But NCIS does not own the procedural genre, no matter how much it wants you to think otherwise. The genre existed long before and will continue to thrive long after. To that end, we’ve put together this list of underrated procedurals like NCIS. While these may not all have the same light tone or investigative focus, they will give you plenty of quality television to stream while you wait for NCIS Season 23.
Safe (2018)
Before Michael C. Hall returns to his iconic role as Dexter Morgan for serial killer procedural Safe. This 2018 series is about a surgeon whose teenaged daughter suddenly goes missing after a party, and the haunting web of lies he uncovers in his quest to find her. While it may not have the buttoned-down military appeal of NCIS, Safe has the tense drama and harrowing mystery fans of the CBS procedural have come to love. Safe itself was beloved by critics, though its eight episode, single season run has caused it to be somewhat forgotten over time.
Numb3rs (2005-2010)
CBS has been the king of the procedural for quite some time now, and that means there’s a lot of shows on the network competing for attention. One such show is CSI counterparts.
The Killing (2011-2014)
It is somewhat ironic that a series called Netflix for a fourth season, but even that wasn’t enough to garner a fanbase. It’s a shame, because The Killing is revered for its creepy tone and horrifying story, and it’s absolutely worth a watch if you’re wanting something a little scarier than NCIS gets.
ReGenesis (2004-2008)
If you like NCIS but prefer a little more science fiction in your procedural dramas, perhaps it’s time for a trip to the Great White North. The Umbrella Academy together.
Profiler (1996-2000)
NBC really had the crime thriller market hemmed down in the ‘90s, and one of the jewels in that crown was Sons of Anarchy’s Ally Walker), a criminal profiler who has unique insight into the minds of criminals. For much of the series, Sam and the VCTF are chasing the mysterious Jack of All Trades, a serial killer who murdered her husband years earlier, all while solving increasingly horrifying murders around the country. Profiler’s tense drama and horrifying action made it a hit for its first three seasons, but the departure of Walker early in Season 4 killed much of its momentum with fans.
Lie to Me (2009-2011)
House, M.D., but it quickly dipped in ratings, ending after three seasons.
JAG (1995-2005)
It’s probably really odd to call this one underrated, but how many NCIS fans really NCIS: Los Angeles.
Evil (2019-2024)
One of the biggest tragedies to happen during the shift from CBS to Paramount+ is how many shows that should have been hits got lost in the shuffle. The Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi) combat purported supernatural threats and the debate over whether they’re really supernatural or something else. Despite a positive first season and strong reviews, Evil was quickly moved to Paramount+ to bolster the platform’s streaming line-up, where it just never really seemed to get the word of mouth it deserved.
In Plain Sight (2008-2012)
The coveted Blue Sky era of USA Network programming seemed to end just as quickly as it began, but right in the center were some great shows that a lot of people have forgotten about. Sandwiched in the middle was Psych.
Third Watch (1999-2005)
NBC managed to sneak one more procedural onto its schedule in the late ‘90s, and it managed to be completely overshadowed by everything around it. Set in the same universe as the wildly popular Law & Order series it ran alongside.
Where To Watch Underrated Procedurals Like 'NCIS' Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
