White Collarundeniably ranks among the most popular crime dramas ever made, but fans of the show don’t have to look too far in order to find the next best thing. The show ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2014, making a name for itself as an innovative, more laid-back approach to serialized crime that wasn’t really being done at the time. Thankfully,the show will be making a comebackin the near future with a highly anticipatedWhite Collarrebootin the early stages of production.
The story of the original series followed a con artist named Neal, who’s hired by the FBI to help them catch white-collar criminals in exchange for his freedom. What ensued was a fairly familiar police procedural, butWhite Collaralways managed to make itself stand outfrom its competition with engaging characters, well-developed storylines, and plenty of long-running mysteries and shocking twists along the way.White Collarhad several great seasons, and its popularity made room for a multitude of shows with similar premises.
The Blacklist’s Premise Made It Perfect For Fans Of The White Collar
The Show Has Many Similarities
One of these shows, and perhaps the most successful of them, isThe Blacklist. The show took a very similar approach to storytelling asWhite Collar, with fascinating characters and inventive crimes that always kept the overarching narrative of the show in mind. In this way,both projects differed strongly from most other procedurals, but each reaped the benefits of that. The story ofThe Blacklistfollows a notorious criminal called Raymond Reddington, whose crimes are forgotten in exchange for his help catching others.
White Collar Theory: How Neal Really Faked His Death
White Collar’s finale saw Neal Caffrey pull his most ambitious con yet by faking his death, but chances are he got some help from a forgotten ally.
Over the years,The Blacklisthas been compared to countless other crime projects -The Silence of the Lambs, Mindhunter,andSe7enjust to name a few. However, its most blatant inspiration isWhite Collar, and that’s obvious from the crossover between audiences. Its similar premise madeThe Blacklistperfect for fans ofWhite Collar, allowing them to tune in each week fornew mysteries and returning charactersin exactly the same way. WhenWhite Collarended after season 6,The Blacklistwas the next best thing.
How The Blacklist Was Different From White Collar
The Blacklist Was Inspired, But It Didn’t Copy
However, none of this is to say thatWhite CollarandThe Blacklistare exactly the same. In fact,the two projects display a multitude of differencesthat have allowed them to stay separate over the years, avoiding accusations thatThe Blacklistis merely a cut-and-paste copy ofWhite Collar. Firstly,The Blacklistis much darker and more gritty thatWhite Collarever allowed itself to get. The former goes into much more gruesome detail about the crimes it depicts, and Reddington is a much more serious and intimidating protagonist for the show to follow.
Neal Caffrey is a much more amiable character than either Reddington or Megan Boone’s Elizabeth Keane […]
InWhite Collar, however, there were aspects of comedy and lightheartedness that are rarely present inThe Blacklist. Neal Caffrey is a much more amiable character than either Reddington or Megan Boone’s Elizabeth Keane, which makesWhite Collara much easier and less stressful viewing experience. Thebest episodes ofThe Blacklistare frequently the darker, more mature episodes, whereas the strongest episodes ofWhite Collarare often shrouded in sharp wit and fun character dynamics.
White Collar vs. The Blacklist: Which Is Better?
Is There A Clear Winner?
Ultimately, the question of whetherWhite CollarorThe Blacklistis “better” comes down to what the audience wants from the show. They’re both excellent series in their own right, but while their structures and premises are very similar,the execution is completely different in each show. For those looking for something more reliable, where the quality doesn’t differ too drastically from season to season,White Collaris probably a safer bet. The show also has more likable characters and engaging relationships that carry through the entirety of the six seasons.
However,The Blacklisthas a higher ceiling: when it’s at its peak, it’s much better than the average episode ofWhite Collar. James Spader’s performance as Reddington is one for the ages, andThe Blacklistgenerally has more complex charactersin comparison to its predecessor. Regarding the quality of the shows, specifically the visuals and acting, both projects are extremely strong.The decision is entirely one of preference, but it’s fair to say thatThe Blacklistis a safe continuation for those who enjoyedWhite Collarand miss its episodic crime storytelling.
White Collar
Cast
White Collar is a crime drama television series featuring Neal Caffrey, a skilled con artist and art thief, portrayed by Matt Bomer. After being captured by FBI agent Peter Burke, Neal agrees to help the FBI catch elusive white-collar criminals as a consultant, leveraging his unique skills. The series explores the evolving partnership and mutual trust between Neal and Peter, blending elements of crime-solving and personal redemption.
