911 is the most popular number in the whole world. And based on the same premise is the show “9-1-1,” which follows the lives of policemen, firefighters, and other types of first responders that are first to any emergency. If you just finished watching the show and want to know what other shows like 911 there are, then you’re at the right place.
I have a list of carefully curated shows that follow the lives of police, detectives, and FBI agents. These people do everything necessary to save people, stop crimes and avert danger to the public. Often we think of superheroes as people who wear capes, but these people are the real superheroes. While the shows might be fictional, the shows remain inspiring and sometimes emotional.
9 Awesome Shows Like 911 | Your Weekend Binges Are Sorted!
Our list of shows has been loved by fans and critics alike. You will find great acting, awesome storyline, and thrilling action and mystery in all of them. All you need for your binge is a subscription to the OTT service they are on, and you are set! Let’s check out these shows below one by one.
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1# The Wire (2002-2008)
Considered one of the best shows ever made, people don’t realize how good The Wire is! Starring Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, and others, The Wire is a detective show based in Maryland about the rapid increase in drug trade and crimes.
The Wire may even serve as an inspiration to shows like 911 as an example of how to do a detective show right. The realistic dialogues, the highly relatable characters, and the police procedural drama make up for a great watch. It is hands down one of the best shows like 911 you can watch!
Release Date: 2002
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Creator: David Simon
Cast: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Peirce
IMDB Score: 9.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Episode Run-Time: 59m
Number of Seasons: 5
Platform On: Disney +
2# Broadchurch (2013-2017)
Before all of you, new baby-faced fans knew Olivia Coleman from her performances in The Lost Daughter (2021). She started in this super hit detective show. Portraying the role of D.S. Ellie Miller, Coleman gives a stellar performance in this murder mystery.
An eleven-year-old boy’s dead body is found in a small British town which sends the whole town into panic mode. The amazing writing of the show kept the mystery so interesting that the killer’s real identity was not found till the last episode of the whole series. Broadchurch has multiple BAFTA awards and countless other nominations to its credit too.
Release Date: 2013
Genre: Crime/Drama
Creator: Chris Chibnall
Cast: David Tennant, Olivia Coleman, Jodie Whitaker, Andrew Buchan
IMDB Score: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Episode Run-Time: 48m
Number of Seasons: 3
Platform On: Vudu
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3# Law & Order (1990-2010)
One of the longest-running police dramas ever, Law & Order is the true OG of detective shows. It follows the lives of police detectives and prosecutors in New York. As the detectives solve the cases in the show’s first half, the second half follows, bringing the criminal to justice.
Law & Order is also the inspiration behind multiple other police dramas and has two spinoffs of its own. It has also been awarded multiple times and remains a critically acclaimed show. While 911 will show you the first responders, Law & Order manages to show you a complete picture. The justice system everywhere in the world remains complex, and Law & Order manages to capture that well.
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Crime/Drama
Creator: Dick Wolf and Rick Eid
Cast: Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Steven Hill, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Sam Waterston.
IMDB Score: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Episode Run-Time: 45m
Number of Seasons: 21
Platform On: Peacock TV and Hulu
4# Prime Suspect (1991-2006)
Released as miniseries over two decades, Prime Suspect is one of the best police shows like 911 out there. The show follows a female detective Jane Tennison who is ambitious and wants to do great things in her career. She soon realizes her gender is the biggest issue for that.
Battling s*xism alongside criminals, Helen Mirren portrays the role of Jane Tennison very well. She won an Emmy and three BAFTA awards for her acting performances to go with it. Prime Suspect has 14 episodes spread over 7 seasons, with each season consisting of 2 episodes.
Release Date: 1991
Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery
Cast: Hellen Mirren, John Benfield, Tom Bell
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Episode Run-Time: 3h 27m
Number of Seasons: 7
Platform On: Netflix
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5# Line of Duty (2012- present)
Sometimes police encounters go south, and that’s what Line of Duty is about. It follows the life of a police detective following several departmental investigations because he refuses to participate in a cover-up. An innocent man has been murdered, and detective Steve Arnott wants to get him justice.
A BBC original production, Line of Duty, has received positive reviews. It does a great job showing the behind-the-scenes activities of police departments and the bureaucracy that run the scene. It first aired on BBC Two and, following its success, was moved over to BBC One after the first two seasons.
Release Date: 2012
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Creator: Jed Mercurio
Cast: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar
IMDB Score: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Episode Run-Time: 1h
Number of Seasons: 6
Platform On: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
6# The Shield (2002-2008)
The Shield is an early 2000s era police engaged in fighting gang wars, drug violence, and corruption. The police department in LA has a special police team known as the Strike Team, and they can use all means of force to curb the growing criminal activities in the city.
The Shield shows how sometimes the first responders (the police) have to bend the law and even use unlawful means to get their work done. Whether extracting information from the criminals or finding drug busts, everything is game. The Shield has several Golden Globes and Emmy awards to its name and is one of the best shows like 911!
Release Date: 2002
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Creator: Shawn Ryan
Cast: Michael Chiklis, Michael Jace, Jay Karnes.
IMDB Score: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Episode Run-Time: 47m
Number of Seasons: 6
Platform On: Amazon Prime Video
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7# Major Crimes (2012-2018)
Major Crimes is a spinoff series of another police detective show, The Closer. That doesn’t mean the show can’t hold its own. It follows Captain Sharon Raydor, who heads the Major Crimes Divisions of LAPD, and her ability to solve highly sensitive and critical cases.
Mary MacDonnell plays the role of Captain Sharon Raydor very well in the male-dominated police world. Her performance has garnered critical acclaim, and she runs the show on her own at times. While Major Crimes deals with serious crimes, the Captain can solve these cases in a calm and collected manner.
Release Date: 2012
Genre: Crime/Drama/Action
Creator: James Duff
Cast: Mary MacDonell, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison
IMDB Score: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
Episode Run-Time: 43m
Number of Seasons: 6
Platform On: Amazon Prime Video
8# The Killing (2011-2014)
It might come off as wrong, but The Killing is one of the most addictive police shows! The show follows the lives of two police officers, Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder. Based on a Danish show called ‘Forbrydelsen,’ The Killing follows a police investigation of murder amid a political campaign.
Sarah is on the last day of her job with Stephen, ready to take over the duties but the revelation from the murder delays her plans. What Sarah first thinks will be a slight delay gives her new twists and turns. Who killed Rosie Larsen? Watch The Killing to find out!
Release Date: 2011
Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery
Creator: Veena Sud
Cast: Mireille Enos, Joel Kinnaman, Billy Campbell
IMDB Score: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
Episode Run-Time: 45m
Number of Seasons: 4
Platform On: Netflix
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9# Criminal Minds (2005-2021)
Can there ever be a list of shows like 911 and not have Criminal Minds mentioned? Impossible! It doesn’t feature higher on the list because technically Criminal Minds isn’t a police drama. It follows the FBI’s special Behavioural Analysis Unit that solves crimes using human psychology.
But we had to mention it. The detectives solve the most complex crimes involving serial killers and psychopaths. One of their main objectives is to anticipate the killers’ next move and catch them before they hurt more people. Criminal Mind is an absolute must-watch!!
Release Date: 2005
Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery
Creator: Jeff Davis
Cast: Mathew Gray Gubler, Kirsten Vangness, A.J. Cook, Shemar Moore, and Joe Mantegna
IMDB Score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Episode Run-Time: 42m
Number of Seasons: 15
Platform On: Netflix
Final Words
Our comprehensive list of shows like 911 should give you a nice idea of what to watch next. While police dramas are always the most interesting to watch, it’s a thin line between doing them right and wrong. The ones we chose for you are the best of the best, and you will not be left disappointed. Which show is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
