10 TV procedural crime thrillers better than 'NCIS'

There's no question that NCIS is one of the best and most enduring police procedurals on television. You know it's always on TV, whether a new season is returning or you come across a rerun. The formula works, and the military angle sets it apart from others. Having aired for 23 years and as many seasons (and counting), NCIS ranks among the longest-running scripted live-action American primetime series. It's also CBS's longest series ever, breaking a record that the Western series Gunsmokeheld for decades.

The show, which started as a spin-off of JAG, has become a franchise with seven spin-offs, including the successful prequel NCIS: Originsand the upcoming NCIS: New York. However, even with this impressive resume, I'd argue other network and streaming shows are better. They kick up the intensity and are less like cookie-cutter procedurals and more like crime dramas with a light procedural feel.

Honorable Mentions:

'True Detective' (2014–Present):True Detective is no doubt one of the best crime dramas on television today. But because it isn't technically a procedural, I couldn't include it on the main list. Since it's an anthology series, every season covers a different case, spread across the entire run. It's intense and has a procedural feel even though the cases are drawn out over multiple episodes instead of wrapped up in a single one.

'Without a Trace' (2002–2009): Almost 25 years ago, the unique procedural Without a Trace premiered. There is a different case in every episode of this show, but there's a sense of urgency and panic with each one. A clock is ticking, and the FBI team risks running out of time and losing lives if they fail. When watching, you're on the edge of your seat the entire time. It was one of the most underrated procedurals of the early 2000s.

'Person of Interest' (2011–2016)

From Procedural to Sci-fi Gem

Person of Interest is widely considered one of the best and most underrated sci-fi TV series of all time. But it didn't start that way. The show began with reclusive billionaire Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) having built a complex AI machine that could predict terrorist attacks. Worried about it getting into the wrong hands or being used for the wrong reasons, he fakes his death and goes into hiding. He emerges in the shadows to recruit former special forces soldier and CIA operative John Reese (Jim Caviezel) to work with him.

The machine spits out two names each day. Harold wants John to investigate, discover who the victim is, who the perpetrator is, and stop whatever is about to happen, which will inevitably lead to lost lives. Each episode covered a different pair of names, but unlike a traditional procedural, the events that follow are more like an action crime movie.

As the Jonathan Nolan sci-fi masterpiece progressed, the procedural feel started to disappear. The bigger story of the machine and themes of privacy, mass surveillance, the ethics of AI, and moral decisions about human life bubbled to the surface. However, this is precisely why the show is stronger than NCIS, which is a traditional, formulaic procedural. Person of Interest didn't rest on its laurels, blending genres beautifully.

Watch This: Even if you're not into sci-fi, as it's a compelling procedural on its own.

Skip This: If you've had your fill of storylines about AI and machines.

'Tracker' (2024–Present)

It's Giving 'Reacher' Vibes

Tracker is one of the biggest procedurals on television right now, with high action and intensity in every episode. The story centers around Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a nomadic survivalist who travels the U.S. searching for missing people. He's hired privately in each case and works exclusively for reward money. There's a different missing person each episode in a different state, city, or small town. They all put Colter in some type of danger.

Colter has dealt with cults, dangerous criminal gangs, the supernatural, serial killers, and more. Episodes shift in tone from drama to action, horror to sci-fi. This keeps things interesting since every episode manages to both fit with the formula and feel unique. It's no surprise that even though Tracker is a procedural, many have compared it to the Amazon Prime Video action thriller series Reacher. It's much more hard-hitting than NCIS, with more action behind the cases and a compelling singular protagonist versus a larger team that can sometimes dilute focus.

Watch This: If you love a good procedural with plenty of action that bends genres.

Skip This: If you don't like formulaic shows that can get repetitive, despite every episode following a different case.

'Bosch' (2014–2021)

Gritty Realism At Its Finest

From the cast to the twisted story, Bosch is on another level when compared to other procedurals. It's gritty and realistic, with a noir feel that draws you in. Based on the Michael Connelly novels, Boschstars Titus Welliver as detective Harry Bosch, who, in the first season, is navigating the demands of his job and defending himself against a civil suit after shooting a suspect in self-defense.

Viewers appreciate that Bosch stays true to the book series and also love the relatable protagonist who is far from perfect but doing the best he can. Bosch is filled with action throughout its seven seasons, spawning several spin-offs, including the well-received series Ballardand an upcoming prequel called Bosch: Start of Watch that will star Cameron Monaghan as a younger Harry. Bosch is one of the grittier procedurals with darker storylines than NCIS.

Watch This: If you like a darker procedural, then you're likely to enjoy Bosch.

Skip This: If you want a lighter, more traditional procedural.

'Cross' (2024–Present)

A Compelling Psychological Slant

Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) is a police detective and forensic psychologist in Cross who uses his special skills to tap into the minds of killers, not just take them down. However, he does the latter, too, and both seasons of the Prime Video series have plenty of high-action and high-danger scenes. It's much more intense than NCIS, with characters that have darker backstories. Each case has many moving parts, in contrast to the cut-and-dry situations you often get with NCIS.

Alex takes on complex cases and uses his deductive analysis and observational skills to help identify killers by predicting what type of person they are and what they might do next. It's the best interpretation of the character from the James Patterson novels. Hodge does a superb job drawing you into his character, who is equal parts intimidating and equal parts teddy bear.

Watch This: If you want something serial killer-centric that dives into the psychology aspect, too.

Skip This: If you prefer to stick with Morgan Freeman's interpretation of the character in the movies.

'Criminal Minds' (2005–2020)

Diving Deeper Into the Minds of Killers

Criminal Minds aired for 15 seasons and returned as Criminal Minds: Evolution. It's a police procedural crime drama angled towards FBI criminal profilers who solve crimes by analyzing the traits and expectations of the culprits. This makes it far more cerebral than NCIS, as the characters tap into the minds of criminals rather than just taking them down.

The series offers a nice balance of intense crime and empathy as the behavioral analysts work to understand why these criminals do the horrifying things they do and grapple with that information. It isn’t just about the horrifying nature of the kills, but about the psychology behind them. However, don't be mistaken, there's also a heavy physical in-field component to the show as well. The combination of action and personal storylines keeps you invested in not only the cases but also the characters.

Watch This: If you like a focus on profiling as much as intense action.

Skip This: If you prefer a procedural that's more about the basics of law and order.

'Law & Order: SVU' (1999–Present)

Dark, Disturbing, and Inspired by Real Headlines

Having surpassed the original, Law & Order: SVU is officially the longest-running primetime live-action series on American TV. However, Law & Order was canceled and then came back. The procedural crime drama follows the team at a special unit of the police department that investigates sexual assaults and crimes. Needless to say, it's dark and often disturbing at times. But this also makes it a more thought-provoking watch than NCIS, which is more about predictability and comfort than shock value.

Because of the troubling subject matter and case-of-the-week nature, with many stories inspired by real-life headlines, Law & Order: SVU captures your attention in every episode. The stakes are high and so are the emotions, as the detectives require a thick skin to deal with the heavy nature of the cases. You may need to mentally prepare to watch episodes, too.

Watch This: If you're not easily disturbed by heavier storylines.

Skip This: If you can't stomach fictional cases pulled from real-world headlines with sensitive subject matter.

'Will Trent' (2023–Present)

A Deeply Likable Protagonist and Supporting Cast

Will Trent keeps getting better and better each season, and every season raises the stakes so it's more compelling than a traditional procedural. It does follow the formula of a different case every week. However, the last season upped the ante with an episode that had an elevator scene that is one of the best choreographed fight scenes I have seen on a network show in a long time. Along with those great moments, Will Trent also has more humor than NCIS, almost teetering on comedy at times, which can be refreshing.

The series has some emotional depth, too. The main character, played by Ramón Rodriguez, is a dyslexic special agent who can recreate crime scenes in his head. He's pretty handy with a gun, too. Every episode has high-speed chases, gunfights, kidnappings, abductions, hostages, and more. It's not your basic procedural, but one with a lead character who is far more layered, complex, and flawed than others.

Watch This: If you like a little humor with your procedural genre and quirky protagonists.

Skip This: If you're interested in shows that don't focus as much on the characters and their personal demons.

'Blindspot' (2015–2020)

An Unbelievable Premise, But Who Cares?

Imagine waking up in a duffle bag in the middle of Times Square, naked and covered in tattoos with no recollection of your prior life, of who you are, or how you got there. This is precisely how Blindspot begins when Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander) is discovered and taken into FBI custody. They realize that the tattoos on her body are clues to crimes that are going to happen. As they try to decipher each one, poking and prodding Jane in the process, the situation becomes more dangerous than anyone realized.

But something is endearing about Blindspot that makes it one of those beloved shows that's arguably better than NCIS because it stands on its own: there's nothing else like it on television. It's a procedural where every case is unlocked like a puzzle, which gives it a unique element that focuses heavily on the forensics side. It's action-packed and intense enough that you don't mind suspending belief and going with the flow. Yes, even when Bill Nye shows up as a character's father, playing a fictional version of himself. The show's plot goes in directions you'd never expect, and that's part of what makes it so great.

Watch This: If you're willing to suspend belief with an unbelievable but compelling storyline.

Skip This: At times, the acting is awful, and the fight scenes are horribly choreographed. If you want something with top-notch acting and better choreographed fight scenes, it's best to watch something else.

'Homicide: Life on the Street' (1993–1999)

As Raw and Real As They Come

None of the newer crime dramas that are lauded as being among the best-ever could have existed without Homicide: Life on the Street opening the door to the raw, real look at crime in a fictional world from a lens that almost feels like a documentary. Rather than focusing on high action, there are episodes where most of the characters are in a cold, empty room talking to suspects, trying to coax out a confession. This makes it more cerebral and real than NCIS, which is much more basic, glossing over some of the less glamorous aspects of a case, while Homicide: Life on the Street leans right into them.

The show is based on a book about real events, and it taps right into the emotions and situations so you almost feel like you're watching something real. The author of that book? David Simon, who then created The Wire, which defined the crime drama genre and is still to this day considered one of the best. Homicide: Life on the Street isn't just better than NCIS given its incredible writing, acting, and storylines; it's among the best procedurals ever made.

Watch This: If you want to throw back to a classic that influenced so many others that have come since.

Skip This: If you'd prefer to stick with a more recent TV show.