Soviet classics

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1979-1987)

This faithful adaptation made the famous British detective a favorite of Russian-speaking audiences long before Benedict Cumberbatch. Sherlock Holmes, played by Vasily Livanov, lives in 19th century London (played by Leningrad, Tallinn, and Riga), where he pensively smokes his pipe and cracks cases with his sharp wit and of course, the help of Dr. Watson.

There are 11 episodes, each about an hour long – rest assured, its leisurely pace and theatrical charm will keep you entertained for many evenings.

And Then There Were None (1987)

If you’re in the mood for something unsettling and claustrophobic, pay attention to this Soviet adaptation of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. This is a classic closed-circle mystery: ten strangers are invited to a remote island mansion, only to discover that their host is nowhere to be found. As the guests begin to die one by one, paranoia takes over.

The film is split into two parts, so you can watch it in one go or spread it over two evenings – if you can endure the suspense!

Modern shows

Fisher (2023-present)

This crime drama is inspired by the real-life case of a serial killer from the late ‘80s USSR. The first season follows three detectives – two experienced investigators and a newcomer – as they hunt for the criminal responsible for a series of murders. Their only lead is a schoolboy who witnessed one of the killings. 

The gloom of the tragedy is heightened by the detectives’ gritty everyday lives and personal struggles, all unfolding against the backdrop of a country on the eve of major changes.

Method (2015-present)

The series combines crime investigation with a disturbing character study – just what you need for a dark evening. The main character, a gifted law graduate, starts her first job alongside an experienced yet deranged detective, Rodion Meglin, who used to work as a lone crime solver. Each case takes them deeper into the minds of criminals, while Meglin’s own methods and motives become more and more questionable. 

TV hits

Streets of Broken Lights (1998-2019)

Set in St. Petersburg, this long-running crime series follows a group of ordinary police detectives investigating murders, robberies, and other crimes across the city. Its detectives are down-to-earth characters, with plenty of everyday problems and a dark sense of humor.

The first seasons have a distinctly late-’90s and early-’00s feel, with St. Petersburg itself becoming another character: shabby, cloudy, and infusing the show with a slightly gritty atmosphere.

Trace (2007-present)

On the guilty-pleasure side, there’s Sled (“Trace”), one of the longest-running Russian crime dramas, with over 2,690 episodes and still counting. Inspired by the success of the American CSI franchise, it follows a team of employees of the fictional Federal Expert Service (FES) – from computer experts and forensic entomologists to investigators – as they solve the most twisted crimes, with justice always winning in the end. It’s the perfect show to put on when you want a detective story without committing to a complicated plot.

Title image credit: Markus Winkler via Unsplash