13 Shows to Watch If You Love “Elsbeth”
If you're a fan of Elsbeth and love quirky detectives who solve mysteries in their own unique way, we've got the perfect list of shows for you!
Whether it's a legal drama, a classic whodunit, or a cozy mystery filled with charm, these TV series feature brilliant sleuths with unforgettable personalities. From eccentric detectives to unconventional investigators, each show offers a delightful mix of humor, suspense, and clever crime-solving. Dive into this list of mystery shows that Elsbeth fans are sure to love and find your next favorite binge-worthy series!
13. Poker Face
The dark-comedy mystery Poker Face follows Charlie (played by Natasha Lyonne) a woman with an innate ability to tell when people are lying, who ends up solving crimes as she travels across the U.S. on the run in her Plymouth Barracuda.
Fans of Elsbeth will love Charlie's quirky approach to solving mysteries, similar to how Elsbeth uses her eccentricities to outsmart criminals. Created by Rian Johnson (the creator of Knives Out and The Glass Onion), this series focuses on the how and why of a crime as much as the who. This cat and mouse style of mystery should appeal to Elsbeth fans, and the many guests stars make each pit stop along Charlie’s journey lots of fun.
12. Mrs. Sidhu Investigates
While some might call caterer Mrs. Sidhu (played by Meera Syal) a busybody, we call her a genius in the kitchen and at a crime scene. Mr. Sidhu Investigates follows this spirited widowed cook as she cares for her son, cooks delicious meals for clients, offers sage auntie advice and solves mysteries. Though DCI Burton (played by Craig Parkinson) is reluctant to have her involved at first, he begins to trust her gut and enjoy her food.
Elsbeth fans will enjoy Mrs. Sidhu's charm and resourcefulness, as she blends into her environment and catches criminals off-guard, much like Elsbeth's unpredictable style.
11. Bones
Bones focuses on forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel) and her FBI partner, Seeley Booth (played by David Boreanaz), as they solve crimes through science and gut instinct. Opposites that attract, this duo is an effective and entertaining crime fighting team.
Like Elsbeth, Dr. Brennan is brilliant but socially unconventional, and fans will appreciate the combination of sharp intellect and unconventional methods in solving cases.
10. Sister Boniface Mysteries
This spinoff of Father Brown follows inquisitive Catholic nun Sister Boniface (played by Lorna Watson), a crime-solving nun who uses her knowledge of science and faith to help local police crack tough cases. Set inn the quaint English village of Great Slaughter in the swinging 1960s, Sister Boniface rides her motorcycle and saves the day.
Elsbeth fans will enjoy Sister Boniface’s offbeat personality and the way she blends unexpected skills with sharp intuition to solve mysteries.
9. Rizzoli & Isles
On Rizzoli & Isles, Boston's assertive Detective Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon) and steady medical examiner Maura Isles (played by Sasha Alexander) are a dynamic duo who solve crimes while navigating their vastly different personalities and friendship. Though they come from opposing economic backgrounds and have differing viewpoints, these strong women work together to solve the city's most puzzling crimes.
Fans of Elsbeth will enjoy the witty banter and contrast between Rizzoli's grit and Isles' intellect, echoing the charm and sharpness of Elsbeth’s style.
8. The Closer
Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (played by Kyra Sedgwick) is a skilled interrogator who solves high-profile crimes in L.A. with a mix of southern charm and steely determination.
Like Elsbeth, Brenda's unorthodox techniques and ability to disarm suspects with her unique personality will resonate with fans who appreciate clever, unpredictable characters.
7. Monk
Monk follows Adrian Monk (played by Tony Shalhoub), a brilliant detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, whose quirks help him solve even the most perplexing cases.
With clever cases that often focus on the how as much as the whodunit and a ton of humor, Monk is classic mystery series.
Much like Elsbeth, Monk’s oddities are his strengths, and fans will appreciate the way both detectives turn their quirks into powerful investigative tools.
6. High Potential
The U.S. TV series High Potential is an adaptation of the French series HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel) and follows Morgan (played by Kaitlin Olson), a brilliant but messy single mother with an exceptional IQ, who becomes a police consultant despite having no formal detective training. Her unorthodox methods and sharp intellect help her crack complex cases that baffle experienced detectives.
Elsbeth fans will appreciate Morgan's unconventional approach to solving crimes, as she uses her outsider status and quirky personality to out-think both criminals and her fellow investigators, much like Elsbeth Tascioni's unpredictable genius. Both shows celebrate characters who defy norms and thrive on their eccentricities to get the job done.
5. Agatha Raisin
Another investigator who is often underestimated is Agatha Raisin (played by Ashley Jensen), a successful London PR rep who retires to enjoy a “tranquil life” in the English countryside. However, the Cotswolds have their own array of quirky characters. Agatha’s knack for attracting trouble, strong curiosity, and dogged determination leads her and her friends to become involved with multiple murder mysteries - whether the local police want her help or not.
Based on the books by M.C. Beaton, this high-energy comedy-drama is a fun ride.
Elsbeth fans will enjoy Agatha's sharp wit, quirky personality, and how she navigates crime-solving in her own unique way, much like Elsbeth’s unconventional methods.
4. The After Party
The comedy-mystery show The Afterparty follows a group of former classmates on the night of their 15th high school reunion and to the subsequent after party with murderous results.
When Detective Danner (played by Tiffany Haddish) asks the suspects to recount their night, we see their “mind movie” version of events with their own genre-twist such as a a rom-com, action flick, and musical.
When he looks like the main suspect in the crime “adorkable in high-school” escape room creator Aniq (played by Sam Richardson) also begins searching for clues while also seeking a second chance at love.
Elsbeth fans will love the inventive storytelling and how each episode offers a fresh angle, similar to how Elsbeth approaches each case with her own distinct and unpredictable style.
3. Columbo
Both Columbo and Elsbeth feature quirky, brilliant detectives who rely on their unconventional methods to solve cases, often outsmarting criminals who underestimate them. Elsbeth brings the eccentric, offbeat style of Elsbeth Tascioni, whose seemingly scatterbrained approach hides sharp intelligence, while Columbo features the classic, disarmingly polite detective whose rumpled appearance masks his sharp instincts (played by Peter Falk).
In Columbo, the audience usually knows who the culprit is from the start, and the tension comes from watching Columbo piece it together and slowly tighten the net around the suspect. This same kind of back-and-forth mind game could appeal to Elsbeth fans, who enjoy watching clever characters unravel complex cases.
While both shows deal with serious crimes, they maintain a light, almost playful tone. Elsbeth’s quirks and Columbo’s persistent politeness keep things from becoming too dark, which suits fans looking for something clever but not overly grim.
Whether you love watching Elsbeth's quirky charm or Columbo's clever mind games, these shows are perfect for mystery fans who enjoy clever sleuths solving intricate cases with personality and wit.
2. The Good Fight
A spinoff of The Good Wife, The Good Fight follows Diane Lockhart (played by Christine Baranski) as she navigates the world of high-stakes law and political intrigue while rebuilding her own life.
As a show that prominently features Elsbeth Tascioni herself, fans of Elsbeth will enjoy seeing her in action alongside other brilliant, strong characters in complex legal battles.
1. The Good Wife
This legal drama follows Alicia Florrick (played by Julianna Margulies) as she rebuilds her career as a lawyer after a public scandal involving her husband.
Alicia Florrick has been a good wife to her husband, a former state's attorney but after a very humiliating sex and corruption scandal, he is behind bars. She must now provide for her family and returns to work as a litigator in a law firm.
Elsbeth fans will love this show not only for its legal drama and clever cases but also for featuring Elsbeth Tascioni as a recurring character, offering more insight into her quirky brilliance.