Most crime dramas play by a simple rule: keep the killer hidden until the final act. The big reveal is the payoff, the moment audiences have been waiting for. But there's a different kind of thrill—one that comes from letting viewers in on the secret from the very beginning. That choice flips the entire experience, turning the show into a study of dramatic irony rather than a whodunit.
Instead of chasing the story, you get to sit inside it, watching every character operate with less information than you have. The plot doesn't change, but the way it lands does. These acclaimed crime shows prove that knowing the killer can make for some of the most rewarding television in the genre.
'Columbo' (1971–1998)
Long before streaming, Columbo built its legacy on subverting expectations. Most episodes open by showing exactly who committed the crime, how they did it, and what alibi they've prepared. Then Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk) shuffles in, seemingly distracted, and starts noticing the tiny details the murderer assumed no one would care about. This inverted structure was unusual at the time, but audiences quickly realized how much fun it was.
Because you already know the answer to every question Columbo asks, each conversation with a suspect becomes ten times more interesting. The joy isn't in discovering the culprit—it's in watching Columbo slowly tighten the net while the killer grows increasingly nervous. The reveal often hinges on a single slip-up or contradiction that only the detective could catch. Columbo never needed to hide the killer because the real thrill is watching him outsmart everyone who underestimated him.
'Des' (2020)
This three-part miniseries doesn't even pretend to keep its killer a secret. Set in 1983, it opens with human remains clogging the drains outside a North London flat. When Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay (Daniel Mays) arrives, the suspect, Dennis Nilsen (David Tennant), calmly tells police where more remains can be found and soon confesses to multiple murders.
From there, the investigation shifts from who to why. The audience watches Nilsen speak with chilling detachment to Jay and later to biographer Brian Masters (Jason Watkins). Tennant avoids turning Nilsen into a cartoonish monster; instead, he's quiet and painfully ordinary, which makes every word he says more unsettling. Des is a crime drama about what happens after the killer is caught—a perspective that's hard to look away from.
'Dexter' (2006–2013)
Dexter blurs the line between hero and villain by making the killer its protagonist. Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) works as a blood-spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police, giving him insider access to crime scenes and investigations. By night, he hunts criminals who escaped justice and kills them according to a strict code taught by his adoptive father, Harry (James Remar).
His double life fuels the show's adrenaline, especially when his sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), a detective in the same department, starts getting closer to the truth. Because the audience understands exactly how Dexter operates, his internal narration becomes a constant calculation of next moves. The show puts viewers in an uncomfortable position—you might find yourself rooting for a killer. The only question is whether he can improvise fast enough to keep the facade intact.
'The Serpent' (2021)
This criminally underrated series gets better with each episode. Set in 1970s Bangkok, it follows Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim), who poses as a wealthy gem dealer while preying on young travelers. With accomplices Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman) and Ajay Chowdhury (Amesh Edireweera), he lures victims to his apartment, steals their passports, and constantly reinvents his identity. Meanwhile, Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle) investigates the disappearance of two backpackers and slowly realizes the cases are connected.
Knowing the killer makes both sides of the story more compelling. You watch Sobhraj slip through identities with insulting ease while Herman struggles with paperwork and red tape. The tension comes from waiting for the two worlds to collide. If you're a fan of true crime, this is a must-watch—and it pairs well with recent crime novels that explore similar themes.
Why This Approach Works
Revealing the killer upfront isn't a gimmick—it's a storytelling tool that heightens suspense in a different way. Instead of asking who, the audience asks how and when. Every clue becomes a countdown, every close call a heart-stopper. Shows like Columbo and Dexter have proven that this structure can create some of the most memorable TV moments. For those who love the genre, it's a refreshing twist on the classic formula.
If you're looking for more recommendations, check out drama series that improve with age or dive into Scorsese's crime thriller that's currently dominating HBO Max. And for a different kind of killer, Mike Flanagan's Exorcist trailer promises a terrifying twist.
