The 2004 noir mystery series Veronica Mars is not a conventional production that is often associated with its genre. Helmed by Rob Thomas, the series is a satire of class disparity which is explored within the confines of a high school. The titular character Veronica Mars is a popular girl at high school who becomes a detective after the death of her best friend. Kristen Bell slips into the complex role of Veronica, an intelligent young woman who has to navigate through the various intricacies of high school whilst also solving various mysteries in the fictional town of Neptune, California.

The series leans on a familiar structure of episodic mysteries but also focuses on the overarching season-long storylines. The CW TV show features a very unique aesthetic that is rife with early 2000s references. The visual language of the series will immediately take one back to two decades ago, and it is a style that has endured the test of time despite its unique appeal. In many ways, it can be construed as a more grounded or even an edgier version of Nancy Drew, but with compelling characters, thought-provoking themes, eerie mysteries, and some entertaining high-school melodrama.

Enrico Colantoni, who is best known for playing the mob boss Elias in Jonathan Nolan’s Person of Interest plays the role of Veronica’s father, Keith, in the series – a doting parent and a sheriff-turned-private detective. The series also stars Percy Daggs III, Teddy Dunn, and Jason Dohring in prominent roles, with Hollywood stars Amanda Seyfried and Tessa Thompson also playing pivotal roles.

While the pilot episode might seem a little outdated in terms of visuals and screenplay, the series quickly becomes captivating with its intriguing narratives and Veronica’s sharp wit. The series returned with a sequel film in 2014, after its three-season run in the early 2000s, and a fourth and final season in 2019.

• Written by Ryan Gomez