Cardinal is a Canadian crime series available on Hulu that serves as a compelling alternative for viewers seeking stories similar to True Detective. Adapted from Giles Blunt's acclaimed novels, the show relocates the crime-drama formula to Northern Ontario, where the stark winter landscape and frigid atmosphere become essential elements of the narrative. Across four seasons, the series constructs a world where investigations are murky, justice is elusive, and characters bear deep psychological scars from their work.

The narrative follows Detective John Cardinal, played by Billy Campbell, a stoic and driven officer pursuing cases with fierce determination despite personal consequences. He partners with Detective Lise Delorme, portrayed by Karine Vanasse, whose analytical mind and interpersonal warmth complement Cardinal's isolated nature. Together they confront complex crimes including the discovery of a missing Indigenous girl, navigating moral complexities and systemic failures that define the show's exploration of law enforcement and human vulnerability.