Prodigal Son

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Prodigal Son is available in the US on Netflix and HBO Max Amazon Channel, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video and Sky Go right now. 2 seasons means there is plenty to get through without ever feeling padded. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch Tom Payne work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Prodigal Son arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. At its heart, Prodigal Son understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. The son of a notorious serial killer becomes an acclaimed criminal psychologist who uses his unique insight into how killers think to help the NYPD. Credit to Tom Payne and Michael Sheen for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. The series ran for 2 seasons (2019–2021), 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 scenes where the mystery takes a breath — Prodigal Son passes that test consistently. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in Prodigal Son. If you have already watched Wire in the Blood, Prodigal Son is a natural next step. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Tom Payne anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.

Prodigal Son was cancelled in 2021, created by Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver — and 2 seasons are 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.