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. With a binge factor of 10/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. 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.
Accused (Cincinnati Enquirer)
True crime fans who want newspaper-quality investigative journalism in podcast form; listeners who want real wrongful conviction advocacy from professional journalists with institutional backing.
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
Bone Valley
True crime fans who care deeply about wrongful conviction, prosecutorial failure, and the fight to free innocent people; fans of In the Dark will find this essential.
The Docket
Legal true crime podcast analysing high-profile cases with law professors and criminal attorneys.
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
<p><em>Foggy</em> <em>gaslit</em> <em>streets.</em> <em>A</em> <em>quiet</em> <em>courtroom.</em> <em>And</em> <em>crimes</em> <em>that</em> <em>history</em> <em>tried</em> <em>to</em> <em>bury.</em><
Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead
BBC’s Olivia Graham revisits the 1986 Diane Sindall murder and the 2025 quashing of Peter Sullivan’s conviction. Sullivan quashed 13 May 2025; killer unknown.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
Believed
Listeners who want to understand systemic institutional failure, survivor stories, and how Nassar's abuse was enabled so long; essential for anyone working in safeguarding or sports.
Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom
Jason Flom interviews the wrongfully convicted and their advocates to expose failures in the 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 |
| Accused (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Serialized | United States | 7/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bone Valley | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Docket | Episodic | United States | 8/10 |
| Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast | — | — | — |
| Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead | Serialized | United Kingdom | — |
Newsletter
Get recommendations like this weekly
Curated picks, new reviews, and hidden gems. Find your next obsession.
You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.