Serial
True crime podcast review — 2026
"The podcast that launched a thousand true crime shows — Serial's Season 1 remains the gold standard for investigative audio journalism, genuinely suspenseful right to the final episode."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries
- ✓Legal procedure enthusiasts and wrongful conviction advocates
Pros
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
About this podcast
Investigative journalism podcast devoting an entire season to one true story. Season 1 re-investigates the 1999 murder of teenager Hae Min Lee and whether her convicted killer, Adnan Syed, actually committed the crime.
Best episode to start with
S1 Ep1 — The Alibi
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
Community ratings
1 ratingRate this podcast
Community reviews
0 reviewsWrite a quick review
No reviews yet. Be the first!
Frequently Asked Questions about Serial
What is Serial about?
Investigative journalism podcast devoting an entire season to one true story. Season 1 re-investigates the 1999 murder of teenager Hae Min Lee and whether her convicted killer, Adnan Syed, actually committed the crime.
Is Serial worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". The community has rated it 8.0/10 overall. Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
Who is Serial for?
Serial is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries; Legal procedure enthusiasts and wrongful conviction advocates.
What is the best episode of Serial to start with?
We recommend starting with S1 Ep1 — The Alibi. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
What podcasts are similar to Serial?
If you enjoy Serial, you might also like: Bear Brook, In the Dark, Your Own Backyard, A Million Other Choices. See our full "Podcasts Like Serial" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Serious, journalistic, thoughtful
- Episode length
- 4 seasons; Season 1 = 12 episodes ~45 min each; easily bingeable in a weekend
- Episodes
- 4 seasons
- Country
- United States
Browse category
Cases covered
Newsletter
Get weekly recommendations
Curated picks, new reviews, hidden gems.
You can unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.
If you liked this, try…
See all alternatives
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
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.
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.
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Foggy gaslit streets. A quiet courtroom. And crimes that history tried to bury. <
Unsolved (RTÉ)
A weekly Irish cold-case podcast from RTÉ, presented by crime journalist Barry Cummins and 2FM presenter Katja Mia.
Explore more in these categories: