5 Best Procedural Dramas to Watch If You Love NCIS

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NCIS is a highly successful and well-loved crime drama. It launched the popular NCIS franchise in 2003 and has aired nearly 500 episodes. Crime dramas like NCIS are consistently among television’s most-watched genres. Shows such as Law & Order, Criminal Minds, and Bones captivate viewers with intriguing, weekly cases that are full of surprises.

NCIS is a fantastic example of a popular crime show, known for its loyal viewers, strong cast with believable teamwork, and engaging storylines. If you’ve watched all of NCIS and are looking for something new, there are plenty of similar shows to enjoy, ranging from gritty police investigations to compelling legal dramas.

JAG Was the First Show to Introduce NCIS

As a big fan of legal and military dramas, I always loved JAG. It started back in 1995 and followed these really interesting lawyers – Marine Corps judge advocates, to be exact – who handled all sorts of criminal cases under military law. If you’re into NCIS, you’ll definitely enjoy JAG because it deals with similar military crimes, and actually, it even has a connection to NCIS because…

Episodes 20 and 21 of JAG’s eighth season, titled “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown,” featured a crossover with the popular show NCIS. The storyline revolved around the NCIS team, led by Special Agent Gibbs, investigating a case involving Lieutenant Loren Singer, and the events that followed, including the trial.

As a big fan of shows like NCIS, I’ve always found JAG to be a bit different. It’s not quite as focused on the explosive action – JAG really dives into the legal side of things and spends a lot of time in the courtroom. But if you enjoy the procedural format of NCIS, you’ll probably love JAG too. It’s a lot like the Law & Order shows, taking inspiration from real cases and turning them into compelling TV stories.

The legal drama JAG almost didn’t make it to television. After NBC initially decided to cancel the show, CBS stepped in and saved it. JAG starred David James Elliott as Harmon Rabb, a character he later revisited in three episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles.

Criminal Minds Also Has a Lovable Ensemble Cast

The enduring popularity of NCIS comes down to the strong connection between its lead actors. If you enjoy watching the NCIS team work together, Criminal Minds is another excellent choice. It’s a compelling, though often unsettling, police drama that focuses on truly frightening criminals.

The TV show Criminal Minds centers around the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, or BAU. This team of profilers, originally led by the character played by Mandy Patinkin, is called in to help solve crimes across the United States, particularly those involving serial killers. They also work on cases like child abductions and terrorist threats.

After 15 seasons, the show Criminal Minds concluded, but remained popular enough to warrant a continuation. Though it doesn’t quite reach the episode count of NCIS, Criminal Minds now has nearly 400 episodes over 18 seasons. Despite the typical cast changes seen in procedural dramas, many of the original Criminal Minds actors are still starring in the revived series.

While the show features intriguing cases, it’s the strong connection and friendship between the characters that truly make it special. Like NCIS, Criminal Minds emphasizes the bonds of friendship, loyalty, and a sense of family among its team. The BAU agents work closely together, and this shared experience creates a unique and compelling dynamic.

Bones Expands on the Forensic Side of Procedurals

If you’re like me and totally get hooked on the science side of shows like NCIS – especially when Ducky and Abby are figuring things out – you have to check out Bones. It really takes the forensic detail up a notch, mainly because of the main character, Temperance ‘Bones’ Brennan. She’s a forensic anthropologist, and the show is basically about her teaming up with an FBI agent, Seeley Booth, to crack these really tough cases.

The real heart of Bones‘ popularity was the incredible connection between the characters Brennan, played by Emily Deschanel, and Booth, played by David Boreanaz. Their complicated romantic tension captivated audiences for years, keeping fans guessing about whether they would finally get together – much like many other popular shows.

They work together on FBI investigations, frequently revisiting old, unsolved cases and seeking justice for those long forgotten. Using her expertise in anthropology and a skilled forensic team at the fictional Jeffersonian Institute, Brennan uncovers crucial new evidence, allowing Booth to crack tough cases and capture dangerous criminals.

Bones is an engaging procedural drama that successfully mixes action, humor, and mystery. A central theme of the show is Dr. Brennan’s difficulty with social interactions, and watching her develop trust, build strong relationships, and connect with others is a key reason why it appeals to fans of the genre.

CSI Also Spawned a Major Procedural Drama Franchise

NCIS is a hugely successful and long-running crime drama. Currently in its twenty-third season and nearing 500 episodes, the show’s popularity has led to the creation of a whole franchise of related series.

If you enjoy shows like NCIS and are looking for another compelling crime drama, CSI is an excellent choice. The original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered in 2000 and has grown into a popular franchise, spawning spin-offs like CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and CSI: Cyber, among others.

Many police and crime shows have attempted to build larger franchises, like Criminal Minds with its spin-off, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. However, NCIS, CSI, and the Law & Order franchise are among the few that have consistently maintained both popularity and a long-running series of shows.

If you enjoy NCIS, CSI is a great next watch. It’s a detailed crime procedural with a strong ensemble cast, excellent teamwork, and occasional crossovers with other shows. The original CSI focuses on a team of investigators with the Las Vegas police who meticulously examine crime scenes, sometimes even recreating events to understand what happened.

CSI is a drama that focuses on the people behind the investigations, often exploring the team’s personal lives, challenges, and relationships. Similar to NCIS, which has become incredibly popular, CSI gained a devoted following thanks to characters like Dr. Gil Grissom.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Is a Must-Watch for Any Procedural Drama Fan

The Law & Order series is incredibly popular and known for its realistic crime dramas. Among all the shows in the franchise, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit stands out as a fan favorite. Special Victims Unit focuses on a dedicated team within the New York City Police Department who investigate particularly disturbing and serious crimes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has tackled incredibly difficult cases, including sexual assault, abuse, and child abduction. These investigations have sometimes involved military and naval personnel, creating a crossover feel with the show NCIS, though the two series don’t officially exist in the same fictional world.

With its impressive run, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is now the longest-running live-action prime-time series on American TV, making it a must-see for fans of police procedural dramas. Those who enjoy NCIS will especially appreciate the strong teamwork and the great chemistry between the actors, which are key reasons why SVU remains so popular.

With twenty-seven seasons and over five hundred episodes, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a great option for fans of NCIS looking for a lengthy, engaging crime drama. It was the first installment in the Law & Order franchise, which now includes seven different series.

Beyond sharing connections with other Law & Order series, SVU also exists in the same universe as Chicago PD and its related shows, creating a web of interconnected stories. With its numerous episodes, linked series, and long run, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a strong choice for fans of NCIS.

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2026-01-14 01:11