HBO's The Night Of: 8 Reasons It's The New True Detective

2. Riz Ahmed's Magnetic Lead Character

For all Turturro is excellent as Stone, and the supporting cast does a great job of fleshing things out, there's no doubting that Riz Ahmed is the star of the show. It's through his eyes that we're introduced to the series and come across the murder, and it's his story we're investing our time in. He is the heart of the show, and thankfully Ahmed is up to the task.

Ahmed's Naz is full of wide-eyed innocence, a humble, sheltered boy who couldn't possibly have done this, who comes off as a nervous wreck and immediately demands both your sympathy and attention, but equally capable of subtle shifts in his performance that leaves enough to make you wonder.

Matthew McConaughey's Rust Cohle is one of the great TV characters in recent memory, and while Naz doesn't share his philosophical nature and prefers extended silences to deep, rambling musings, Ahmed ensures he's an extremely magnetic presence, and one capable of carrying this show.