In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Podcasts Like In the Dark
If you loved In the Dark, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Courtroom, Cold Case, Systemic Injustice, Murder shows.
Why listeners love In the Dark
Three-time Peabody Award winner In the Dark is investigative podcasting at its finest — it doesn't just tell crime stories, it holds the justice system accountable in real time. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
10/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Serious, deeply journalistic, sobering
Presentation approach
Episode Length
45-60 min per episode, 3 seasons of 6-10 episodes each; very manageable
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like In the Dark
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
A Killing on the Cape
True crime fans interested in forensic DNA evidence, New England crime, and the question of whether mass DNA collection to solve a single murder is a proportionate response.
Atlanta Monster
True crime fans interested in racial injustice, civil rights history, and the intersection of institutional failure with one of America's worst serial murder sprees; fans of Payne Lindsey's work on Up and Vanished.
Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions
Criminal justice reform advocates; listeners fascinated by the counterintuitive psychology of why innocent people confess to crimes they didn't commit; legal professionals and students.
The Docket
Legal true crime podcast analysing high-profile cases with law professors and criminal attorneys.
Son of a Hitman
Investigates hitman Charles Harrelson and the crimes linked to him.
True Crime Recaps
Two storytellers go through widely discussed true crime cases.
Profiler: True Crime Africa
A journalist and a forensic psychologist look at South African crimes.
Gone South
Narrative series about crime in the American South, now widening to other regions.
True Crime DEADLINE
Journalist Matt Johnson covers cold cases, unsolved mysteries and murders.
A Million Other Choices
A Canadian-hosted, victim-centred true crime podcast covering murder and other criminal cases from around the world, with a particular interest in the Canadian justice system.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the Dark (original) | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| A Killing on the Cape | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| Atlanta Monster | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions | Episodic | United States | 7/10 |
| The Docket | Episodic | United States | 8/10 |
| Son of a Hitman | Serialized | United States | — |
| True Crime Recaps | Episodic | United States | — |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to In the Dark?
The best alternatives to In the Dark are podcasts that share its Courtroom, Cold Case, Systemic Injustice, Murder focus and serialized format. Our editorial team has hand-picked the most similar shows based on content type, storytelling style, and community ratings.
Why do people love In the Dark?
In the Dark is known for its serious, deeply journalistic, sobering approach to Courtroom and Cold Case. It scores 10/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it. It has earned a "Must Listen" rating from our editorial team.
How long are episodes of In the Dark?
Episodes of In the Dark are typically 45-60 min per episode, 3 seasons of 6-10 episodes each; very manageable long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to In the Dark?
In the Dark is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of In the Dark to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Season 2, Episode 1 — A Bar Fight (or start Season 1 for context). As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.