Stumptown

Dex Parios is a sharp witted Army veteran turned private investigator in Portland who takes on other people's problems while balancing a messy personal history. She relies on her street smarts, stubborn independence, and a no nonsense style to untangle the messes folks bring to her door. Working the night shift in a city that feels part noir and part real life, Dex navigates the gray areas of loyalty and morality as she keeps her own past hidden behind a dry grin. Her instincts are ruthless when it comes to justice, but she refuses to let anyone else determine her worth or safety. As cases pile up, so does risk.

Created by Jason Richman alongside Greg Rucka and Justin Greenwood, Stumptown premiered in 2019. The show places Dex Parios in Portland and draws on Greg Rucka's Stumptown graphic novels as its source material.

Stumptown helped bring a confident female lead to prime time and established a moody Portland vibe that blends private eye grit with character driven drama. The setting and Smulders's hard edged performance contributed to a recognizable urban noir mood, leaving a mark on the late 2010s TV landscape.

Audiences gave the series a respectable 7.16 out of 10 from 166 votes, signaling broad, if not universal, appeal. The show centers on independence, resilience and the tension between helping others and protecting Dex's own fragile history, exploring trust, consequence and the price of living on the edge.