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Crime shows have been a mainstay in the primetime TV circuit for decades. They often come in the form of procedurals that fans of the genre can watch at leisure. While most have overarching storylines, the beauty is that they can be watched out of order, any time, and never get stale or fail to make sense.
Some of the best crime shows on television have aired for quite some time. Without counting non-scripted dramatic series, like America’s Most Wanted and Cops, as well as series outside of American TV, like the Scottish detective series Taggart that aired for 27 seasons from 1985 through 2010, British series Heartbeat (18 seasons), and Midsomer Murders (23 seasons), there are compelling crime shows and police procedurals that rank among the longest running.
15 'Columbo' (1968-1978, 1989-2003)
10 seasons
Image via NBC A classic crime procedural, Columbo tells the story of the titular protagonist, Lt. Frank Columbo, a homicide detective with the LAPD, who solves brutal, covert, and complex murder cases in and around the city of Los Angeles. Played by Peter Falk in a remarkable performance, Columbo is known for his shrewd mind and exceptional observation skills, and became synonymous with his trademark raincoat, unassuming demeanor, love of chili, and the catchphrase “Just one more question.”
Often considered a timeless classic, Columbo is known for popularizing the inverted detective story format, where the narrative focuses on “howcatchem,” rather than the regular whodunit format. In its three-decade run, Columbo set a benchmark for detective mystery procedurals, with the protagonist’s character design becoming an inspiration for future shows and their protagonists. The series earned 13 Emmys and two Golden Globes, with Falk earning several Emmys for his performance that made the character iconic. — Maddie P
Columbo
Release Date September 15, 1971
Cast Peter Falk , Mike Lally , John Finnegan
Seasons 7
14 'The X-Files' (1993-2002, 2016)
11 seasons
Image via Fox More than three decades later, The X-Files remains an iconic procedural series and comparable to no other. Focusing more on hard sci-fi and inexplicable events, the series follows FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who work together to investigate unsolved, complicated cases, where Mulder leans on his belief in the paranormal, while Scully relies on her scientific approach. Inspired by classic television shows like The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks, and Tales from the Darkside, The X-Files features suspense, horror, speculative fiction, conspiracy theories, extra-terrestrial life, and mythopoeia.
The 12-season-long series became popular for its gripping narrative on unconventional sci-fi topics in a crime procedural format, becoming a cult series, and spawning a massive franchise that includes spin-off shows, films, and merchandise. The X-Files earned a slew of awards, and Anderson and Duchovny’s portrayal made Mulder and Scully household names in the 90s, in what became their breakout roles. — Maddie P
Release Date September 10, 1993
Creator Chris Carter
Seasons 11
13 'NYPD Blue' (1993-2005)
12 seasons
Image Via ABC This 90s crime procedural was most popular for being ahead of its time. NYPD Blue follows the lives and work of detectives and other members at the fictional 15th Precinct of the New York Police Department. Each episode of the show explores a different case and follows various characters and their stories, but the show’s arcs concentrate on four detectives, Dennis Franz (Andy Sipowicz), Gordon Clapp (Greg Medavoy), Arthur Fancy (James McDaniel), and James Martinez (Nicholas Turturro), of which Detective Franz and Detective Clapp remain permanent fixtures through 12 seasons.
Another classic police procedural, NYPD Blue combines crime, drama, mystery, and thriller, making it quite a wholesome show, earning 20 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 84 nominations. With 261 episodes spread across 12 seasons, the series also became the longest-running one-hour primetime series on ABC, until that rank was surpassed by Grey’s Anatomy in 2016. — Maddie P
NYPD Blue
Release Date September 21, 1993
Creator
Seasons 12
12 'Bones' (2005-2017)
12 seasons
Image via Fox In an era of successful and high-rated procedurals on television, this Fox series was novel for exploring criminal investigation using forensic anthropology and forensic archeology. Bones focuses on Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel), a forensic anthropologist and team leader of the fictional Jeffersonian Institute Medico-Legal Lab, who partners with FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) to investigate crimes. Along with her team, Bones uses her impressive knowledge and sharp analytical skills to examine decomposed and destroyed bodies of victims, which becomes the highlight of the show.
The longest-running, one-hour drama series produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Bones stood out for its unique concept, despite the stiff competition from other popular procedurals. With its strength of characters, especially Deschanel and Boreanaz, that drives their powerful on-screen chemistry, Bones remains an appealing crime procedural series. The Emmy-winning series has often been compared to The X-Files for its clever and unusual cases. — Maddie P
Release Date September 13, 2005
Cast Emily Deschanel , David Boreanaz , John Boyd , Michaela Conlin , Tamara Taylor , T.J. Thyne
Seasons 12
11 'Hawaii Five-O' (1968-1980, 2010-2020)
12 Seasons, 10 Seasons
Image via CBS Other shows have lasted just as many seasons as Hawaii Five-O, including Murder, She Wrote, NYPD Blue, and Bones. But Hawaii Five-O had more episodes overall. With its initial run, there were 281 episodes compared to about 260 or so for the other series. But the show was also revived for a hugely successful new iteration featuring new characters and set in modern times. That revival ran for almost as long as the original.
The series, a police procedural, is naturally set in Hawaii and follows the heads of a fictional state police task force and the cases they try to solve. For anyone looking for a great show with more than 10 seasons, this is a fantastic choice.
Hawaii Five-O
Release Date September 20, 1968
Creator(s) Leonard Freeman
Cast Jack Lord , James MacArthur , Kam Fong , Herman Wedemeyer , Harry Endo , Zulu , Richard Denning , Al Harrington
Seasons 12
10 'Blue Bloods' (2010-)
13 Seasons
Image via CBS One of the newer crime dramas, Blue Bloods stars veteran actor Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan the Police Commissioner in New York City. The Reagans have a long history working in law enforcement in the Big Apple, and both of Frank’s sons as well as his daughter are continuing the tradition and the family name reputation.
Naturally, the family wields a lot of power in the city, dedicating their lives for generations to serving residents, preventing crime, and delivering justice. The series – which has given fans some incredible Blue Bloods episodes – is a binge-worthy crime show that adds a modern spin on the genre.
Release Date September 24, 2010
Rating
Seasons 14
9 'NCIS: Los Angeles' (2009-2023)
14 Seasons
Image via CBS Set in California, NCIS: Los Angeles is an action series that combines both the military drama and police procedural genres. It follows the Office of Special Projects (OSP) in Los Angeles, an elite division of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. This group specializes in undercover assignments to uncover crime and take down criminals.
As the first spin-off to the original series NCIS, the show has concluded its run. Through its 14 seasons, it has starred actors like Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, the late Miguel Ferrer, and Nia Long.
Release Date September 22, 2009
Seasons 14
8 'Bonanza' (1959-1973)
14 Seasons
Image via NBC One of the earliest crime dramas, Bonanza is a Western TV series, and is the second-longest-running of its genre ever for American TV, and the longest-running for NBC. Set in the 1860s, it centers on the Cartwright family, wealthy residents of Nevada.
Through the episodes, which dealt with plenty more beyond just crime, the family, headed up by patriarch Ben, must do what needs to be done to defend their ranch. The series is often named one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
Bonanza
Release Date September 12, 1959
Creator David Dortort, Fred Hamilton
Cast Michael Landon , Lorne Greene , Pernell Roberts , Victor Sen Yung
Seasons 14
Main Genre Western
7 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' (2000-2015)
15 Seasons
Image via CBS Studios The original series that piqued society’s interest in the forensics side of criminal investigations, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has spawned several spin-offs, including CSI: NY, CSY: Cyber, CSI: Miami, and CSI: Vegas, the latter of which serves as a revival of the original and brings back some original cast members.
Rather than focus on those on the front lines, this series looks at the people who work behind the scenes, examining the forensics of a case to help solve murders. Instead of extroverted police officers, the main characters are introverted and socially awkward, but bring a new dimension to the crime drama. Their compelling and clever methods of figuring out the whodunit have viewers’ eyes glued to the TV.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Release Date October 6, 2000
Creator Anthony E. Zuiker
Seasons 15
6 'Criminal Minds' (2005-2020, 2022)
16 Seasons
Image via Paramount Plus Tackling the behavioral end of police work, Criminal Minds is a police procedural that follows a group of criminal profilers working for the FBI. They search for and interrogate the presumed perpetrators, trying to understand the motives and reasoning that might have driven someone to be the guilty party.
With sub-plots involving the personal lives of the characters as well, the series has seen major actors as part of Criminal Minds' cast of agents over the years. Among these are Mandy Patikin, Shemar Moore, Paget Brewster, Aisha Tyler, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. There are two American spin-offs, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. The revival, which premiered on Paramount+, is called Criminal Minds: Evolution while a true-crime docuseries called The Real Criminal Minds is also in the works for that streaming service.
Release Date September 22, 2005
Seasons 17
5 'NCIS' (2003-)
20 Seasons
Image via CBS The original series in the franchise, NCIS is a police procedural and military drama set in Washington about a group of special agents working for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Born from the series JAG, the focus of the cases are high visibility crimes, including murders, force protection, and treason involving the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
While Mark Harmon headed up the series as Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for the show’s first 19 seasons, Gary Cole has taken over since. The show is a long-running fan favorite, with many able to count some of the best NCIS episodes among the greatest in the genre.
Release Date September 23, 2003
Creator(s) Donald P. Bellisario , Don McGill
Seasons 22
4 'Gunsmoke' (1955-1975)
20 Seasons
Image via CBS Another early entry on the list, Gunsmoke remains one of the greatest Western TV shows of all time. It initially started as a radio series, airing from 1952 to 1961, and became a TV series as well in 1955.
Set in Kansas, Gunsmoke is about Matt Dillion (James Arness), A U.S. marshal who works in the American frontier town, ensuring residents uphold the letter of the law. The setting, which takes place in current times at the time it was on the air, is during the settlement of the American West.
Gunsmoke
Release Date September 10, 1955
Creator(s) Charles Marquis Warren , Clyde Ware
Seasons 20
Main Genre Western
3 'Law & Order' (1990-2010)
22 Seasons
Image via NBC Arguably the gold standard when it comes to police procedurals, Law & Order was an early favorite, and many of its spin-offs remain beloved among a new generation of viewers. Set in New York City, the series uniquely splits each episode to cover the two crucial parts of enforcing the law: the first hour is about the investigation of the crime and the second is about the prosecution of the defendant.
What makes Law & Order so compelling, in part, is that while the cases are fictional, many drew inspiration from real-life cases that were going on at the current time, or had occurred in the past.
Release Date September 13, 1990
Creator(s) Dick Wolf
Seasons 23
2 'Midsomer Murders' (1997-)
24 seasons
Image via ITV Twenty-seven years and still running, Midsomer Murders is one of the longest-running series of all time, with 24 seasons and 142 episodes under its belt. Set in the titular, fictional English county in contemporary England, the British crime drama mystery follows Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles) of Midsomer Constabulary and his partner who investigate murder cases across the picturesque countryside. Tom is later replaced by his cousin, DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon).
Based on Chief Inspector Barnaby novels by Caroline Graham, Midsomer Murders is adapted by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson, both of whom have previously written for Agatha Christie’s Poirot. With solid detective work, balanced with lighthearted quirks and dark humor, and a distinctive soundtrack, it has all the ingredients of cozy and small-town mysteries. The British crime series is regarded as one of the most popular and successful British television shows, broadcast across 200 countries. — Maddie P
Midsomer Murders
Release Date March 23, 1997
Creator(s) Caroline Graham
Cast Caroline Harker , Christopher Timothy , Claudia Harrison , David Ross , Dinah Stabb , Elisabeth Dermot Walsh , Emma Cunniffe , Geoffrey Freshwater , Jemma Churchill , John Nettles , Josephine Butler , Sarah Smart , Saskia Wickham , Tom Knight , Amit Shah , Ben Meyjes , John Sackville , Oliver Ryan , Ed White , Charlotte Beaumont , Stuart Yung Sai-Kit , Matthew Tennyson , Phoebe Campbell , Paul Grunert , Lucie Cooper-Jones
Seasons 23
1 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' (1999-)
24 Seasons
Image via NBC Surpassing the series of which it serves as a spin-off, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit now holds the distinction of being the longest-running scripted police procedural on American television. Episodes are divided much the same way as Law & Order, looking at both the investigation of the crime and then the trial. However, SVU has a unique spin in terms of which cases are covered.
This series, based in New York, focuses on the darkest of crimes investigated by an elite force. These include sexually oriented crimes like rape and domestic violence, as well as non-sexually motivated crimes that require special handling, like those of elderly or disabled victims. Law & Order: SVU has made Stabler and Benson (played by Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay) household names, and a fan-favorite pairing on TV.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Release Date September 20, 1999
Creator(s) Dick Wolf
Seasons 24
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