Ellery Queen has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available. A compact run that never overstays its welcome. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jim Hutton's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Ellery Queen arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The plotting in Ellery Queen is tight enough that the twists feel earned rather than assembled. Ellery Queen is an American television detective mystery series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen. It aired on NBC during the 1975-76 television season and stars Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen, David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie. Jim Hutton and David Wayne lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. It was aired in 1975–1976. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Ellery Queen passes that test consistently. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Ellery Queen. The Mysteries of Laura is the obvious comparison, but Ellery Queen earns its own place alongside it. Short enough to finish in a weekend, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Jim Hutton carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.

Ellery Queen wrapped up in 1976, created by Richard Levinson and William Link — and 1 season is available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.