What is it about a small town that attracts viewers like a magnet?
For me, the love affair with small town drama began thirty odd years ago with Twin Peaks. Who could forget the cherry pie-obsessed FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper investigating Laura Palmer's murder (a girl with a lot of secrets), or the simply bizarre dancing dwarf in the Red Room?
Thanks to iconic shows like this, we have certain expectations. Namely, that TV series set in small towns should deliver deliciously eccentric characters, thrilling situations, and enough satisfying twists and turns to keep us guessing. The underlying assumption is that things are about to get spooky, suspenseful or surprising. As a creator, any inherent suspense or anticipation that can be built organically like this is a bonus. But be warned: disappoint at your peril!
We’re entering a world where we know the drill – strange things will happen. It’s the paradox of what we want from good storytelling: the same overall pattern (comforting on some level) that’s simultaneously surprising and novel in its approach.
But it's not only an intriguing set-up from the audience's point of view. The stifling atmosphere of a small town, where everyone has known each other forever, offers so much potential to a writer. The complex relationships, the tangled web of lies and deceit coupled with a winning story premise, can provide enough juice for a series to run for several seasons.
Similarly, any enclosed setting where an ensemble cast is pinned down for a limited period is the ideal environment to grow drama – like germs in a petri dish. This is partly why series such as The Perfect Couple or White Lotus are so successful: throw a bunch of good-looking, wealthy people into a small town like Nantucket (or resort/holiday destination) and watch them implode during (or in the run-up to) a murder investigation. It's no wonder The Perfect Stranger clocked an impressive 3.4 billion minutes of viewing time in its opening week on Netflix.
Five Tips for Writing a Small Town Mystery TV Series:
Anchor the story. Don't skimp on descriptions of the town; it's a key character in your series. The more local and authentic you can make it (even if it's a fictional place), the more time your audience will want to spend there.
Make it peculiar: quaint but quirky with a generous dash of sinister. We're here for the characters, sure, but also the vibes.
Send in an outsider on a mission. Better yet, someone from the town who finds themselves forced to (unwillingly, of course) return. Cliché? Yup, but there are always ways to make it different and original. And, conveniently, the audience can enter the world through this character's eyes.
Give everyone a secret; we're here to lift the veil on some unpleasant truths. Ideally, the main character should have some meaty, dark personal trauma to work through (or just some run-of-the-mill personal problems might do). Thing is, these issues should in some way impact or influence the main dramatic question of the show. In some cases, it may even be crucial to solving the core mystery (see Sharp Objects).
Blend drama with supernatural, period, mystery, action or horror. Think Stranger Things, Dark or Riverdale. All successful examples of genre mashups that make their premise stand out from the crowd.
15 Successful TV Drama-Mystery-Crime Series Set in Small Towns:
Twin Peaks (1990 -1991)
When a homecoming queen is found murdered, FBI special agent Dale Cooper descends upon the town of Twin Peaks to roll back the curtain on all kinds of devious behaviour going on behind the scenes.
This is when TV started to get really interesting, blurring the lines between genre, television and cinematic aesthetic. The dawn of peak TV was stirring, ready to inundate us with shows worth staying home for.
Pretty Little Liars (2010 - 2017)
A mystery teen drama based on the books by Sara Shepard and set in the fictional town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania. The story centers on five best friends after the leader of their clique goes missing. The friends' secrets are constantly at risk of being exposed by an anonymous figure known as "A".
A spin-off subsequently aired from 2022 billed as a teen slasher drama mystery.
Banshee (2013 - 2016)
Set in the small fictional town of Banshee, the series revolves around an enigmatic ex-convict (Antony Starr) who takes on the identity of Lucas Hood, the town's deceased sheriff, in order to evade the powerful crime lord Rabbit (Ben Cross).
Enforcing his own version of justice, Hood tries to reconnect with his former flame, Rabbit's daughter Anastasia, who has also assumed a new identity, married, and started a family while Hood was in prison. There's plenty of subterfuge going on here and a delicate balancing act of remaining a criminal while updholding the law.
Broadchurch (2013-2017)
The core concept for Broadchurch is how a tight-knit local community is impacted following the death of a child, and how they deal with the ensuing media attention and mutual suspicion
The creator and writer of the series (Chris Chibnall) has said that one of the major inspiration's behind this show was Twin Peaks. Visually speaking, I often wonder how much Deadloch (a personal fave, see below), tongue firmly in cheek, is indebted to Broadchurch and would love to watch them back-to- back one day.
The Leftovers (2014 - 2017)
The series starts three years after a global event called "Sudden Departure" has occurred, which sees 2% of the world's population disappear into thin air. Based on Tom Perrotta's 2011 novel, the show follows the lives of two families in particular as they grapple with the trauma this event has caused.
Seasons two and three in particular have been highly praised, with some placing it in the same league as iconic shows such as Lost (incidentally, also co-created by Damon Lindelhof).
Fargo (2014 - 2024)
An anthology black comedy crime series tonally following on from the brilliantly quirky film of the same name from the Cohen brothers.
The stories are all set in towns of the American mid-west, primarily Minnesota, but often take place in different time zones. There's plenty of death, mishaps and bad weather to keep any die-hard lover of quirky murder happy.
Stranger Things (2016 - 2025)
This hugely successful, genre-defying supernatural, horror period mash-up needs no introduction. Even if you, somehow, have never seen an episode, you'll most probably be familiar with the set up.
The creators (the Duffer brothers) have taken all the beloved elements of the 80s and put them into one glorious TV series. There's a scary, out-of-control alternate dimension that the government is covertly probing; a girl who escapes the secret testing facility, and teenage boys exploring the area on bikes. It all takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins.
Dark (2017 - 2020)
The plot centres on the dysfunctional inhabitants of the fictional town of Winden, Germany, as they try to make sense of a child's disappearance.
A truly elevated, complex show, so put the phone down or you'll miss something crucial. Your full attention is required here – we're delving into the philosophical consequences of time, no less.
Riverdale (2017 - 2023)
Based on the characters of Archie comics, the show is essentially a highly stylized teen soap that has ventured into several other genres as the seasons have progressed.
The show's core premise follows a group of teenagers in the town of Riverdale trying to make sense of a murder. During its many seasons, the series has continually up-ended expectations and at times veered wildly off-course. But it has proved hugely popular and has earned its place in the canon of teen drama.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Starring the brilliant Amy Adams, the miniseries is based on the best selling debut novel by Gillian Flynn (she subsequently wrote Gone Girl).
The psychological thriller follows the story of reporter (Camille), an alcholic, who's recovering from years of self-harm. Returning to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, she investigates the murder of two young girls. But while she's back living with her hyper-critical mother, Camille has to confront some personal demons and shocking truths that will ultimately help her solve the case.
11. Cruel Summer (2021 - 2023)
Another teen drama-mystery-thriller but this time in an anthology format.
The initial season is about two teenage girls in the mid-1990s. When one vanishes, the other appears to assume her identity (classic yet always enjoyable story trope there).
The subsequent season delves into the tumultuous teenage friendship of two girls during 1999 and 2000, and a love triangle that ends in, you guessed it, murder.
The White Lotus (2021 - )
If you haven't heard of this anthology mystery series, where have you been? Set in various locations of the White Lotus hoilday resort, it's an extremely satisfying experience to watch the outrageously good-looking, wealthy and privileged completely unravel.
But it's not just a gorgeous watch in swoon-worthy locales. The show's not afraid to poke a stick at messy subjects that require some nuanced thinking. Watch out for The White Lotus, Thailand edition, coming soon!
13. Three Pines (2022)
Adapted from the novel series written by Louise Penny, the show focuses on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, who can see hidden meaning behind the seemingly normal.
While delving into a series of homicides in Three Pines (a picturesque village in Quebec) the Chief Inspector uncovers deeply buried truths and confronts some of his personal demons.
14. Deadloch (2023 - )
A criminally underrated show set in Tasmania, Australia, where tensions are high between the more established, traditional folk (let's call them narrow- minded) and the town's newer, more diverse inhabitants (let's call them lesbians).
It's a fusion of suspense and black comedy, with some of the most entertaining "lady" detectives ever written for the screen. I'm actually desperate to hang out with the quintessential odd-couple, Eddie Redcliffe and Dulcie Collins. Season two (set in Darwin!) coming soon.
The Perfect Couple (2024)
The secrets of the wealthy and successful Winbury couple are spilled when a bridesmaid is found drowned on the eve of their son Benji's nuptuals.
It's a fun whodunit (that doesn't seem to take itself too seriously) with an easy-on-the-eyes cast and stunning scenery, set in the small, isolated island of Nantucket. Based on the 2018 novel by Elin Hilderbrand.
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