Ripley is a psychological crime-thriller series written and directed by Steven Zaillian. Based on a 1955 novel titled The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, the Netflix series is set in the 1960s and it follows the story of Ripley as a wealthy man hires him to convince his son to come back home from Italy. However, when Ripley gets there he gets jealous of the oppulant life the wealthy man’s son is leading and decides to take it for himself. The novel by Highsmith was adapted once before into a film written and directed by Anthony Minghella, and it starred Matt Damon as the titular character. Ripley stars Andrew Scott in the lead role with Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Eliot Sumner, and Maurizio Lombardi starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved Zaillian’s take on The Talented Mr. Ripley, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
You (Netflix)
You is a psychological crime-thriller series and weirdly a dark romantic comedy. Based on a novel series of the same name by Caroline Kepnes and adapted for television by Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, the Netflix series follows the story of Joe Goldberg, who seems like the boy next door but in reality, he is a hopeless romantic who stalks, manipulates, and sometimes even harms the person he has affection for. You stars Penn Badgley in the lead role with Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Shay Mitchell, Jenna Ortega, Carmela Zumbado, James Scully, and Lucas Gage starring in supporting roles.
Barry (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Barry is a crime dramedy series created by the star of the series Bill Hader and Alec Berg. The HBO series follows the story of a former U.S. Marine and Afghanistan veteran who works as a hitman for criminals, but he doesn’t find his work fulfilling when he is on a job in Los Angeles he follows his target into an acting class and falls in love with the craft. Now, he thinks he can leave his life of crime behind to become an actor, but will it be that simple? Barry stars Hader in the titular role with Henry Winkler, Sarah Goldberg, Anthony Carrigan, Stephen Root, and D’Arcy Carden starring in supporting roles.
Dexter (Showtime & Prime Video Add-On)
Dexter is a crime drama series created by James Manos Jr. Based on a 2004 novel titled Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, the Showtime series follows the story of the titular character who works as a blood splatter expert for the Miami police department, but what his colleagues and his family doesn’t know is that Dexter has psychopathic tendencies and to fulfill them he kills the criminals who escape the justice system. Dexter stars Michael C. Hall in the lead role with Jennifer Carpenter, Julie Benz, David Zayas, Christina Robinson, Desmond Harrington, Luna Lauren Velez, C.S. Lee, Erik King, and James Remar starring in supporting roles.
Killing Eve (AMC+ & Prime Video Add-On)
Killing Eve is an espionage romantic-thriller series created by Fleabag famed actress and creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Based on a 2017 novel series titled Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings, the BBC America series follows the twisted relationship of a bored MI-5 agent Eve, and a dangerous but lovable assassin Villanelle. Killing Eve stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in the lead roles with Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia, Owen McDonnell, Camille Cottin, and Sean Delaney starring in supporting roles.
Dirty John (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Dirty John is an anthology true crime thriller series created by Alexandra Cunningham. Based on a true crime podcast of the same name by Christopher Goffard, the USA Network series explores the true stories of love gone wrong from the beautiful beginning to the horrific end in each season. Dirty John stars Connie Britton, Eric Bana, Amanda Peet, Christian Slater, Julia Garner, Jean Smart, Juno Temple, Keiko Agena, Rachel Keller, Kevin Zegers, and Jeff Perry.
Mad Men (AMC+ & Prime Video Add-On)
Mad Men is an intense period drama series created by Matthew Weiner. The AMC series is set in 1960s New York and it follows the story of Don Draper, an alpha male working in the competitive and high-pressure world of advertising. Aside from being one of the top ad men working in the industry, Don is also a family man but is he faithful? Don Draper is one of the most complex characters ever created in television history and if you decide to watch this immensely popular series you will find out the similarities between this series and Netflix’s Ripley. Mad Men stars Jon Hamm in the lead role with January Jones, Vincent Kartheiser, Elisabeth Moss, John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, and Rich Sommer starring in supporting roles.
The Night Manager (Prime Video & AMC+)
The Night Manager is an espionage thriller but it does follow someone who needs to become someone else and while his reasons are far better than Ripley’s, does it matter in the end? Based on a 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carré, the David Farr series follows the story of Jonathan Pine, who works as a night manager in high-end hotels but when he is called upon to invade the inner circle of Richard Roper, a dangerous arms dealer. He must lose himself to become someone who can be trusted by men like Richard Roper. The Night Manager stars Tom Hiddleston in the lead role with Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, and Tom Hollander starring in supporting roles.