Stephen King knows how to keep a reader hooked, and he appreciates a TV show that can do the same. The best-selling author is an enthusiastic TV watcher who regularly shares his thoughts on everything from baffling murder cases to elaborate psychological thrillers. He’ll question a suspect’s guilt before a crime drama reaches its finale, praise the lead actor of a series, or urge his followers to stick with a slow opening because the pay-off is worth it.
King’s social media posts offer a glimpse into what holds his attention. Of course, Stephen King’s own mystery thrillers are masterpieces, but he also has a watch list for his readers. The King of Horror has singled out TV shows that make every clue count and keep their biggest secrets under wraps until the right moment. Every mystery thriller on this list is worth binge-watching over a weekend.
‘Last Seen’ (2026)
A Disappearance Changes Everything For One Father
What It’s About: 11 years after his young daughter, Maggie, disappeared, Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall) has settled into a troubled life as an emergency dispatcher. His past catches up with him when a distressed teenage girl calls for help, and Ian becomes convinced that he might have found a way back to the daughter he lost. Last Seen is a six-part Apple TV drama adapted from a crime novel. It favors careful character work over shocking twists. Much of the tension results from watching a grieving father pursue answers that are unbearable.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: King watched four episodes when he shared his verdict on X in September 2026. He was enthusiastic about how its tangled family relationships would resolve, and he also praised Chloe Jean Lourdes’ performance.
Two observations about ‘LAST SEEN,’ 4 episodes in (Apple+): 1 — It’s a fantastic show, and 2 — I see no good resolution for the families involved. Or for Sarah, who is played beautifully by Chloe Jean Lourdes.
Last Seen
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Apple TV
- Directors
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Christian Schwochow
‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)
Winden’s Missing Children Reveal a Generational Mystery
What It’s About: Dark is a German-language Netflix thriller perfect for those who enjoy putting clues together. It begins with a child’s disappearance, which turns the German town of Winden upside down. The investigation soon reveals that this isn’t an isolated tragedy. Similar cases have haunted the community for decades, and a mysterious cave almost holds the key to a much larger puzzle. Dark’s meticulously constructed timelines, interconnected character arcs, and willingness to let questions linger make it addictive.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: King’s endorsement of Dark is short and funny, yet interesting because he acknowledges both the show’s complexity and its appeal. In a July 2020 post on X, he wrote: “DARK (Netflix) is dark and complex…and…well…very German. Terrific show.” He also pointed confused viewers toward online recaps that help explain the series’ intricate plot. Even King appreciated having a guide through Winden’s tangled mysteries.
‘The Stranger’ (2020)
One Shocking Revelation Unravels a Seemingly Perfect Family
What It’s About: The Stranger is Netflix’s eight-episode adaptation of Harlan Coben’s 2015 novel. It follows Adam Price (Richard Armitage), who believes he has a happy family life until a stranger approaches him with a shocking claim about his wife. The central mystery keeps expanding as blackmail, hidden identities, and long-buried scandals collide. It’s fun because you watch different stories converge, as it forces characters to question how well they know one another.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Stephen King’s verdict on The Stranger is wonderfully direct. He tweeted his praise for the show’s premise and its binge-worthy pacing in just four words, calling it an “excellent mystery” and “addictive.” The latter is crucial, because every episode of The Stranger ends with a reveal that makes it impossible not to keep watching.
‘Bosch’ (2014 – 2021)
Harry Bosch Won’t Let a Murder Case Go Cold
What It’s About: Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) is an LAPD homicide detective whose relentless determination often puts him at odds with his bosses. He investigates murders across Los Angeles while navigating departmental politics and complicated personal relationships. Bosch’s best seasons feature cases that range from straightforward killings to ones that expose corruption and powerful people with plenty to hide.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Adapted from Michael Connelly’s novels, Bosch takes a grounded approach to detective storytelling. Instead of relying on dramatic reveals, the cases develop through evidence, interviews, and patient investigative work. While Welliver is excellent, the supporting cast also makes the department feel like a real workplace with shifting loyalties and conflicting ideas about justice. Stephen King delivered one of his strongest recommendations back in May 2020, praising both the storytelling and the performances.
There’s nothing better than BOSCH (Amazon Prime). The story is engrossing, the cast—led [by] Titus Welliver—is superb, and nobody is phoning it in. One of the best shows now on TV.
‘Line of Duty’ (2012 – 2021)
Detectives Uncover Corrupt Cops From Within
What It’s About: Police corruption takes center stage in this British crime thriller. Detective Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) joins the Anti-Corruption Unit after refusing to participate in a cover-up. He partners with Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) to investigate officers who are suspected of abusing their authority. Each season of Line of Duty introduces new cases and potential conspirators, with major guest stars often playing characters with complex motives. Its intricate plots make you reconsider your assumptions, and the internal conflicts of the police force keep you invested.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: The King of Horror knows a thing or two about sustaining suspense in crime mysteries, and he has praised Line of Duty more than once. Responding to a review in The Guardian, he described the series as “one of the best police series I’ve ever seen. Impossible not to binge. Bears comparison to THE WIRE.” He also compared the dynamic between Arnott and Fleming to Mulder and Scully, the investigative duo from The X-Files.
Line of Duty
- Release Date
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2012 – 2026-00-00
- Directors
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David Caffrey, Douglas Mackinnon, Daniel Nettheim, Michael Keillor, John Strickland, Jed Mercurio, Sue Tully, Gareth Bryn, Jennie Darnell
- Writers
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Jed Mercurio
‘From’ (2022 – Present)
A Trapped Town Hides a Terrifying Mystery
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Epix/MGM+ -
Harold Perrineau appears in From MGM+ -
The Matthews family stands by an RV in From Epix/MGM+
What It’s About: Imagine arriving in a town that won’t let you leave. That’s the nightmare that the residents of From face. Anyone who enters the town finds themselves trapped, and venturing into the surrounding forest after dark can be fatal. Naturally, the series builds intrigue around unanswered questions. From strange symbols to inexplicable events, everything suggests that the residents are caught in something much bigger than a simple geographical anomaly.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: From isn’t strictly a mystery thriller. It leans toward sci-fi horror, but the whodunit-style puzzle of what’s wrong with the town makes it an ideal fit for the list. Stephen King explicitly recommended From alongside Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller, Silo, in a post on Bluesky in January 2025. He compared both series to Lost’s mystery-driven storytelling.
There are really only two “mystery box” shows that I felt were worth my time last year and this coming year (for “mystery box shows,” think LOST): FROM and SILO. As always, your mileage may differ.
‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)
A Small-Town Detective Hunts for a Killer
What It’s About: In the working-class Pennsylvania town of Easttown, detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) tries to solve the murder of teenager Erin McMenamin while struggling with personal losses and family tension. The case becomes more complicated as Mare questions townsfolk who have known one another for years. Along the way, she uncovers affairs, old grudges, and secrets that make everyone look suspicious.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Created by Brad Ingelsby, this HBO drama is excellent, but its staying power comes from how the murder investigation intertwines with ordinary life. The mystery keeps shifting as new evidence emerges. King, who played along as a viewer, shared his own theory about Erin’s killer on X. He wrote that he wasn’t convinced Billy was the killer and had a suspect in mind. King added: “Great show. Kate Winslet is killing it.”
‘Disclaimer’ (2024)
A Mysterious Novel Threatens to Ruin a Family
What It’s About: In Disclaimer, Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett) is a celebrated TV journalist who built her career on exposing other people’s secrets. She finds a novel in her house that tells her own story. As she tries to identify its author and understand how the manuscript came into existence, the story threatens her marriage to Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and her relationship with her son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Disclaimer is an underrated mystery thriller that plays with psychology, memory, and the assumptions people make when they only hear one side of the story. King offered a useful warning when he recommended the gripping Apple TV miniseries. He acknowledged that its opening episode is a bit slow, but he urged people to give it a chance.
DISCLAIMER (Apple+): The first episode is a little slow, but stick with it and you’ll be engrossed.
‘The Tourist’ (2022 – 2024)
An Amnesiac Man Searches for His Identity
What It’s About: A man (Jamie Dornan) wakes up in an Australian hospital after a devastating car crash, unable to remember his name or how he ended up in the outback. Someone is trying to kill him, but he has no idea why. With help from local police officer Helen Chambers (Daniella Macdonald), he pieces together his identity. The Tourist is a mix of drama, dark comedy, and action from Harry and Jack Williams.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Stephen King recommended the series back in 2024, but his tweet focused specifically on the first episode, which has impressed him. He enthusiastically shared on X, “THE TOURIST (Netflix): Don’t know what happens after the first episode, but the opening chapter is flat-out terrific. Exciting, suspenseful, mysterious…and full of the kindness of strangers to someone down on his luck” (via ScreenRant).
The Tourist
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Directors
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Chris Sweeney
- Writers
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Harry Williams, Jack Williams
‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)
FBI Agents Get Inside Serial Killers’ Minds
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Patrick Harbron/©Netflix/courtesy Everett Collection -
©Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection -
Ford and Tench stand by a car in Mindhunter Netflix
What It’s About: Set in the late 1970s, Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they interview imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think and why they commit their crimes. They work with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) and help develop the early foundations of criminal profiling, hoping to apply their findings to active investigations.
Why Stephen King Recommends It: Years later, Mindhunter is a psychological thriller masterpiece thanks to its unsettling conversations and methodical approach to crime. With each episode, you realize that understanding a criminal doesn’t necessarily justify their actions or make them any less terrifying. King recommended it in 2017, and it was pretty straightforward.
MINDHUNTER, on Netflix: Strongly recommended. Other than a jaw-dropping moment in the first episode, very little gore.
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