Fans looking for a new crime drama with the same dark mood and strong sense of place as True Detective are turning to The Last Frontier. The new Apple TV+ series, which debuted in October 2025, is drawing frequent comparisons for its remote Alaskan setting and complex characters. With a central mystery sparked by a disastrous plane crash, the show is being described as a worthy successor for viewers who enjoyed the atmospheric tension of the HBO hit.
A Setting That Feels Like a Character
The most powerful similarity between the two shows is how they use their locations. Just as the Louisiana bayou was essential to True Detective’s story, the Alaskan wilderness is a core part of The Last Frontier. The show is set in the remote town of Fairbanks, where a prison transport plane crashes, freeing dozens of dangerous criminals into an unforgiving landscape. The environment itself becomes an antagonist, creating constant tension and raising the stakes for everyone involved. This technique of making the setting a central narrative force was a key element that made the early seasons of True Detective so compelling.
A Story With Layers of Conspiracy
While True Detective often wove a single crime into a larger, more sinister conspiracy, The Last Frontier employs a similar two-level structure. The initial plot follows U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke) as he hunts the escaped convicts. However, it quickly becomes clear that the plane crash was not an accident. The story expands to reveal a much broader threat involving government secrets and a rogue CIA operative codenamed “Havlock” (Dominic Cooper). This blend of an immediate manhunt with a slowly unfolding conspiracy gives the show a layered feel that appeals to fans of complex crime dramas.
A Flawed Hero at the Center
At the heart of the series is Jason Clarke’s Frank Remnick, a marshal whose moral compass is tested by the extreme situation. Like the detectives in True Detective, Remnick is not a purely good or evil character. He is a dedicated lawman who must navigate personal trauma and moral dilemmas while trying to protect his community. The show’s slower pace allows for reflection on his motivations and choices, putting his psychological struggles at the center of the story. This focus on a morally complex anti-hero is a direct link to the character-driven storytelling that made True Detective so engaging.
How the Two Shows Differ
Despite the similarities, the two shows have distinct flavors. The Last Frontier leans into high-octane action set pieces, with one review noting “a ridiculous action set piece involving snowmobiles, horses, helicopters or some combination thereof to make the viewer perk up and pay attention.” In contrast to True Detective’s supernatural hints, The Last Frontier grounds its mystery in the world of government espionage and criminal assets, a signature theme of its creator, Jon Bokenkamp of The Blacklist.
What Viewers Can Expect
Audiences can step into a familiar yet fresh world with The Last Frontier. The series offers an isolated, tension-filled environment, a morally ambiguous main character, and a dense crime narrative with expanding dangers. While it may not achieve the same level of critical praise as the first season of True Detective, it successfully captures a similar dark mood and style. As one analysis notes, the show can be considered “a sibling in concept and a cousin in style” to the earlier hit. For those missing the specific tone of True Detective, The Last Frontier provides a compelling new story to follow.
Also Read: The Last Frontier Episode 7: New Suspect and Marshal’s Secret Threaten Fairbanks
