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15 Shows like Better Call Saul For Those Who Want To Explore The Gray Area

April 28, 2023
Shows like Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul more than most shows chooses to dwell in the gray area between good and evil, and fans seem to enjoy it. This is why we have created a list of 15 shows like Better Call Saul. The show isa complex story which goes in-depth into the psyche of its characters and what motivates them to do what they do. Sometimes these motivations are good, sometimes bad, and sometimes they simply lie in the gray.

The series follows the character of Jimmy McGill, a struggling lawyer trying to make a name for himself in the legal world. Jimmy was introduced to viewers in the show Breaking Bad, and fans found his cunning and crooked ways utterly hilarious, but beneath every character is a story, one which Better Call Saul intended to tell. We get a prolonged glimpse into what led Jimmy to become the notorious Saul Goodman in this show, and if you were entertained and gripped by the adventures of Jimmy McGill and his posse, then here are 15 shows like Better Call Saul for you to watch.

List of Shows like Better Call Saul

  1. Mad Men
  2. Fargo
  3. The Americans
  4. The Sopranos
  5. Narcos
  6. Ozark
  7. The Wire
  8. Breaking Bad
  9. Boardwalk Empire
  10. Mindhunter
  11. True Detective
  12. Hannibal
  13. Ray Donovan
  14. Peaky Blinders
  15. Gomorrah

1. Mad Men (2007)

Mad Men is a period piece set in the 1960s. The main character is Don Draper, a creative director at an advertising agency set in New York. Like many men from that era, Don has had previous struggles with alcoholism, and it leaves him with a more troubled soul than it may seem from his cool suave exterior. Seen Mad Men? Read: Shows like Mad Men

This show makes some big statements about racism and feminism, not afraid to tackle these issues head on. Similar to shows like Better Call Saul, the show makes sure to explore these serious themes with lots of depth, recognizing its sensitivity and impact on the community.

2. Fargo (2014)

Fargo is a crime drama and dark comedy series. Each season of Fargo features a new story with a new cast of characters, all set in the Midwest. The series is an anthology, with each season exploring a different crime story, often involving murder, kidnapping, or other violent crimes.

Fargo is a show that can be immensely serious one second, and then have a goofy moment the next. This show blends moments of absurdity with intense drama, similar to shows like Better Call Saul, creating a unique and engaging viewing experience. The series will leave you deeply contemplating your sense of morality, and maybe even changing it as the episodes go by.

3. The Americans (2013)

The Americans is a Cold War saga that follows two spies sent to Washington DC, assuming the identities of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings. They cover as a married couple heads over heels in love, and have to brave the threat of being discovered and killed everyday of their lives, as long as they remain in Washington DC.

Set in the 80s, this series is a bit of a misnomer, as it has two Russian spies acting as the protagonists, which is almost always the other way around. Similar to series like Better Call Saul, The Americans shines a light on the gray, and you might find yourself rooting for these spies to complete their tasks successfully and find their way back home safe and sound.

4. The Sopranos (1999)

The Sopranos is a crime drama that follows the life of Tony Soprano, a mob boss. He is a man who is lost in the ideals of what the mob should be like, and in a way he regrets being born a little too late, and not being at his prime, at the same time as the Mafia’s peak of power in the US.

This is a series similar to Better Call Saul, due to its focus on intently exploring characters and the psychological aspect of crime. We see everyone busy fighting for their own slice of the American Dream, willing to do anything to secure it. This groundbreaking television series is widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time, and is one that you have to put on your watch-list.

Also Read: Shows Like The Sopranos

5. Narcos (2015)

Narcos is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and true crime stories. The series is a gripping television series that gives us the rundown of all that transpired in Colombia leading to Pablo Escobar losing his cartel, power and his money. The story is mostly told through the perspective of the DEA agents tasked with bringing him and his associates down.

Narcos is true to life, especially in terms of setting, with molecular detail sometimes being put in to recreate some scenes that had been captured in real life, though news footage or old video archives. Narcos is one of the more consistently quality shows like Better Call Saul that you can watch.

6. Ozark (2017)

Ozark is a show with great acting performances from a great ensemble cast, and a story all centered around Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who is forced to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel after a failed business deal. Marty has no choice but to move to the Ozarks with his family, to help launder money for the cartel.

Similar to shows like Better Call Saul, Ozark is also known for its exceptional cinematography and use of location. It is set in an utterly beautiful locale offset only by the sinister acts that its beauty hides. The show depicts the Ozarks in a way that is both beautiful and haunting.

7. The Wire (2002)

If you enjoy watching crime drama series similar to Better Call Saul, then The Wire is another series for you to enjoy. The Wire is a groundbreaking television series that premiered way back in 2002, and even though it only grew in popularity years after it ended, is currently seen by fans and critics alike as one of if not the greatest show of the 2000s.

The show tackles tough topics head on, just like Better Call Saul, from poor education, to the drug epidemic to corruption and politics. The Wire is one of the true masterpieces of modern television shows and if there’s one show you have to reach back into the archives of the 2000s to watch, then The Wire is definitely one of them.

Also Read: Shows like The Wire

8. Breaking Bad (2008)

Breaking Bad is a prequel to Better Call Saul, and if that doesn’t sell it for you, the fact that it is one of the greatest television series should. The show tells the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to making and selling methamphetamine after being diagnosed with cancer. One of the most notable aspects of Breaking Bad is its exploration of the transformation of Walter White from a meek and mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug lord.

The show explores the psychological toll that this transformation takes on Walter, as well as the effect it has on his relationships with his family and friends. This series, similar to shows like Better Call Saul, is highly recommended for fans of the show, and anyone who appreciates expertly crafted storytelling and complex characters in general. Are you fan of this prequel as well? Then Read: Shows like Breaking Bad

9. Boardwalk Empire (2010)

Boardwalk Empire is a television series set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. The show tells the story of Enoch Nucky Thompson, a corrupt politician and bootlegger who rises to power during this tumultuous time in American history. The show is quite detailed, nothing is amiss and nothing pulls you out of the immersion of feeling like you are really looking into a portal and seeing a view of the 1920s

Similar to series like Better Call Saul for its crime leaning tendencies, Boardwalk Empire’s detailed wardrobe and set design are highly impressive. In addition, Boardwalk Empire also has a lot to say about greed and how it can make and break a man. You may find yourself learning a lot too.

10. Mindhunter (2017)

Some say serial killers can’t help it, who knows? Well Mindhunter shows us two detectives who’ve been tasked with knowing everything there is to know about serial killers. Mindhunter is based on the true crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. The show tells the story of two FBI agents, Holden Ford and Bill Tench, lead the charge to use criminal psychology and profiling in order to prevent future serial murders.

Holden and Bill simply want to stop it from even happening in the first place, and they make use of recordings of various serial killers to develop a technique called criminal profiling, a revolutionary tool which has continued to save lives till this day. Mindhunter should be your next watch after shows like Better Call Saul.

11. True Detective (2014)

Every new season is a new story and a new case to be solved in True Detective. Every season has a new set of characters too. Matthew McConaughey was the leading man in Season 1, while Colin Farell popped up in Season 2. There is an overarching murder which the characters must solve in each season of this anthology series.

Similar to series like Better Call Saul, True Detective tackles the tough topics with nuance and sensitivity. The world of True Detective is a very dark one, and unlike Better Call Saul, you have no time to breathe and let a laugh out with a bit of comedic relief.

12. Hannibal (2013)

Hannibal is based on the characters and stories from Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon and other novels in the Hannibal Lecter series. The show follows the relationship between FBI profiler Will Graham and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, as they work together to solve cases and catch serial killers.

Similar to series like Better Call Saul, the show is known for its exploration of the human psyche and the often complicated and troubled nature of the human mind. If you are a fan of horrors and crime drama series, check out our list of recommendations for shows like Hannibal.

Also Read: Shows like Hannibal

13. Ray Donovan (2013)

Ray Donovan is about… Ray Donovan. Ray is a professional fixer who works for a powerful law firm in Los Angeles. The show centers around the life of Ray Donovan, who everyone calls, especially the rich and wealthy, whenever they get into some trouble which might end up being legal, a bit similar to Saul Goodman isn’t he?

One of the most notable aspects of Ray Donovan and a series like Better Call Saul is its focus on the corrupting influence of power and money. In addition to its exceptional performances, Ray Donovan teaches the value of loyalty over money, not like the characters in this show care however.

14. Peaky Blinders (2013)

Peaky Blinders is about the Shelby family, led by their patriarch, and World War I survivor, Thomas Shelny. Called the Peaky Blinders for their distinctive and violent ways, the show plots their rise from a runty local gang into one of the most powerful organizations in the English crime underworld.

The members in Peaky Blinders hold one thing and one thing only dear, well apart from money, and that thing is family. They are very protective of one another, as well as loyal. Similar to shows like Better Call Saul, Peaky Blinders is known to explore the consequences of life of crime and how it stops us from leading normal lives no matter how we try.

Also Read: Shows like Peaky Blinders

15. Gomorrah (2014)

Gomorrah is a television series based on the best-selling book of the same name by journalist Roberto Saviano. The show is set in Naples, Italy and follows the story of a powerful crime organization known as the Camorra, a crime syndicate which has their hands in everything dirty that you can do in the city of Naples.

Gomorrah doesn’t try to sugarcoat the world of organized crime on friends, family and the society at large. Similar to series like Better Call Saul, the show is known for its gritty and realistic approach to storytelling, as well as characters with a lot of depth to them and layers to peel back and examine carefully.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few shows like Better Call Saul that didn’t make the list that you can also check out:

1. The Flight Attendant

2. Mr. Robot

3. Barry

4. Sons of Anarchy

5. Rotten Tomatoes

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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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