The 15 Most Addictive Procedural Dramas to Get Hooked
Procedural dramas have become one of the most popular genres on television. Most follow similar basic formulas, so it takes creative storytelling, unexpected twists, and well-written characters to stand apart from the crowd.
The most addictive procedurals feature all of the necessary elements to stand out and keep audiences watching.
Whether one prefers to watch slowly or have a binge-fest, the best mysteries, detective, police, and other dramas enthrall and amaze and make it hard to watch just one episode.
1. The Mentalist (2008-2015)
The Mentalist follows Patrick Jane, a charming but blunt man with keen observational skills and intuition. Once posing himself as a psychic, his charlatan ways anger the serial killer “Red John,” who murders his wife and daughter. As a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, he assists in homicide investigations, utilizing his expertise to eventually bring Red John to justice.
The premise of The Mentalist follows a basic formula but could never be called ordinary. The cast has natural and often humorous chemistry, while lead Simon Baker shines with charisma and gravitas. The individual episodes all keep viewers’ interest, while overarching storylines always bring incredible drama.
2. Castle (2009-2016)
Castle has a similar premise to The Mentalist and the same virtues that make it entertaining and addictive. The series follows mystery writer Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), who becomes a consultant for the NYPD. He partners with detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) to gain inspiration for his next book, and soon, sparks ignite.
Like the best procedurals, Castle follows a basic format, but the characters elevate it. In this series, the long-running stories in each season and throughout the show always pack a punch.
Likewise, Castle and Beckett’s slow-burn romance and the supporting cast of friends and family add a great deal of heart. These elements create a fresh and likable on-screen dynamic that helped the series last eight seasons.
3. Burn Notice (2007-2013)
Burn Notice may not be a traditional procedural drama, but it more than qualifies as an engrossing and addictive thriller. The series sees burned spy Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donavan) left with nothing in Miami. To regain some semblance of dignity, he reconnects with his fiery ex-girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and friend and former informant Sam (Bruce Campbell). The trio picks up jobs helping people in dangerous and dire circumstances utilizing their particular skills.
Burn Notice falls into the “gets better season after season” category. Indeed, the stages get continuously raised as the ongoing character relationships and their lives grow more intense.
Because the series balances darker and lighter episodes, it makes for a perfect binge. Its final season leads to one of the most satisfying series endings ever.
4. White Collar (2009-2014)
Slick, fun, and poignant White Collar has a tone and premise comparable to Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can but brings something new. In the show, con-man Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) makes a deal with the FBI to shorten his prison sentence and become a consultant.
His handler, Peter (Tim DeKay), keeps him on a short lease. Still, old habits die hard, including art forgery and theft, especially with his right-hand man Mozzie (Willie Garson), who encourages him to “stick it to the man.”
One of the lighter dramas on this list, White Collar still features riveting storylines and fantastic mysteries. The charming cast and affable writing keep viewers looking for a fun-filled caper watching non-stop.
5. Monk (2002-2009)
The first USA procedural that kicked off a slew of similar shows, this series follows former detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a man with uncanny observation abilities and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His fears create frustrations amongst his colleagues as he consults with the San Francisco police department. Still, no one sees what he does.
Monk’s ability to decipher “who’s the guy” amazes the characters and audience alike, while his search for his wife Trudy’s killer adds emotional depth.
Although Monk teeters the comedic line a bit, it still delivers healthy doses of drama that will often touch viewers in profound ways and keep them coming back.
6. NCIS (2003-Present)
NCIS deserves the title of “addictive procedural drama” for numerous reasons, including its ability to retain viewers for 21 seasons and counting. Since season seven, it has consistently stayed in the top five rated shows on the Nielsen ratings chart. In the 2023-24 season, it still ranked as the second-most watched scripted show. NCIS stays consistent and addictive thanks to its intelligent writing and excellent cast.
Even with rotating casts and departures from leads Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly, audiences still find something to enjoy in the show about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The engaging characters and captivating storylines never fail to impress audiences.
7. Criminal Minds (2005-Present)
Much like NCIS, Criminal Minds has enjoyed a long and consistent run thanks to compelling stories that grip viewers and keep them hooked. The darkest series on the list, the show follows a brilliant group of criminal profilers who work with the FBI in the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
Diving deep into the psyche of perpetrators ventures into grisly territory. Still, the characters manage to retain their humanity and save many from horrible fates. These qualities have helped Criminal Minds maintain viewership for 345 episodes and counting.
8. Veronica Mars (2004-2007, 2019)
The noir detective genre gained a fresh and dynamic new addition with the creation of Veronica Mars. The series combines these classic elements with the teenage drama genre, balancing mysteries of the week, long-running investigations, romance, and angst.
While all four seasons have merits and addictive qualities, the first two stand out as the most compelling. In those seasons, sharp-tongued and tenacious Veronica (Kristen Bell) attempts to solve the murder of her best friend Lily (Amanda Seyfried) and the culprit in a horrific bus crash — all while balancing school, boyfriends, and helping her father with his private detective work.
The series did not garner huge ratings but has solidified itself as a cult classic and favorite among those who love their procedurals to have style, sarcastic wit, and shocking twists.
9. Elementary (2012-2019)
Elementary takes the classic Sherlock Holmes stories and updates them for modern audiences. Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) still has a keen mind and deductive skills, but in this series, he’s a recovering addict with somewhat awkward social skills. Watson (Lucy Liu) still assists Sherlock in cases, but Elementary gender-bends the character and makes her a sober companion as well as a doctor.
Like other shows on this list, Elementary has that addictive quality because of the engaging character dynamics, weekly mysteries, and overarching storylines. The characters grow and learn, which in turn moves viewers in significant ways.
10. Murdoch Mysteries (2008-Present)
Of all the period mystery shows, none captivate, delight, and surprise audiences more than Murdoch Mysteries. The long-running Canadian series follows Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) of the Toronto Constabulary in the early 1900s. Solving murders alongside his love, Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy), Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), and Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), the team has an amiable dynamic and distinctive individual characteristics.
Murdoch Mysteries keeps audiences glued to their screens with its fascinating, well-written mysteries, profound drama, sweet romances, and clever integration of real individuals such as Nicola Tesla, Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, and Henry Ford. Combined with recurring characters and ongoing relationship evolutions, Murdoch Mysteries has everything period mystery lovers could ask for.
11. Murder She Wrote (1984-1996)
One of the most endearing and popular procedural shows, Murder She Wrote, follows mystery writer Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) as she solves murders in her sleepy hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, and throughout her worldwide travels.
Though Murder She Wrote does not follow the serialized format that more recent dramas do, viewers will have marathons of the series. The reasoning undoubtedly lies in the show’s and Lansbury’s comforting tone and presence.
12. Blue Bloods (2010-2024)
Blue Bloods wins over viewers because it blends a police procedural with a family drama. Those two dynamics create a unique heartbeat that has made the series one of the top-rated of the 2010s. In the series, the Reagan family helps keep the streets of New York safe.
Patriarch and police commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) leads the department and his family with a firm but fair hand; Assistant District Attorney Erin (Bridget Moynahan) takes after her father with her calm but strong demeanor; Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) has a more forceful way but a stalwart moral compass; and Jamie (Will Estes) learns the ropes on the job as a beat cop.
Blue Bloods stands out for its simplicity. The storytelling remains compelling and thoughtful, but the family dynamics give the series its moving center. The weekly dinners ground the series, making Blue Bloods the most relatable procedural drama.
13. Forever (2014-2015)
Forever only had a single season, but thanks to its unique premise, it still features absorbing drama. The series follows Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffudd), a brilliant medical examiner who consults with the NYPD but has a big secret. He doesn’t age. He can die and has multiple times since the 1800s, but he always comes back to life.
His now much older adoptive son (Judd Hirsch) serves as his only confidante, and Henry struggles to keep the truth from his new partner, Detective Jo Martinez (Alana De La Garza). Things grow more complex when the ruthless Adam (Burn Gorman) claims to have the same affliction. These elements give the fans engrossing material, while new viewers something to latch onto, however briefly.
14. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Most may not think Pushing Daisies fits into the procedural drama category. Indeed, the show has fantasy, romance, and comedy elements. Still, every episode involves the Pie-maker Ned (Lee Pace), his childhood sweetheart Chuck (Anna Friel), petite waitresses Olive (Kristin Chenoweth), and private detective Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) solving crimes.
Every element of Pushing Daisies keeps audiences hooked, from the love story to Jim Dale’s clever narration and colorful visual style. Far too short-lived, Pushing Daisies has its longtime fans and finds new ones all the time. The whimsical series deserves every morsel of praise.
15. iZombie (2015-2019)
Another unconventional procedural, iZombie rushes a familiar formula and flips on its head. The show involves Liv Moore (Rose McIver), a medical examiner who becomes a zombie and uses it to help solve crimes with the police. Of course, she dies this in secret, each episode taking in the persona of the victim after consuming their brains.
As offbeat and outlandish as the premise sounds, iZombie offers profundity, especially with the zombie war aspect of the series. Moreover, audiences could not wait to see who Liv would embody each week, with McIver essentially playing a different character in every episode. The talented cat and this creative storytelling make the series one of the most absorbing but underrated in the genre.
