Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Inspector Morse and Lewis. Stop monopolizing the crime scene, fellas, and clear ample space for Raphaelle and Astrid, a detective duo fit for the 21st Century. Since its arrival on PBS in 2022—and five seasons strong so far—the “Walter Presents” French procedural Astrid has carved out its own special sweet spot in viewer loyalty. The police commander Raphaelle Coste, played by Lola Dewaere, is impetuous, intuitive, blooming with appetite, a hard-charging, big-hearted dynamo; in fine-boned contrast is the criminal archivist Astrid Nielsen (Sara Mortensen), a methodical and meticulous dot-connector whose Asperger’s can make her appear Martian to others, her eyes darting behind her bangs, her words chosen with exacting precision—no embellishment. Pooling their talents and temperaments as their camaraderie deepens into a sisterly bond, Raphy and Astrid unravel twisty knots and crack the codes of confounding crimes involving alchemy, golems, and astrophysics; for old-schoolers, there’s even a classic “locked room mystery.” They’re aided not only by the dedicated homicide unit, including the soulful, love-struck Nico (Benoit Michel), but also by the members of Astrid’s neurodivergent support group, who meet in a basement and assemble like the Avengers when needed. The ingenious murder mysteries are like invitations to a floating soiree. Deadpan humor dots the dialogue, Parisian aplomb buoys the air, and romance comes knocking with a gentle rap. —James Wolcott