To celebrate the release of this week’s episode of Only Murders in the Building on Disney+, we’re taking a look at the best crime solving teams you’ll find anywhere on TV!
Charlie’s Angels
Liberating, sexy and a breakthrough for women in television; Charlie’s Angels (1976-1981) portrayed this private investigating team as much more than ‘meter maids’ and office workers, they were ardent law enforcers. With risqué and risky missions, this series is a true 1970s American cult classic. The original 3 angels were Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson and it is noted that the show set the precedent for women in law enforcement roles in television. With a whopping 115 episodes and 5 seasons, Charlie’s Angels continues to have pop culture syndication with new TV shows and film releases.
The A-Team
This action-adventure series from the 1980s sees a close-knit team of (fictious) wrongly accused ex-US army special forces men. A team that goes above and beyond for others (whilst also in the battle to clear their name) pull out all the stops to help the oppressed whenever they can. With action-packed sequences and memorable catchphrases, the team gives an excellent display of the power of teamwork and determination. A feature film based on the series was release by 20th Century Fox in 2010 and starred Liam Neeson.
CSI: Las Vegas
A Las Vegas Police Department deep dive, this show follows the nights of the team of detectives working in the crime scene investigations bureau. The Emmy Award-winning CBS television series sees the forensic scientists unveil secrets and circumstances behind mysterious crimes and deaths. With 15 seasons of gripping plotlines, adrenalin-packed scenes and critical crime stopping collaborations, this CSI series is not one to miss!
Waking the Dead
This BBC crime drama series is set in a fictional London-based cold case unit with police officers, a psychological profiler and a forensic scientist operating it. With 9 series of action, terrorist bombings, dead bodies with sorry carved on their backs and abducted children, the series highlights how a no-nonsense veteran (alongside his team) is pushed to their limits but wins when it matters.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Law and Order SVU follows a team (filmed on location) in New York following the process of determining guilt or innocence whilst lives hang in the balance. The show adapts stories from current headlines and displays them from two vantage points, that of the police and that of the prosecution teams in court. The storylines are often slightly fabricated from current headlines by changing slight details. By touching on political and societal issues (including gender identity, sexual preferences, and equality rights), this captivating series is insightful, perceptive and informative.
Season 2 of Only Murders In The Building is available to stream now on Disney+ with new episodes debuting weekly.
