If you like crime dramas in the vein of the Netflix original series “Mindhunter” because they delve uncomfortably into the minds of serial killers, then you might want to keep an eye out for TNT’s upcoming series “The Alienist.”
“The Alienist” is based on the Caleb Carr novel of the same name, and it follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), a criminal psychologist or “alienist,” and John Moore (Luke Evans), a newspaper illustrator. At the behest of New York City’s new police commissioner, Teddy Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty), the unlikely duo conducts a clandestine investigation into a series of brutal murders — someone is going full Jack-the-Ripper, only this time it’s in America and the victims are young male prostitutes. Dakota Fanning also stars as a determined police secretary. Here is the official synopsis:
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The Alienist opens when a series of haunting murders of boy prostitutes grips New York City. Newly appointed police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) calls upon criminal psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl) and newspaper illustrator John Moore (Luke Evans) to conduct the investigation in secret. They are joined by Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), a headstrong secretary determined to become the city’s first female police detective. Using the emerging disciplines of psychology and forensics, this band of social outsiders set out to apprehend one of New York City’s first serial killers. The limited series also stars Douglas Smith, Matthew Shear, Matt Lintz, Robert Ray Wisdom and Q’orianka Kilcher.
It’s a promising cast and the source material is dark, gritty, and engaging, so “The Alienist” might very well be a show to keep on your radar. The series is set to begin airing on January 22, 2018.