Hooked to Ballard already? Watch these 5 procedurals next and you wouldn't regret it

So, you’ve met Renée Ballard—and now you're hooked. It happens. Whether you found her through Michael Connelly’s novels or the buzz around the TV adaptation, chances are you’re not just here for the crime-solving. You’re here for the late-night beach shifts, the no-nonsense attitude, and that quiet fire she carries into every case.

Like any detective, Ballard has her own unique style of solving cases. Her method is distinctly unorthodox compared to the raspy, unemotional style of crime-solving, as she brings warmth to the world of procedures and protocols. If there are more crime and mystery shows that you enjoy—emotional stories that grip you until dawn—this is the perfect hub for you.

Here are five top-notch crime procedurals that’ll give you that same thrill Ballard brings—plus a whole lot more.

1. Bosch: Because every Ballard fan needs to meet Harry

Let’s start with the obvious pick. Bosch is where it all began. Detective Harry Bosch—also from Michael Connelly’s world—is a loner with a strong moral code, a rocky relationship with authority, and a habit of digging into things others would rather leave alone. Sound familiar?

The series, led by the ever-intense Titus Welliver, nails that noir-meets-modern-crime vibe. It’s grounded, emotional, and slow-burn in all the best ways. If Ballard is your new favorite, then Bosch is the detective soulmate you need to meet. Plus, in the books, the two eventually team up—so consider this required watching.

2. Mare of Easttown: A messy, real, brilliant detective

Mare Sheehan is a small-town cop played by Kate Winslet who has big challenges to deal with. She is mourning, chronically tired, and perpetually stuck in a struggle with her history and her town—and the people in it. She is the type of person who comes across as shockingly vivid and real. Rather than displaying her hurt for the world to see, she maintains it and allows it to seep out in bits and pieces—and perseveres.

Mare of Easttown is about more than just solving a murder. It’s about how loss, guilt, and trauma shape people—and how hard it can be to find the truth when you're barely holding yourself together. If Ballard’s emotional depth and personal struggles pulled you in, Mare’s story will hit even harder.

3. Unforgotten: Solving crimes, digging up ghosts

Unforgotten (Source: Amazon Prime Video)

For those who enjoy emotionally intensive whodunnits and intricate puzzles, Unforgotten is a must for your watchlist. This British series, available to stream on ITV in the UK and PBS Masterpiece or Prime Video in other regions, deals with cold cases from the past that have resurfaced, exposing secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the lives of individuals who believed they had moved on.

At the heart of the show is Detective Chief Inspector Cassie Stuart, played with quiet brilliance by Nicola Walker. She’s thoughtful, compassionate, and deeply affected by the emotional weight of the cases she reopens. Cassie doesn’t just want to catch the person responsible—she wants to understand why it happened and what the crime did to the people left behind. If you loved the introspective and human side of Ballard, Cassie will absolutely strike a chord.

4. The Killing: Dark, moody, and totally addictive

Rainy Seattle. A dead girl. Two detectives with more baggage than your last vacation. Welcome to The Killing, where everything is grey, emotional, and totally absorbing.

Sarah Linden, the lead detective, is sharp, intense, and often on the verge of unraveling. Like Ballard, she doesn’t know when to let go—and that’s what makes her so compelling. The show takes its time (don’t expect quick answers), but the payoff is worth it. It’s a slow descent into obsession, secrets, and truth, and it’s haunting in the best way.

5. Broadchurch: Small town, big secrets

In Broadchurch, the shocking killing of a young boy in a peaceful coastal village serves as the starting point for a much larger investigation. The show is centered on the aftermath of a crime tragedy and its effects on the community. It goes beyond mere crime-solving; instead, it seeks the reality behind everyone’s secrets.

Olivia Colman (who’s brilliant in everything) plays one of the lead detectives, and she’s paired with David Tennant’s grumpy, sharp-edged outsider. Their dynamic is top-tier. And while the twists keep coming, it’s the emotion that really hits home. Like Ballard’s world, nothing here is clean-cut—and justice doesn’t come without a cost.

Looking for your next fix? These will do the trick

If Ballard pulled you in, it’s probably because she feels real—flawed, fierce, and completely committed. These five shows bring that same energy. They're not just about solving crimes; they're about the people caught in the storm, the weight of truth, and what justice really looks like.