10 Shows Like Chicago P.D. That Fans Should Check Out Next
Modern television is full of spinoffs, prequels, and reboots. Whether it's HBO's "House of the Dragon" or "Better Call Saul," there are more and more TV spinoffs and franchises, rather than just singular series that stand completely on their own. One great example of this is the police procedural "Chicago P.D." which is itself a spinoff of "Chicago Fire" and part of the same franchise that also includes "Chicago Med" and "Chicago Justice."
Co-created by "Law & Order" and "FBI" showrunner Dick Wolf, the series follows a fictional district within Chicago that includes both uniformed police officers and detectives who are part of the Intelligence Unit. Jason Beghe plays the mysterious and controversial leader Hank Voight, with Jon Seda starring as Detective Antonio Dawson alongside Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, and Patrick John Flueger.
A hit with viewers and critics, "Chicago P.D." is now in its 10th season and shows no sign of stopping in the near future. But that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of other similar shows out there that might also appeal to the same fanbase. If you want to get your crime show fix when the current season ends, then you should definitely check out these alternatives.
NYPD Blue
Police procedurals can sometimes be easy to watch, especially if they don't get down and dirty with showing the true reality of crime and law enforcement. That could never be said of "Chicago P.D." as it certainly isn't afraid to dive into the grittiness of police work. If you are after something similar, then "NYPD Blue" is a good option. The show provides an uncompromising look at crime in New York City, never shying away from demonstrating the potential consequences of criminal actions. Interestingly, the series also provides insight into the toll taken on investigators and officers as they put up the good fight, which is one more thing this show has in common with "Chicago P.D."
"NYPD Blue" largely follows a group of police detectives in the 15th Precinct, an imaginary NYPD department. Although the series had an ensemble cast, with many episodes containing multiple narratives that take place at the same time, the emphasis was usually on Dennis Franz's troubled detective Andy Sipowicz and, initially, his younger partner John Kelly played by John Caruso. Caruso left after the second season but actors such as James McDaniel, Sharon Lawrence, Nicholas Turturro, and Jimmy Smits became regular presences throughout much of the show's run.
Despite some controversies, "NYPD Blue" is regarded as an important and influential series (via Variety). Creators Steven Bochco and David Milch helped to set a new standard for grittier shows featuring hardened and morally ambiguous police officers, setting the stage for the wide array of unsentimental and darker police procedurals to come.
NCIS
What started out as a spinoff of "JAG" became one of the longest-running crime dramas of all time. Following its debut in 2003, "NCIS" has amassed a large following and become one of the most influential police procedurals of modern times. While the first season wasn't a huge hit with the critics, subsequent years have seen a more consistent output in terms of quality. The premise of the show surrounds the Naval Criminal Investigative Service — a unique law enforcement group that is focused entirely on the Navy. This distinctive angle distinguishes "NCIS" from the many other crime shows on the air and provides a way for the series to stay relevant.
Much of the success of "NCIS" can be attributed to the star-studded cast usually led by Mark Harmon, joined by the likes of Sasha Alexander, Wilmer Valderrama, and Pauley Perrette also playing major roles. It has something of a lighter tone that, along with the more serious elements, includes some comedy that might offer a welcome break from the grittiness of shows such as "Chicago P.D."
Additionally, "NCIS" has its fair share of personal conflicts between the various members of the investigative team, and fans of "Chicago P.D." will no doubt enjoy that aspect. Both shows manage to carefully blend action with drama in a way that keeps the narrative compelling enough so that you tune in each week.
Blue Bloods
Much of "Chicago P.D." focuses on how the various officers working in patrol and the Intelligence Unit don't just work together, but also form strong personal bonds. It gives the 21st District a sense of family, with everyone part of a group that holds together no matter what. In many ways, "Blue Bloods" takes that idea to the extreme. The CBS procedural features an actual family who work together at various levels of the police structure. Tom Selleck plays Police Commissioner Frank Reagan; Donnie Wahlberg stars as Detective Danny Reagan; Bridget Moynahan portrays ADA Erin Reagan, and Will Estes is the man behind police officer Jamie Reagan.
As you'd expect from a series that has so many family members working so closely, there's a lot of friction and tension within "Blue Bloods." That will also make it feel familiar to fans of Chicago P.D." and its ongoing interpersonal drama. Created by husband-and-wife team Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess, who both previously worked as executive producers on "The Sopranos," "Blue Bloods" has set a high standard for quality, with the likes of The Hollywood Reporter praising the production values as well as the performances of the lead actors.
With the action taking place in the sunnier environs of LA as opposed to rainy ol' Chicago, "Blue Bloods" offers a welcome change of setting from the sometimes dour and gloomy Windy City. Nevertheless, it is an engrossing look at the distinctive range of roles in law enforcement, from the very bottom of the ladder up to the top.
9-1-1
What helps set "9-1-1" apart from the pack is that it doesn't focus only on the work of law enforcement. Instead, it takes a more encompassing view of the emergency services, tracking first responders from across different departments, including both paramedics and firefighters. That might well appeal to those who don't just enjoy "Chicago P.D." but also the wider franchise that includes "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med." The two series also dig into the personal lives of the characters, rather than simply portraying what they get up to as part of their jobs.
Set in Los Angeles, the Fox show follows a wide array of first responders working in the city as they deal with high-octane situations such as natural disasters on a weekly basis. Featuring a cast made up of Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Oliver Stark, and Aisha Hinds, the show has been on the air since 2018 and has already run for six seasons meaning there's plenty of content for new viewers to get sucked into. As IndieWire noted in its review of the first season, "9-1-1" is completely bonkers and will be sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Law and Order: SVU
There are a few reasons why a fan of "Chicago P.D." might enjoy "Law and Order: SVU." Both shows come partially from the same creative mind, with Dick Wolf essentially responsible for developing the original "Law and Order" series, including its multiple spinoffs. As his productions usually share a similar tone, viewers who like one of them will almost certainly find something to appreciate in the rest.
The two have even had crossover episodes, officially linking them together in a shared universe (via The Hollywood Reporter). Each of the shows also try to give some insight into the emotional distress that the police can experience as part of their jobs, especially when investigating extremely disturbing crimes, along with how the two sides of their professional and personal lives can impact each other.
Generally considered the best spinoff to come out of the franchise, not only has "Law and Order: SVU" gone on to air for longer than the original "Law & Order" — it's become the longest-running primetime live action TV show (via The Hollywood Reporter). That isn't much of a surprise considering the critical acclaim it has received ever since it first hit television screens back in 1999. Mariska Hargitay has been a constant presence in the show as Detective Olivia Benson, with the likes of Christopher Meloni, Richard Belzer, and Dann Florek also taking on major roles.
The Shield
Some of the best episodes of "Chicago P.D." showcase how there can be difficulty in walking the fine line between justice and corruption, which is also a major theme in "The Shield." Shawn Ryan's crime series has a clear emphasis on moral ambiguity and features police detectives who are just as criminal as those that they are supposed to bring to justice. Like Hank Voight, Vic Mackey from "The Shield" is more than happy to use questionable methods and underhand tactics to get what he wants. Fans who enjoy Voight's no-nonsense approach and willingness to play dirty will find similar qualities in Mackey.
Noted for its realism — relative to the highly unrealistic standards of other cop shows, anyway (via Slate) — "The Shield" stars Michael Chiklis as Mackey, who leads the experimental new division known as the Strike Team tasked with dramatically reducing crime by tackling drug trafficking and gang violence. Other big-name stars, including Walton Goggins, were also part of the cast.
Nominated for dozens of awards from Emmys to Golden Globes, "The Shield" was a critical hit almost instantly. It is hard to overstate the impact of the series, with the likes of The Guardian naming it among the best television shows to come out in the 21st century so far.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
While "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is a police procedural, it is a very different kind of television series compared to the likes of "Chicago P.D." Despite containing plenty of the trappings you find in police shows including interdepartmental squabbles, detective work, and a weekly crime to solve, it also injects a high dose of comedy. You could think of it as what a show like "Chicago P.D." might be like if it was a comedy. That makes "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" an ideal choice for someone who still wants their fix of crime shows but in a lighter and more humorous format without the usual doom and gloom.
Led by comedy legend Andy Samberg, the show takes place at the 99th Precinct of the NYPD and charts their daily exploits as they solve crimes, deal with competing colleagues, and manage their personal lives. The action begins with Captain Raymond Holt, played by Andre Braugher, taking charge of the precinct. The deadpan but highly professional leader puts changes in place to make the team more effective than ever before. Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, and Joe Lo Truglio round out the cast of regulars who make up the titular Nine-Nine.
As one of the more recent entries in this list, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" doesn't turn a blind eye to police brutality and institutionalized racism despite the show's generally light-hearted tone. This willingness to explore topics that other crime shows don't, and its laugh-out-loud comedy make it one of the best shows on television in recent years, taking home numerous awards and winning widespread praise from critics.
The Wire
Few crime shows have had the critical acclaim of "The Wire," making it one of the most must-watch series to come out in the last two decades. Creator David Simon took the opportunity with the HBO production to delve deep into the jarring and traumatic world that is his fictionalized version of Baltimore's crime-ridden streets. The series also touches on the wider impacts, from how local school systems can fuel crime problems to the way that politicians try to deal with the issues. These types of raw and uncomfortable elements are often a part of "Chicago P.D.," although to a lesser extent.
Simon and his longtime collaborator Ed Burns largely based the series on his own experiences as a detective and teacher (via The Washington Post). Each season puts the focus on a different aspect of American life, putting the spotlight on the plight of the working class, the public school system, and even the political landscape of Baltimore. Dominic West starred as Detective Jimmy McNulty, with the celebrated likes of Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, and Michael K. Williams also among the cast.
While "The Wire" is undoubtedly more difficult to watch than most shows and will certainly take more of an emotional toll on the audience, it is nevertheless a brilliant show that any fan of crime dramas should see.
CSI
In many ways, "CSI" is the definitive police procedural. Created by Anthony E. Zuiker, it aired on CBS between 2000 and 2015, with a cast that included William Petersen, Gary Dourdan, Marg Helgenberger, Jorja Fox, and Laurence Fishburne starring as members of a crime scene investigation team that works with the Las Vegas Police Department. "CSI" offers something of a change of pace compared to "Chicago P.D." and most other crime series, as it focuses on the process of collecting evidence and forensic investigations.
The team is made up of blood splatter experts, forensic entomologists, audio-video analysts, and other investigators who do the hard work of collating everything from a crime scene to deduce who is responsible for murders and other serious crimes. Despite the fact it is hard to argue that "CSI" is the best crime show on television, it is a remarkably consistent series that works because it rarely deviates from a winning formula. In fact, it works so well that there is now an entire "CSI" franchise that has developed spinoffs such as "CSI: Miami," "CSI: Vegas," and "CSI: NY."
T.J. Hooker
Throughout the early seasons of "Chicago P.D.," the focus is on patrol officers as much as the detectives. This is a rarity among police procedurals, which usually ignore the essential but often mundane work of uniformed officers in order to focus on flashy investigations. That changes in Season 4, with the action switches entirely over to the Intelligence Unit, but those who want to continue to follow the plight of the hardworking policemen and women could do worse than "T. J. Hooker."
"T.J. Hooker" stars "Star Trek" actor William Shatner as Thomas Jefferson Hooker, the titular police officer. Taking a demotion from his detective role to once again become a uniformed officer, he embarks on a mission to rid the streets of crime following the death of his former partner. Adrian Zmed starred alongside Shatner, with Heather Locklear and James Darren playing important roles.
Running for five seasons on ABC and CBS, there are 91 episodes of "T. J. Hooker" for anyone looking for a slightly sillier police procedural. A feature film based on the series has been touted in the past, although it's never actually gone into production (via The Guardian).