5 of the most gripping true crime shows to watch this season

CBS Reality is the home of true crime, and this captivating new line-up will have you on the edge of your seat all night long

4 mins read time  |  Written by Anya Shah

Part of the Christmas thrill lies in the anticipation, which means when January rolls around, life can feel comparatively quieter. But this year, you can use those long, slow winter evenings as the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in some great TV, courtesy of CBS Reality.

The channel is home to the most popular – and chilling – true crime shows around, like cult classic Fatal Vows, as well as some exciting new premieres such as Murder by the Sea. And since the impressive daily line-up of true crime favourites begins at 9pm, with premiere episodes everyday from 10pm, there’s never been a better time to hunker down on the sofa and indulge in some irresistibly dark viewing.

Sound exciting? With some of the series running until the spring, you certainly won’t be short on things to look forward to. So, read on to find out exactly what CBS Reality has planned for you...

This New Zealand-based crime series explores the world of forensic science and the role it plays protecting our lives every single day. With the modern technology we have now, it’s becoming harder and harder to get away with murder. Join the team of detectives and scientists as they piece together clues left behind in the trails of evidence, as they work tirelessly to keep the public safe from an underworld of crime.

Britain’s coastal resorts might not be known for guaranteed sunshine, but there’s darkness in more ways than one lurking beneath the surface of our quaint seaside towns. Many of the nation’s most sinister murders have occurred on our shorelines, and this series sees crime historian Dr Nell Darby investigate what could be behind this alarming trend. From fairground fatalities to murder on the beach, the show casts a whole new perspective on the phenomenon of coastal killings.

Technology is often something we take for granted, but the mammoth advancements we’ve made over the past two decades have revolutionised the way we solve crime. This series takes a closer look at how developments from cutting-edge DNA profiling to now standard CCTV footage devices have enhanced our ability to crack even the most puzzling of cases, both in the present and those left unsolved in the past.

The tragedy of love is that it can sometimes end in heartbreak – and occasionally, it ends in murder. This series follows 13 riveting stories of marriages that turned out to be a fatal attraction, proving that happy endings are not always guaranteed. Psychotherapist Stacey Kaiser and forensic psychologist Dr Brian Russell discuss how brides and grooms can go from happily ever after to deadly killers, examining each couple’s story and analysing how their divorces ultimately led to their deaths.

In the world of detective duos, David Quinn and Vince Velazquez are as iconic as they come. Having worked a combined total of 50 years, the pair have covered hundreds of criminal cases together, and won’t rest until they’ve succeeded in solving every one. This documentary series retells some of the most horrifying, heart-breaking and downright baffling events they’ve encountered over the course of their careers, taking the viewer along every gruesome twist and turn in the noble pursuit for justice.