7 shows like ‘Under The Bridge’ if you want more high stakes crime drama in a small town (2024)

Between the exceptional cast, gripping writing, and shocking real-life story behind it all, it’s no wonder why people are avidly tuning in to Under the Bridge.

Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s 2005 book of the same name, Under the Bridge is a Hulu Original true crime drama miniseries that has had viewers on the edge of their seats since premiering on April 17, 2024. The show offers a slightly fictionalized portrayal of an actual case that left a quiet Canadian community utterly shaken.

One night in 1997, 14-year-old Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta) went to join some friends out at a party and never made it back home. In a shocking turn of events, seven teenage girls and one boy were accused of brutally murdering Reena after her tortured body is finally found. Under the Bridge delves into the hidden inner lives of both Reena and her attackers, as well as the efforts of local police officer Cam Bentland (Lily Gladstone) and author Rebecca Godfrey (Riley Keough) to uncover the disturbing truths behind them all.

Looking for more shows like Under the Bridge? Here are seven titles that will remind you of the true crime drama miniseries.

1. The Girl From Plainville (2022)

   

   Much like Under the Bridge, this Hulu Original biographical crime drama depicts a true story that showcases how a teenaged girl’s cruelty can lead to another young person’s untimely demise. The Girl From Plainville explores the relationship between Conrad Roy III (Colton Ryan) and Michelle Carter (Elle Fanning) and the events that eventually led Michelle to send texts goading Conrad into committing suicide, landing her a conviction for involuntary manslaughter.

   WHERE TO WATCH THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE

2. Cruel Summer (2021-2023)

   

   Although this is a complete work of fiction, Cruel Summer (specifically, Season 1) still is reminiscent of Under the Bridge thanks to its 1990s setting and complex, destructive relationship between teen girls. Cruel Summer is a mystery thriller anthology series, with a first season revolving around socially awkward nerd Jeanette Turner (Chiara Aurelia) and popular beauty Kate Wallis (Olivia Holt) attending high school together in Skylin, Texas. When Kate suddenly disappears, Jeanette begins to blossom and take Kate’s place in school, and even adopt some parts of the missing girl’s life for herself. But one year later, Kate is rescued, alive, destroying Jeanette’s new normal and revealing even more lies, drama, and hidden secrets below the surface.

   WHERE TO WATCH CRUEL SUMMER

3. The Act (2019)

   

   Another Hulu Original biographical crime drama miniseries, The Act revolves around Gypsy Blanchard (Joey King), a young woman who feels increasingly smothered by her mom, Dee Dee’s (Patricia Arquette), overprotectiveness. When Gypsy attempts to escape her toxic parental relationship and regain her independence, stunning secrets come to light, permanently altering Gypsy’s worldview and leading her to take drastic, deadly action against her mother.

   WHERE TO WATCH THE ACT

4. Apples Never Fall (2024)

   

   Like Under the Bridge, this Peaco*ck Original mystery drama series revolves around a sudden disappearance that rattle’s the victim’s family and community. Apples Never Fall is set in West Palm Beach, where the seemingly picture perfect Delaney family is known and respected for their long-running tennis academy. But when family matriarch Joy (Annette Bening) goes missing, everyone’s lives are turned upside down as her four adult children reassess everything they thought they knew about their mom and dad (Sam Neill).

   WHERE TO WATCH APPLES NEVER FALL

5. Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

   

   Beyond having similar-sounding titles, both this title and Under the Bridge are true crime drama miniseries based on non-fiction books. Adapted from Jon Krakauer’s 2003 book of the same name, Under the Banner of Heaven sees the faith of devout Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) shaken as he investigates the murder of Latter-day Saint woman Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her baby daughter in a case that unearths dark, damning truths about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

   WHERE TO WATCH UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN

6. Mare of Easttown (2021)

   

   For more riveting crime-drama action, look no further than Mare of Easttown. The award-winning HBO Original miniseries takes place in the fictional suburb of Easttown, Philadelphia, where police detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) investigates the recent brutal murder of a teenaged single mother (Cailee Spaeny). At the same time, Mare struggles with the case of as a young woman (Caitlin Houlahan) who disappeared one year prior, as well as her own personal troubles and tragedies.

   WHERE TO WATCH MARE OF EASTTOWN

7. Sharp Objects (2018)

   

   WHere to watch sharp objects

   Though this HBO Original series is fictional, like Under the Bridge, Sharp Objects is a miniseries based on a book and involves a mysterious crime with teen girls at the center. The critically-acclaimed psychological thriller follows troubled crime reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) as she returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri to investigate the unsolved murders of two young girls. In the midst of her work, Camille battles old demons that both the case and living in her childhood home with her overbearing socialite mother (Patricia Clarkson) dredge up, threatening the all progress she had made in her recent stay at a psychiatric hospital.