If you’re anything like me, you become inexplicably attached to the characters in books and TV shows. I always feel like a part of me has died when I finish a captivating novel or a thrilling series, which is why I usually take to social media as soon as I’m done with something, desperate for suggestions for what I should read or watch next. I need to feel whole again — need to fall deeply in love with new people and plot lines.
Recently, I did this on my Facebook page after finishing all seasons of Criminal Minds during a three month Netflix bender. I asked what similar shows I should check out to fill the void in my heart, and my page friends did not disappoint. What follows are, in no particular order, 45 crime-related TV dramas you didn’t know you should be watching along with some popular places you can find them (not necessarily exclusively).
1. Breaking Bad — Available on AMC and Netflix.
2. Prison Break — Available on Netflix.
3. Numb3rs — Available on Netflix and Hulu Plus.
4. The Killing — Available on AMC, Netflix*, and Amazon Instant Video.
5. Orange is the New Black — Available on Netflix**.
6. House of Cards (political drama) — Available on Netflix**.
7. Wentworth — Available on Netflix.
8. Justified — Available on FX, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu.
9. Scandal — Available on ABC, Hulu, and Netflix.
10. The Following — Available on Fox and Netflix.
11. The Walking Dead (zombie apocalypse drama) — Available on AMC and Netflix.
12. Law and Order (SVU, Criminal Intent) — Available on NBC, TNT Drama, Hulu, and Netflix.
13. True Detective — Available on HBO Watch and Hulu Plus.
14. Dexter — Available on Showtime and Netflix.
15. Trailer Park Boys — Available on Showcase and Netflix.
16. Blue Bloods — Available on CBS and Netflix.
17. House of Lies — Available on Showtime and Hulu Plus.
18. Lie to Me — Available on Amazon Instant Video and Netflix.
19. American Horror Story (horror drama) — Available on FX, Hulu, and Netflix.
20. Mad Men (period drama) — Available on AMC and Netflix.
21. Sherlock — Available on BBC America and Netflix.
22. Sons of Anarchy — Available on FX, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu.
23. Broadchurch — Available on BBC America.
24. Orphan Black — Available on BBC America and Amazon Instant Video.
25. The Wire — Available on HBO and Amazon Instant Video.
26. How to Get Away with Murder — Available on ABC, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu.
27. Fargo — Available on FX.
28. Luther — Available on BBC America, Netflix, and Amazon Instant Video.
29. State of Play — Available on BBC.
30. The Fringe (SciFi drama) — Available on Amazon Instant Video and Netflix.
31. The Blacklist — Available on NBC, Hulu, and Netflix.
32. Homeland (political drama) — Available on Showtime.
33. Newsroom (political/news drama) — Available on HBO.
34. True Blood (vampire drama) — Available on HBO and Amazon Instant Video.
35. Boardwalk Empire (period drama) — Available on HBO.
36. Criminal Minds — Available on CBS, Netflix, and Amazon Instant Video.
37. Southland — Available on Netflix DVD and DVD.
38. Burn Notice — Available on USA and Netflix.
39. The Closer — Available on Amazon Instant Video.
40. Agents of Shield — Available on ABC and Netflix.
41. Psych — Available on USA and Netflix.
42. Six Feet Under (dark drama) — Available on HBO and Netflix.
43. Breakout Kings — Available on Netflix.
44. Life — Available on NBC, Hulu Plus, and Netflix.
45. Flashpoint — Available on CTV, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video.
*last season is a Netflix Original
**Netflix Original Series
Can you think of any other shows we should be watching? Please leave your suggestions in the comments below!