Viewers can never seem to get enough non-stop thrills and weekly justice on TV. SinceColumbo, the TV market has seen profit and success the case-of-the-week law enforcement shows. It’s no wonder every network has its fair share of law enforcement procedural shows in constant rotation. Spins-offs of other spin-offs get green-lit and renewed quarterly. Its only been over the past 20 years that networks have upped their law enforcement game by diving deep into elite task forces.
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From the US Navy SEALs to the US Army Delta Force, many of the United States elite military operators have seen their lives played out in hour-long dramas. Apart from the usual uniformed beat cops and detectives, elite units add a hint ofMission Impossiblemixed with procedural themes. Adding bigger targets increases the weight of each episode and the tow on the characters. While courtroom shows and low-level cop shows continue to be a seller for networks, there have been several elite special force-based shows that have changed the crime TV landscape.
10’JAG' (1995-2005)
JAG(U.S. military acronym for Judge Advocate General) ushered in a new era of procedural law enforcement shows in 1995. The show follows former Navy pilot Harmon Rabb (David James Elliot) and his fellow lawyers navigating cases in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General office. The show ran for ten seasons on CBS after being canceled in 1996 by NBC after one season.
Like most cases-of-the-week law enforcement shows,JAGhandled themes centering on military issues on the seas and homeland. The show received rave reviews, earning three Primetime Emmys. The successful show helped launch a new brand of law enforcement show genre with the massively popular spin-off franchiseNCIS.
9’NCIS' (2003-)
With the premise and its characters first being introduced as a backdoor pilot inJAG,NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service)revolves around a fictional group of agents working military-related cases. To date,NCIShas been renewed for its 21st season.
The massive successful show has become a sort of blueprint for modern law enforcement procedural shows.NCISblends military themes and hints of comedy with a well-seasoned cast. The show has since launched various otherNCIS-themed shows likeNCIS: Los AngelesandNCIS: New Orleans.
8’The Blacklist' (2013-2023)
What happens when the world’s most wanted criminal walks into the FBI headquarters one day and surrenders? The performance of a lifetime fromJames Spader. InThe Blacklist, Spader plays Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington, a former U.S. intelligence officer turned top FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitive who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI. Reddington promises to help capture some of the world’s worst criminals in order to escape jail time.
Working as a procedural high-level cop show,The Blacklistshowcases various global criminals and an elite FBI ‘black site’ that tracks them down with the help of Reddington. Spader gives a meaningful performance of a well-mannered criminal and non-stop spy thrilling action.
7’Criminal Minds' (2005-2020, Revived in 2022-)
Criminal Mindsbecame a stellar hit with CBS byJeff Davisin 2005. The show follows agents at the FBI’s BAU, Behavior Analysis Unit, who specialize in the use of criminal profiling to help solve cases. In addition to their work,Criminal Mindsalso dive into the personal lives of the agents.
The show maintained its steady viewership and ratings throughout its run. While the cases seemed fictional,Criminal Mindsexplored the psychology of criminals and help the audience better understand. After its original run ended in 2020, Criminal Minds returned for its 16th season, with asoft reboot titledCriminal Minds: Evolutionin 2022.
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6’Hawaii Five-0' (2010-2020)
A modern take on the 1968 show of the same name,Hawaii Five-0centered on a specialized task force acting on behalf of the Hawaii government. From major crimes to terrorism federal crimes, former United States Navy SEAL commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and his small team protect the people of Hawaii.
Much like the original,Hawaii Five-0maintains its unique blend of action and subtle comedy. Adding in modern themes ups the thrill much like many other cop shows.
5’SEAL Team' (2017-)
David Boreanazleads a commanding warrior United States Navy SEALs team inSEAL Team. The high-stakes show gives viewers a small look into the lives of SEALs members as they train and perform dangerous elite missions on behalf of the United States.
Boreanaz steps right back in the procedural genre as a hardened commander. With on-set consults from real-life SEALs members, theSEAL Teamshowcases the best of the best on a weekly basis.
4’The Shield' (2002-2008)
Micheal Chiklistakes on the role of Vic Mackey, a corrupt detective who, with his STRIKE team members, uses illegal methods to help solve cases within the Los Angeles Police Department.The Shieldfeatured an ensemble cast with well-known actors making appearances such asGlenn Close,Forrest WhittakerandAnthony Anderson.
The Shieldis held in high regard for its real-life themes of corruption within law enforcement. Chiklis shines in the lead role and helps round out a threatening cast of characters in the show. The role of Vic Mackey earned Chiklis two Academy Awards and remains one of the best law enforcement shows in TV history.
3’The Unit' (2006-2009)
The Unitwas an hour-long drama/thriller-filled show that follow an elite counterterrorism group called ‘The Unit’. The heavily toned show took inspiration from the real-life elite US counterterrorism group of the U.S. Army known as Delta Force. In addition to high-risk missions,The Unitalso focuses on the personal lives of its members outside their job.
Each week,The Unitdedicated a thrilling performance to audiences while also providing a unique experience for a look inside the U.S. military. Despite a strong start in viewership,The Unitonly lasted four seasons before its cancelation.
2’Chicago P.D.' (2014-)
From the mind ofcop procedural show mastermindDick Wolf,Chicago P.D.follows the careers and personal lives of law enforcement personnel in the 21st District of the Chicago Police Department. Within the Chicago P.D., the audience is given the viewpoint of crime as seen through the eyes of the Intelligence Unit and patrol uninformed officers.
The second installment of the Wolf’sChicagofranchise,Chicago P.D.keeps in step with ever-crossingChicago Med,Chicago JusticeandChicago Fire. The show has continued to grow with each passing year and maintains its pace of modern themes.
1’Law & Order: SVU' (1999-)
Law & Order: SVUmade its debut in 1999 and has been a staple in the tv procedural law genre for years. The show follows a small specialized team of detectives who solve sexual-related cases. Created by Dick Wolf, the iconic series takes inspiration from real-life cases to loosely based episodes.
Over the years, the show has continued to attract countless viewership and hold its primetime slot on NBC.Law & Order: SVUhas won numerous Academy Awards and has been praised for its gripping and complex storylines. The show has since become one of the longest-running primetime live-action shows in US history.
