The Rookiehas been a top show in thepolice procedural genreever since its premiere in 2018. With a fine balance of wholesome character drama and rousing action, the ABC drama has succeeded in giving audiences everything a good cop show should have. From the enjoyable banter between characters to action storylines that traverse all sorts of dangerous ground, the series has it all.
It’s also the kind of show that is easy to love. Since the sixth season is not releasing until late-February, you might need other shows to fill the void — and not many other shows have the exact kind of wholesome energy that it boasts. So, we’ve put together the 15 best and most exciting TV shows likeThe Rookiefor you to watch next.
The Rookie
15Blue Bloods (2010-2024)
Blue Bloods
The long-running police showBlue Bloodsappears first on this list, as it is one of the few shows with the same core charm asThe Rookie, focusing on character drama with a wholesome tone. The series drives this point home with a premise that grounds itself around the life of a single family. In the show, the Reagans are a well-known family within law enforcement, having served in the NYPD for multiple generations. The series follows the different members of this family as they fulfill their police duties from various echelons of the law enforcement hierarchy.
A Show Grounded in Wholesome Character Drama
The reason thatThe Rookieis such a bingeable show isn’t just because of its focus on its characters, but also because of the wholesome way in which it does so.Blue Bloodsexhibits the same energy and grounds itself in the family aspect of the show. There is an engaging mix of everything good that’s associated with police shows: the heavy decisions that are foisted upon Commissioner Frank Reagan, Detective Danny’s run-ins with organized crime, the dangers of patrol work shown through Sergeant Jamie, and more. And with every episode, all the action is rounded up in a hearty Sunday dinner scene (a Reagan family tradition). Like inThe Rookie, you also get the satisfaction of watching this family grow through trials and tribulations.Stream on Paramount+
149-1-1 (2018-Present)
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear reimagine the procedural drama with “9-1-1.” The series explores the high-pressure experiences of first responders — including police officers, firefighters and dispatchers — who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives. The show draws from real-life, high-pressure experiences of first responders who regularly face heart-stopping situations that are often unpredictable, intense and uplifting at the same time.
9-1-1is another show with many similarities toThe Rookiethat will keep you hooked from the very first episode. This series widens the scope by exploring the lives of a variety of first responders, with cast members appearing as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and even dispatchers. Excellent writing brings together its various characters to deal with the daily emergencies, and the performances ofits cast membersare just as brilliant, with Angela Bassett standing out particularly well as a patrol sergeant.
Juggling Multiple Storylines with Equal Brilliance
Character drama inThe Rookie, for the most part, focuses on the camaraderie between its officers, with their individual histories explored in bits and pieces. In contrast,9-1-1focuses on the individual struggles of every character from the very beginning. Each episode of this series involves multiple storylines, each of which is equally enthralling to watch, from the personal crises of individual characters to the multiple emergencies that its characters have to deal with on the job in every episode. It is no surprise that the show has won a host of awards since its beginning in 2018, as the showrunners have mastered the art of parallel storylines.Stream on Hulu
13Third Watch (1999-2005)
Third Watch
Third Watchis an older, lesser-known show today, having first premiered in 1999. However, it maintains an ardent fan following, who often refer to it as one of the best shows about first responders ever. Similar to9-1-1, the show also followed the lives of various first responders rather than just cops. A true product of the 90s, the series stands out in this list as it takes a distinctly mature tone from the very beginning. There is plenty of violence and profanity, and its characters are often rough around the edges, making questionable choices and carrying a variety of flaws. But it was this compelling set of characters that made the show such a hit among its viewers.
An Earnest Portrayal of First Responders
For its creators,Third Watchwasn’t just another show, but rather a result of their passionate desire to deliver an authentic portrayal of the lives of first responders. In fact, Edward Allen Bernero based the show and its characters on his decade-long career as a police officer in Chicago. This intention painted the show in a unique color that is rare among police procedurals. Although its tone is a drastic departure fromThe Rookie, the complexity of its flawed characters displays the same dedication to their jobs.Stream on Roku or Tubi
12Rookie Blue (2010-2015)
Rookie Blue
With similarities in name as well as the initial premise,Rookie Bluemay well be calledThe Rookieset in Canada. The series has a similarlylarge ensemble castfilling in roles across various ranks within law enforcement, from officers to detectives. Its focus, however, is on the lives of five rookie police officers who join the force at the beginning of the series. Although there is no shortage of good action,Rookie Bluebrings an undeniable sentimentality to its proceedings, focusing more on the romantic entanglements between the different characters. For this reason, the show has also found comparisons with the ever-popular showGrey’s Anatomy.
Balancing Romantic Life and Imposter’s Syndrome
If the romantic subplots were one of your favorite things aboutThe Rookie, thenRookie Bluewill be of special interest to you. The series gives plenty of attention to the romance without taking the spotlight from the more essential aspects of a cop show. You get to see the rookies grow in their roles as new police officers from season to season, and the show traces the highs and lows of their journey through memorable moments — from silly, laughable mistakes to them facing off against serious threats.Stream on ViX
11NCIS (2003-Present)
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team.
NCISis a well-known classic in the procedural drama genre, and can be a fulfilling watch if you’re a fan ofThe Rookie. With 20 seasons behind it, and the 21st releasing in February, there are plenty of suspenseful investigations to keep you hooked for a long time. The series is based on a unique premise, as it doesn’t follow regular police detectives, but rather members of the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, who investigate crimes in different departments of the U.S. security forces. The premise has yielded exciting, high-stakes mysteries for the team to solve for the past 20 years.
Captivating Procedural Drama That Never Gets Old
Besides the fact thatNCISmostly deals in military-related crimes, a big reason why this series has been so successful is because it’s written just right. The series never gets too complicated nor caught up in unnecessary details. Instead, the showrunners keep the focus on what the audience wants: a briskly paced unraveling of compelling mysteries, with character explorations woven artfully into the main plot. WhileNCISdoes put a greater focus on the investigative aspect of the show, it also doesn’t treat its characters’ backstories as a second thought. Instead, the show gradually builds up these characters with patience.Stream on Netflix or Paramount+
Related:The 20 Best International Police Procedurals of All Time
10Law & Order: SVU (1999-Present)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: SVUwas the very first spin-off of the famous police procedural showLaw & Order, whose success paved the way for it to become an entire franchise. The series is perhaps even more beloved than the original, and is one of thelongest-running TV showsof all time, with the 25th season releasing this year.
The series follows the investigations of a special squad of the NYPD known as the Special Victims Unit, which specializes in crimes related to sexual abuse and human trafficking. Although its long runtime has meant that the main cast of the show has changed over time,Law & Order: SVUhas maintained a strong following with its memorable storylines and gripping performances from its cast members.
A Show Full of Empathy
Due to its specialization,Law & Order: SVUshines through among police procedurals with its inherently emotional nature. Like many classic procedural shows, there is a greater focus on the plot in each episode. But its characters approach their work with a heartwarming empathy, a quality that is heightened by the brilliant performance of cast members and the characters’ deeply personal motivations for working in the SVU unit. The hopeful and optimistic tone that the series takes on is sure to appeal to fans ofThe Rookie.Stream on Peacock or Hulu
9Chicago P.D. (2014-Present)
Chicago P.D.
District 21 of the Chicago Police Department is made up of two distinctly different groups: The uniformed cops who patrol the beat and deal with street crimes, and the intelligence unit, the team that combats the city’s major offenses, such as organized crime, drug trafficking and high-profile murders. Leading the intelligence team is Sgt. Hank Voight, a man not against skirting the law in the pursuit of justice. Demanding and tough, only those who can take the heat survive under Voight’s command. Take Det. Antonio Dawson for example. Despite a troubled history with his boss, Dawson has ambitions of running the unit. If that means facing off against Voight every day, he’ll persevere. From the street cops with dreams of moving up to the elite crew who are already in, “life on the job” is a daily challenge.
The Rookieis also a superbly well-rounded show that regularly explores intense, high-stakes plotlines, where its characters face off against dangerous criminal groups.Chicago P.D.is another show with this as its distinguishing quality. The series centers around the elite Intelligence Unit of the Chicago Police Department, headed by the ruthless Sergeant Hank Voight. The unit focuses exclusively on high-level crimes, dealing with kidnappers, serial killers, and drug rings in every episode, giving the series a more exciting feel than other police shows.
High Stakes and Savage Heroes
It’s always a special moment when procedural shows depart from their status quo to deliver a big stand-off with powerful villains. There are more sinister threats, bigger firefights, and the heroes are tested to their limits. ForChicago P.D., this kind of storytelling is its modus operandi, and its thrills resemble the high-octane storylines of a blockbuster feature film more than the toned down melodrama of a regular TV series. With epic threats in each episode and strongly-carved character arcs, the series will be a blast for anyone who loved the more action-oriented episodes ofThe Rookie.Stream on Prime Video
8S.W.A.T. (2017-2024)
S.W.A.T.takes another approach to its drama by focusing overtly on the relationship between the police and their communities. Shemar Moore appears in the leading role as Daniel Harrelson, who becomes the team leader of his S.W.A.T unit in Los Angeles at the beginning of the show. He is specifically chosen due to his race, as the previous team leader was removed from the position for shooting an unarmed Black teenager. With deep personal ties to the community that he serves, the series sees Moore’s character take on a personal mission of becoming a bridge to the community.
With the series being based on the Special Weapons unit of law enforcement, elaborate crime storylines and action sequences are a major fixture. The showrunners have put in a lot of effort towards the action aspect of the show, and it clearly shows in how exquisite they are throughout the series.
Serious Exploration of Social Themes
The unique selling point ofS.W.A.T.is in Daniel Harrelson’s mission to build a stronger bond with the community. His relationship with the community members often figures into the episodes in a significant way, and they are regularly seen helping him with his investigations. This angle finds a parallel withNathan Fillion’s characterinThe Rookie, who always seeks to find a harmonious way to conduct his policing duties. What setsS.W.A.T.apart is its serious attempts to explore political issues, and the way this overt theme blends into the more fantastic crime aspect of the show.Stream on Netflix or Hulu
7Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
Hawaii Five-0
A remake of an old police procedural drama of the same name,Hawaii Five-0has plenty of things that set it apart from others in the genre, not the least of which is its coastal setting of Hawaii. While the series immediately gives off a more laid-back vibe, its leading characters belong to a specialized task force and deal with crimes of a more specialized variety.
Hawaii Five-0is one of those shows where the tone is defined to a great extent by its leading actors, in this case, the duo of Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Cann. The fun banter between these two, and less so the rest of the task force, creates a lively and humorous environment in which investigations are carried out. Add to that the colorful side characters that are ever-present in every episode, and the tropical setting of Hawaii, and you get a unique show that is as enjoyable in its slow moments as it is during the fast ones.
Camaraderie and Conversational Humor
At first glance,Hawaii Five-0appears like a drastic departure in tone from many of the other shows on this list. The constant barrage of conversational humor from one scene to the next gives it a distinctive tone that isn’t found in many police shows. However, the lively brotherly chemistry between its cast will definitely remind you of the camaraderie shared by the team inThe Rookie. There is the same sense of loyalty and brotherhood between its characters that is clearly felt between the characters, making this series wholesome as well as humorous.Stream on Paramount+
6SEAL Team (2017-2014)
Airing since 2017, SEAL Team is a military drama series that follows the professional and personal lives of an elite unit of Navy SEALs as they undertake dangerous missions around the world. Starring David Boreanaz, the show provides a detailed portrayal of the challenges faced by these special operations forces, both in combat and in their efforts to balance duty with family life.
SEAL Teamstands out as one of the bestmilitary action seriesever, with a focus on authenticity and high-octane action. The series follows the most elite team of the U.S. Navy SEALs on high-stakes missions across the globe. With each episode featuring powerful threats from terrorist plots to international hostage rescue, the action certainly takes to the fore in this series.
But it finds a place on this list because of its compelling ability to elaborate upon the lives of the soldiers who take on these tasks, the bond they build over their shared experiences, as well as the fallouts that their professions have on their personal lives. Over the course of the series, each of the central characters go through powerful character arcs that have been developed both through memorable heroics on the battlefield and the struggles they face back home.
Authentic Portrayal of the Bond between Soldiers
The showrunners behindSEAL Teamwent through a great deal of effort to ensure that the series delivers an authentic look at the lives of elite soldiers. Former Navy SEALs contributed to the writing, and veterans were intimately involved in the production, too. The end-result was a show that was not just awe-inspiring during the action sequences, but also managed to seamlessly portray the bond shared by SEAL members with a heartfelt honesty.Stream on Paramount+
