Fans of immersive period dramas have a hidden gem to explore in The Alienist, a two-season series that aired on TNT from 2018 to 2020. Led by a strong cast including Dakota Fanning, Daniel Brühl, and Luke Evans, the show has garnered an impressive 80% audience score, making it a compelling addition to anyone’s watchlist.
Set against the moody backdrop of 1890s New York, The Alienist investigates the intricacies of criminal psychology and forensic science. The series, adapted from Caleb Carr’s best-selling novel, follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, played by Brühl, who is tasked by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt to solve a series of brutal murders targeting street children. The narrative paints a vivid picture of a divided Manhattan, where opulence and poverty exist just blocks apart.
Unraveling a Complex Mystery
Kreizler teams up with illustrator John Moore and Sara Howard, the first woman to work for the NYPD, portrayed by Fanning. Together, they employ cutting-edge forensic techniques of the time, such as fingerprinting and early behavioral profiling, to track down a killer that the city’s elite would prefer to overlook. The production, filmed in Budapest, successfully recreates the gritty and glamorous essence of Gilded Age New York, rivaling acclaimed series like Peaky Blinders and Boardwalk Empire.
While the show presents a suspenseful whodunit, its true strength lies in exploring deeper themes like trauma, morality, and alienation. Brühl’s Kreizler is portrayed as both fascinated and disturbed by human depravity, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable realities. Evans’ character, Moore, brings a sense of charm and melancholy, while Fanning’s portrayal of Sara Howard injects the series with emotional depth and conflict. Her determination to be taken seriously in a male-dominated environment becomes a central theme throughout the series.
Character Evolution and Themes
In the second season, titled The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, Fanning’s character takes on an even more prominent role as the head of her own detective agency. When the daughter of a Spanish diplomat goes missing, Sara reunites with Kreizler and Moore, leading them into a web of corruption and class tensions. This season shifts its focus inward, exploring complex narratives surrounding child abductions and political conspiracies, while still addressing pressing issues regarding women’s rights during the early 1900s in America.
Fanning delivers a standout performance, transitioning from the stiffness of Season 1 to a confident, multi-dimensional investigator in Season 2. This evolution not only highlights her character’s growth but also adds layers to the overall narrative. The supporting cast remains robust, with familiar faces like Douglas Smith and Matthew Shear returning, alongside new talents such as Alice Krige, who adds a gothic flair to the storyline.
The critical reception of The Alienist emphasizes its meticulous execution of the crime drama genre. Rather than opting for rapid twists and dramatic reveals, the series offers a thoughtful exploration of 19th-century morals and psychology. Critics have noted its deliberate pacing, which might appeal to viewers who appreciate a more methodical unfolding of the story.
Currently available for streaming on Spectrum, The Alienist is finally reaching a wider audience. Its combination of stunning production design, powerful performances, and a gripping narrative makes it one of the most overlooked series in recent television history. Although a third season has yet to be confirmed, the existing material and dedicated fanbase suggest that the story could continue to captivate viewers in the future.
As a compelling examination of the early days of criminal investigation and the societal issues of its time, The Alienist is a series that deserves to be rediscovered. Both it and its sequel stand as a complete narrative experience, inviting viewers to binge-watch and reflect on the dark complexities of progress in society.
