Bosch may be one of the best police procedurals of the last few decades, but it’s not the ultimate champion of the genre. Yes, it’s undeniably a hit, but better cop shows don’t just exist, they’re plentiful. From bleak British thrillers to groundbreaking network dramas, there are plenty of police shows that outshine Harry Bosch’s L.A. streets.
With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and multiple spin-offs, there’s no denying Bosch’s success. Still, even a great show can be eclipsed by the true masters of crime drama. Some procedurals have gone further in exploring morality, systemic corruption, and the psyche of those on both sides of the law, proving that even Bosch can be beaten at its own game.
Luther (2010-2019)
Chaos, Genius, And Moral Turmoil In Every Case
Luther isn’t just a crime drama – it’s a psychological warzone. Idris Elba’s portrayal of DCI John Luther is ferocious and magnetic, elevating the series into a dark, almost gothic police procedural. Where Bosch focuses on grounded detective realism, Luther thrives in chaos, fusing high-stakes investigations with a protagonist perpetually teetering between justice and obsession.
Each episode unfolds like a moral puzzle, with Luther confronting both criminals and his own demons. The show’s gritty London setting adds atmosphere, but its true strength lies in exploring how far a detective can go before becoming what he hunts. Few procedurals have captured that intensity.
For Bosch fans craving a darker descent into crime and morality, Luther offers a masterclass in tension and character-driven storytelling. It’s a procedural where genius and madness walk hand in hand, with so much unpredictability that Bosch seems borderline-formulaic by comparison.
Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
Revolutionized The Police Procedural Genre
Before Bosch, the legendary 1980’s series Hill Street Blues set the gold standard for what the best police procedurals could achieve. The show’s blend of serialized storytelling, gritty realism, and sprawling ensemble cast paved the way for nearly every modern cop drama that followed.
The series broke conventions by humanizing its officers, showing their flaws, doubts, and vulnerabilities. While Bosch nails the lone-wolf detective archetype, Hill Street Blues excels at portraying the entire police ecosystem, from the street cops to the brass. That sense of scale makes every victory and tragedy hit harder.
Decades later, its influence still echoes through modern procedurals. Fans of Bosch who love morally complex cases and character-driven realism owe it to themselves to see where the genre truly evolved. There are few classic cop shows that top Bosch, but Hill Street Blues manages it with ease.
Criminal Minds (2005-2020)
Criminal Profiling Becomes A Gripping Psychological Chess Match
Where Bosch thrives on procedural precision, Criminal Minds dives deep into the darkness of human psychology. Led by agents like Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) and Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit doesn’t just solve crimes, it profiles the monsters who commit them.
What sets Criminal Minds apart is its mix of structure and psychology. Each case feels like a puzzle, pushing both investigators and viewers to understand what makes killers tick. The show balances grim storytelling with the camaraderie and emotional toll of its team members.
For fans of Bosch who appreciate methodical investigations but want more focus on the “why” behind the crimes, Criminal Minds offers a procedural that’s just as cerebral as it is suspenseful.
The Shield (2002-2008)
Exposes The Corruption Bosch Rarely Dared To Touch
The Shield shattered television norms with its ruthless portrayal of police corruption across 7 edge-of-your-seat seasons. Michael Chiklis stars as Vic Mackey, a detective whose brutal tactics and moral compromises make Harry Bosch look tame by comparison.
Where Bosch often paints law enforcement as flawed but well-intentioned, The Shield dives headfirst into the rot within the system. Its fast-paced storytelling, documentary-style cinematography, and moral ambiguity make it one of the most intense police procedurals ever made.
The Shield takes everything Bosch fans will find familiar – crime-solving, moral conflict, internal affairs – and amplifies it to unbearable extremes. It’s a procedural that asks not just how far a cop will go, but how much they’ll lose along the way.
Homicide: Life On The Street (1993-1999)
The Crime Drama With Unrivaled Realism
Easily among the best cop shows of all time, Homicide: Life on the Street predates Bosch by decades, but it remains one of the most authentic portrayals of detective work ever filmed. Based on David Simon’s book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, it laid the foundation for the modern police procedural.
Its handheld camerawork, overlapping dialogue, and weary detectives like Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor) captured the grind and despair of real homicide investigation. Bosch captures realism, but Homicide lives in it – no glamour, no closure, just the truth.
Fans of shows like Bosch who admire unflinching authenticity will find that Homicide: Life on the Street feels like the genre distilled to its purest, rawest form. There’s no dead weight or distractions, simply unfiltered police action across each of its 122 episodes.
Line Of Duty (2012-Present)
The UK Show That Explores Corruption With Relentless Suspense
The British crime thriller series Line of Duty might be the most addictive police procedural of the 21st century. Following the AC-12 anti-corruption unit led by Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), the show turns the hunt for dirty cops into white-knuckle television.
While Bosch depicts institutional flaws, Line of Duty turns them into a full-blown conspiracy. Each season unravels another layer of deceit, loyalty, and betrayal, pulling viewers deep into a web of lies that rivals any crime thriller.
The meticulous attention to investigative detail is sure to delight fans of Bosch, but that’s not the only appeal. Line of Duty pushes the police procedural format to its limits, turning every interrogation and confession into an emotional gut punch. Long-running cop shows are rarely this intense.
True Detective (2014-Present)
The Anthology That Redefined The Modern Crime Procedural
True Detective reimagined what a police procedural could be, blending noir storytelling with existential dread. Titus Welliver may be becoming an icon of the genre, but True Detective season 1’s pairing of Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) remains one of the most compelling detective duos in crime TV history.
Unlike Bosch, which thrives on procedural accuracy, True Detective elevates the genre through atmosphere, symbolism, and psychological depth. Each season functions as a philosophical journey into the human condition, set against the backdrop of haunting investigations.
For fans of Bosch seeking something more cerebral and cinematic, True Detective offers a chilling, poetic exploration of evil – both in the world and within the detectives themselves. Each season of the anthology show is unique, too, giving True Detective a level of variety even the best police procedurals on TV can match.
Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Makes The Criminal Mind Its Primary Crime Scene
Netflix’s groundbreaking crime show Mindhunter trades car chases for conversations, and it’s riveting. Starring Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford and Holt McCallany as Bill Tench, the series follows the FBI’s early efforts to profile serial killers in the 1970s.
Where Bosch focuses on solving crimes, Mindhunter investigates why crimes happen. It’s meticulous, slow-burning, and methodical, capturing the birth of criminal psychology with chilling realism. Every interview is a battle of intellect and empathy.
Those that are drawn to Bosch for its investigative detail and character nuance more than likely find Mindhunter becomes an instant favorite. It stands as a near-perfect police procedural not because of action, but because of how deeply it understands obsession and human behavior.
The Wire (2002-2008)
The Definitive Crime Drama Of Its Generation
If Bosch is great, The Wire is transcendent. Created by David Simon, it’s not just a police procedural – it’s a full-scale examination of urban America. From the drug trade to the school system and political corruption, The Wire captures the interconnected machinery of a city with unmatched realism.
Detectives like Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) and Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters) embody the quiet brilliance and frustration of police work. Unlike Bosch, The Wire doesn’t center on one hero. Instead, it dismantles the hero-cop genre trope entirely, showing how institutions, not individuals, shape justice.
Bosch fans who value authenticity, scope, and depth should consider The Wire to be more than a must-watch – it’s the definitive statement on what the best police procedurals can achieve. Bosch may be one of the most entertaining series of the last few decades, but The Wire is one of the best TV shows of all time.
