10 Crime Shows with Gorgeous Settings

Crime stories rarely make for pleasant viewing. By nature, they deal with theft, assault, murder, and other atrocities. Watching innocent people fall victim to these deeds can be difficult. Worse, they offer an uncomfortable glimpse into damaged minds. As police and detectives try to solve these crimes, they uncover the evil that causes people to commit them. The subject matter is undeniably grim, but who says you can’t have fun with it?

Many mystery shows unfold in gorgeous settings. In these TV stories, crimes occur in idyllic locales and shake up otherwise peaceful communities. The grim content makes for a wild contrast with the beauty onscreen, creating an odd mix of tones. Oftentimes, though, viewers enjoy that blend as cozy escapism. As the characters search for clues, they explore everything these exotic landscapes have to offer. In the process, a tough watch turns into a mini vacation on your television.

These locations are often more than mere backdrops. The landscapes, architecture, and local culture become essential parts of the storytelling, shaping the mysteries and giving viewers another reason to return week after week. In some cases, audiences are just as eager to revisit the setting as they are to solve the crime.

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10 Hawaii Five-O

The most iconic example of crime in paradise, Hawaii Five-O wears its locale on its sleeve. Both the 1968 original and the 2010 remake follow former U.S. Navy officer Steve McGarrett. Though no longer a SEAL, he assumes command of a police task force in Hawaii, putting his mind and training toward protecting the island state. It’s not a bad assignment.

While the show is technically a police procedural, it could easily double as a tourism ad. McGarrett’s cases take him and his team across the scenic islands. They patrol beachside cities, ocean waves, lush forests, vast farmsteads, and towering mountains. These features are all the more impressive when bathed in the constant warmth of tropical sunlight. If the cops need a vacation, they can just step outside.

Adding to the appeal is the fact that both versions of the show were filmed extensively on location in Hawaii, with Oahu serving as the primary backdrop. The sweeping aerial photography became one of the franchise’s defining features, helping showcase the islands’ beauty alongside the action and intrigue.^[1]

9 Cadfael

You wouldn’t think a country unsettled by civil war would be scenic, but Cadfael pulls it off. The series takes place in medieval England, specifically during the war of succession between King Stephen and Empress Maud. Rather than these would-be rulers, though, the protagonist is a Crusader-turned-monk named Cadfael. He tries to lead a peaceful life in Shrewsbury, but the conflict drives desperate people toward murder and other crimes.

Many of these capers come to Cadfael’s humble parish. Unwilling to sit idly by, he uses his worldly experience to right these wrongs. The monk firmly believes there’s good in this chaotic life, and that’s plain to see.

Shrewsbury is a historian’s dream. Stone forts, wooden huts, and operatic churches brilliantly realize the 12th-century setting. These structures lie within a countryside of thick forests and smooth streams. The production design is suitably accomplished for a historical tale, but the show has an unsung strength in its naturalistic lighting and lack of color grading.

These qualities make Cadfael feel more lived-in than other period pieces. Combined with the sets and costumes, they let viewers see the era in all its unpolished glory. Filming at authentic historic locations throughout England only strengthens the illusion that viewers have stepped directly into the Middle Ages.^[2]

8 Father Brown

Cadfael isn’t the only churchgoing crime fighter. Father Brown is about a British Army veteran who served in World War I. Tired of combat, he eventually turns to the cloth. The series picks up in the 1950s, where Brown serves a small village as its friendly priest. Post-World War II tensions lead to several murders occurring in the town. Thankfully, the hero’s wartime history, church service, and penchant for detective novels give him a firm grasp of what drives people to violence. He soon takes it upon himself to solve these killings and lead his flock toward a better path. Father Brown’s soul is as pure as his home.

The fictional Kembleford is an idyllic village on society’s edge. The small buildings and classic costumes capture the homey feeling of the ’50s. Enhancing that sense are the blossoming gardens, little forests, and green fields. Granted, the weather is perpetually cloudy, but that only strengthens the laid-back vibe. The town is comfortable without trying too hard.

That atmosphere comes in part from the production’s use of the Cotswolds, one of England’s most picturesque regions. The rolling hills and postcard-worthy villages make Kembleford feel like the perfect place to enjoy a quiet afternoon—assuming there isn’t a murder to solve.^[3]

7 The Madame Blanc Mysteries

People often liken pretty places to beautiful paintings. That comparison couldn’t be more fitting for The Madame Blanc Mysteries. The series follows an English antiquities dealer named Jean White. After her husband’s death and the loss of their shared fortune, she moves to their cottage in southern France to find out what he was up to.

While there, her knowledge of artistic history and techniques proves an unexpected blessing, as she starts helping the local police solve white-collar crimes. Of course, these cases pale next to her surroundings.

The caper unfolds in the village of Sainte Victoire. Though fictional, this place is like a lavish time capsule. Greek-like architecture lines either side of the cobblestone streets. Outside the town are rolling hills, all covered with neatly trimmed grass. Completing the picture is the summer weather, practically making the village glow. Sainte Victoire itself belongs in an art museum.

Ironically, much of that French charm comes from Malta, where the series is filmed. The Mediterranean scenery provides a convincing stand-in for southern France while giving the show a warm, sun-drenched look that perfectly suits its cozy mysteries.^[4]

6 Death in Paradise

The clue is in the name. Death in Paradise takes place on the fictional island of Saint Marie, located in the Caribbean. Though its roots lie with French colonists, the land is under British jurisdiction now. As such, it features a revolving door of London detectives assigned to the local police force. While these officers initially despise the different climate, they all come to see the island as their new home. It’s easy to see why.

Saint Marie has much of the same appeal as Hawaii. It’s a tropical island awash with natural beauty. Deep blue oceans surround dense forestry, and palm trees pepper every square mile. While it lacks metropolitan cities, it replaces these hubs with colonial architecture and storied sites. These inclusions give the place a rich sense of history, which you wouldn’t expect from a fictional setting.

The secret is that Saint Marie is portrayed by the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Its beaches, rainforests, colorful buildings, and waterfront villages give the show an authentic tropical atmosphere that few crime dramas can match. The result is a setting so appealing that viewers often wish they could book a trip there themselves.^[5]

5 Almost Paradise

Here’s another entry where the name says it all. Almost Paradise revolves around Alex Walker. A former DEA agent, he’s forced to retire due to a heart attack. A move to the Philippines should help him relax, so he opens a gift shop on the island of Mactan. Unfortunately, rampant crime threatens Walker’s quiet dream. He soon finds himself aiding the local police on tough cases. The arrangement may not be the fresh start he’d hoped for, but at least his surroundings are nice.

Mactan is another tropical getaway. Bright beaches lead to huge bodies of water and exotic flora. The thatched roofs, rustic buildings, and overgrown paths complement these stunning sights. Granted, some areas are more industrialized and unkempt, but even these blemishes benefit from the odd palm tree. It’s as if the whole island is a relaxing resort.

The scenery feels especially authentic because the series was filmed entirely in the Philippines rather than on studio backlots. That approach lets viewers experience real beaches, neighborhoods, and coastal communities while following Walker’s latest case.^[6]

4 Pushing Daisies

Pushing Daisies may be a murder mystery, but it’s anything but typical. The show is about Ned—a pie maker who can bring people back to life with a simple touch. He wields this ability to resurrect his childhood crush, Charlotte “Chuck” Charles, but friend and PI Emerson Cod proposes another use. Together, the motley group begins bringing back murder victims, pumping them for clues, and solving the cases. The premise is infectiously quirky, and the setting follows suit.

The series fashions a stylized version of small-town America. The colorful buildings and flashy clothes are so bright that they practically pop off the screen. CGI often expands these locales, ensuring the shining structures and flowery fields stretch far into the distance. This flamboyant aesthetic may not look real, but it’s not supposed to.

Pushing Daisies presents itself like a whimsical fairy tale. Drawing inspiration from storybooks, musicals, and classic fantasy illustrations, the show creates a world that feels simultaneously nostalgic and magical. That’s exactly what these visuals convey.^[7]

3 You’re Killing Me

Speaking of storybooks, You’re Killing Me focuses on author Allison Chandler. She writes mystery novels from her home in Founder’s Cove, but her work faces growing concerns of irrelevancy. This dread only grows after her longtime friend is murdered. Investigating the killing, she meets disgraced true-crime podcaster Andrea Walker, reluctantly teaming up with the young sleuth to solve the crime. This reluctant alliance evolves into a fruitful partnership as the two begin cracking cases across town, using them to draft a fresh book. It’s no wonder Allie does her best work here.

Founder’s Cove is the type of retreat that writers hope for. This coastal village contains a quirky mix of old architecture and modern buildings. These abodes back up to a calm river, where dockside trails, boardwalks, and pavilions offer scenic views without disturbing the well-kept trees and gardens. It all has the innocent cleanliness of a Hallmark movie. Though admittedly cheesy, this recipe makes for sweet comfort food.

The setting intentionally embraces the cozy-mystery tradition, presenting Founder’s Cove as the sort of charming community where everyone knows everyone else. That warmth provides an appealing contrast to the murders at the heart of the story and makes the town as inviting as the mysteries themselves.^[8]

2 Darby and Joan

Most of these locations seem like vacation spots, but Darby and Joan takes that idea literally. This series opens on a nurse named Joan Kirkhope. Originally from England, she arrives in Australia to uncover the mystery behind her husband’s death. One day, her campervan collides with a car driven by retired cop Jack Darby. She regretfully gives him a lift, and the two become fast friends. What neither expects, though, is to encounter a murder mystery at every stop. The Aussie outback is dangerous enough.

Despite that danger, Queensland is a heavenly getaway. The unlikely couple drives through woodland mountains, sandy beaches, rushing waterfalls, and other stunning sights. Each episode brings a new vacation destination. Better yet, the characters always seem to arrive on a gentle summer morning. It’s hard not to relax when everything looks so peaceful.

Part road trip and part detective story, the series showcases many of Queensland’s real-life attractions and landscapes. The constantly changing scenery ensures that every episode feels like a new adventure, whether the heroes are investigating a crime or simply enjoying the view.^[9]

1 Midsomer Murders

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Midsomer Murders is the quintessential small-town English mystery. Set in a fictional county, it follows local sleuths as they unravel various deaths across the region’s villages. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby initially leads the charge, but he eventually steps aside for his cousin, John Barnaby. The two also get a revolving door of sergeants over their decades-long tenure. Officers come and go, but the picturesque setting remains.

The Midsomer county is breathtaking. Stone cottages, ancestral estates, and old churches are classy callbacks to yesteryear, and even the newest buildings don’t look more recent than the 1950s. The healthy fields and thick trees hammer home that vintage aspect. The whole area seems blissfully untouched by modern messiness. It’s the exact kind of countryside where you’d want to retire. That’s why the murder rate is so ironic.

The beauty feels authentic because the series is filmed throughout several English counties, particularly Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Those real-world locations lend Midsomer a timeless charm that has become every bit as famous as the mysteries themselves. For many viewers, the countryside is just as much a star of the show as the detectives investigating it.^[10]