Prime Video recently began streamingOn Call, a new police proceduralby Dick Wolf, and those who enjoyed the show should check out these other amazing series with similar themes. Released in January 2025,On Callcenters on a veteran police officer and her rookie partner as they patrol Long Beach, California, coming face to face with the brutal realities of modern crime. Aside from being executive produced by police procedural legend, Wolf, the show is also directed by Eriq LaSalle ofERfame and stars Troian Bellisario, who appeared as Spencer inPretty Little Liars.
There are countless police procedurals andpopular crime seriesout there these days, butOn Callstuck out to audiences because of its dark tone and moving storylines. Although critics only gave the series a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have praised it,offering a much more impressive 92%. For the most part,On Callwill resonate with viewers who enjoy stories about crime, and appreciate the mental and physical effects that law enforcement roles have on real people. All in all,On Callmay not be for everyone, but those who liked it should consider watching these similar series.
Audiences who have not gotten their fill of crime stories should most definitely check outCriminal Minds.This 17-season series follows a team of FBI profilers who are dedicated to solving mysteries and taking down vicious criminals. The show boasts a large cast of talented actors, all of whom play lovable and interesting characters. Yet,Criminal Mindsis also willing to delve into the darker parts of the human psyche, and shows that working with bad people can be just as painful as it is heroic.
10 Most Disturbing Unsubs In Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is one of the most popular crime procedurals in history, but some of their unsubs linger for the most terrifying reasons.
AlthoughCriminal Mindsis centered on the FBI rather than regular police officers like Traci and Alex, the show doesn’t feel too far off from what audiences get while watchingOn Call.There is the procedural element, where the characters take on a new case and solve it by the end of the episode, and there is a definite focus on the brutalities of crime, both on the victims and on the investigators who are involved. Ultimately,Criminal Mindsis a perfect show for the crime TV lover.
If the California crime scene is more your style, a great show to pick up isBosch.Based on novels by Michael Connelly,Boschfollows the titular character, Harry Bosch, an LAPD homicide detective who takes on terrifying cases, all while dealing with his own personal issues, centered around his time as a special forces officer.Boschran for seven seasonsfrom 2014 to 2021, and earned itself a fantastic 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
There are definitely some key differences betweenBoschandOn Call.The former focuses on one character rather than a police duo, and Bosch’s work revolves around murder in particular. However, both series are set in California, giving them a parallel style. On top of that,Boschalso takes time to show how being in law enforcement can seriously disrupt an individual’s mental health.Luckily,Boschalso has spinoff series, so audiences will have plenty to catch up on afterOn Call.
On Callcould be labeled as any other police procedural, but one detail that makes it stand out is its executive producer, Dick Wolf. For more of Wolf’s content,Chicago P.D.is a great way to go. With 12 seasons under its belt and no end in sight,Chicago P.D.follows the intrepid detectives in Chicago’s Intelligence Unit. In particular, they are led bythe gruff Sgt. Hank Voight. Amid the chaotic crime of inner city Chicago, these officers must try to keep the peace, taking on drug cartels, gangs, and violent murders.
Since Wolf is behind both of these series, it is easy to see how the shows interconnect. Despite having vastly different settings, both series are centered on the ups and downs of being a law enforcement officer. Notably,Chicago P.D.isn’t just focused on one type of crime either, which makes it even closer toOn Call.Another benefit ofChicago P.D.is that it is part ofa greater universe of Chicago first responder shows, meaning that audiences will have plenty of shows to watch.
Yet another Wolf series that is ideal for the crime enthusiast isLaw & Order.One of the longest-running series on network television,Law & Orderis set in New York City, and followsthe police officers who investigate the city’s crimes and the attorneys who carry out the criminals' fate in court.Law & Orderhas various spinoffsand crossovers, yet this is the series that truly started it all for Wolf. After 24 seasons, there is no denying that this series is seriously compelling, from its characters to its storylines.
All in all,Law & Orderis the origin point from whichOn Callcould be made, so it is definitely worth checking out.
Law & Orderis decidedly different fromOn Call,but once again, having Wolf on both of their teams makes the shows inextricably linked. Just likeOn Call,Law & Orderpresents enjoyable characters, unique crimes, and social issuesthat will resonate with viewers no matter who they are or when they are watching. All in all,Law & Orderis the origin point from whichOn Callcould be made, so it is definitely worth checking out.
1Southland (2009)
On Call’s Successful Predecessor
Finally,the series that is most often compared toOn CallisSouthland.In this 2009 series, veteran police officer John Cooper is assigned to train rookie Ben Sherman in Los Angeles. Next to Cooper’s no-nonsense attitude, Sherman worries about whether he has the chops to be a police officer. Meanwhile, other members of the LAPD complete their own jobs while dealing with their personal problems such as ailing family members and career aspirations.
It is easy to see thatSouthlandis the most similar toOn Call.From the setting to the premise, this series has all the ingredients ofOn Call,but was executed several years earlier to incredible success.With five seasons and a 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes,Southlandis a highly underrated crime seriesthat deserves to be rediscovered, especially byOn Callfans. In many ways,Southlandrepresents whatOn Callcould be in the future.
