The greatest modern thriller series tend to strike a careful balance, leaning into the formulaic nature of the category while also infusing details that help them stand out. By embracing the familiar, they attract genre regulars — but clever twists and extra depth ensure there are still surprises in store. David Tennant’s masterpiece crime thriller gets that juggling act right. And believe it or not, it’s one of the more commonly used tropes that makes the series tick.

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