Summary

Netflix’s new crime dramaErichas found a huge global audience, but with just six episodes, fans are on the lookout for similar shows.Ericstars Benedict Cumberbatch as a puppeteer in the mold of Jim Henson whose life is turned upside-down when his son goes missing in New York City. In many ways, the show follows the tried-and-tested conventions of other crime dramas, but the big twist is that Vincent’s closest confidante as he searches for his son is a seven-foot-tall puppet only he can see.

With its 1980s period details and its forensic examination of crime in New York City,Ericfeels like it’s based on a true story, although it’s a work of complete fiction. It certainly has its quirks, butEricis still a crime drama with a heavy focus on generational trauma, political corruption, and dysfunctional relationships. This means that there are plenty of similar shows for fans to watch after working their way throughEric’s six episodes.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s admirers will likely be well aware of the series which first established him as a star back in 2010, butSherlockis still perfect for rewatching. It’s also a great place to start for anyone who has gained a new appreciation for Cumberbatch’s talents after watchingEric.Cumberbatch plays Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective in the BBC’s modernized take on the character. Martin Freeman is his trusty Dr. John Watson.

Sherlockis still perfect for rewatching. It’s also a great place to start for anyone who has gained a new appreciation for Cumberbatch’s talents after watchingEric.

LikeEric,there aren’t many episodes ofSherlockfor fans to enjoy, buteach episode explores a different compelling mystery within its 90 minutes. There are some similarities between Cumberbatch’s characters in the two shows, butEricflips Cumberbatch’s role inSherlockby positioning him as a victim and a potential suspect rather than the brilliant detective.

Any season ofTrue Detectivewould likely be a treat for fans ofEric,but the fourth season is a particularly good fit. Although the show will always be judged by its ability to live up to its first season with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, the fourth season marked a return to form that had plenty of its own interesting ideas.True Detective: Night Countrystars Jodie Fosterand Kali Reis as two detectives unraveling a perplexing mystery during Alaska’s long night.

Any season ofTrue Detectivewould likely be a treat for fans ofEric,but the fourth season is a particularly good fit.

In the same way thatEricfeatures two victims who receive different levels of attention from the police and the media based on their race,Night Countryalso revolves around two cases: one involving white victims and the other centered on an Inupiat woman.Night Countryalso mirrors the way thatEricteeters on the brink of the bizarre. There are no living puppets, but there are plenty of supernatural mysteries that don’t receive earthly explanations.

One of the most interesting subplots inEricis Detective Ledroit’s hidden lifestyle as a gay man living in America in the 1980s. As the series continues, other characters are revealed to be concealing their own queer identities, and the police skepticism of the gay community is an ugly undercurrent that runs throughout the entire investigation into Edgar’s mysterious disappearance.

One of the most interesting subplots inEricis Detective Ledroit’s hidden lifestyle as a gay man living in America in the 1980s. With just six episodes,Ericnever really has the scope to explore this avenue to its fullest potential.

With just six episodes,Ericnever really has the scope to explore this avenue to its fullest potential. This subplot vies for attention with the story of Vincent’s relationship with his parents and Cassie’s affair.Fellow Travelers, on the other hand, is all about America’s problematic past of homophobia. Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, Hawk and Tim are forced to make compromises in their lives rather than living out in the open as their authentic selves.

Christopher Meloni takes on a rare comedic role inHappy,a bizarre but nonetheless compelling series about a disgraced former detective who wakes up from a near-death experience face-to-face with a blue unicorn that only he can see.Happyis much more humorous and action-heavy thanEric,but the shows still have a lot in common, not least the fact that they are named after imaginary characters who exist within the minds of the protagonists.

Happyis much more humorous and action-heavy thanEric,but the shows still have a lot in common, not least the fact that they are named after imaginary characters who exist within the minds of the protagonists.

Nick and Happy have to team up to track down a missing child, similar to how Vincent tries to use Eric as a means of finding Edgar. In both shows, the dynamic between man and imaginary creature fuels a lot of comedy, but it also provides insight into the main character’s psyche. People who like the quirky concept ofEricbut don’t want something so dark will probably be much happier withHappy!

Ericisn’t Benedict Cumberbatch’s first miniseries. He also stars inPatrick Melrose, a darkly comic drama based on Edward St. Aubyn’s series of novels. There aresimilarities betweenEricandPatrick Melrosebeyond Cumberbatch’s involvement, however. In both shows, Cumberbatch stars as a man with substance abuse issues rooted in his troubled relationship with his parents.

In bothEricandPatrick Melrose, Cumberbatch stars as a man with substance abuse issues rooted in his troubled relationship with his parents.

Patrick Melroseleans a little further into comedy thanEricdoes, but it uses its humor to temper the extreme darkness of some of its themes.Ericis funny in short bursts, mostly whenever Eric himself lumbers into view. The scene in which Vincent and Eric dance together in the Lux is one notable highlight, butPatrick Melroseis replete with comedic moments.The dialogue is much funnier overall, but it’s as much of a character study asEric.

Inside Manstars Stanley Tucci as a Hannibal Lecter-type, an intelligent and often gentle death row prisoner who provides wannabe profilers and stumped investigators with nuggets of insight into their most difficult cases. His story runs alongside that of Harry, a mild-mannered British vicar played by David Tennant who, through a mixture of misfortune and poor self-control, ends up accidentally killing someone.

Stanley Tucci’s character asserts that anyone can become a murderer under the right circumstances, and this idea means there are no truly virtuous and trustworthy characters.

LikeEric,Inside Manis short and sweet, coming in at just four episodes.Although this doesn’t provide enough time to dig into some of the more interesting side characters, it gives ample opportunity to explore the space between the two leading men. Tucci’s character waxes philosophical about the innate violence of man. He asserts that anyone can become a murderer under the right circumstances, and this idea means there are no truly virtuous and trustworthy characters.

4Safe (2018)

Harlan Coben’s shows are sure to entertain fans of Eric

Fans of the crime genre will likely see a lot of similarities betweenEricand many ofNetflix’s Harlan Coben shows.Safewas the show which started the association between the acclaimed novelist and the streaming giant, and it’s the one which has the most in common withEric.Safeisn’t based on one of Coben’s novels. It is an original creation for Netflix, but it still has Coben’s signature flair.

Coben is a master at directing the audience’s attention from suspect to suspect, and he uses this skill to play a few tricks, presenting the perfect solution to his puzzle before whipping it away.

Safestars Michael C. Hall as a widowed father who falls down a rabbit hole after his daughter goes missing.His journey reflects Vincent’s quest to find Edgar in some ways. Coben is a master at directing the audience’s attention from suspect to suspect, and he uses this skill to play a few tricks, presenting the perfect solution to his puzzle before whipping it away.Safealso displays Coben’s penchant for agonizing cliffhangers, making the show compulsive viewing.

Ericcreator Abi Morgan has been working in film and TV for years, and she has written a variety of different dramas.Riveris one which fans ofEricare sure to enjoy, as it’s also a six-episode crime drama with a compelling central performance. Stellan Skarsgård stars as John River, a grizzled detective who defies his superiors to investigate the confounding murder of his colleague.

There are no puppets and no period setting, butRiveris just as focused on the damage that people accumulate and walk around with throughout their lives.

Much like Vincent inEric,River is forced to battle his own demons as his personal investigation continues. He hears voices, he mixes grief with guilt, and he discovers things that make him question his assumptions about the case.In some ways,Riveris a stripped back version ofEric.There are no puppets and no period setting, butRiveris just as focused on the damage that people accumulate and walk around with throughout their lives.

Mare of Easttownstars Kate Winslet in an Emmy-winning performanceas a detective in a small town who is tasked with solving the murder of a young mother while still struggling to move on from a missing persons case which recently eluded her. These two cases plague Mare in the same way that the two missing children inErichaunt Detective Ledroit, who doesn’t want to repeat his most public failure.

The two cases plague Mare in the same way that the two missing children inErichaunt Detective Ledroit, who doesn’t want to repeat his most public failure.

Although it was originally envisioned as nothing more than a limited series, the show’s popularity has sparked persistent rumors of a potentialMare of Easttownseason 2. It seems unlikely that any continuation of the story will be as dynamic and compelling as the first season, which is a close-to-perfect crime drama. Winslet isn’t the only actor on top form inMare of Easttown,as the cast accrued three further Emmy nominations to add to her win.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman lead an outstanding cast of British actors inBroadchurch,a drama series that starts, just likeEric,with a missing boy. The key difference is that it doesn’t take long inBroadchurchfor the boy’s body to be discovered, and the investigation quickly pivots from a missing persons case to homicide. There isn’t much revolutionary aboutBroadchurch’s concept, with a small town teeming with shady suspects, but the writing and acting are both phenomenal.

There isn’t much revolutionary aboutBroadchurch’s concept, with a small town teeming with shady suspects, but the writing and acting are both phenomenal.

Broadchurchunravels its mystery at a steady pace. It artfully reveals information piece by piece to manipulate the viewer into focusing on a different suspect with each episode, but the twist is still incredibly powerful.BroadchurchandEricboth uncover the dark secrets of communities which prefer to keep their personal lives under wraps, and both shows turn the spotlight toward the detectives themselves.