Solving crimes for the FBI using forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, Bones is a crime drama that was very popular during its over-a-decade run. Over the course of 12 seasons, fans watched as Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) to Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) dove into case files revolving around human remains, solving the mysteries using nothing more than bones to learn what happened to the victims. While Bones is a great series to re-watch, there are others out there that include similar themes, characters, and narratives, including the exploration of their lives outside of work.
From the cases solved by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Criminal Minds to the LAPD running around Los Angeles to track down bad guys in Lucifer, there are many crime procedurals out there that look at different aspects of not only a federal branch of law enforcement but local as well. Whether it be a drama, urban fantasy, comedy, or a bit of sci-fi, these shows are solid options for fans of Bones!
10
‘Monk’ (2002–2009)
Created by Andy Breckman
After the murder of his wife, Trudy (Stellina Rusich and Melora Hardin), San Fransisco homicide detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) developed numerous phobias and increased OCD. Sadly, he was asked to leave the force, and over the course of three years, Monk was pretty much a recluse, never leaving his home. With the help of his nurse and assistant, Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram), Monk becomes a private investigator, helping his former boss solve crimes around the city while still trying to figure out who killed his wife.
Monk has a unique knack for telling a narrative that is both serious and comedic, diving into the title character’s mental health while showcasing his willingness to address personal issues while utilizing his keen detective skills to work on other important matters. The series has engaging character development and a supporting cast who add depth to the storyline without taking away from any of the plot. It is a wonderful series for viewers who enjoy a good mystery, heartwarming moments, and intriguing characters.
Monk
- Release Date
-
July 12, 2002
- Seasons
-
8
9
‘The Closer’ (2005–2012)
Created by James Duff, Michael M. Robin, and Greer Shephard
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) moves to Los Angeles, California. There, she heads a squad of detectives who handle high-profile homicides and showcases her CIA-trained interrogation skills. All in all, Johnson is a highly skilled closer, someone who is able to solve cases and pull confessions from suspects. Through seven seasons, viewers watch as Johnson works to find the right suspects and bring them to justice, even bending the law a time or two to catch the correct person.
With a strong female lead, The Closer brings viewers into a different part of a police investigation – the interrogation room. It dances around being a typical police drama while throwing in some soap opera aspects, namely the tension Johnson causes around the station with her squad. While the narrative can be very formulaic at times and not really creative, The Closer is more about the characters and their stories, showcasing them as human and not superhumans who aren’t bedragged, unorganized, and exhausted from tracking down suspects.
The Closer
- Release Date
-
June 13, 2005
- Seasons
-
7
8
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2002)
Created by Chris Carter
Following the story of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), The X-Files was unlike anything when it first aired in 1992. During the series, fans watch as Mulder and Scully investigate what is known as the X-Files, unsolved cases that have to do with paranormal occurrences around the country. What is interesting, though, is the show doesn’t have two characters that agree on the supernatural. While Mulder is a believer, Scully is a skeptic and doesn’t necessarily believe in everything they are looking into, thinking there is a more logical explanation. Even so, they go about each episode solving cases while an overall government conspiracy plays out in the background.
The X-Files was a new type of supernatural show, bringing a monster-of-the-week episode structure to the screen with an overarching plot that is a typical FBI police procedural, with characters trying their best to solve crimes. It also paved the way for more complex and intense sci-fi themes that weren’t seen on television, bringing in creativity and imagination that, while not scientifically accurate, was wildly entertaining. While The X-Files is a far cry from the realistic narrative seen in Bones, it is still a police drama worth watching.
- Release Date
-
September 10, 1993
- Seasons
-
11
- Main Genre
-
Sci-Fi
7
‘Psych’ (2006–2014)
Created by Steve Franks
Having an eidetic memory and being highly observational, Shawn Spencer (James Roday) has a keen eye for even the tiniest details, learning to take everything in from his father, Henry (Corbin Bernsen), a former police officer. But when Shawn is accused of a crime, he needs to think fast. Somehow, Shawn convinces the police he is actually psychic, joining their ranks as a consultant and, with the help of his best friend, Gus (Dulé Hill), solving crimes for the department. Of course, he isn’t actually psychic, but he needs to keep up the ruse in order to stay out of trouble.
The series Psych is unlike other crime shows out there. Not only do Roday and Hill have some of the best on-screen chemistry seen in a police series, but they are also able to bring humor and seriousness to the narrative in such an incredible way that it leaves viewers binging the entire show. The writing is outstanding, gearing towards actual mysteries with intricate details that leave viewers guessing. Psych is a fun show and looks at crime solving in a different way than other shows.
- Release Date
-
July 7, 2006
- Cast
-
Dule Hill
, Kirsten Nelson
, Corbin Bernsen
, James Roday
, Maggie Lawson
, Anne Dudek
, Timothy Omundson - Seasons
-
8
6
‘The Mentalist’ (2008–2015)
Created by Bruno Heller
The Mentalist follows the story of Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), a former psychic who goes to work as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). There, he works with senior agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), using unconventional methods and a highly observational way of thinking to help the CBI solve cases. Of course, he has an agenda and uses his new contacts to track down Red John (Xander Berkeley), a serial killer who went after and murdered his wife and daughter.
While Patrick is a consultant and not actually a member of the CBI, he, like Bones, uses unconventional methods in order to solve crimes, even though a majority of the CBI doesn’t approve. The series is full of complicated characters who, week by week, solve interesting crimes. Even though The Mentalist definitely follows the typical formula of a procedural drama, the crimes portrayed throughout the series and the stellar performance given by Baker are enough to have viewers coming back for more.
- Release Date
-
September 23, 2008
- Seasons
-
7
5
‘Castle’ (2009–2016)
Created by Andrew W. Marlowe
Bored with his life, mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is brought into the world of the NYPD when a serial killer begins copying crimes he writes about in his books. Partnering with homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), Castle is brought on as a consultant, using his imagination and creativity to bring the killer to justice. Of course, Beckett isn’t overly thrilled with the prospect of partnering with a writer on such a serious case. At first, she does whatever she can to keep Castle out of her way, but eventually, they work together and form a solid relationship and continue working with one another on other cases, including the murder of Beckett’s mother years ago.
Between an amazing cast and exceptional writing that paved the way for an interesting plot, Castle is one of the best police procedural dramas of the 2000s and shouldn’t be overlooked. Running for eight seasons, this series is full of action and incredible twists, keeping the viewers guessing and wondering what the dynamic duo of Castle and Beckett will get into next. With amazing storytelling and on-screen chemistry, fans of Bones should think about watching Castle.
- Release Date
-
March 9, 2009
- Directors
-
Andrew W. Marlowe
- Seasons
-
8
4
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
Developed by Tom Kapinos
What happens when the Devil decides he needs a vacation – he leaves Hell and posts up in a penthouse in Los Angeles, California, the City of Angels. Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) engages in the finer things in life, including luxurious parties at his nightclub, Lux. However, when a murder happens outside of the establishment, he finds himself as a consultant with the LAPD and working alongside homicide detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German). Needless to say, making friends and falling in love wasn’t part of Lucifer’s plans when he decided to take an early retirement. But with the demon Maze (Lesley-Ann Brandt) by his side and Linda (Rachael Harris), a therapist who thinks he suffers from delusions, what could possibly go wrong?
Lucifer is an urban fantasy dramedy that focuses on the LAPD and select cases they are involved in, centering on those looked into and solved by Chloe and Lucifer. While the series has a lot of comedic moments, it has a lot of serious themes and undertones that are difficult to miss, including Lucifer’s relationship with his family. One of the longest Netflix series, Lucifer has impeccable writing and a core group of excellent actors who deliver their lines flawlessly, particularly Ellis as the title character, Lucifer.
- Release Date
-
January 25, 2016
- Seasons
-
6
3
‘High Potential’ (2024–)
Created by Drew Goddard
Based on the French and Belgian television series HPI, High Potential takes Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a single mother and cleaner for a police department, and makes her one of the most interesting characters on television. With an insanely high IQ of 160, also known as a high potential intellectual, Morgan uses an unconventional way of thinking and examining spaces to help the LAPD solve cases. Eventually, she becomes a consultant for the department, something not everyone on the force is too thrilled about.
Released in 2024, High Potential quickly gained traction with Olson’s magnetic and quirky performance as Morgan. Even though it follows a similar procedural formula as other shows, Olson brought a new dynamic to the typical crime show, bringing in a genius-level IQ to change the dynamic of the narrative. With an engaging premise and a unique spin on the genre, High Potential is a great show to watch for those who enjoy a cast of characters who work together to solve interesting and intriguing crimes.
- Release Date
-
September 17, 2024
- Creator(s)
-
Drew Goddard
- Cast
-
Javicia Leslie
, Kaitlin Olson
, Deniz Akdeniz
, Amirah J
, Matthew Lamb
, Judy Reyes
, Daniel Sunjata
, Garret Dillahunt
, TJ Lee
, Kayvon Esmaili
, Ariella Amar
, Michelle C. Bonilla
, Kerry O’Malley
, Graham Rogers
, Maia Jae Bastidas
, Pamela Roylance
, Rosslyn Luke
, Sebastien Roberts - Seasons
-
1
- Main Genre
-
Drama
2
‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–)
Created by Jeff Davis
Criminal Minds follows a team of FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they use profiling and victimology to track down serial killers and other criminals across the country. Led by Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) in earlier seasons before Agent Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) takes over the team, the profilers often find themselves flying around the country only to find themselves engrossed in a terrifying crime that they have to solve ASAP before the “unsub” kills again. Some of the most intelligent characters on television, the BAU, use their skills and knowledge to anticipate a perpetrator’s next move, their motive, and victimology to catch their perpetrator.
The series is suspenseful and action-packed, with a new killer in each episode and an overarching mystery they have to solve throughout any select season. While this show is about a team of FBI agents going after the bad guys, it also dives into the characters’ personal struggles, whether it be relationship drama or family trauma. It is a very similar series to Bones, showcasing an FBI team that solves crimes in an unconventional way while diving into their personal struggles and lives outside of the bureau.
- Release Date
-
September 22, 2005
- Cast
-
Shemar Moore
, Joe Mantegna
, Kirsten Vangsness
, Paget Brewster
, Thomas Gibson
, Matthew Gray Gubler
, A.J. Cook
, Mandy Patinkin
, Lola Glaudini
, Rachel Nichols
, Jennifer Love Hewitt
, Aisha Tyler - Seasons
-
17
1
‘NCIS’ (2003–)
Created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill
The first installment of the wildly popular NCIS franchise, NCIS, brings viewers into the lives of a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team as they solve crimes dealing with terrorism, espionage, murder, and more. The particular team in this series is headed by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a veteran special agent who, along with his team, uses evidence connected to military personnel, namely the Marine Corps and Navy, in order to solve high-profile crimes.
A fast-paced police procedural, NCIS is one of the longest-running scripted live-action Primetime series running and one of the best police procedurals on television. This original series paved the way for numerous spin-offs, all following the case-of-the-week formula but with new and interesting characters. For the original, the characters make the show, each having colorful personalities and chemistry that make the series entertaining to watch. It is one of those rare shows that have characters come and go, but each brings something new to the team, making it so fans don’t miss past characters too much and look forward to what the new member will bring to the table.
- Release Date
-
September 23, 2003
- Creator(s)
-
Donald P. Bellisario
, Don McGill - Seasons
-
22
