Bored to Death is the kind of crime drama that keeps you guessing. It is currently available in Australia on Foxtel Now and HBO Max, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV, so there is no reason to keep putting it off. A 7/10 rating means the audience agrees — and those who disagree tend to be in a clear minority. The production does not waste your time: every episode earns its place in the run, and the pacing is calibrated to keep you watching rather than checking how much time is left. The run length is exactly right for the story being told. Jason Schwartzman is the anchor, but the depth of the supporting cast is what elevates it. Start it tonight and see for yourself why the ratings are where they are.

From the era when television started taking itself seriously as an art form, Bored to Death follows a path that stands out in a crowded field. Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He's just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can't write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor. Rather than face reality, Jonathan turns instead to his fantasies — moonlighting as a private detective — because he wants to be a hero and a man of action. Jason Schwartzman and Zach Galifianakis lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. The series ran for 3 seasons (2009–2011), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry episodes where the mystery takes a breath — Bored to Death passes that test consistently.

Perfect for viewers who think they have already seen all the great crime dramas. Bored to Death is the one that tends to prove them wrong. The writing earns its twists rather than manufacturing them, and the result is a show where the resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary. Fans of Cross will recognise the tonal balance between tension and character work. The complete run is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. If you are going to commit to one procedural this month, make it this one.