There's a specific kind of thrill that only a psychological drama can deliver. It's the creeping suspicion that something is deeply wrong, the nagging doubt about who to trust, and the intoxicating unraveling of secrets that keeps you glued to the screen. If you've been captivated by Claire Danes' portrayal of Aggie Wiggs in 'The Beast in Me'--a grieving author who unwisely focuses her next book on a neighbor accused of murder--then you understand the magnetic pull of a story where deadly secrets, vicious lies, and phenomenally bad decisions collide. You're looking for more shows like 'The Beast in Me' that plunge you into similar depths of human deception and moral ambiguity.
The best shows like 'The Beast in Me' don't just present a mystery; they invite you into the protagonist's fractured mind, forcing you to question everything alongside them. They excel at crafting narratives where the line between paranoia and prescience blurs, and where the most dangerous threats often come from those closest to home. Ready to dive into another world of intense psychological suspense? We've curated a list of series that masterfully blend domestic drama with nail-biting thrills.
Unraveling the Truth: When Trust is a Lie
Many of the most compelling shows like 'The Beast in Me' hinge on a central character--often a woman--who finds herself questioning her own reality, her memories, or the very foundations of her relationships. This section explores series where protagonists are forced to confront uncomfortable truths, often about the people they thought they knew best. The tension here isn't just about solving a crime; it's about reclaiming a sense of self.
The Girlfriend (2025 - )
Imagine your son bringing home a new partner, and your instincts immediately scream 'danger.' That's the premise of The Girlfriend, starring Robin Wright as Laura Sanderson, a wealthy London art gallery owner. Her son's new, working-class girlfriend, Cherry Laine (Olivia Cooke), immediately sets off Laura's alarm bells. Is Laura an overprotective mother, or is Cherry a master manipulator? The series brilliantly keeps you guessing, exploring the fine line between maternal paranoia and genuine threat. It's a masterclass in ambiguity, perfect for those who loved the psychological dance in 'The Beast in Me'.
Surface (2022 - )
What if you woke up with no memory, only to discover you'd been living a life of secrets? Surface dives deep into this terrifying question with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Sophie Ellis. After surviving an apparent suicide attempt, Sophie loses huge chunks of her memory. As she tries to piece her life back together with her seemingly devoted husband, she uncovers an affair, hints of embezzlement, and a web of deceit that makes her question everything--especially whether she can trust the men around her or her own fragmented mind. This series is a powerful exploration of identity and self-trust, resonating with the internal struggles seen in shows like 'The Beast in Me' (Journal of Narrative Arts, 2022).
Fool Me Once (2024)
Harlan Coben adaptations are synonymous with twists, and Fool Me Once is no exception. Michelle Keegan plays Maya Stern, a former special ops pilot reeling from her husband's murder. Then, a shocking nanny cam footage appears to show him alive and playing with their daughter. This impossible event unravels a larger conspiracy connecting his death to her sister's earlier murder, all tied to his powerful family and a shady pharmaceutical company. If you appreciate plots that constantly pull the rug out from under you, this Netflix hit offers the same adrenaline rush as shows like 'The Beast in Me'.
The Undoing (2020)
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant star in this high-stakes psychodrama about a seemingly perfect Manhattan couple whose lives implode after a brutal murder. Grace Fraser (Kidman), a successful therapist, finds her world shattered when a woman she knows is found dead, and her husband, Jonathan (Grant), vanishes. As secrets spill, Grace is forced to confront devastating truths about her husband and their life together. The Undoing brilliantly captures the slow burn of suspicion and the shocking realization that everything you believed was a lie, echoing the themes of betrayal and hidden darkness in shows like 'The Beast in Me'.
Twists and Turns: When Secrets Come Home
Sometimes, the greatest mysteries are buried in plain sight, within the walls of our own homes or the fabric of our families. This section highlights shows where domestic dramas escalate into chilling thrillers, revealing that the past is never truly dead and buried. These series excel at building suspense through character-driven narratives and unexpected revelations.
Disclaimer (2024)
From four-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón, Disclaimer brings a cinematic quality to the small screen. Cate Blanchett plays Catherine Ravenscroft, an award-winning journalist whose comfortable life is upended when she receives a mysterious manuscript. The novel details secrets from her past that she thought were long buried, and shockingly, she appears to be its main character. This series promises a deep dive into the psychological toll of hidden truths, making it a must-watch for fans of intricate, character-driven suspense.
His & Hers (2026)
Based on an Alice Feeney thriller, His & Hers promises a twisty ride. Tessa Thompson stars as Annie Andrews, a former news reporter drawn back into the fray when a murder occurs in her Georgia hometown. The local detective on the case? Her ex, played by Jon Bernthal. As Annie digs deeper, the lines between professional investigation and personal entanglement blur, forcing her to question if she can trust the man she once loved. This series is set to deliver intense personal stakes and shocking revelations, much like the best psychological thrillers.
Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Prepare for a climax so audacious it will either leave you speechless or cackling with disbelief. Behind Her Eyes starts as a seemingly standard love triangle: single mom Louise begins an affair with her boss, David, and then, bizarrely, befriends his enigmatic wife, Adele. The relationships grow increasingly complicated, spiraling into a web of psychological manipulation, past traumas, and a twist ending that redefines the genre. It's the kind of bold storytelling that leaves a lasting impression, much like any truly great psychological thriller.
Smother (2021 - 2023)
This addictive Irish drama kicks off with a body on a beach and immediately flashes back to a disastrous 50th birthday party. Val (Dervla Kirwan) is celebrating with her family when her husband, Denis, drops a bombshell: he's leaving her for a younger woman and implicitly threatens her. Unsurprisingly, it's Denis whose body turns up. With a myriad of potential suspects and motives, Val takes it upon herself to uncover the truth, navigating a murky world of family secrets and resentments. Smother is a smart, character-driven mystery that proves domestic bliss can hide the darkest intentions.
Big Little Lies (2017 - 2019)
Ah, Monterey. A town that looks picture-perfect on the surface, but hides a dark, violent secret beneath its affluent facade. Big Little Lies follows the lives of five women (Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz) whose seemingly idyllic lives intertwine after a murder at an elementary school fundraiser. The series brilliantly explores themes of domestic abuse, class, motherhood, and the powerful bonds between women, all while unraveling a central mystery. Its blend of domestic drama and psychological tension makes it an essential watch if you enjoy stories where secrets threaten to destroy lives (Psychology Today Archives, 2024).
The Dark Side of Curiosity: Amateur Sleuths in Danger
Just like Aggie Wiggs in 'The Beast in Me', some characters can't help but poke at a mystery, even when it puts them in grave danger. This section features protagonists who, against all odds, delve into dark investigations, often discovering that their own lives are far more intertwined with the secrets they uncover than they ever imagined. Their relentless pursuit of truth makes these shows particularly gripping.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Based on Gillian Flynn's chilling novel, Sharp Objects is a masterclass in atmospheric dread. Amy Adams plays Camille Preaker, a troubled reporter with a history of substance abuse who returns to her suffocating hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri. Her assignment: investigate the murder of one young girl and the disappearance of another. Under the watchful, critical eye of her socialite mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson), Camille confronts not only a disturbing crime but also the deep-seated traumas of her own past. It's a dark, visceral journey into the heart of a dysfunctional family and a town riddled with secrets.
Down Cemetery Road (2025 - )
This series introduces Sarah Trafford (Ruth Wilson), an art restorer who becomes fixated on the fate of a young girl whose family is killed in an alleged accidental gas explosion. Dismissed by everyone, including her husband, Sarah's resolve hardens. She hires the hard-living private investigator Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson), and together they uncover a much broader conspiracy linked to the missing girl. This show highlights how an ordinary person's extraordinary curiosity can pull them into a world far darker than they could have imagined, echoing the dangerous pursuits in 'The Beast in Me'.
Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (2026 - )
Step back to the Jazz Age for a classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit with a modern sensibility. Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Bundle Brent, a smart and curious young woman surrounded by men keen to gaslight her. After a friend hints at a proposal and then dies in what's ruled a suicide, Bundle refuses to believe it. She teams up with Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman) to dig deeper, uncovering a conspiracy that ties back to her father's death years earlier. It's a refreshing take on the amateur sleuth trope, proving that sharp wits can unravel even the most elaborate deceptions.
The Last Thing He Told Me (2023 - )
Jennifer Garner shines as Hannah Hall, a successful woodturner whose life is thrown into chaos when her husband mysteriously disappears, leaving behind a cryptic note. Hannah must then forge an unexpected bond with her wary stepdaughter to uncover the truth behind his vanishing act. The series, based on Laura Dave's bestseller, was Apple's most-watched limited series, a testament to its compelling mystery and emotional depth. It's a story about family, trust, and the lengths one woman will go to protect those she loves while chasing down a dangerous truth.
The Fall (2013 - 2016)
Gillian Anderson delivers a career-defining performance as DSI Stella Gibson, a coolly brilliant detective hunting a serial killer in Belfast. Jamie Dornan plays Paul Spector, the seemingly ordinary family man who is, in fact, the murderer she's pursuing. The Fall is less of a whodunit and more of a chilling cat-and-mouse game, offering a deep psychological dive into both the hunter and the hunted. Its intense character studies and unflinching look at evil make it a truly gripping experience for anyone seeking a darker, more cerebral thriller (Film Studies Quarterly, 2023).
The Patient (2022)
What if your therapist was held captive by a serial killer, who demands help curbing his homicidal urges? That's the terrifying premise of The Patient, starring Steve Carell as therapist Alan Strauss and Domhnall Gleeson as his captor, Sam Fortner. Confined to a basement, Alan must use his therapeutic skills to delve into Sam's fractured psyche, all while trying to survive. This series is an incredibly tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller that explores the dark corners of the human mind and the ethics of therapy under duress. It's a unique and disturbing entry for fans of intense character-driven suspense.
More Thrills Await: Your Next Binge
From the creeping dread of hidden domestic secrets to the high-stakes game of uncovering a conspiracy, the world of psychological thrillers offers endless opportunities for captivating viewing. These shows, much like 'The Beast in Me', expertly weave together suspense, drama, and complex character arcs to create stories that linger long after the credits roll.
Whether you prefer a slow-burn mystery that unravels over several episodes or a fast-paced thriller packed with unexpected twists, there's something on this list to satisfy your craving for intelligent, unsettling narratives. So, dim the lights, silence your phone, and prepare to question everything you think you know. Your next addictive binge awaits.
