There’s a Victim, There’s Evidence — But the Killer Is from the Future: 5 Series Where Detectives Hunt Criminals Through Time and Space
They don’t just solve crimes — they investigate on the edge of reality, logic, and time.
The X-Files set the bar for sci-fi detective stories, where each case isn’t just a crime but a window into the unknown. But even after Scully and Mulder, many great shows have come out that skillfully blend thrillers, science fiction, and classic investigations.
In this list: five series where clues intersect with time loops, and the truth lies beyond the usual boundaries.
Bodies (2023)
In London, the same corpse is discovered — simultaneously in four different timelines: 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Four detectives, separated by eras, work on the same case without knowing it. Bodies quickly became a Netflix hit, and for good reason: such an original approach to story structure is hard to forget. IMDb rating: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 92%.
Fringe (2008)
FBI agent Olivia Dunham teams up with an eccentric scientist and his son to investigate strange crimes involving biotechnology, anomalies, and alternate realities. J.J. Abrams’ show walks a fine line between procedural drama and grand-scale sci-fi saga. IMDb rating: a solid 8.4.
Warehouse 13 (2009)
Two agents work at a secret facility that stores artifacts with paranormal powers. Each episode is a new investigation with elements of mystery, history, and humor. This series is often called 'a lighter version of The X-Files' — less grim, but just as thrilling. IMDb rating: 7.6.
iZombie (2015)
A doctor turns into a zombie and takes a job at the morgue to feed on the brains of murder victims. Each time, she absorbs their memories and habits — helping police solve the case. Ironic, fresh, and surprisingly emotional, with an IMDb rating of 7.8. Five seasons, no filler.
Altered Carbon (2018)
A future where consciousness can be transferred to new bodies and death is just a technical glitch. Ex-soldier Kovacs investigates the murder of a billionaire who, technically, is still alive.
Sci-fi noir with philosophical undertones. IMDb rating: 7.9. Two visually and narratively rich seasons.
