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Published Jan 30, 2026, 7:20 PM EST
Anja Djuricic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1992. Her first interest in film started very early, as she learned to speak English by watching Disney animated movies (and many, many reruns). Anja soon became inspired to learn more foreign languages to understand more movies, so she entered the Japanese language and literature Bachelor Studies at the University of Belgrade.
Anja is also one of the founders of the DJ duo Vazda Garant, specializing in underground electronic music influenced by various electronic genres.
Anja loves to do puzzles in her spare time, pet cats wherever she meets them, and play The Sims. Anja's Letterboxd four includes Memories of Murder, Parasite, Nope, and The Road to El Dorado.
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We know everyone in this world is unique and has a personal taste when it comes to music, television, movies, fashion, etc. But, some TV shows are so iconic and popular that they unite even the most different of people. For one thing to be able to do that, it has to be well written and made, and most importantly, it must have an iconic character that people can relate to or at least feel inspired by.
The crime genre is one of the most popular in the world, and when it comes to crime TV shows, some are the blueprint that still inspires new writers and creators. These shows also have iconic characters, and whether they're villains or heroes, it doesn't matter—they're also the quintessentially compelling crime TV characters with a dedicated fandom. Here are the ten most iconic crime TV characters that everybody knows and loves.
10 Boyd Crowder
'Justified' (2010–2015)
Image via FXThough many people believe that Raylan Givens, played by Timothy Olyphant, is the most popular Justified character, it's quite the opposite—Boyd Crowder is the star of that show. The greatly popular villain wouldn't be as popular if it weren't for the man portraying him, Walton Goggins, and though he's the official antagonist of the show, many fans believe he would have been an exceptional lead.
Justified is about US Marshal Raylan Givens, known for delivering justice in a Wild West style. After he's sent back to the Marshals' office in Kentucky, where his hometown is, he encounters people from his past and rekindles his rivalry with Boyd Crowder, a local criminal. Sometimes, though, Boyd and Raylan work together to take down a bigger threat, and their relationship is never black and white; it's more like shades of grey and a lot of touching moments, despite knowing that these two aren't actually friends. Maybe they're just two sides of the same coin.
9 Olivia Benson
'Law & Order: SVU' (1999–)
Image via NBCThough Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson was initially part of a pair with Chris Meloni's Elliot Stabler, over the years, Benson has taken the spotlight on Law & Order: SVU. Miss Marple and all other lady detectives over the years have nothing on the empathetic, justice-driven Liv Benson, a woman holding down the Special Victims Unit in New York. She uses her mild-mannered nature to help victims of sexual and child abuse, and her leadership skills to give orders and organize her team in efficient ways; Benson is the ultimate hero of crime TV, and has been since 1999.
Law & Order: SVU is one of the longest-running crime shows on NBC; this police procedural started as an offshoot of Law & Order, and while it initially featured detectives Benson and Stabler, Stabler left in Season 12 (2010), and Benson has since been promoted to Captain. Hargitay herself feels "enmeshed" with Benson, considering it a privilege to play her, which means we'll probably continue to get more cases with Benson in charge as time flies; don't pretend she isn't an icon—she's definitely the coolest.
8 Rust Cohle
'True Detective' (2014–)
Image via HBO In 2014, HBO rolled out True Detective, a show that has since entered legendary ranks—though people still have something against all seasons but the first. Season 1 is a phenomenon in the sense that it's still widely talked about and quoted, but also used as an example of greatness while all other seasons of the show are ignored and downplayed. And while this isn't fair, there is a great explanation as to why Season 1 has become immortal, and it's Matthew McConaughey's character, Rust Cohle. Something about Cohle hypnotized the masses, placing them under a collective spell; they quote him, relate to him, and rewatch the season because of him.
True Detective is an anthology TV series, and each season follows a pair of detectives trying to solve a difficult case; for all of them, the case intertwines with highly personal matters, making life and work all the more complicated. In Season 1, Rust Cohle is partnered with Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson), and they become great friends despite being very opposite people; Cohle is a moody, philosophical guy, while Hart is more practical. Cohle's monologues, in particular the one with the phrase "Time is a flat circle," have moved people worldwide, and that's why he is one of the most iconic crime TV characters.
7 Hercule Poirot
'Poirot' (1989–2013)
Image via ITVHercule Poirot is Agatha Christie's most iconic character; the greatest British crime writer penned 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, and out of those, Poirot is the main character in 33 novels and over 50 short stories across all collections. We've been watching David Suchet embody the legendary icon of Christie's crime novels since the 1980s, and though many have stepped in to portray Poirot in their own way, Suchet is the quintessential Poirot, and his signature mustache is recognizable so much that if we just showed someone a hat and that glorious piece of facial hair, they'd guess Poirot within seconds.
Poirot (also known as Agatha Christie's Poirot) was a show that aired on ITV between 1989 and 2013—and Suchet has been in all the episodes (not as many episodes as Mariska Hargitay did for Law & Order: SVU, but he still portrayed the genius sleuth for a very long time). Most of the episodes of Poirot revolve around a murder mystery and Poirot arriving to question the suspects and make deductions. All episodes usually take place in one room or house, confining the narrative to becoming a closed-room mystery. Poirot was the obvious inspiration for some newly popular detectives, like Benoit Blanc from the Knives Out trilogy (or saga? We're yet to see).
6 Dexter Morgan
'Dexter' (2006–2013)
Image via ShowtimeOne of the most famous serial killers on TV, Dexter Morgan, is also the protagonist of his own show, Dexter. Dexter has gone down in history as an iconic character because he was likable, but more so, because it was interesting to watch him get in and out of trouble time after time. Dexter's popularity soared with each season, and after the show ended, his absence left a gap; that's probably why Showtime commissioned several prequel and sequel shows, like Dexter: New Blood, Dexter: Original Sin, and Dexter: Resurrection.
Dexter Morgan is the protagonist of the Showtime crime thriller Dexter. He's a Miami police officer, but more precisely, he's a blood splatter forensic detective, and shows up to crime scenes as part of the forensics team. At night, though, Dexter decides not to fight his inherent urges for murder, and he's an elusive serial killer who only harms criminals and other bad guys. This is why he's a morally gray character who's often been more loved than hated; he chooses wisely, has a family side, and encounters criminals who are much worse than him. People around the world watched Dexter and still love him, which is why Dexter: Resurrections, with a comeback from Michael C. Hall as the legendary character, is soaring in popularity.
5 Stringer Bell
'The Wire' (2002–2008)
Image via HBOIt's a tight race between several characters from The Wire when it comes to popularity; Michael K. Williams' Omar Little comes really, really close to being the most known and iconic The Wire character, but one guy takes the lead over him, and it's Stringer Bell, played by Idris Elba. Stringer Bell is the quintessential businessman, despite his niche being drug distribution; his principles are widely known and often quoted (most notably the "taking notes on a criminal f**king conspiracy" quote), and he's the reason Idris Elba is a global superstar today.
Stringer Bell is the main antagonist across the first three seasons of The Wire, the greatest HBO show ever made (quote me on that). Bell works with a network of dealers and crime lords, making efforts to turn them into a union-like organization, but also turn himself into a legitimate businessman over time. Bell is, without a doubt, the character viewers fall in love with most during their first watch, but he truly becomes a fan favorite upon rewatching the show. He's the icon, the moment, and the blueprint for characters representing the tragic intellectuals who prefer to be on the other side of the law.
4 Sherlock Holmes
'Sherlock' (2010–2017)
Image via BBCThe reason Sherlock Holmes isn't at the top spot is pretty simple—the BBC show, Sherlock, isn't the most popular show in the world, even if it was watched by a very large audience across the globe. The reason Sherlock Holmes is on here, however, is because he is, well, Sherlock Holmes. The most iconic detective of all time, including literature, film, and television, was portrayed by various actors over the years, and all of them were perfect for the role in some respects. Holmes is, apparently, the smartest man on Earth, and he's pretty cool about it, especially in Benedict Cumberbatch's iteration of him.
Sherlock follows a modernized tale of private detective Sherlock Holmes, a genius who can solve any crime. He lives and works with Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman), a war veteran, and helps the London police catch criminals. His nemesis becomes James Moriarty (Andrew Scott), who is, in this iteration, obsessed with Sherlock and making him suffer. Sherlock is a pretty fun show, though it loses its edge toward the end; soon, we'll be able to watch Hero Fiennes-Tiffin in a version called Young Sherlock, too. And, if you prefer other versions, there's one with Jeremy Brett and one with Jonnie Lee Miller as American Holmes.
3 Walter White
'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013)
Image via AMCWalter White is the TV icon people still quote to this day. Everything from his strong presence to his unique appearance (the hat, glasses, and goatee beard in particular) says White is the ultimate icon of crime television, recognizable and inimitable. Bryan Cranston portrays White, and this is the performance of a lifetime for him; the way he embodies White at his most vulnerable and most vicious moments is a masterclass in acting.
Breaking Bad follows Walter White, who is a chemistry teacher, and his journey from an ordinary family man to the most dangerous and successful drug lord on the market. White turns to drugs after finding out he has cancer, and his wish becomes to secure his family with enough money after his death; this goes from a selfless reason to self-indulgent, ego-driven success, eroding his family and relationships. White is an antihero at best, but he's the face of crime TV shows and everything the genre represents.
2 Tommy Shelby
'Peaky Blinders' (2013–2022)
Image via NetflixAsk any guy on the street who their favorite crime show character is, and chances are incredibly high that it's Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders. Cillian Murphy entered the role of a lifetime when he agreed to be Tommy, the patriarch and boss of the Shelby clan in 1920s Birmingham. Peaky Blinders was a real-life gang in Birmingham, called that because they carried razor blades in the rims of their caps. Today, people call those caps "the peaky blinders"; another indication of the show's popularity was a fad to get a haircut like Tommy's, and to dress in three-piece suits and pea coats and strut around the streets.
Peaky Blinders follows Tommy Shelby and his brothers after they return from WWI to their Birmingham home, slowly taking over the underground with their gang called The Peaky Blinders. The show turns into a depiction of Tommy's rise from a small-time gangster to a man with genuine political ambitions, showing the personal toll of his ambitions. The aura Murphy embodies when playing Shelby should be studied. He turns into a man with a poker face, never revealing his next move or his current thoughts; when he does make revelations, it's a plan that puts him further into legendary territory. Tommy Shelby is, to many people, a genuinely inspirational character, despite being morally questionable.
1 Tony Soprano
'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
Image via HBOA genuine icon of crime television is Tony Soprano, the first Mafia boss to publicly go to a psychiatrist for his panic attack disorder. He was so bold when he did this that the space-time continuum of television ripped in half, changing it forever. The Sopranos became not just the most-watched and rewatched show of all time, but a series worthy of deep analysis that still feels relevant and applicable to television standards. Even when you ask someone the question of who would be the most iconic crime show character, they'd immediately think of James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano.
The Sopranos is a show about Tony Soprano and his two families: the one he has at home with his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and the Mafia one his uncle Junior helped build and then gave the reins to Tony. Tony balances Mafia duties with life with Carmela and their kids, and those duties weigh heavily on him, causing him panic attacks. He seeks psychiatric help for this problem, causing everyone's slow distrust in his abilities. Gandolfini makes Soprano the truly iconic character he is; his stature and physical embodiment, together with the small characteristics and gestures, make Tony feel lived in and real.
The Sopranos
Release Date 1999 - 2007
Network HBO
Showrunner David Chase
English (US) ·