2025 has been a banner year for mystery television, with audiences devouring twisty, suspenseful stories that keep them guessing until the very last frame. As the year winds down, it’s clear that the genre’s enduring appeal has only grown stronger, with streaming platforms and networks alike offering up a smorgasbord of creative, high-stakes whodunits and psychological thrillers. Among these, a handful of shows have risen to the top, each bringing something unique to the table and sparking conversations among fans and critics alike.
One of the year’s most talked-about entries is The Beast in Me, a Netflix original that debuted on November 13 and quickly soared to #1 on the platform’s most-watched TV list, amassing an impressive 6.9 million views in just four days, according to Variety. Created, written, and executive produced by Long Island native Gabe Rotter, the series stars Claire Danes as Aggie Wiggs, a struggling author grappling with devastating personal loss, and Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis, her enigmatic new neighbor who’s rumored to have killed his wife. The show’s psychological depth and suspenseful storytelling have resonated with viewers, cementing its place as a standout in the crowded mystery landscape.
Rotter’s journey to bring The Beast in Me to life was anything but straightforward. As he recounted in an interview with Variety, the idea for the series first took root in 2016 after he read a profile of Tony Schwartz, the remorseful ghostwriter behind Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal. Rotter was fascinated by the complex dynamic between writer and subject, as well as the malleable nature of truth in storytelling. “I was struck by the complexity of that writer–subject dynamic, the pliable nature of crafting a ‘true story,’ and thought it was an interesting way-in to a series,” Rotter explained. Originally, Nile’s character was envisioned as a mobster obsessed with gangster films, but thoughtful feedback from collaborators like Jodie Foster helped reshape the character into the chilling, ambiguous figure viewers see today.
The series also benefited from the input of Claire Danes, who brought not only her formidable acting chops but also literary inspiration to the project. “When Claire and I first started talking, she gave me a book called The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm, which became a major touchstone for the series,” Rotter said. The book’s exploration of the ethical complexities faced by writers covering real people helped inform the show’s nuanced portrayal of Aggie’s relationship with Nile, as well as the broader themes of manipulation, self-deception, and the search for truth.
Production on The Beast in Me was a long and winding road. Rotter wrote the first version of the script in 2016, initially with a male protagonist. After struggling to find interest, he reimagined the lead as a woman, which brought new depth and resonance to the story. With the support of industry heavyweights like Jodie Foster and Conan O’Brien, and after multiple rewrites and a lengthy development process—including a 20-week writers’ room and several rounds of feedback from Netflix—the series was finally greenlit. “Most people in my life who cared about me and my sanity were telling me to move on,” Rotter admitted, but his perseverance paid off in the end.
Critics have praised the series for its cliffhanger endings and the way it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, reminiscent of Rotter’s earlier work on The X-Files. “I love episodes of TV that end in ‘holy shit’ moments that demand you watch the next one,” Rotter noted. The performances by Danes and Rhys have also been singled out, with Rotter describing Danes as “one of our greatest living actors” and marveling at Rhys’s ability to shift from affable to menacing with ease. Memorable scenes—such as Nile’s unsettling chicken-eating moment and a tense confrontation in episode eight—have become talking points among fans.
But The Beast in Me is just one of many mystery shows that have captivated audiences in 2025. The genre has seen a remarkable resurgence, with a diverse array of series offering everything from classic whodunits to character-driven thrillers. Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, conceived by acclaimed mystery novelist Anthony Horowitz, delivers a non-linear murder mystery centered on the aftermath of a plane crash and the secrets of its nine victims. For those who prefer family intrigue, I, Jack Wright presents a British drama where the apparent suicide of a wealthy tycoon leads to a spiraling murder investigation, while The Better Sister explores the fraught relationship between estranged siblings forced to confront their past after a suspicious death.
True crime aficionados have gravitated toward Murdaugh: Death in the Family, a dramatization of the notorious Alex Murdaugh case, with Patricia Arquette and Jason Clarke delivering standout performances. Meanwhile, Black Rabbit and The Girlfriend have offered viewers complex, non-linear narratives filled with flawed protagonists and unexpected twists. The Residence, though canceled after one season, made a splash with its White House setting and Shonda Rhimes’ signature flair, while Dept. Q brought Nordic noir sensibilities to the fore, following detective Carl Morck’s quest to solve cold cases and earning a renewal for a second season.
What unites these shows is their commitment to pushing the boundaries of the mystery genre, blending traditional elements with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling techniques. Themes of grief, trauma, and the search for truth run through many of this year’s standout series, reflecting both the anxieties and the hopes of contemporary audiences. As Rotter put it, “The stories we tell ourselves ABOUT ourselves can be very, very powerful. But that doesn’t make them true.”
With such a rich and varied crop of mysteries on offer, 2025 has proven that the genre is as vital and inventive as ever. Whether viewers are drawn to the psychological complexities of The Beast in Me or the intricate puzzles of Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, there’s never been a better time to lose oneself in a good mystery.
