Top 20 Series About Small Towns With Dark Secrets

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 5th 2025, 00:00 GMT+2

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 130116585 — From (2022)

Imagine waking up in a town you can’t leave, where every night brings horrors you can’t escape. *From* traps its characters – and viewers – in a nightmare of creatures, secrets, and paranoia that escalates with each episode. The tension is relentless, and every character hides something, making trust impossible. You’re constantly guessing who will survive and what new danger awaits. The series blends psychological suspense with sci-fi thrills, keeping you on edge while revealing the town’s dark origins piece by piece. Once you start, it’s impossible to stop watching. | © MGM Television

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 130548732 — Mare of Easttown (2021)

Detective Mare Sheehan is solving a murder while her own life teeters on the edge. *Mare of Easttown* weaves a gripping small-town mystery with raw, personal drama, pulling viewers into a world where everyone has secrets. Kate Winslet carries the series with a performance that’s both grounded and emotionally powerful. Every conversation, glance, and revelation feels loaded with meaning, making the suspense almost tangible. The investigation keeps you guessing, but it’s the town’s dynamics and Mare’s personal struggles that make it unforgettable. By the finale, you’ll feel every twist and heartbreak. | © HBO

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133055071 — Midnight Mass (2021)

Crockett Island seems quiet – too quiet – until a mysterious priest arrives, bringing miracles, questions, and an unsettling atmosphere. *Midnight Mass* is slow-burning, layering supernatural dread over intense human drama, making faith, guilt, and fear collide in unexpected ways. Every scene builds tension, and every revelation rattles both characters and viewers. The island feels isolated and intimate, amplifying every eerie moment. It’s a story that lingers long after the screen goes dark, haunting and thought-provoking. By the end, you’ll be both captivated and unsettled. | © Netflix

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133227188 — The Outsider (2020)

What begins as a simple murder investigation spirals into something unexplainable and terrifying. *The Outsider* mixes procedural crime with creeping supernatural horror, keeping every episode tense and unpredictable. You’re pulled into a world where logic and reality are constantly challenged, and every new clue raises more questions than it answers. The tension builds steadily, making you question everything about the case – and the people involved. It’s impossible to predict what will happen next, and every twist lands with a punch. By the finale, the story leaves you breathless and thinking about it long after. | © HBO Entertainment

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133409686 — Deadwind (2018)

Detective Sofia Karppi returns to work after personal tragedy and immediately dives into a case that opens a Pandora’s box of secrets. *Deadwind* blends classic noir with modern crime storytelling, creating a dark, atmospheric thriller that keeps you guessing. The story unfolds methodically, revealing hidden connections, dangerous lies, and unexpected twists. You get drawn into Karppi’s world, where every step toward the truth feels risky. The tension and stakes escalate with every episode, making the show impossible to pause. If you’re a fan of gripping Scandinavian crime dramas, this one will pull you in completely. | © Dionysos Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133450438 — Sharp Objects (2018)

Returning to her hometown isn’t supposed to be traumatic – but for Camille Preaker, it’s a descent into the past she can’t escape. Two young girls are dead, and every family and friend seems to be hiding something, making the town itself feel like a maze of secrets. Amy Adams pulls you into Camille’s fragile, tense world, where every revelation hits with emotional weight. The story twists between psychological drama and chilling suspense, keeping you on edge. It’s a series that makes small-town darkness feel intimate, personal, and impossible to ignore. By the finale, you’re left shaken, fascinated, and unable to look away. | © HBO

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133702920 — Dark (2017)

A child disappears in Winden, Germany, and suddenly time itself seems to unravel. *Dark* drags you across generations, twisting past, present, and future into a complex knot of secrets and consequences. The characters’ lives are intertwined in ways you don’t expect, making every revelation hit harder. The tension is relentless, but beneath the sci-fi complexity lies human emotion that grounds the story. Every clue and twist makes you rethink what you thought you knew, and by the end of each episode, you’re hungry for the next piece of the puzzle. It’s a mind-bending mystery that rewards attention and curiosity. | © Netflix

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 133739801 — Stranger Things (2016)

Hawkins, Indiana, looks ordinary, but under the surface lurks something terrifying. A missing boy, a girl with extraordinary powers, and a shadowy government experiment collide in a story that’s suspenseful, heartwarming, and just the right amount of nostalgic. The kids’ friendships, bravery, and humor balance the supernatural horror, giving the series a unique charm. Every monster encounter and mystery revelation is a thrill, but it’s the emotional stakes that make you care. *Stranger Things* keeps you guessing, laughing, and on the edge of your seat all at once. You’ll binge it in one sitting and still be thinking about it afterward. | © Netflix

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 134212337 — Wayward Pines (2015)

Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines expecting a quiet investigation – but quiet isn’t part of the deal. The town hides layers of secrets, lies, and twists that make every corner feel dangerous. As he uncovers the truth, the story constantly flips your expectations, keeping the suspense high. With a surreal atmosphere and constant tension, it’s impossible to predict what will happen next. Every character seems caught between survival and deception, making the stakes feel immediate and personal. Once you start, you’re hooked, desperate to see the next shocking revelation. | © Fox 21 Television Studios

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 134331549 — Glitch (2015)

Seven people rise from the dead in Yoorana, but they haven’t returned to a simple life – they’re back to confront questions, memories, and mysteries they don’t fully understand. Each character’s journey is emotional, compelling, and impossible to ignore. Secrets unravel slowly, and every new development raises the stakes, drawing you deeper into the town’s eerie atmosphere. The balance between supernatural intrigue and human drama keeps you invested in both the mystery and the people at its heart. By the finale, you’re hooked on the story and the emotional twists that come with it. *Glitch* is suspenseful, haunting, and deeply satisfying. | © Sony Pictures Television

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 134610340 — Fortitude (2015)

A tranquil Arctic town suddenly becomes a nightmare when a brutal murder exposes secrets that were better left buried. In Fortitude, the cold doesn’t just freeze the ground – it freezes you with suspense. Strange events, eerie atmospheres, and a sense that anything could be lurking around the next corner keep every scene tense. The more you think you understand, the more the story shifts beneath your feet, twisting expectations. Isolation here isn’t just physical – it’s psychological, and the danger feels uncomfortably close. By the end of each episode, you’ll be hooked, desperate to see what happens next. | © Fifty Fathoms Productions, Sky Atlantic, Tiger Aspect Productions

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 134527965 — The Leftovers (2014)

In the small town of Mapleton, New York, 2% of the world's population inexplicably vanishes, leaving the community grappling with grief, faith, and the search for meaning. The series delves into the lives of those left behind, exploring their struggles to find purpose in a world forever altered. With its haunting atmosphere and profound storytelling, *The Leftovers* captivates viewers by examining the complexities of human emotion and belief. The show's compelling narrative and richly developed characters make it a must-watch for those seeking a thought-provoking drama. | © HBO

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 134848917 — Fargo (2014)

Crime in the Midwest has never been this darkly funny. Ordinary townspeople get caught up in plots that are bizarre, violent, and irresistibly compelling. Twists hit you when you least expect them, blending suspense with absurdity so seamlessly you can’t look away. Each story is a fresh, twisted peek into human greed, morality, and chance, with stakes that feel both personal and epic. You’ll find yourself rooting for characters, dreading others, and laughing at moments that are somehow horrifying and hilarious at the same time. *Fargo* is a ride you won’t want to get off. | © MGM Television

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 135851578 — True Detective (2014)

Some crimes leave scars that time can’t heal, and *True Detective* puts you right into those shadows. Mysteries unfold slowly, drawing you deep into the psychology of detectives chasing darkness that refuses to stay buried. Tension simmers in every scene, and the story keeps you guessing about who – or what – is really responsible. It’s a journey through human obsession, moral ambiguity, and secrets that refuse to stay hidden. One episode is enough to make you rethink every clue you’ve ever seen on TV. *True Detective* hooks you by refusing to let the darkness go. | © HBO Entertainment

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 135512826 — Top of the Lake (2013)

A young girl disappears in a remote mountain town, and Detective Robin Griffin dives into a world of corruption, violence, and dark secrets that stretch through the community. Every new lead pulls you deeper into a labyrinth of tension and mystery, where the stakes feel heartbreakingly real. The scenery may be stunning, but it only sharpens the unease – the beauty of the mountains contrasts with the brutality hidden beneath. Secrets aren’t just uncovered; they explode, changing the lives of everyone involved. *Top of the Lake* is gripping, haunting, and impossible to stop watching once you start. | © See-Saw Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 135631920 — Broadchurch (2013)

When a young boy is found dead on a beach, the entire town reels under suspicion, grief, and secrets that no one wants exposed. *Broadchurch* slowly tightens its grip, making every glance, every conversation, feel loaded with hidden meaning. Detectives Hardy and Miller navigate the town’s tangled emotions, and with every revelation, the tension ratchets higher. It’s a story about trust, betrayal, and the cracks that run through even the most seemingly perfect communities. The mystery keeps you guessing, but it’s the human drama that lingers long after the case is solved. Once you start, you can’t stop unraveling the threads. | © Kudos Film and Television

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 140632191 — Banshee (2013)

After years in prison, Lucas Hood assumes the identity of the murdered sheriff of Banshee, a small town full of secrets, crime, and rivalries that never sleep. Nothing is simple in this town – every ally has a hidden agenda, and every corner hides danger. Hood juggles enforcing the law, protecting loved ones, and confronting his own past, creating tension that never lets up. The twists are relentless, the action brutal, and the personal stakes high, making every episode feel urgent and impossible to pause. Banshee doesn’t just deliver crime and suspense – it immerses you in a world where morality is murky, and survival is a daily challenge. Once you start, you’re pulled into the town’s pulse, and you won’t want to leave. | © Cinemax

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 140155383 — Y Gwyll (2013)

In the rugged landscapes of Wales, DCI Tom Mathias investigates crimes that expose the shadows lurking behind the town’s quiet streets. *Y Gwyll*, also known as *Hinterland*, is drenched in atmosphere, where foggy hills and misty valleys amplify the sense of mystery and menace. The cases are twisted and compelling, often leaving you second-guessing what’s real and who can be trusted. Mathias is stubborn, brilliant, and flawed, drawing you into his pursuit of truth while navigating his own inner demons. It’s gripping, moody, and thoroughly immersive – a slow-burn thriller you won’t forget. | © Fiction Factory

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 141020709 — Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Sunnydale High may look like an ordinary school, but it sits on a Hellmouth where vampires, demons, and other creatures lurk. *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* mixes supernatural thrills with witty dialogue, teenage drama, and unexpected depth, creating a show that’s endlessly fun and surprisingly clever. Buffy Summers doesn’t just fight monsters – she navigates friendships, love, and the trials of growing up, all while carrying the fate of the world on her shoulders. The series balances humor, horror, and heart in a way that keeps you coming back season after season. It’s a cult classic for a reason: addictive, smart, and endlessly entertaining. | © 20th Century Fox Television, Mutant Enemy Productions

Cropped imagen 2025 09 02 141102188 — Twin Peaks (1990)

When Laura Palmer’s body is found, the idyllic town of Twin Peaks cracks open, revealing a labyrinth of secrets, eccentric characters, and unexplained phenomena. *Twin Peaks* is surreal, quirky, and endlessly mysterious, blending soap-opera melodrama with dreamlike horror. Agents Dale Cooper and the townspeople navigate a world where the line between reality and the bizarre is constantly blurred. Every scene is layered with intrigue, strange humor, and unsettling beauty. It’s a show that rewrites the rules of small-town storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on television history. Once you enter Twin Peaks, you may never see small towns the same way again. | © Lynch/Frost Productions, ABC

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Small towns may seem peaceful and picturesque, but when it comes to television, they often hide some of the darkest secrets. From mysterious disappearances and unsolved murders to supernatural occurrences, these tight-knit communities provide the perfect backdrop for suspenseful storytelling. In this article, we’ve compiled the top 20 TV series set in small towns where everyone has something to hide. Whether you love crime dramas, supernatural thrillers, or psychological mysteries, these shows will keep you guessing – and glued to the screen.

If you’re in the mood for small towns full of charm instead of mystery and suspense, check out this article instead!