10 Best Shows Like Bosch & Bosch: Legacy

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Warning: This article has spoilers for Bosch: Legacy!

Having immersed myself in the gripping world of detective Harry Bosch through both “Bosch” and its spin-off “Bosch: Legacy”, fellow enthusiasts of gritty police procedurals and crime dramas should not miss out. After 7 thrilling seasons of the initial series and 3 of its successor, the saga of Harry Bosch is reaching its climactic conclusion. Fret not, as the captivating Bosch universe will persist, with a fresh spin-off titled “Ballard” taking center stage, spotlighting the intriguing character Renee Ballard.

For those who continue enjoying the show, others might seek a new tale reminiscent of Bosch. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of detective stories, crime dramas, and police procedurals available. Here are ten shows that share qualities beyond just being in the genre, making them attractive to fans of both Bosch and Bosch: Legacy.

10. Goliath

A Legal Drama With A Jaded Main Character

As a devoted movie buff, I’d say I’m particularly fond of Goliath, a gripping series produced by David E. Kelley, the mastermind behind shows such as Boston Legal and Ally McBeal. If you’re a fan of Bosch or Bosch: Legacy, you’ll definitely appreciate this Prime Video gem. After experiencing a professional downfall, lawyer Billy McBride decided to focus on personal injury cases. However, he was persuaded to tackle a wrongful death lawsuit that ultimately exposed a much larger conspiracy.

The primary figures in Amazon Prime’s original series share striking similarities in their character traits, even though they work in different fields, largely because of their hardened viewpoints and personal struggles. These shows explore the theme of morality within corrupt systems, with Goliath, Bosch, and Bosch: Legacy all delving into this topic. Additionally, both Goliath and Bosch: Legacy involve the main characters unmasking a dangerous conspiracy.

9. True Detective

An Anthology Detective Series With Grim Cases

Aficionados of the initial Bosch show are likely to take pleasure in True Detective, which debuted in 2014 and is still ongoing. As its title suggests, True Detective is a crime drama that revolves around detectives who tackle cases in an unusual manner. Each season unfolds in a distinct geographical location with a fresh ensemble cast.

Unlike “Bosch,” which mainly revolves around a single protagonist, “True Detective” features multiple detectives delving into murders and disappearances nationwide in the U.S. Like “Bosch,” this HBO series tackles dark cases that might be too intense for other crime dramas. Furthermore, the narratives are deeply rooted in the characters’ personal histories, shaping their professional investigations.

8. Luther

A British Detective Series With A Dark, Gritty Ambiance

The Amazon Prime Video series Bosch and Bosch: Legacy possess a grim, raw atmosphere, which sets them apart from many other police dramas. If you appreciate these elements, you might find yourself drawn to Luther, a British crime thriller. This show revolves around DCI John Luther, a tenacious detective who takes on complex and recurring cases.

Bosch and Bosch: Legacy have a gritty, dark feel that distinguishes them from other police shows. If you like that vibe, check out Luther, a crime thriller from Britain about a dedicated detective named John Luther who solves intricate and ongoing cases.

In both series, the leading characters frequently disregard or even violate the rules to perform their duties effectively. Similar to Bosch, Luther possesses an ominous, grim, and realistic ambiance. A captivating distinction between them might be that Luther has a link with a murderer who intermittently appears in the show, making for an engaging viewing experience.

7. Mare of Easttown

A Crime Drama Miniseries With High Stakes

As a movie enthusiast who’s found themselves captivated by Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, if you’re seeking a compact yet compelling viewing experience, I highly recommend HBO’s Mare of Easttown. This mini-series delves into the life of detective Mare Sheehan, whose investigation into a murder in her quaint Pennsylvania hometown, Easttown, unfolds over its episodes.

Interestingly, a year prior to the events of the series, Mare has been grappling with the unsolved disappearance of a young girl, which may have ties to the current murder case she’s working on. The intertwining mysteries make for an engaging and suspenseful watch.

Both Amazon’s Prime Video’s Bosch: Legacy and HBO’s Mare of Easttown delve into the mental turmoil of their leading characters and how their personal histories influence their professional lives. The families and past experiences of Bosch and Mare significantly contribute to the narratives. Instead of following a conventional drama format, they incorporate aspects of the thriller genre, adding an extra layer of intrigue. The tension is palpable as both detectives face significant challenges, leaving viewers on the brink of anticipation at times.

6. Bloodlands

A British Police Procedural With Major Plot Twists

If you’re a fan of Bosch, don’t miss out on the gripping British series, Bloodlands. Similar to Bosch, Bloodlands centers around DCI Tom Brannick, a Northern Irish investigator, who works alongside his team to unravel intricate cases that aren’t as simple as they appear at first glance. Both shows share many narrative and stylistic elements within the same police procedural genre.

Both series share a serialized structure, unfolding narratives over several episodes. They both focus on a rogue cop who often disregards regulations but remains reliable. Despite Harry Bosch being generally serious, he occasionally employs dry and morbid humor – a characteristic also present in the Bloodlands characters. These shows also incorporate elements of mystery, featuring significant plot turns and unexpected revelations during the course of investigations.

5. Dexter: New Blood

A Sequel Series That Puts A Law Enforcement Agent Outside The Law

According to Jeff Lindsay’s books, the TV series Dexter was extremely well-received by audiences. With such a large fanbase, it’s no wonder that a follow-up series titled Dexter: New Blood was created, similar to how Bosch led to Bosch: Legacy. In this new show, we find out what Dexter has been up to for nearly a decade since the original series ended.

In essence, both original series introduce a central character involved in law enforcement, but the subsequent series find these characters operating outside of this profession. Thematically, both Dexter: New Blood and Bosch: Legacy delve into how past traumas shape individuals over time. Flashbacks offering glimpses into their pasts enrich the storylines of both shows. However, it’s crucial for fans of Bosch: Legacy to understand that Dexter and Bosch are fundamentally different in terms of their personalities when watching Dexter: New Blood.

4. Homicide: Life on the Street

A Detective Show With Gritty Realism

Despite airing between 2014 and 2021, the television series Bosch shares unexpected resemblances with the show Homicide: Life on the Street, which was broadcast two decades prior. Inspired by David Simon’s book “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” this program narrates the tales of detectives working in the fictional Baltimore Police Department’s Homicide Unit as they delve into various investigations.

Based on the documentary “Anatomy of Homicide: Life on the Street,” Simon aimed to challenge the conventional image of American detectives as heroic and compassionate in his show. Similarly, Bosch strives to accomplish this goal. The investigators in both series are hardened by their work experience, lending a raw authenticity that keeps viewers engaged. Although they share a similar tone, Bosch delves deeper into its cases compared to Homicide: Life on the Streets, which typically follows an episodic format.

3. Black Snow

A Compelling Australian Crime Show With Cold Cases

If you’ve finished watching both Bosch and Bosch: Legacy in the US, you might find Black Snow, an Australian crime drama less familiar to you, to be an engaging series worth your time. The narrative revolves around Detective James Cormack, a character who delves into unsolved cases while struggling with his own past wounds.

Each season focuses on a distinct, unresolved mystery, with unexpected turns along the way. Although the cases in Bosch aren’t strictly compartmentalized, they are gradually unfolded throughout multiple episodes. Family ties play a significant role in both narratives. In Black Snow, it’s James’ brother who is central to the story, while in Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, it’s his daughter Maddie who takes center stage.

2. Line of Duty

A Crime Show That Centers On Police Corruption

Following your binge-watch of Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, consider diving into another gripping British crime drama, Line of Duty. This series revolves around the operations of Anti-Corruption Unit 12, a dedicated police unit that investigates corruption within their own ranks. Similar to the Bosch series, both shows exhibit a deep-seated skepticism towards the system and frequently depict police and political corruption unraveled by the protagonists. Notably, both shows are free of excessive filler episodes.

Each storyline encompasses several installments and involves intricate plots with unexpected turns. A key character in the show “Line of Duty,” Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott, shares a striking resemblance in personality to the title character Harry Bosch from the Bosch television series.

1. The Lincoln Lawyer

A Law Procedural Based On Michael Connelly’s Books

After finishing Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, you might be intrigued to watch The Lincoln Lawyer next. This Netflix series is adapted from Michael Connelly’s book series of the same name, featuring Mickey Haller, a renowned defense attorney. He’s famous for his ability to secure acquittals by skillfully manipulating the law and uncovering clever loopholes in complex cases.

Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch may not appear together in the TV series “Bosch” or “Bosch: Legacy,” and “The Lincoln Lawyer” doesn’t feature Harry Bosch, but they are half-brothers in the books. Both shows share a similar narrative style and tone as they are heavily influenced by the novels. The main distinction between “The Lincoln Lawyer” and the “Bosch” series is that the former moves at a faster pace than the latter. Additionally, while the Netflix show focuses on the law from a legal professional’s viewpoint, the Amazon shows adopt a detective’s perspective.

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2025-04-20 06:29