10 Underrated TV Procedurals Everyone Should Check Out

Summary

• Procedural TV shows have evolved beyond predictable formulas, with overlooked series offering unique narratives and diverse genres.
• Shows like iZombie and Pushing Daisies break the procedural mold, providing unexpected twists and social commentary on humanity.
• Transplant, The Closer, Hudson & Rex, and other underrated procedurals offer compelling characters and relevant storylines that captivate audiences.

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 like Grey’s Anatomy to legal shows like Law & 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 some TV shows should not have been procedurals and 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 time and be immersed in the story.

10 iZombie (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 that iZombie was 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 crimes by 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, iZombie had 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 the best zombie TV shows present the living dead in different ways, but most often as ruthless monsters. This wasn’t the case in iZombie, as Liv 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.

9 Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)

Lee Pace’s offbeat and stylistically brilliant dramedy has a supernatural twist.

Pushing Daisies was 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 dead with one touch, but if he touches them twice, then they die forever. From the start, Pushing Daisies understands 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, as Ned brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Anna Friel), back to life, but they can never express their love because if Ned touches her, she’ll die. Though it’s sad to watch Pushing Daisies and know that there are only two seasons available, the episodes that exist are excellent pieces of television that shouldn’t be forgotten.

8 Life On Mars (2006–2007)

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Life on Mars
is 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 Mars is 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 of Doctor Who, but he’s unrecognizable as Sam Tyler. Life on Mars spends 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 ambiguous and not answering the pressing questions of his journey, whether it be genuine time travel or some kind of afterlife.

7 Transplant (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 discrimination because 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.

Transplant is an underrated medical drama. Not only because of how well it deals with the high-stakes environment of an emergency room but also because of how 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.

6 The 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 throughout The 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 Closer differentiates itself from other police procedurals by making Brenda a CIA-trained interrogator who specializes in advanced interrogation techniques and 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 Closer hasn’t proven itself to have the longevity of other crime procedurals, but it’s well worth returning to. The Closer has dated elements, but the 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.

5 Hudson & 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 on Hudson & Rex work with their furry friends. The Canadian TV show is enormously popular but has yet to break into the U.S. market on 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 crimes and tracking down bad guys as Hudson is. While Hudson & Rex isn’t afraid to lean into the comedy of its premise, it also takes on some serious crimes, including murder. Overall, Hudson & Rex is 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 like Law & Order do. This makes the show the perfect introduction to mystery stories for younger audiences.

Watch
Hudson & Rex
on Prime Video or Sling TV.

4 CSI: Cyber (2015–2016)

Cyber might be the shortest-running CSI show, but it still has a lot to offer.

CSI
distinguished 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 the CSI franchise, CSI: Cyber was the shortest-lived and the least critically acclaimed, but it deserves to be reevaluated today. Part of the reason that audiences didn’t connect with CSI: Cyber the 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 Kiyoko all featured prominently in every episode. After his initial tenure on the original CSI, Danson was chosen to lead Cyber because of his charisma.

CSI distinguished 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. Cyber took this one step further by looking into the field of internet and virtual crime and how this is one of the fastest-growing areas of illegal activity. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make hacking and internet usage exciting, but CSI: Cyber does an excellent job of imbuing action into every possible scene.

3 Truth Be Told (2019–2023)

Octavia Spencer heads up a compelling and culturally relevant addition to the crime drama sphere.

The star power behind Truth Be Told only increases as the seasons progress, but Octavia Spencer remains the anchor of every storyline throughout the show. Truth Be Told wouldn’t be half as strong without Spencer’s work as 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 Told is a thrilling crime drama for wannabe detective viewers, as it’s easy for the audience to imagine themselves in Poppy’s shoes.

2 The 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 when The Alienist premiered in 2018, it put a unique spin on the budding niche of the genre. Set in the late 1800s in New York City, The Alienist might appeal to fans of The Gilded Age, as the wealth and opulence of this period are on full display. However, The Alienist leans 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 Alienist
was 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, but The Alienist expands 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 Alienist was well ahead of its time, and if it premiered today, it would have developed a strong cult following.

1 Perry 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 drama The 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 2020 Perry Mason looks back at the origin story of the legendary lawyer who faced off in many criminal cases against the DA and other prosecutors. In many ways, the first Perry Mason originated 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 lawyer through different cases and unbelievable suspects. It’s true that the recent Perry Mason revival 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.