6 French and Italian crime series to watch

Bonjour! Or, should I say Buongiorno? A couple of months ago, I published two posts about Greek covers of French and Italian songs respectively. Then, earlier this month, I published two posts about some of my favourite French and Italian films. Today, I discuss some of the French and Italian crime series I’ve recently watched.

3 French crime series to watch

The Mantis (La Mante)

‘The Mantis’ is a French crime series available on Netflix. There are a total of six 50-to-60-minute-long episodes, where a convicted serial killer, known as the Mantis, helps the Police track down the perpetrator of copy-cat murders.

The Other Mother (Maman a tort)

Based on Michel Bussi’s novel of the same name, ‘The Other Mother’ is currently available on Channel 4. There are a total of six 50-minute-long episodes, full of clever twists and surprises, typical of Bussi’s stories.

Witnesses (Les témoins)

The first season of the ‘Witnesses’ has 6 episodes and was broadcast in the UK on Channel 4. The second season has 8 episodes and was broadcast on BBC Four. They’re both worth watching (I believe they are not currently available for free).

3 Italian crime series

Carlo & Malik (Nero a metà)

The first season of ‘Carlo & Malik’ is currently available on Netflix and is set in Rome. Each of the twelve 50-minute-long episodes features a murder case being solved against the backdrop of the Eternal City.

The Trial (Il Processo)

‘The Trial’ is another Italian crime series available on Netflix. There are a total of eight 50-minute-long episodes, which follow the trial of a murder suspect. The series is set in Mantua (or Mantova), a picturesque city in Lombardy in northern Italy.

Thou Shalt Not Kill (Non uccidere)

There are three seasons currently available on Channel 4. The first season has 24 one-hour-long episodes, whereas the other two have 12 episodes each (also hour-long). Each murder case is solved either in a single episode or in a pair of episodes. Although the series is set in Turin, the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy, the aesthetics of the series is reminiscent of Nordic Noir.

Further reading

If you’ve enjoyed these French and Italian crime series and worked up an appetite for binge-eating more European crime series, check out my posts:

10 Icelandic films and TV series to watch

12 Norwegian TV series to watch

Alex

(the hopefully-soon-to-be-Traveling-again Psychiatrist)