Right now you can watch The Closer in Australia on HBO Max, and in the US on Netflix — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. Every one of its 7 seasons holds up. Its 8/10 TMDB score, built from 341 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Watch Kyra Sedgwick work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, The Closer earns its spot. At its heart, The Closer understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson transfers from Atlanta to LA to head up a special unit of the LAPD that handles sensitive, high-profile murder cases. Johnson's quirky personality and hard-nosed approach often rubs her colleagues the wrong way, but her reputation as one of the world's best interrogator eventually wins over even her toughest critics. Credit to Kyra Sedgwick and J.K. Simmons for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. 7 seasons (2005–2012) gave the story room most shows never get. What makes The Closer hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, The Closer will keep you hooked. Fans of Countdown will recognise the sensibility here immediately. At 7 seasons, this is a genuine commitment — one that pays off. Kyra Sedgwick 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.

The Closer wrapped up in 2012, created by James Duff and Michael M. Robin — and 7 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.