I Watched 13 Different Crime Procedurals In 2025. Why The Non-Franchise Shows Were My Favorites

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As the year draws to a close and the 2025 TV season wraps up, it’s a good time to reflect on the best and worst shows of the past year. I watched a lot of primetime crime dramas – thirteen, to be exact! While I didn’t always watch them live or love every single one, I discovered that I enjoyed the standalone shows the most, rather than those connected to larger franchises.

With the 2026 television lineup taking shape, let’s first recap the most notable crime dramas of 2025.

My 2025 Crime Procedurals

After briefly questioning my life choices due to my heavy viewing of crime dramas, I discovered I wasn’t just watching shows on NBC and CBS. Here’s a complete list of what I’ve been watching:

  1. The Rookie – ABC (streaming with a Hulu subscription)
  2. Will Trent – ABC (streaming on Hulu)
  3. FBI – CBS (streaming with a Paramount+ subscription)
  4. FBI: International – CBS (streaming on Paramount+)
  5. FBI: Most Wanted – CBS (streaming on Paramount+)
  6. Elsbeth – CBS (streaming on Paramount+)
  7. Murder in a Small Town – Fox (streaming on Hulu)
  8. Law & Order – NBC (streaming with a Peacock subscription)
  9. Law & Order: SVU – NBC (streaming on Peacock)
  10. Law & Order: Organized Crime – NBC (streaming on Peacock)
  11. Chicago P.D. – NBC (streaming on Peacock)
  12. The Hunting Party – NBC (streaming on Peacock)
  13. Found – NBC (streaming on Peacock)

I’ll admit it – I’m a big fan of the Law & Order shows, and Chicago P.D. is the only police show currently part of the One Chicago universe. I was really disappointed, like many fans, when FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were canceled. These shows definitely had a lot to offer.

The Appeal Of Franchises (And What Doesn’t Always Work)

I definitely remember and often reference moments from SVU over the years, and I frequently make jokes about how terrible Hudson University is in the Law & Order universe. When watching Chicago Med or Chicago Fire, I always scan for a Chicago P.D. appearance. And I always enjoyed it when the FBI show had crossovers with its spin-offs.

I’m a big fan of TV shows that exist in the same universe. Seeing actors reunite, like Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, always feels special – even if I don’t follow every pairing. I was disappointed with the way FBI: International ended, especially compared to the satisfying conclusion of FBI: Most Wanted. Honestly, keeping track of all the connections between these shows would require a detailed diagram, and that says a lot about how interconnected they are!

Honestly, sometimes it’s just more enjoyable to watch TV without overthinking things. I don’t always want to analyze every detail, wondering if something is a hidden reference or if an actor is playing multiple roles – which happens a lot in shows like Law & Order. I don’t need every plot point to be connected. And that leads me to…

My Non-Franchise Crime Shows Of 2025

I focused more on shows like Law & Order and FBI, but I still watched and enjoyed other crime series. Although The Rookie isn’t a huge franchise like some others, it did have one spinoff with Niecy Nash, and another is currently being developed with Jay Ellis. Here are the individual crime shows I’ve been following over the past year:

  1. Will Trent
  2. Elsbeth
  3. Murder in a Small Town
  4. The Hunting Party
  5. Found

These five shows are all quite distinct. Will Trent is adapted from Karin Slaughter’s novels. Murder in a Small Town follows both a police chief and a librarian who becomes a politician. Elsbeth originally wasn’t a comedy, but shifted its focus this season. Both Found and The Hunting Party blend ongoing storylines with each week’s individual case.

I could simply relax and enjoy everything without having to look up details, worry about hidden references, or figure out why actors looked familiar. It was great to just focus on the stories and action, without constantly anticipating connections to other shows.

These shows are also pretty accessible for new viewers. While I’m a dedicated fan of SVU, starting a series that’s been on for 27 seasons can be daunting, especially since longtime viewers love referencing older episodes. You can enjoy plenty of shows without needing to know the backstory, and I suggest giving them a try. I do have one personal favorite, though.

My Favorite Crime Show Of The Year: Elsbeth

It might seem unexpected that I’d choose the funniest crime show as my favorite, but honestly, I was even more surprised when I started watching Elsbeth! It’s so unique compared to The Good Wife and The Good Fight that even seeing a familiar face from those shows couldn’t make me consider it part of the same universe. Looking back, Elsbeth was the crime drama I consistently enjoyed the most each week.

One of the biggest draws of the show is definitely the guest stars. Elsbeth consistently attracts well-known actors to play either the killer or the victim – Stephen Colbert, for example, appeared as a murder victim in the season three premiere. I especially loved the season two premiere featuring Nathan Lane as the murderer, and it’s amazing how many stars were eager to participate, even in episodes with musical numbers reminiscent of Chicago. We even got to see Laurie Metcalf from The Conners and Eric McCormack from Will and Grace showcase talents they never had the chance to display on their popular sitcoms.

The show does feature some over-the-top and shocking moments, and it originally felt like a serious drama before shifting to a comedy for this year’s awards. Carrie Preston has skillfully played the lead role throughout both changes in tone, and her co-star, Michael Emerson (who is also her husband in real life), wasn’t just making a brief, funny appearance.

I really enjoy crime shows that are part of larger series, but Elsbeth is a delightful change of pace. It’s refreshing not to have to look for connections to other shows, and it’s genuinely funny. Plus, as advertised, you don’t need to have watched The Good Wife or The Good Fight to enjoy it. I’m also looking forward to the return of my other favorite crime shows next year, even though a few, like FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, and Found, unfortunately won’t be back.

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2025-12-31 13:10