Thanks to shows likeYellowjackets, Yellowstone, Landman,andTulsa King,Paramount+ has become a favorite streaming service for many people across America. Owned by Paramount Global (soon to be known as Paramount Skydance Corporation), the platform has something for everyone. Fans of cop shows and legal dramas have it good since everything made for CBS always ends up in the streaming library, too.
However, a little sieving is always advisable when presented with many options. Paramount+ has lots of great legal dramas and police procedurals, but some are more deserving of your time than others. These shows have likeable protagonists that you’d trust to get you out of trouble and feature a wide range of interesting cases. Most importantly, the storytelling, the action (if present), and the characterization are all handled neatly, resulting in wholesome productions that cruise a tight line between realism and escapism.
10’Elsbeth' (2024 – Present)
Elsbethstars Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni,an attorney assigned to the NYPD by the United States Department of Justice to oversee a consent decree(a settlement that resolves disputes without admission of guilt), following several controversial arrests. However,her real mission is actually to investigate the police captain for murder.The tension is palpable as Elsbeth does her job, but her courage pushes her through.
A Slight Career Change
A cautionary tale about abuse of power set against career advancement, the unnervingElsbethwill win viewers' hearts by a great margin. Carrie Preston excels as the lawyer who becomes a de facto detective, all while delivering just theright blend of haughtiness and susceptibilityto prompt a measure of compassion. The show’suse of the “howcatchem” format(inverted detective story where the killer is revealed first) rather than the traditional “whodunit” makes the show refreshing, reminding genre fans of the‘70s hit cop show,Columbo.
9’Medium' (2005 – 2011)
Mediumis about Allison DuBois (Patricia Arquette), a suburban wife and mother of three working as aconsultant for the Phoenix District Attorney’s office. Blessed withpsychic abilities — including the ability to talk to the dead— Allison is often relied on to solve some of the most complex crimes. All this comes with a price. She has to deal with a skeptical husband and the emotional weight that stems from her abilities.
Looselybased on the experiences of medium Allison DuBois, who worked with law enforcement agencies across America,Mediummakes an absurd premise feel distressing and real, as Allison’s desire for justice imbues her with powers beyond her understanding. Patricia Arquette is stunning in the lead role, especially in the first season. She deservedly won an Emmy for her work.Much credit also goes to Jake Weberfor his work as Allison’s conflicted spouse, Joe DuBois.
8’Hawaii Five-O' (2010 – 2020)
A reboot of theclassic ‘60s seriesof the same name,Hawaii Five-0sees Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), a former Navy SEAL, returning to Oahu to investigate his father’s death. The governor thenempowers him to assemble a special task forceto tackle the rising cases of corruption, terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, and fraud across the state of Hawaii.
Using the Best To Catch the Worst
Although the feel-good, solve-the-tough-crime story has been done to death in other procedurals,Hawaii Five-0’smix of street drama, well-choreographed action sequences, heart-tugging melodramatics, and friendship arcshelps elevate it above other shows of its kind. Theparadise-like cinematography, boosted by location shotsaround Hawaii, also makes the show a feast for the eyes. Every main character is full of heart and charm, but there are always a few curmudgeonly ones whose irritability adds to the charm.
7’Matlock' (1986 – 1995)
Matlockstars Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, a sly Atlantacriminal defense attorney known for his skill and addiction to hot dogs. In each episode, Matlock uses a variety of tactics, includingout-of-the-box forms of cross-examination, to defend his clients and catch the real culprits. Aided by a P.I. and his daughter Leanne, the protagonist always finds a way to outwit nefarious prosecutors and deceitful witnesses.
Better Call Matlock
The show’s greatest asset is its hero. Unlike otherpopular TV lawyers, Matlock is compassionate and ethical, alwaysprioritizing justice before money. His standard fee is $100,000, and he’s known to allow installments or takepro bonocases if he strongly believes in a client’s innocence. Each episode ispacked with numerous twists, and viewers are always rewarded handsomely for their patience. A modern remake starring Kathy Bates is currently airing, but the original remains the better choice for anyone craving for high-quality entertainment.
6’Criminal Minds' (2005 – 2020)
Events inCriminal Mindsrevolve around the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Rather than dwell on mundane and repetitive police business, the agents’primary task involves profiling and tracking serial killers (“Unsubs”) across America. The team relies on a combination of forensic findings and psychological insight to predict the criminals’ next targets. Each episode covers a new case, though a few overarching arcs are present.
Stopping the Unsubs Before It’s Too Late
Drawing on the experiences of the real FBI elite crime-fighting unit that was established in the ‘70s,Criminal Mindspresents a gorgeous, modern, sweeping procedural of astounding intimacy that even the most casual fans will enjoy. All the key cast members bring a humanity to their roles, echoed by thesumptuous color photography that dilutes the melancholy brought about by the dark crimes. The show’s technical triumphs deserve to be mentioned, too. As everything unfolds, the camera makes sure to roam over the surroundings, taking in the social, cultural, and political milieu.
5’Bull' (2016 – 2022)
Bullwalks us into the offices of Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC), a jury consulting firm owned by Dr. Jason Bull (Michael Weatherly), a psychologist, trial-science expert, and former aspiring lawyer who failed the bar exams. Bull and his teamuse their expertise to select the right jurors for clients and also help clients’ attorneys establish the best arguments to win over jurors. The show is loosely based on the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, commonly known as Dr. Phil.
A Rodeo in the Legal World
Many procedurals skim through things, butthe stories inBullare always told exhaustively. At the end of each episode, it feels like we understand everything about the newly introduced characters. The masterpiece might not have been awarded any notable statuettes, but it stands asa loving nod to the necessity of aggressiveness when chasing justice. Here, you’ll also find some of the best dialogue of any legal drama.The jokes always land, and the characters never refrain from banter and shade.
4’CSI’' (2000 – 2015)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigationfollowscrime scene investigators (CSIs) working for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVPD) as they solve murders using physical evidence. Through techniques such as DNA testing, blood spatter analysis, and trace findings, they slowly find a path to the killer' door. Originally led by Dr. Gil Grissom (William Petersen), the show has had a revolving door of protagonists over the years.
Seeing What Everyone Else Is Missing
As dark asCSI’s premise might sound, the timeless show was crafted with enough sensitivity to make it ideal for the whole family. Every actor is terrific, while theon-location photography is flavorful, immersive, and evocative. Blending procedural intrigues with scientific wonders, the showrevolutionized the procedural genre, spawning many imitations as well as a larger franchise. Despite the presence of many formidable infants, the original remains the best version and the only one to win six Emmys.
3’The Good Fight' (2017 – 2022)
Beginning a year after the finale ofThe Good Wife,The Good Fighttracks attorney Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) after she loses her money in a Ponzi scheme andjoins a Chicago law firm that has been making headlines by taking on police brutality and corruption. Here, she experiences tremendous career growth, becoming a named partner by the second season.
Never Backing Down
The Good Fighthassome of the most likable leads out of any legal drama. Still, it mostlyimpresses when it provides political and social commentary, examining issues like online harassment, Trump-era politics, the MeToo movement, and misinformation. And in an era where many showrunners don’t care about great theme music, this legal drama will dissuade you from forwarding or pressing the skip button whenever each new episode starts.
2’NCIS' (2003 – Present)
Society appears to be crumbling inNCIS, falling into immorality and anarchy, with manycrimes linked toUS Marine Corps and the US Navymembers. Luckily, there’sthe Naval Criminal Investigative Service, an agency that tracks culprits and makes them pay.The show originated as a spinoff of the ‘90s show,JAG, and has since spawned a major franchise.
Dirty Elements Among Servicemen
Unforgettable procedural entertainment at its purest and most powerful,NCIShas been nominated for numerous awards during its run and continues to be fresh, decades after its debut. Themovie-level actionwill draw in all casual viewers, whilethecharacterization and incorporation of elements like espionage and geopolitics keep the loyalists glued. Better yet, there are numerous spinoffs to enjoy, each holding the spirit of the original while presenting new and exciting scenarios in different cities.
1’Blue Bloods' (2010 – 2024)
Tom Selleck is one of the few stars lucky enough to have starred in two hit procedurals. After winning the hearts of ladies in the ‘80s viaMagnum P.I., he returned as the mature New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan inBlue Bloods. The show’s main characters aremembers of the Reagan family, which has a history of law enforcement, with Frank’s father also having served as the commissioner.
The Reagan Family Bleeds Blue
This masterpiece was primarily shot on the broken and chaotic streets of Brooklyn, using a combination of non-actors and professionals. The result isa series that feels authentic while paying tribute to the brave officers who risk their lives every day. Over the course of its run,Blue Bloodswas widelypraised by real-world police officers for its accuracy, though some commentators labeled it “Copaganda” for covering only the good side of law enforcement and ignoring topics like racism and corruption in the force.
Blue Bloods
