15 Best TV Shows Like NCIS

NCIS is one of the most popular TV shows, and for good reason, but there are also many similar shows that deserve the same attention. NCIS has been on the air for over 20 years and has also led to the formation of several NCIS spin-offs. The show has managed to maintain its popularity despite numerous cast changes and character departures, highlighting the success of its formula. Recent NCIS the seasons even revealed the departure of important main characters, demonstrating their continued development.

NCISThe popularity of Over the Years can be attributed to its familiarity, routine, and likable characters. However, NCIS is just one of many procedural TV shows that highlight charismatic characters who work together to bring criminals to justice. The niche of NCIS is that it focuses on crimes related to Navy and Marine Corps personneland while each show has its own focus, there are some crime shows that stand out as being more similar to NCIS.

15

NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023)

A new team takes on cases in Los Angeles

NCIS Fans are in luck if they’re looking for similar shows, as there are plenty of spinoffs from the franchise they can check out next. As CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS simply took the show’s setting and premise to new locations with a new set of characters taking control of the story. The first NCIS spinoff came in 2009 with NCIS: Los Angeles starring Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J, which ran until 2023.

While the Los Ageles-based show also dealt with a team of police officers focusing on military crimes, there were also many secret missions explored in this series that added a fun element. It was followed by NCIS: New Orleansstarring Scott Bakula in the lead role. There was also NCIS: Hawaii and the Australian series NCIS: Sydneyall offering the kind of police procedural thrills that fans of the genre will love.

14

NCIS: Origins (2024-)

The Adventures of Young Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Moving away from the typical NCIS spinoffs that changed locations and characters, NCIS: Origins provided the franchise with its first prequel series. Mark Harmon’s Gibbs has left NCIS in the 19th season, taking away one of the series’ most beloved characters. However, the character returns alongside some other key characters from the franchise in NCIS: Origins, which follows Gibbs’ first days on the job, with Austin Stowell taking on the role and Harmon serving as narrator.

The 1990s setting offers an interesting twist, but the show stays true to its roots as a NCIS show with compelling cases and likable heroes. It’s a lot of fun to work with Gibbs when he’s not as experienced as he was when fans first met him in the original series. Despite the difficult task, Stowell takes on the beloved role with ease.

13

Bones (2005-2017)

An anthropologist and an FBI agent team up

NCIS is one of those police procedural shows that stands out for the diverse team available to solve cases. While it’s fun to follow capable and stoic agents as they defeat bad guys, their adventures are elevated when they also deal with lab technicians and team members who don’t have as much experience in the field. There are several programs that seek this dynamic, but Bones is one of the best.

Bones stars Emily Deschanel as Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a forensic anthropologist whose experience examining fossils and ancient bones leads her to work alongside David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth. The setup brings up a lot of interesting cases and some clever ways that Temperance’s abilities can be useful. However, The real charm of the series is the funny, romantic and conflicting relationship between the two characterswho are very different people.

12

Vigil (2021-)

Scottish detectives investigate military conspiracies

British crime series have become the new obsession of many police procedural fans. Instead of having the long 20+ episode seasons of a typical American crime series, these British shows tell more serious, dark, and engaging stories over the course of just a few episodes per season. While programs like large church and Happy Valley stand out as the best British crime shows, Vigil offers something that is especially attractive to NCIS fans.

The program is another series that deals with investigations of cases involving military personnel. The series stars Suranne Jones as Amy Silva and Rose Leslie as Kirsten Longacre two Scottish detectives and romantic partners who find themselves embroiled in conspiracies involving the military. The first season dealt with the pair investigating a mysterious death aboard a submarine, while the second involved a drone attack. These cases span the entire season of the show, creating exciting and complex mysteries.

11

Line of Duty (2012-2021)

An anti-corruption team takes on dirty cops

With so many crime shows out there, a series needs to find an interesting and unique approach to stand out. To NCISthe focus on the military generates many interesting cases. It also explores the idea of ​​imperfect people who can be in these positions and looks at the corruption and evil that can exist in places known for heroism. This is also the approach taken with the intense and exciting British series Line of Duty.

This is another cop show that’s about cops, however, they are a team of police officers who investigate the crimes of other police officers. The show offers a deeper, darker look at the distinction between heroes and criminals, while also reflecting on the fact that justice within the police system can also be imperfect.

10

Criminal Minds (2005-)

FBI profilers try to stop criminals before they strike again

Criminal Minds is another long-running TV show that shares many similarities with NCIS. It focuses on FBI profilers who work together to try to understand the mindset of serious criminals in order to stop them before they strike again. Criminal Minds is also another long-running TV series that led to spinoffsincluding Criminal Minds: Suspicious Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. Criminal Minds The episodes are known for featuring strange and interesting plots that make the show so compelling.

The show features a brilliant cast that partially resembles NCIS in the way each character is different, but they all work together to form a cohesive team. While Criminal Minds introduces the FBI, while NCIS has its own team, both programs portray teams investigating crimes and developing trusting relationships between them. Criminal Minds is another highly popular police procedural with an exciting and brilliant castand it’s definitely worth watching.

9

Law and Order (1990-)

Police and lawyers work together to fight crime in New York City

Law and Order is a highly captivating TV show that focuses on detectives and prosecutors intersecting to bring perpetrators to justice. The show originally ran for 20 years before being canceled in 2010 after the 20th season. Law and Order it was renewed in 2022 and has been gaining popularity since then. The revival featured a mostly new crew, with only two returning cast members. but continued the episode format that made the show so popular.

Most Law and Order is that it mixes police work with legal procedures and loopholes. Police procedures typically focus only on work done on the front lines, but with Law and Orderthere is a huge emphasis on the work that happens behind the scenes when trying to convict a criminal. Like this NCIS, Law and Order The characters are friendly, charismatic and have a strong sense of justice.

8

Chicago Police (2014-)

Chicago Police Investigate Chicago’s Most Dangerous Crimes

Chicago Police Follows everyday Chicago police officers as they investigate and take down Chicago’s most dangerous criminals. Chicago Police is a spin-off of Chicago Fire and is one of several TV shows on A Chicago universe. The series is very similar to NCIS in that it also focuses on one team as they work together to deal with a new crime each episode.

Similar to NCIS, Chicago Police is led by a strong and loyal leader. Sergeant Hank Voight leads the Chicago Police team and guide your team in a strong quest for justice. As NCISJethro Gibbs, Voight also has a tough exterior and is tough on crime. He helps rally his team to protect the city he loves most. Chicago Police is another program similar to NCIS and will appeal to the show’s fan base.

7

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

A team of police officers and lawyers work together to combat New York’s most heinous crimes

A spin-off of Law and Order, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit follows a special team of detectives and prosecutors whose goal is to combat New York City’s most heinous crimes. The team is led by Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson, whose quest for justice and passion for victims establishes her as one of the greatest protagonists of a police procedural. The team typically deals with crimes related to sexual assault and more sensitive mattersthat separates it from Law and Order.

Law and Order: SVU is a very serious show due to its serious subject matter. It is similar to NCIS in this aspect because does not use humor to lessen the impact of the cases the team handles. The show mainly emphasizes the cases that the team investigates, with a smaller focus on the main characters’ personal lives, as well as NCIS.

6

SWAT (2017-)

The LAPD Special Weapons and Tactics Unit Fights Crime

A remake of the classic 1970s cop show, SCAM is a captivating, action-packed show that follows the team members of the LAPD’s SWAT unit as they investigate and fight crime. The team is led by the strong and loyal Daniel “Hondo” Harrelsonplayed by Shemar Moore. As NCIS, SCAM focuses on crimes on a case-by-case basis, with each episode featuring a different crime. The series also examines the characters’ personal lives, as Hondo’s partner Nichelle becomes an important part of the series.

While NCIS features many action-packed scenes, SCAM emphasizes the action a little more. The team is mainly seen on the field as they chase down criminalswith less time spent at headquarters than NCIS‘steam. The two programs have some differences, but both SCAM and NCIS feature a strong cast of credible characters.

5

FBI (2018-)

Members of the Federal Bureau Of Investigation Seek Justice

FBI is another captivating police procedural that follows a team of agents as they investigate crimes. FBI It differs from typical police procedurals in that it is very fast-paced and deals with crimes on a different scale. THE FBI team investigates serious and large crimeslike counterintelligence, to protect New York and keep the American people safe.

FBI is another series that is part of the Dick Wolf series A Chicago universe, but stands out for finding its niche in large-scale crimes. The show also led to a few spinoffs, including FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. As NCIS, FBI also has a highly intelligent team that works together to bring criminals to justice and stop them before they attack again. Its exciting and intense plots make it one of the best programs like NCIS.

4

SEAL Team (2017-2024)

Navy SEALs complete dangerous missions for the American people

Something particular about NCIS is that your niche includes the military. SEAL Team is another program that does exactly that. SEAL Team follows the lives of a group of Navy SEALs as they undertake and execute America’s most dangerous missions. The program also examines the physical and emotional toll a career as a Navy SEAL entails. SEAL TEAM shares a similar tone to that of NCIS and also features intense, action-packed scenes.

Although NCIS deals with crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, while members of the SEAL Team are military, the programs still share many similarities. For example, each episode presents a different case or mission. Each team is also led by a strong and dedicated leader. THE NCIS team was led by Gibbs, and is now led by Parker, and the SEAL Team the team is led by Jason Hayes.

3

Serious Crimes (2012-2018)

The LAPD Major Crimes Division investigates high-profile cases

Serious Crimes is a spinoff of a police series The closest which stars Mary McDonnell as Captain Sharon Raydor. Raydor joined the Major Crimes Division after the previous captain left, but her history as an internal affairs investigator means it will take some time for her new team to trust her. The show follows Raydor and his team as they investigate serious crimes while also dealing with personal struggles.

The show is similar to NCIS in that it is moderately paced and each episode deals with a new problem and follows the format of the case of the week. However, Serious Crimes places greater emphasis on the personal lives of its charactersas Raydor’s adopted son Rusty also becomes an important part of the show. The series also features excellent episodes full of exciting mysteries and crimes, as well as NCIS.

2

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015)

A team of forensic investigators solves crimes in Las Vegas

Perhaps the program most similar to NCIS, CSI follows a team of forensic investigators while solving crimes in Las Vegas. CSI examines cases at a closer level. While NCIS has characters like Abby and Karen to help the team analyze evidence, CSI has a whole team of characters with Abby and Karen’s skill sets. THE CSI The team also works closely with detectives, doctors, and lab technicians to help them solve cases.

CSI is another long-running TV show that has spawned several spinoffs. As NCIS, CSI also focused on creating spinoffs in different locations and expanded to create CSI:Miami, CSI: NY, CSI:Vegasand CSI: Cybernetic. CSI also features a dedicated group of investigators who work hard to bring criminals to justice. It’s more like NCIS because of the episode format and team dynamics, but the details of each episode set it apart as a separate but equally enjoyable TV show.

1

NOTCH (1995-2005)

The origins of NCIS

NOTCH is another police procedural that focuses on military drama on a case-by-case basis. It is also the origin NCISas NCIS was introduced through a backdoor pilot in NOTCH. The program examines the military’s Judge Advocate General division, which investigates military crimes from a legal standpoint, similar to Law and Order. David James Elliott plays Harmon “Harm” Rabb Jr., the show’s protagonist.

Both NOTCH and NCIS were created by Donald P. Bellisario and the similarities are very noticeable when the two programs are connected. Both shows center on military-related crimes and follow a very standard police procedural format. Each episode features a new crime or exciting development, but with the same episodic format. NOTCH It’s a great standalone show, but it’s even better to watch by following NCIS to see where the franchise began.