminal factions, all of whom have varied interests in the company.

It’s Never Business as Usual

Noble House has enough violence and twists to make you shut off everything else from your mind. It also tickles your funny bone as well as your taste buds (godamn the food). Most importantly, it has a heart. Among all the endless antics is a charismatic but sensitive person trying to steer the ship to the best of his abilities. Kudos to Brosnan. By watching this, we can see why he became a strong contender to play James Bond.

‘The Riches’ (2006 – 2007)

How far will you go to achieve the American Dream? A family of Irish Pavees from The Riches will surprise you. After getting involved in a fatal accident that leaves a wealthy couple dead, they take on the identity of the victims and proceed to live in their mansion in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Each of the family members, including the children, happens to be skilled in a particular criminal activity, so it all goes smoothly until it doesn’t.

Minnie Driver Is Marvelous

Tackling poverty, loyalty, morality, and the liberating potential of crime without sailing over the heads of genre newcomers, The Riches is an indelible look at familial solidarity in the face of tension and unusual circumstances, featuring a spirited performance from Minnie Driver, along with a catchy pop score. Driver received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the matriarch, Dahlla Malloy, but you’ll love the rest of the cast, too.

‘Narco-Saints’ (2022)

Struggling to make ends meet as a mechanic in South Korea, In-gu (Ha Jung-woo), moves to the little-known South American nation of Suriname to take advantage of the untapped seafood market. Unfortunately, he ends up under the thumb of a ruthless cult-leaning preacher who secretly traffics drugs while keeping law enforcement and the political class on his payroll. Will he find a way to free himself in Narco-Saints (also known as The Accidental Narco)?

Using the Church as a Front

Narco-Saints has one of the craziest villains ever seen on television, yet In-gu somehow manages to outmaneuver him on several occasions. Hwang Jung-min deserved a trophy or two for his work, but no major one came. The entire tale comes off as too wild to be true, but it’s actually based on a real-life case. The action and twists never stop, and scholars will enjoy the analysis of religious indoctrination, poor leadership, and crime.

‘Mad Dogs’ (2015)

Feeling he has made enough, Milo (Billy Zane) opts for early retirement at his mansion in Belize. His buddies Lex (Michael Imperioli, Joel (Ben Chaplin), Gus (Romany Malco), and Cobi (Steve Zahn), thus take a break from their tortured, monotonous lives to celebrate the choice with him. But shortly after their arrival, a mask-wearing hitman of short stature known as The Cat (Mark Povinelli) starts terrorizing them. Who is he and what does he want? Mad Dogs has interesting answers.

Not the Getaway They Hoped For

This rousing crime thriller was canceled too soon after a contentious, difficult negotiation process, but Mad Dogs still offers grand-scale entertainment, thanks to creative storytelling, crisp cinematography, and a talented cast. The stern, loose-jawed Michael Imperioli shines in his role, while Mark Povinelli is suitably poisonous as the cold-blooded killer who won’t go away. There’s a British version of the show, but this is better for those looking for greater thrills.

‘The Tourist’ (2022 – 2024)

The Tourist opens like Steven Spielberg’s Duel. While driving through the Australian outback, British tourist Elliot Stanley (Jamie Dornan) is chased and run off the road by a cargo truck. He then wakes up in a hospital with amnesia. With the help of rookie cop Helen Chambers (Danielle Macdonald), he pieces together the fragments and discovers links to criminal networks.

Who Did This to Him?

If you’re craving bountiful portions of American spectacle and sweep, here’s your show. Jamie Dornan is wonderful, effortlessly conveying his character’s anxiety and frantic nature. Other notables include the rotund Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, channeling terror as a mysterious man who kills everyone he meets, and Damon Herriman, who lends gravitas as a detective. The Tourist won everything it was nominated for at the Monte Carlo Television Festival Awards and was recognized by numerous other organizations.