Nine Procedurals That Focused as Much on Characters as Cracking Cases

In the past, crime procedurals combined quirky investigations, important relationships between the cast, and witty banter to create a fun, light-hearted series.

However, many current procedurals focus more on gritty violent crimes, and it’s challenging to balance between showing realistic cases and adding some humor.

The TV Fanatic Staff compiled some suggestions of older and current procedurals that feature heart and vibrant characters that stand out from the pack.

Castle

Castle had an outstanding balance of humor and case logistics, keeping a light-hearted tone that meshed well with the grislier aspects of its murder plots.

Nathan Fillion, as celebrity author/permanent police ride along Rick Castle, was the undisputed high court jester.

Still, he graciously left room for cop sidekicks Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) to elicit chuckles of their own. Even Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) also got some deadpan digs in.

It could be argued that Castle leaned too heavily into humor.

However, the show created its own unique tonal ecosystem that worked perfectly and still delivered an hour of satisfying crime-solving. 

Available to Stream on Sling TV, Hulu, or Disney +

Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-0 included plentiful action and a police unit that became a family, with Steve and Danny, a bickering old couple.

Steve and Danny became one of the most popular buddy-cop bromances, bantering often in the infamous car. Danny’s charming nature balanced Steve’s tall and brooding personality.

It also featured hilarious supporting players such as conspiracy-wielder Jerry and food-truck philosopher Kamekona.

Hawaii Five-0 built an impressive, talented, and diverse cast. Before Grace Park starred in A Million Little Things, she starred as Kona, a former pro surfer now a rookie cop. She shined on Hawaii Five-0, and it was refreshing to see such a multicultural cast and beautiful scenery combined with rich characters.

Available to Stream on Paramount +

Magnum P.I.

Reboots don’t always work, but Magnum P.I. (2018-2024) meshed well with audiences. They kept many important things the same, such as still taking place on beautiful Oahu in Hawaii.

At its heart were still unit-mates Thomas, T.C., and Rick. They were best friends, but their lives changed, and they tackled new adventures together.

 But the twist was Magnum and a female Higgins becoming partners, then lovers. Partners becoming romantic lovers is such a fun trope, and the tension between Magnum and Higgins was intense during Season 4.

Even though Magnum P.I. ended earlier than we would have liked, Magnum and Higgins got the payoff that fans often beg for.

CBS created a fantastic pair of ohanas from Hawaii with Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., but only Magnum P.I. got a reprieve from NBC with an extra season renewal.

Available to Watch on Sling TV or The Roku Channel

Psych

Psych did an excellent job blending comedy and mystery while entertaining audiences with compelling characters.

They did such a great job that Peacock created several movies after the series originally ended on USA Network.

The series focused on Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez), a fake psychic who assisted the Santa Barbara Police Department in solving crimes.

The series almost plays as a comedy with the interactions between the characters, whether it was the witty banter between Shawn and his partner Gus or Shawn getting on Lassiter’s last nerve.

Having Shawn and Gus’s friendship at the core of the series allowed it to shine. Gus was Shawn’s right-hand man at their detective agency. While they poked fun at each other’s weaknesses, they would die for each other and nearly did a few times saving each other in hostage situations.

These strong friendships are often missing in current procedurals, which was one of the reasons we were so excited to continue their journeys in the Psych films.

Available to Stream on Peacock and Prime Video

Monk

Monk also featured quirky cases and comedic charm similar to Psych.

Monk followed the brilliant and troubled detective Adrian Monk, who struggled with OCD and other psychosis. These challenges helped him understand people but also made his job difficult.

Monk balanced heartfelt stories, balancing his challenges of interacting with people with real-life humorous moments.

Until then, there hadn’t been a series with a detective having OCD. While many modern procedurals may have kept Monk an outcast, the series made a point of having other characters being amazed or even admiring him.

Addressing mental health issues like depression and OCD and giving him the skills to be like a superhero was so imperative.

Recently, Peacock featured a follow-up movie, Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.

Available to Stream on Peacock and Netflix

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was one of the procedurals that started it all, and the series lasted for 15 seasons.

While “The Nerd Squad” was about solving crimes and finding justice for the victims and their families, part of the appeal of the series was the cast’s connection.

While we didn’t often see inside their homes, the series delved into the characters’ personal lives through different cases, and that deepened bonds between the characters and the viewers’ investment.

Some of the best relationships were the friendships between Grissom and Warrick, and Sara, Nick, and Greg. Like many other procedurals, we loved the slow-burn romance of Grissom and Sara, which took years to develop.

We hoped that CSI: Vegas would help fill the void, but nothing is as good as the original.

Available to Stream on Paramount + and Hulu.

Private Eyes

Private Eyes was an entertaining investigative series starring Jason Priestley as an ex-pro hockey player, Matt Shade, who teamed up with a feisty private investigator, Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson).

They became partners at Everett Investigations, and while they were opposites, those personalities and skills often benefitted them in their quirky weekly cases.

It was amusing watching them pretend to be a couple undercover at times, but they grew to know each other intimately as their relationship evolved.

They exhibit an intense pull-pull chemistry as viewers root for them to get together.

Like many Canadian procedurals, Private Eyes is light and breezy with comedic elements. The two leads have wonderful chemistry, and the supporting cast adds to the entertainment.

Barry Flatman plays Don Shade, Matt’s dad; Jordyn Negri plays Jules, Matt’s teenage daughter; Samantha Wan plays Zoe, Matt and Angie’s assistant.

Available to Buy/ Stream from Prime Video

Will Trent

Will Trent is a different kind of procedural since the lead GBI agent has dyslexia, is neurodiverse and uses his ability to observe people and cases differently to his advantage. Those who liked Monk will appreciate this series.

While some of the cases are gritty and violent, they also explore the characters’ history, such as Amanda or Angie’s sexual trauma or Will’s abuse in foster care.

Season 2 examined many character-centric episodes and further dove into each character’s past.

It doesn’t mean there isn’t humor, though. Det Ormewood and Angie often explored funnier cases, and one of the best cases in Season 2 was when both teams investigated a murder at a drag queen club. Seeing a proper Will Trent inside was so hilarious.

And Betty, the series mascot, makes everything better.

Available to Stream on the ABC app, Hulu, and Disney+

Wild Cards

Wild Cards is another fun procedural, mainly because of the premise.

Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti) has been demoted at work, while Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan) was a professional con artist.

As luck would have it, while being arrested, she uses her skills to help Ellis solve a local crime.

The two are offered a chance to work together and redeem themselves, and it’s hilarious because working with Max drives Ellis crazy, but they eventually learn to trust one another.

While it wasn’t initially planned, Jason Priestly stars in another one of these lighthearted procedurals as Max’s conman father. While he’s in prison, he still offers advice on cases when Max comes to visit him.

Available to Stream on the CW app and Hulu

These are only a few of the lighter procedurals. Let us know in the comments below if we missed your favorites.