Murphy's Law (BBC America)

On assignment, hardheaded Murphy is unconventional and tough, but his rogue methods usually translate into victories for the law. As he seamlessly moves from one new identity to another to infiltrate crime organizations and gain criminals' confidence, Murphy displays moments of brilliance that amaze his colleagues -- and often blindside his enemies. Through it all, his wry humor and penchant for witty one-liners keeps everyone around him guessing about what's to come. Early seasons of the series featured contained stories that placed Murphy in a new scenario in each episode. Later, the series took on more complexity, with each season following a continuous -- and often much darker -- storyline, revealing a sinister side to the troubled main character and focusing more on his inner turmoil.

The show's five seasons brought many cast changes (Nesbitt is the only constant through the entire run), so continuity may be an issue for some viewers. But the show itself is an intense dramatic thriller that adults will enjoy, and Nesbitt is masterful in a role that was written specifically for him. That said, the prevalence of graphic violence and mature themes like kidnapping, drug trade, murder, and suicide ensures that Murphy's Law isn't a good choice for young or sensitive viewers. And you'll probably want to check it out before giving teens the go-ahead as well, since Murphy's unique brand of humor sometimes puts an unrealistically light spin on life-and-death scenarios.