If you want to know how crimes get solved by the police, you should definitely check out our picks for the best cop TV shows. These series provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of police officers, the challenges they face, and the stories that unfold in the pursuit of justice.
10. Southland
Created by Anne Biderman, Southland offers one of the most authentic portrayals of crime and police work. The show delves deep into the personal and professional lives of Los Angeles police officers. More than just a crime drama, Southland is a character-driven series that presents its protagonists as real flawed individuals. The series expertly balances gritty, realistic action with powerful storytelling, making it a gripping and emotionally powerful experience.
9. Luther
Luther is a psychological crime drama television series created by Neil Cross. This shocking character study of police murder investigator John Luther shows us the violent life of a Chief Inspector who puts work above all else. His dedication leads him to use violence for justice, and we witness how the darkness of the souls he captures eats him up from the inside, constantly forcing him to walk the thin line between immorality and justice.
8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Created by Dan Gore and Michael Shore, Broklyn Nine-Nine is set in the fictional 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department. The show follows a team of detectives headed by the overly serious Captain Raymond Holt. Jake Peralta, one of the most successful cops in the department, finds his life turned upside down when he falls for his coworker Amy Santiago.
7. Bosch
Bosch is a police procedural television series created by Michael Connelly. It follows a relentless and reckless Los Angeles homicide detective, whose mission goes beyond just solving crimes; it becomes personal when he pursues the killer of a 13-year-old boy. This journey leads him down a dark path where the lines between right and wrong blur.
6. Justified
Created by Graham Yost, Justified features Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who is reassigned to Kentucky after a controversial shooting incident. Known for his 19th-century style, Givens becomes a controversial figure in law enforcement, facing challenges that stem from his past and his problematic interactions with the criminal underworld.
5. Line of Duty
Expertly balancing fictional thrills with gritty realism, Line of Duty follows a police officer who is demoted to the anti-corruption unit after a controversial incident. Teaming up with an unlikely partner, he embarks on high-stakes missions to expose corruption within the police force, uncovering a complex web of deceit and danger that tests his notions of loyalty and justice.
4. The Shield
Created by Shawn Ryan, The Shield offers a graphic and violent depiction of police work. The series follows the lives and cases of a corrupt Los Angeles Police Department cop and his unit, showcasing the grim realities of crime and drugs in the neighborhoods they patrol. It provides a true but horrifying look at the moral ambiguities within law enforcement.
3. True Detective
True Detective is an anthology crime drama television series that features stories of crime, mystery, and hopeless cases. Each season introduces police detectives who grapple with their own moral convictions while navigating the complexities of their cases. The series explores disturbing and horrifying topics, revealing human abysses that remain untouched for decades.
2. Fargo
Created by Noah Hawley, Fargo is a black comedy crime drama anthology series that focuses on the absurdity of everyday life. Each season features rather idiotic characters stuck in mundane situations who find themselves entangled in a world of crime due to a mix of greed, bad coincidences, and unfortunate accidents.
1. The Wire
The Wire is a classic crime drama television series created by David Simon. This series explores corrupt politics, drug wars, and urban crime, becoming famous for its diverse interpretation of modern crime drama. Through its multiple seasons, The Wire delves into dark literary themes in society and politics, examining how urban life is affected by police, bureaucracy, and the educational system.
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