Summary
When the word procedural comes to mind, audiences might think of predictable and formulaic TV shows, but the best-underrated procedurals have much more to offer than that. Procedurals can exist within a variety of genres and have been some of the most popular pieces of network television in history. From medical dramas likeGrey’s Anatomyto legal shows likeLaw & Order,procedurals have become a hallmark of how TV is made and has greatly influenced the way audiences consume media.Many of the most overlooked shows break out of this mold, which is why viewers should be watching them.
Shows with large ensemble casts and easily digestible premises with immediate conflict are the perfect procedurals.
While someTV shows should not have been proceduralsand end up working better as long-form, serialized content, there’s a sweet spot for a type of series that works best in an episodic format. Shows with large ensemble casts and easily digestible premises with immediate conflict are the perfect procedurals. Overlooked procedurals might set their stories in different time periods or give their protagonist an unexpected job. However,what truly matters is that the audience can jump into the plot at any timeand be immersed in the story.
10 Best TV Procedurals From The 2000s, Ranked
Television procedurals have been a favorite genre for a while, and those that debuted in the 2000s are among the genre’s most outstanding examples.
10iZombie (2015–2019)
A procedural that evolved greatly throughout its run, transforming into a serialized sci-fi drama by the end.
In some ways, it never made sense thatiZombiewas pitched and began as a crime procedural, as it had all the making of an exciting new addition to the science fiction canon. However,for the first few seasons, Liv (Rose McIver) uses her zombie powers to solve crimesby eating the brains of murder victims and using their memories. Of course, introducing the existence of zombies into the show’s universe couldn’t be a one-off plot point. As the show progressed,iZombiehad to take on the implications of a zombie revolution in Liv’s city.
What starts as a classic murder-of-the-week procedural soon evolved into a biting commentary on what it means to be human and the development of civilization in a post-apocalyptic situation.
All thebest zombie TV showspresent the living dead in different ways, but most often as ruthless monsters. This wasn’t the case iniZombie, asLiv and other zombies soon grapple with being treated as real citizens, forming their own society. What starts as a classic murder-of-the-week procedural soon evolved into a biting commentary on what it means to be human and the development of civilization in a post-apocalyptic situation. The series is unexpected and refreshing, becoming high-quality entertainment by the end.
iZombie
Cast
After being turned into a zombie, medical resident Liv must periodically feast on human brains to keep the appearance of being human and takes a job at a morgue to sate her hunger. When she discovers that eating a corpse’s brain gives her temporary access to their skills, traits, and memories, Liv decides to use her talent to help solve murders.
9Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
Lee Pace’s offbeat and stylistically brilliant dramedy has a supernatural twist.
Pushing Daisieswas one of the biggest casualties of the 2007-2008 WGA strike that effectively ended the show before it could properly begin.Lee Pace plays the protagonist, Ned, a young man with the power to bring people back from the deadwith one touch, but if he touches them twice, then they die forever. From the start,Pushing Daisiesunderstands the fairytale-like premise of its story perfectly and communicates the tone perfectly with its visual and thematic choices. The series premiered to almost immediate critical acclaim, and it’s universally agreed upon that it was canceled too soon.
Ned uses his power to solve murders for the reward money but also because it’s the right thing to do. There’s also a deeply romantic element of the series, asNed brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Anna Friel), back to life, but they can never express their lovebecause if Ned touches her, she’ll die. Though it’s sad to watchPushing Daisiesand know that there are only two seasons available, the episodes that exist are excellent pieces of television that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Pushing Daisies
Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies stars Lee Pace as Ned, a baker who can inexplicably bring people back from the dead with just one touch. With the help of a private investigator and his previously deceased childhood girlfriend who he has rescued from death, Ned uses his ability to help solve murders. Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chi McBride also star.
8Life On Mars (2006–2007)
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Life on Marsis an excellent example of how a series can incorporate elements of supernatural and fantasy shows while being rooted in a more gritty and realistic aesthetic.
This landmark British crime drama was also adapted for American audiences in 2008,but the original version from the UK is the definitive iteration in many ways. The story became so popular that several other countries devised their own take on the narrative, but everything began with the 2006 show that starred John Simm as Sam Tyler, a 21st-century detective who’s transported back to the 1970s, where he continues his work.Life on Marsis an excellent example of how a series can incorporate elements of supernatural and fantasy shows while being rooted in a more gritty and realistic aesthetic.
Simm is well-known for portraying The Master in the early seasons of the 2005 revival ofDoctor Who, but he’s unrecognizable as Sam Tyler.Life on Marsspends plenty of time on its criminal mysteries, as this occupies Sam’s days, but he’s equally dedicated to finding out what happened to him and learning the truth of his situation.The series does an excellent job of keeping Sam’s fate ambiguousand not answering the pressing questions of his journey, whether it be genuine time travel or some kind of afterlife.
Life on Mars
British sci-fi series Life on Mars follows Sam Tyler (John Simm), a Greater Manchester policeman, who is hit by a car in 2006, and somehow awakens in 1973. Now working for the Manchester and Salford Police, at the same station and location as in 2006, he’s forced to reconcile with different sensibilities, and a new dynamic with DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister).
7Transplant (2020–2024)
Combining relevant sociopolitical issues and the action of emergency medicine, Transplant makes an impact.
The title of the show,Transplant, has a double meaning, as transplant surgery is a well-known and risky procedure in the field of medicine, and the protagonist, Bash (Hamza Haq), is an immigrant or “transplant.“When he first arrives at the hospital where the show takes place, he’s treated with discriminationbecause of his Syrian education and descent. Once he proves himself as a skilled doctor, he quickly rises through the ranks as part of the emergency team at the hospital. However, in some ways, his troubles are only beginning when he gets onto the staff.
Bash is a compelling and fierce protagonist that the audience has no trouble rooting for.
Transplantis anunderrated medical drama. Not only because of how well it deals with the high-stakes environment of an emergency room but also because ofhow in touch the story is with the greater contemporary political and social issues.The series isn’t afraid to show the realities of discrimination and hatred inside many people’s hearts. However, Bash is a compelling and fierce protagonist that the audience has no trouble rooting for. Watching him prove his antagonists wrong is consistently satisfying.
6The Closer (2005–2012)
Kyra Sedgwick is a fearsome investigator in a series that highlights her character’s formidable skills.
The culture clash between Atlanta-transplant Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) and her newfound LA-based colleagues is on full display throughoutThe Closer. However, it doesn’t take long for these unlikely companions to turn into a well-oiled machine that puts bad guys behind bars.The Closerdifferentiates itself from other police procedurals by makingBrenda a CIA-trained interrogator who specializes in advanced interrogation techniquesand getting the confession that prosecutors need. She partners with Assistant Chief Pope (J.K. Simmons) as well as the other members of the LA police department for high-profile cases.
In 2005, it was much less common for women to be the protagonists of police dramas, making Sedgwick’s performance and the series' long-running success a landmark achievement. Today,The Closerhasn’t proven itself to have the longevity of other crime procedurals, but it’s well worth returning to.The Closerhas dated elements, butthe impact it had on representations of strong and feminine women on prime-time television can’t be overstated.Not to mention that the cases the characters investigate are always nail-bitingly thrilling.
The Closer
The Closer was a popular crime drama that ran for seven seasons between 2005 and 2012. The series centers on the Priority Homicide Division in Los Angeles. Working as the Deputy Police Chief, Brenda Johnson has the unique skill of getting confessions out of suspects. Kyra Sedgwick stars as Brenda Leigh Johnson alongside JK Simmons and Corey Reynolds.
5Hudson & Rex (2019–Present)
For canine lovers who enjoy a good mystery, Hudson & Rex is the perfect diversion.
In real life, police dogs are used more for their senses and are likely not used the way characters onHudson & Rexwork with their furry friends. The Canadian TV show is enormously popular but has yet to break into the U.S. marketon a large scale. However, it’s only a matter of time, as the conceit of a police detective working with his beloved partner is a universal tale, even if that partner is a dog. John Reardon plays Detective Hudson, a man with a gruff nature who loves his dog and cares deeply about his cases.
However,Rex, his dog, proves himself to be just as competent at solving crimesand tracking down bad guys as Hudson is. WhileHudson & Rexisn’t afraid to lean into the comedy of its premise, it also takes on some serious crimes, including murder. Overall,Hudson & Rexis a procedural that can be watched with viewers of all ages, as it doesn’t discuss some of the more intense criminal activities that series likeLaw & Orderdo. This makes the show the perfect introduction to mystery stories for younger audiences.
WatchHudson & Rexon Prime Video or Sling TV.
4CSI: Cyber (2015–2016)
Cyber might be the shortest-running CSI show, but it still has a lot to offer.
CSIdistinguished itself from other crime procedurals by focusing on the science and analysis part of a criminal investigation, as TV shows solely centered the detective work up until that point.
Of all the series in theCSIfranchise,CSI: Cyberwas the shortest-lived and the least critically acclaimed, but it deserves to be reevaluated today. Part of the reason that audiences didn’t connect withCSI: Cyberthe way they did with other series within the universe is because it broke the mold and tried something different with its storytelling.The cast is also unbelievably strong, with Ted Danson, Patricia Arquette, and Hayley Kiyokoall featured prominently in every episode. After his initial tenure on the originalCSI, Danson was chosen to leadCyberbecause of his charisma.
CSIdistinguished itself from other crime procedurals by focusing on the science and analysis part of a criminal investigation, as TV shows solely centered the detective work up until that point.Cybertook this one step further by looking into the field of internet and virtual crimeand how this is one of the fastest-growing areas of illegal activity. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make hacking and internet usage exciting, butCSI: Cyberdoes an excellent job of imbuing action into every possible scene.
3Truth Be Told (2019–2023)
Octavia Spencer heads up a compelling and culturally relevant addition to the crime drama sphere.
The star power behindTruth Be Toldonly increases as the seasons progress, but Octavia Spencer remains the anchor of every storyline throughout the show.Truth Be Toldwouldn’t be half as strong without Spencer’s workas a true crime podcaster who slowly grapples with the ethical implications of her work as an outside investigator. This is a particularly topical storyline, as true crime podcasts have taken hold of the cultural mindset. However, the implications of using real criminal cases as content bring up hazy questions of morality.
Each season sees Spencer’s character, Poppy, take on a new overarching case and interact with exciting new guest stars, like Kate Hudson in season 2. The chemistry between Spencer and her costars is of utmost importance, as Poppy doesn’t have police resources at her disposal, relying on the information she gets from suspects. In this way,Truth Be Toldis athrilling crime drama for wannabe detective viewers, as it’s easy for the audience to imagine themselves in Poppy’s shoes.
2The Alienist (2018–2020)
New York City is made grisly and gruesome through an exploration of crime in the 1800s.
Crime dramas that explore the psychology of criminals have never been more popular, and whenThe Alienistpremiered in 2018, it put a unique spin on the budding niche of the genre.Set in the late 1800s in New York City,The Alienistmight appeal to fans ofThe Gilded Age,as the wealth and opulence of this period are on full display. However,The Alienistleans further into the seedy underbelly of New York as the titular Alienist, Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl), investigates grisly crimes with his team.
In many ways,The Alienistwas well ahead of its time, and if it premiered today, it would have developed a strong cult following.
The story is loosely based on the 1994 novel by Caleb Carr,butThe Alienistexpands Carr’s story and takes it to the next level, especially in season 2. Unfortunately, the series was canceled after the second season, which was a shame, considering how the show was beginning to grapple with the issues of race, class, and gender discrimination that were rampant at the time. In many ways,The Alienistwas well ahead of its time, and if it premiered today, it would have developed a strong cult following.
The Alienist
Set in New York in 1896, The Alienist follows police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt as he enlists criminal psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, newspaper illustrator John Moore, and secretary Sara Howard to investigate a series of murders targeting male prostitutes.
10 Best Paranormal Procedural TV Shows, Ranked
Paranormal procedurals have a history on the small screen, with some stacking up as the best of all time, and changing the landscape of TV forever.
1Perry Mason (2020–2023)
A period legal drama that successfully distinguishes itself from its predecessor.
Though he’s best known for his performance in the spy dramaThe Americans, Matthew Rhys does an excellent job bringing a young Perry Mason to life in this prequel to the hit legal drama from the late 1950s.The 2020Perry Masonlooks back at the origin story of the legendary lawyerwho faced off in many criminal cases against the DA and other prosecutors. In many ways, the firstPerry Masonoriginated the modern concept of the weekly legal drama, and this was a huge legacy for the recent reboot to tackle.
However, by setting the show in the early 1930s, the stylization and legal issues are new and intriguing.The series sees Mason develop from a struggling private investigator into a formidable lawyerthrough different cases and unbelievable suspects. It’s true that the recentPerry Masonrevival leans more into its season-long arc than the original, but it maintains its roots by having great individual mysteries for Perry to take on. Additionally, the series is dedicated to creating gorgeous sets and costumes worthy of any prestige drama.
perry mason
Perry Mason is a crime drama created by Ron Fitzgerald and Rolin Jones, starring Matthew Rhys as the titular character. The series tells the story of Perry Mason, a famed defense attorney in 1932 Los Angeles. HBO’s Perry Mason is a reboot of the Raymond Burr starring series Perry Mason, which ran for nine seasons between 1957 and 1966.
