# 10 Shows Like 'Reacher' You Should Watch Next
If your family finished season two of "Reacher" and is searching for the next gripping series to watch together, you have solid options. The show's formula works: a stoic protagonist solving crimes through intelligence and physical prowess, usually adapted from source material, delivered in digestible episodes that keep viewers hooked across multiple seasons.
"Reacher" itself springs from Lee Child's bestselling Jack Reacher novels, which explains part of its appeal. Audiences trust book adaptations when they capture the essence of beloved characters. That foundation matters when deciding what comes next for your household viewing schedule.
Several shows replicate this winning pattern. "Bosch," the Amazon crime drama starring Titus Welliver, follows a Los Angeles detective navigating cold cases with the same methodical determination Reacher brings to his investigations. The show ran for seven seasons before spawning "Bosch: Legacy," extending the universe for fans wanting more. Parents watching alongside older teens appreciate its smart writing and character development over relentless action.
"Monk," the earlier USA Network series, offers similar appeal with a different angle. Adrian Monk's obsessive-compulsive detective work requires viewers to follow complex logic puzzles. The show balances drama with genuine humor, making it accessible for family viewing without sacrificing intelligence.
For those drawn to lone-wolf protagonists, "Sherlock" presents Benedict Cumberbatch's modern take on Conan Doyle's detective. While darker and more puzzle-focused than Reacher, it delivers the same satisfaction of watching a brilliant mind dismantle complex cases. The BBC's production values rival prestige television.
"The Fall" starring Jamie Dornan offers psychological depth. This British-Irish drama explores the cat-and-mouse dynamic between a detective and serial killer with nuance that rewards close attention. It's grittier than Reacher but appeals to parents comfortable with darker content.
"True Detective" season one (skip season two and beyond) captures the atmospheric crime-solving Reacher fans enjoy, though with a Texas noir sensibility. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson's performances anchor an eight-episode arc that maintains momentum.
"Severance" takes a different direction entirely but shares the loner-protagonist framework. Mark Scout (Adam Scott) navigates a mysterious corporate mystery with the kind of determined problem-solving Reacher embodies, wrapped in science fiction concepts.
Older options worth revisiting include "The Wire," the HBO standard for crime drama sophistication, and "Justified," where Timothy Olyphant's U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens shares Reacher's uncompromising approach to justice. Both reward patient viewing and character investment.
For lighter relief between heavy dramas, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" delivers crime-solving humor. Its procedural elements satisfy viewers wanting mysteries solved weekly, though the tone sits squarely in comedy rather than thriller territory.
Your household's tolerance for violence, sexual content, and psychological darkness determines which shows work best. "Reacher" occupies middle ground. Crime dramas range from network-television appropriate ("Bosch," "Monk") to streaming-service dark ("The Fall," "Severance"). Reading parent reviews on Common Sense Media helps calibrate viewing choices for specific ages and sensitivities before committing to a new series.
The common thread across quality crime dramas remains consistent: protagonist you believe in, mysteries that unfold logically, and production quality matching streaming-era expectations. These shows deliver all three.