When you’re trying to get lost in a story, nothing else hits quite like a quality cop show. Whether it’s a Dick Wolf drama where the bad guy usually gets his due, a prestige cable series that raises complicated questions about the criminal justice system in lieu of a gift-wrapped ending, or a comedy about bungling officers trying their best, these captivating shows have a way of sucking one in for hours on end. So if you’re looking for a good distraction that offers up some sense of law and order in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, this list is for you.
From delightful comedies that prove laughter is the best form of justice to cerebral thrillers where every episode feels like a mental interrogation, this list has something for everyone. And if cop shows aren’t your thing, check out our comprehensive list of recommendations spanning several genres, including best historical dramas, sci-fi shows, and trashy reality TV.
Chicago P.D.
Where to watch: Hulu
Jesse Lee Soffer, Chicago P.D.
If you love Dick Wolf procedurals, this one should be right up your alley. The second in the super-producers’s trio of Chicago-based shows, this gripping cop drama follows the elite detectives of CPD’s Intelligence unit led by Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) — a man who often plays by his own rules. In addition to Beghe, the show also stars Jesse Lee Soffer, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, Patrick John Flueger, Tracy Spiridakos and Lisseth Chavez.
Bosch
Where to watch: Amazon
Jamie Hector and Titus Welliver, Bosch
An adaptation of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels, Amazon’s Bosch follows the gritty life of Los Angeles homicide detective and private investigator Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). Although the show rarely receives a lot of fanfare, it’s quite popular, and for good reason: It has been lauded for its realistic portrayal of police work, as well as its faithful interpretation of Connelly’s best-selling books. Plus, it has a sweet jazz soundtrack.
The Wire
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon, HBO’s streaming apps
Idris Elba, The Wire
Now is the time to get acquainted with one of the greatest shows of all time. Lauded for its realistic portrayal of urban life, this HBO series centers on the harrowing narcotics scene in Baltimore, Maryland. The Wire takes a unique and authentic approach to the genre, examining Baltimore’s drug crisis from all angles including the detectives cracking down on crime, the users and dealers just trying to survive, and the bureaucratic branches struggling to keep a lid on the problem. It’s a methodical exploration of the ways institutions fail individuals. And right now, HBO is offering it for free for a limited time as part of its free trial.
Criminal Minds
Where to watch: CBS All Access, Netflix
Matthew Gray Gubler, Criminal Minds
This CBS series follows an elite squad of FBI profilers known as “mind hunters” who use their combined expertise to identify a predator’s motivations and emotional triggers, and anticipate their next move before they can strike again. Complex cases, unique characters, and Shemar Moore saying “baby girl” make this series a must-watch.
Southland
Where to watch: Hulu
Benjamin McKenzie, Southland
Michael Cudlitz, Benjamin McKenzie, and Regina King star in this underappreciated series centered on the complicated lives of the officers and detectives working for the LAPD. More of a character-driven drama than a standard cop procedural, the show’s more serialized approach allows its talented ensemble to shine while exploring the toll the job takes on each characters’ professional and personal lives.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Where to watch: Hulu
Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Mike Schur‘s delightful cop comedy sparks pure joy, and we could certainly use a lot of that right now. Andy Samberg stars as Jake Peralta, an immature but talented detective forced to change his ways when Ray Holt (Andre Braugher), the stoic new commanding officer, arrives on the scene. The show’s charming ensemble also includes overachiever Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), devoted family man Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews), earnest hard worker Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), the incredibly intimidating but warmhearted Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), bumbling veterans Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller), and their wonderfully narcissistic office manager Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti), who exited the series in Season 6.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Where to watch: Hulu
Ice-T and Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
We’re pretty sure Fin (Ice-T) would have booked us for a criminal offense if we didn’t include this iconic series on the list. Twenty-two seasons in and the Law & Order spin-off, which surpassed Gunsmoke to become the longest-running live-action primetime drama in television history, still feels as relevant and gripping as ever. If you’re looking for something familiar and fulfilling, Mariska Hargitay‘s Sgt. Olivia Benson and the rest of her elite squad bringing criminals to justice should do the trick.
Luther
Idris Elba, Luther
Watch Idris Elba and his beautiful tweed suits solve crimes in this compelling British police drama about a self-destructive detective obsessed with catching murderers. The show adds a unique spin on the genre by incorporating psychological warfare between Elba’s eponymous detective and the predator he’s been tasked with stopping.
Broadchurch
Where to watch: Netflix
David Tennant and Oliva Colman, Broadchurch
David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Jodie Whittaker star in this stunning British drama from Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall. The murder of an 11-year-old boy sparks a police investigation and a media circus as detectives Alec Hardy (Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Colman), who aren’t exactly friends, work to solve the case and in the process, uncover disturbing secrets.
Mindhunter
Where to watch: Netflix
Jonathan Groff, Mindhunter
One of Netflix’s best series is this cerebral thriller executive-produced by Charlize Theron and David Fincher. Set in the late ’70s, the show follows FBI agents Holden Ford (David Fincher) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they interview incarcerated serial killers like Edmund Kemper and Charles Manson in the hopes of better understanding them and using that intel to solve open cases. Come for the unique premise but stay for the quality writing backed by Emmy-worthy performances.
Longmire
Where to watch: Netflix
Longmire
Even if westerns aren’t your thing, this beautifully constructed series about a man piecing his life back together amid tragic circumstances deserves your attention. Based on Craig Johnson’s bestselling novels, Longmire follows the titular sheriff who, following his wife’s death, forges ahead with support from his daughter Cady and longtime friend Henry Standing Bear. The show doesn’t rely on big car chases and explosive cases, but rather the subtle drama that comes with protecting a small Wyoming town filled with compelling characters both good and bad. It’s a real gem.
The Shield
Where to watch: Hulu
Michael Chiklis leads this edgy drama as Vic Mackey, a corrupt cop who’s as bad as the guys he puts away. As a member of the Strike Team, an experimental division of the LAPD with a questionably high success rate, he often resorts to criminal methods to solve his cases while secretly taking home a cut of his drug busts. Over the course of seven seasons, the show drew top talent like Glenn Close, Walton Goggins, and Forest Whitaker.
Reno 911!
Where to watch: Quibi
Reno 911!
The spiritual lovechild of Cops and The Office, this irreverent comedy follows the incompetent police officers of Reno, Nevada as they respond to emergency calls ranging from drug busts to public disturbances. The series, which ran for six seasons on Comedy Central, was revived for a seventh season by Quibi. New episodes feature the entire original cast including Lt. Jim Dangle (Thomas Lennon), Deputy Travis Junior (Robert Ben Garant), Deputy Trudy Wiegel (Kerri Kenney-Silver), Deputy Raineesha Williams (Niecy Nash), Deputy Clementine Johnson (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Deputy S. Jones (Cedric Yarbrough), Deputy James Garcia (Carlos Alazraqui), Deputy Cherish Kimball (Mary Birdsong), and Deputy Frank Rizzo (Joe Lo Truglio).
Source : TVGuide
