If you’re tired of clichéd love stories and predictable drama, these 3 dramas deserve a spot on your watchlist.
Pakistani dramas have long been associated with familiar themes like romance, family conflicts, and revenge. While these genres continue to resonate with audiences, viewers today are increasingly looking for fresh and unconventional stories that keep them hooked from start to finish. Luckily, drama producers have begun exploring other genres in recent years, and one of our personal favorites has to be the suspense thriller. Featuring mysterious plots and surprising twists, these dramas have proven that there is a lot more to Pakistani television than what meets the eye.
It is important to give due credit to Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi of 7th Sky Entertainment for taking the initiative to explore and support stories beyond the usual drama formulas. By backing projects with fresh concepts, unique themes, and different genres, they have played a significant role in bringing more variety to Pakistani television.
And let’s be honest – committing to a 30-plus-episode drama isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you’d like to enjoy a shorter but equally captivating viewing experience, here are three suspense thriller series that you should add to your watchlist.
1. If you love quirky crime thrillers with a touch of humour, watch Contractors
Contractors is not your typical Pakistani drama revolving around romance or family conflicts. Starring Shamim Hilaly and Mohammed Ahmed, the mini-series follows Nigar and Rashid, an elderly couple who appear to live a simple life with their tenant Sara. However, behind their calm and ordinary personalities lies a shocking secret – they are actually contract killers. When they decide to take on one final assignment to help Sara pursue her dream of studying abroad, things quickly become complicated as their hidden past starts catching up with them.
What makes Contractors stand out is the unusual pairing of crime, mystery, and comedy. Nigar and Rashid are not portrayed as typical cold-hearted killers; their witty conversations, humorous dynamic, and unexpected emotional depth make them fascinating characters to watch. With only a few episodes, the drama delivers a fast-paced story filled with suspense, twists, and a refreshing concept.
If you enjoy unique thrillers with unusual characters, witty humour, and a storyline that breaks away from typical Pakistani dramas, Contractors is definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
Contractors is written by Mohammed Ahmed and Shah Yasir. It is a 5-episodic series produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi under 7th Sky Entertainment and directed by none other than Mehreen Jabbar. The cast includes Mohammad Ahmed and Shamim Hilaly in leads along with Mamya Shajaffar, Agha Mustafa Hassan, Rashid Farooqi, Haris Waheed, Hamzah Tariq Jamil, Ali Rizvi, Bakhtawar Mazhar, and others. It’ll be airing on Geo.
2. If you enjoy dark mysteries and crime stories with unexpected twists, watch Jurm
Jurm is a gripping suspense thriller starring Wahaj Ali and Durefishan Saleem, revolving around a murder investigation that slowly uncovers layers of secrets, lies, and hidden truths. The story follows Daniyal, whose life takes a shocking turn when he becomes entangled in a murder case involving his wife Ayla. As the investigation moves forward, the drama keeps the audience guessing about what really happened and who is hiding the truth.
What makes Jurm stand out is its focus on suspense rather than the usual romance-driven storyline. With its intense atmosphere, psychological elements, and a mystery that unfolds episode by episode, the drama keeps you hooked until the very end. Wahaj Ali and Durefishan bring depth to their characters, making the emotional and thrilling moments even more impactful.
If you enjoy crime thrillers, investigative stories, and dramas that keep you questioning every character, Jurm is definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
Jurm is written by Shah Yasir and directed by Mehreen Jabbar. It is a 4-episodic series and is a project of 7th Sky Entertainment. The cast features Wahaj Ali, Durefishan Saleem, Tooba Siddiqui, Atiqa Odho, Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, Zhalay Sarhadi, and Tazeen Hussain.
3. If you enjoy modern-day mysteries and stories inspired by the digital world, watch Hashtag
Starring Sabeena Farooq, Usama Khan, and Maha Hasan, Hashtag explores the darker side of social media fame and the lives people portray online. The story begins when influencers Xara and Rasha go missing after a party, leaving their friends Nick and Imaad searching for answers. As the investigation unfolds, the drama reveals hidden secrets, unexpected connections, and the reality behind the picture-perfect world of online popularity.
What makes Hashtag stand out is its contemporary theme that feels connected to today’s generation. From influencer culture and online personas to the pressure of maintaining a certain image, the drama taps into issues that many young viewers can relate to. With its short format, suspenseful storyline, and fresh concept, it offers something different from the usual Pakistani drama narratives.
If you’re looking for a drama that combines mystery, social media themes, and a storyline that reflects the realities of the digital age, Hashtag deserves a place on your watchlist.
Hashtag is written by Shah Yasir and directed by Mehreen Jabbar. It is a 4-episodic series presented by 7th Sky Entertainment and stars Sabeena Farooq, Usama Khan, Maha Hasa, Raeed Mohammad, Ali Ansari, Raza Zaidi, Ali Rizvi, Akbar Islam, and Birjees Farooqui.
Have you watched any? If yes, drop a comment and let us know what you think!
