Now in its fifth season, the Nathan Fillion-led police drama The Rookie has proved a solid performer on ABC. Inspired by a true story, the series follows John Nolan, a middle-aged divorcee who travels to California to become the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department.
The Rookie's a mix of police procedural and personal drama about a man getting a second chance in life. The series has already launched a spinoff, The Rookie: Feds, starring Niecy Nash-Betts. But if fans just can't get enough, below are shows like The Rookie to scratch that itch.
10 9-1-1 (2018-present)
6 Seasons, 96 Episodes
Like The Rookie, Fox's 9-1-1, takes place in Los Angeles, and features cops, along with firefighters and paramedics. They respond to a range of distress calls and emergencies around the city. The series offers a thrilling blend of sun-soaked action and thrills, alongside more intimate personal drama, chronicling the lives of the principal characters -- both in and out of uniform.
Viewers can also enjoy its Texas-based spinoff 9-1-1: LoneStar. Both series can be streamed on Hulu.
9 FBI (2018-present)
5 Seasons, 100 Episodes
The CBS crime drama FBI is set in the New York field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The series follows agents Maggie Bell and OA Zidan as they face threats ranging from white-supremacist bombers to drug-trafficking rings.It's a high-octane drama, with plenty of procedural thrills to boot. For those who enjoy shared universes and crossovers, FBI has two spinoffs: FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International. The franchise hails from Dick Wolf, creator of the Law & Order and One Chicago brands.
FBI and its two spinoffs can be watched on CBS, and streamed on Paramount+
8 L.A.'s Finest (2019-2020)
2 Seasons, 26 Episodes
An offshoot of the Bad Boys film franchise, L.A.'s Finest follows Marcus Burnett's sister. Syd (last seen in 2003's Bad Boys II), when she transfers from Miami to the LAPD. There, she is partnered with working stepmom Nancy McKenna. They take on cartels, murderers and drug lords in the City of Angels. Although neither Will Smith nor Martin Lawrence make an appearance, L.A.'s Finest nevertheless boasts plenty of the action and comedy that were the hallmarks of the films. Season 1 of L.A.'s Finest can be streamed, by rent or purchase, on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu.
7 Blue Bloods (2010-present)
13 Seasons, 275 Episodes
Starring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan, the CBS police procedural Blue Bloods is now in its 13th season. The series follows New York police commissioner Frank Reagan (Selleck), the patriarch of a multi-generational family of New York City police officers. The show examines life in law enforcement from a number of perspectives, from beat cops to the district attorney's office. Part cop drama, part family saga, Blue Bloods feel sprawling and intimate at the same time.
New episodes of Blue Bloods premiere on CBS, CBS.com and Paramount+. Previous seasons can be streamed on Paramount+ and Hulu.
6 S.W.A.T. (2017-present)
6 Seasons, 128 Episodes
Although it's a remake of the popular 1970s TV series, S.W.A.T. blazed its own trail for six seasons until its cancelation. Part of that is due to the smoldering intensity of star Shemar Moore. However, credit also goes to the strong supporting cast. Moore ably portrays Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, the leader of the LAPD's elite Special Weapons and Tactics Unit who works to be a bridge between the police force and the community he comes from. S.W.A.T. can be streamed on Netflix and Hulu.
5 Southland (2009-2013)
5 Seasons, 43 Episodes
A raw and unvarnished look at police life, Southland was unafraid to depict its officers as flawed, damaged and, even occasionally, unstable. That uncompromising stance allowed the darma to present its characters as multilayered, making them feel like real people with real problems. It also didn't shy away from difficult topics, including race relations and the struggle one of its main characters (played by The Walking Dead and Superman & Lois' Michael Cudlitz) felt as a closeted gay police officer. Southland aired for one season on NBC before moving to TNT for seasons 2-5. The complete Southland series can be purchased to stream on Vudu.
4 Castle (2009-2016)
8 Seasons, 173 Episodes
Before he was the star of The Rookie, Nathan Fillion earned legions of fans in the title role on Castle. Fillion played Richard Castle, a mystery novelist who became embroiled in solving crimes alongside NYPD detective Kate Beckett. At first, Beckett was displeased at having to be saddled with a ride-along writer. However, the two developed a strong partnership -- and, eventually, a romance. Castle earned praise from viewers for deftly balancing crime and comedy the series ended with Season 8. The complete series is available to stream on Hulu.
3 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
8 Seasons, 153 Episodes
If fans love the quick-witted nature of The Rookie, then they'll love the police procedural comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The Fox series (which aired later on NBC) stars an ensemble cast consisting of Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz and Terry Crews. The series follows seven detectives of the NYPD as they adjust to working under the stern Captain Raymond Holt, whose their new commanding officer. Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been praised for its comedic take on the procedural format, while also depicting serious issues in a progressive manner. All eight seasons can be streamed on Peacock.
2 The Mentalist (2008-2015)
7 Seasons, 151 Episodes
The Mentalist comes highly recommended as a show to watch while The Rookie's on break. While not a traditional procedural like The Rookie, The Mentalist finds a newbie working for the law, having no prior experience but special skills that justify his placement anyway. Patrick Jane is a former "psychic" who works as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation. His fraudulent, yet successful, skills as a former psychic helps the team solve murders and on a personal level -- track down the murderer of his wife and daughter. The Mentalist can be streamed on Max.
1 Law & Order: SVU (1999-present)
24 Seasons, 538 Episodes
When people think of police procedurals, likely the first to come to mind is Law & Order: SVU because of its ability to consistently come up with intriguing storylines and crimes to solve. Created by Dick Wolf, Law & Order has been running for 24 seasons since 1999 as one of many spinoffs in the Law & Order franchise. The show has a revolving-door cast since Season 2, but the most consistent actor has been Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson in the NYPD. The series is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock.