12 TV Shows You Must Watch if You Love The Mentalist – If you’ve just binge-watched every episode of ‘The Mentalist,’ I understand how you feel – withdrawal symptoms. When it comes to a solid crime-solving show, it doesn’t get much better than this. Come-on! the capacity to read someone else’s thoughts?? Yes, I know, Patrick Jane doesn’t literally read people’s minds, but he is such an astute observer that it appears as if he is. As we all know, the series revolves around Patrick Jane, a handsome and attractive young man who works as an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Sacramento, California. The character’s single admittance into the agency was motivated by his desire to avenge the murders of his wife and daughter at the hands of a deviant serial killer known as Red John.
The show’s compelling characters are what make it worth binge-watching. Teresa Lisbon, the team’s strong no-nonsense leader, played by Robin Tunney; Kimball Cho, the loyal second-hand man who is tough but lovable; Wayne Rigsby, the goofball muscle man who is in love with his colleague; and, of course, Grace Van Pelt, the team’s beautiful rookie, played by the gorgeous Amanda Elizabeth Righetti.
The subplots that demonstrate the friendships that build between the various members of the team, as well as the pranks they perform on each other, are also an important part of what makes ‘The Mentalist’ so interesting. The grisly deaths, enticing mysteries, and continual pranks and intellectual jokes by Patrick Jane elevate the show to the next level, leaving me with a void in my life after it stopped. To fill that void and help you get a handle on that withdrawal symptom, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest shows similar to ‘The Mentalist’ that we recommend. Several of these films, including ‘The Mentalist,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Criminal Minds (2005 – Present)
If you’re a true crime-solving fan, you’ve probably heard of ‘Criminal Minds.’ It is a 2005 American police drama that has been renewed for its 15th and final season, which will begin in January 2019. This mind-blowing drama, based on several true-life cases, centres around an elite squad of Federal Bureau of Investigation profilers. The Behavioral Analysis section analyzes and attempts to understand the most heinous criminals in order to forecast their next move and, in turn, prevent them from harming innocent people.
Over the span of 15 years, the program has seen many excellent performers portray and retire, the most notable of whom is Mandy Patinkin’s Jason Giddiyan. He left the show after three seasons, citing that it was too gruesome for him. The series and its members, David Rossi (founder member), Emily Prentiss, and Dr Spenser Reid, have evolved over the years. Jennifer Jareau, Tara Lewis, Luke Alvez, Simmons, and Penelope Garcia have apprehended far too many serial killers to count. The show stimulates and captures our imaginations not only with thrills, but also with empathy and nuanced emotions, outstanding plot lines, and consistent character development. It is without a doubt the go-to show if you are looking for something to fill your time, and with 24 episodes per season (until the 14th), it will keep you entertained for a long, long time.
Lie to Me (2009 – 2011)
This one is a little risky. Though it follows the format of ‘The Mentalist,’ it is a show about a clever man who is an expert in the science of body language and’micro expressions,’ but it was sadly short-lived and only had three seasons. Though it did not receive the critical accolades or interest that it deserved, it is unquestionably at the top of my list of binge-worthy crime-solving shows.
The premise of the show is straightforward: Dr. Cal Lightman, played by Tim Roth, undergoes the ordeal of his mother’s death as a young boy, causing him to become fascinated with body language and micro-expressions so that no one can ever lie to him. He puts his skills to use by establishing a private practice to assist local and applied law enforcement authorities in solving crimes and discovering the truth through the application of applied psychology. The gorgeous colleague, Dr Gillian Foster, who analyzes patterns of voice, language, and behavior, adds to the mystery. The most touching plotline, though, is the one between Cal Lightman and his adolescent daughter Emily Lightman, played by Hayley McFarland.
Castle (2009 – 2016)
So it’s always entertaining to watch a show in which an outsider is brought in to assist a law enforcement agency and eventually becomes a vital part of the organization. ‘Castle,’ on the other hand, is a funny procedural drama that is a must-see. When a psychopath begins murdering people based on his works, a well-known crime author is approached for assistance. Throughout the investigation, Castle (Nathan Fillion) finds himself drawn to the attractive, tough lead investigator (Stana Katic) and uses his influence to follow her around and assist with real-life crimes utilizing his knowledge as a criminal story-teller. What follows are eight seasons of nail-bitingly funny, dramatic, and sometimes scary crime-fighting entertainment.
White Collar (2009 – 2014)
Suspense, humour, excitement, and good story-telling are all hallmarks of a successful criminal television story. What’s more, there’s a handsome eye-candy in the form of Neal Caffrey, played dashingly by Matt Bomer, who is a conman within the FBI’s custody. FBI agent Peter Burke, played by Tim DeKay, has finally apprehended his antagonist Caffrey and is now using his abilities to investigate other white-collar crimes. Over the course of six seasons, we see a steady-paced cat-and-mouse game with wonderful twists and turns, as well as the flowering of an odd but lovely friendship. If you’re seeking for a program with a fascinating storyline and exhilarating moments, this is the one to watch.
Chuck (2007 – 2012)
We are all aware that governments around the world keep millions of secrets hidden from ordinary folks. Imagine if we had access to all of those secrets. That is what happens to Chuck Bartowski, played by Zachary Levi as a silly nerd, who downloads a plethora of government secrets into his head. As a result, he gets hired as an agent by the NSA and CIA – yup, a nerd becomes a spy. Is it possible to get any better than this? Yes, it can, thanks to the gorgeous Yvonne Strahovski as Chuck’s manager, Sarah Walker. The extraordinary cast members of the one-of-a-kind spy action, comedy, family drama show include Joshua Gomez, who plays Chuck’s best friend Morgan Grimes. Colonel John Casey, played by Adam Baldwin, is a gruff and unflappable character. Ellie Bartowski, Chuck’s sister, is played by Sarah Lancaster, and Devon Woodcomb, her perfect husband, is played by the attractive Ryan McPartin.
Broadchurch (2013 – 2017)
Looking for some gruesome murder, eerily fascinating acting, and excellent story-telling? Then ‘Broadchurch,’ a British miniseries, is the show for you. ‘Broadchurch,’ set in a devastatingly beautiful coastal hamlet, chronicles the story of an 11-year-old boy’s murder, which causes media uproar and threatens to disturb the serenity of a small community where everyone is a suspect. The outstanding performances of David Tennant, who plays the cantankerous lead detective Alec Hardy, and Olivia Colman, who plays assistant detective Ellie Miller, lifted this season to a whole new level.
Luther (2010 – Present)
‘Luther,’ another British gem, is the type of crime drama television series that will make you reconsider visiting London the next time. What will keep you captivated to the screen, though, is the story of a committed but obsessive, and occasionally aggressive, investigator who is divided between his dedication to his career and the darkness that has surrounding him as a result of his employment. Already intrigued? Perhaps this will seal the deal. Idris Alba plays the title character, and he is the sexiest man alive.
The Bridge (2011 – 2018)
The internet continues to astound me. It has not only converted the world into a global village, but it has also provided individuals with the opportunity to appreciate and study art and culture from around the world. This amazing technology has lead me to one of the most creative collaborations. ‘The Bridge,’ a Swedish-Danish co-production, follows the story of two investigators, one from Sweden and the other from Denmark, who uncover a body on the border between the two nations. The show not only provides us with thrills and big twists and turns, but it also depicts the differences and similarities between these two great cultures.
Alias (2001 – 2006)
Taking a journey down memory lane, I came across a hidden treasure called ‘Alias.’ The series, created by none other than J.J. Abrams, follows the life of Sydney Bristow, a double agent (working for the CIA), who is played by the amazing Jennifer Garner. Bristow is an undergraduate student when she is recruited by the CIA, or so she is told. When she tells her fiancé she works for the CIA seven years later, he is murdered. She soon discovers that she has been working for an anti-American organization called the SD-6. This is when she chooses to work as a double agent for the actual CIA in order to bring SD-6 down from within.
Dexter (2006 – 2013)
We’ve now entered the realm of psychological thrillers. The concept of ‘Dexter’ was highly unsettling, for lack of a better word, when it was initially launched in 2006. Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall, is a forensic technician who analyzes blood splatter in Miami. He is, in fact, a serial killer. Yes, you read that correctly: the show’s protagonist is a serial killer. In a strange way, he is the good guy since the victims he kills are awful criminals who have gotten away from the legal system. Sounds strangely intriguing, doesn’t it? So, what are you still waiting for? Begin your binge-watching now!
The Fall (2013 – 2016)
Talking about weird, here’s a show that focuses not only on a serial killer, but also on a serial killer who lives a normal life with a wife and child. This British-Irish crime drama is set in the Northern Irish city of Belfast and follows the calm DSI Gillian Anderson, played by Stella Gibson, when she arrives in Belfast to examine the progress of a murder investigation that is eventually revealed to be a series of unsolved rapes and connected killings. We now know that the serial killer is Paul Spector, a social worker and family man. The cat-and-mouse game that develops is both intriguing and terrifying.
Sherlock (2010 – Present)
The best is saved until last! For decades, crime novelists and filmmakers have been inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ How does something so cherished become even more remarkable? That’s easy: set the stories in the twenty-first century, with sophisticated technology, and cast Benedict Cumberbatch as the eccentric Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loveable, clumsy sidekick, Dr. John Watson. Combine these two outstanding actors with Mark Gatiss as Sherlock Holmes’s even more clever older brother, Mycroft Holmes, and finally the magnificent Andrew Scott as Professor Moriarty. What you get is a masterwork that is clever, hilarious, thrilling, and binge-worthy.