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10 Shows Like House MD For Fans Of Medical Dramas and Eccentric Geniuses

January 5, 2023
shows like House MD

American medical drama TV House M.D  is probably one of the best shows medical shows to exist. Incredibly talented Hugh Laurie played the titular protagonist Gregory House, an antisocial and unconventional medical genius. Miss watching this unique show starring Hugh Laurie, then check out these excellent shows like House MD. In the show, House leads a team of brilliant diagnosticians as he takes on unique cases that are not often given answers elsewhere. House’s excellent sarcasm and wit are unforgettable. House shares an incredible bond with  Dr Wilson. House MD is an incredibly profound and well-directed masterpiece that manages to provide life lessons against the backdrop of medicine.

List of TV Shows Like House MD

  1. Sherlock
  2. ER
  3. The Mentalist
  4. The Night Manager
  5. The Good Doctor
  6. White Collar
  7. A Gifted Man
  8. Luther
  9. Elementary 
  10. Grey’s Anatomy

1. Sherlock (BBC) (2010)

Sherlock Holmes has been a detective fiction classic for decades. There have been innumerable adaptations of the stories since then but none have quite gained popularity like the 2010 modern-day re-imagining of Sherlock by BBC. The show has an extremely talented cast of actors, Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson, Andrew Scott as the iconic Professor Moriarty. Seen it already? Then check out more shows like Sherlock.

A perfect mix of nostalgia to the time-appropriate re-imaging of classic lines makes the show so good. Sherlock uses technology and forensic science with his brilliant skills of deduction, observation and logical reasoning. Sherlock Holmes inspires every genius character in some way or another and House MD is no exception. House’s characteristics and relationship dynamic with Dr Wilson were inspired directly by Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. So, if you are in search of TV shows like House MD then Sherlock is the perfect choice for you.

2. ER (1994)

ER is a landmark medical drama show which still remains popular years after it first aired. One of the reasons still talk about the show is charming George Clooney’s character Dr Ross but the show is more than that. Great writing and dynamic characters are some of the reasons fans loved the show enough for it to run for 15 seasons! 

Here is the opening scene of ER:

The show focuses on the lives of people who work in the fictionalized version of Cook County General Hospital, Chicago, Illinois in the Emergency Room (ER). Similar to House MD, ER is also packed with great characters that face various critical issues. If you are a fan of medical drama shows like House MD, then ER is perfect for you.

3. The Mentalist (2008)

The Mentalist revolves around the life of a ‘psychic’ turned detective Patrick Jane who just likes House has extraordinary skills of observation and works with the Bureau of Investigation in California to solve crimes. This series puts the psychology of human behaviour at the centre of the investigation instead of the usual evidence. Simon Baker shows great chemistry with Robin Tunney, who plays Patrick’s boss and Senior agent Teresa Lisbon. Already seen this fantastic show? Check out more shows like The Mentalist.

Bruno Heller, the creator of The Mentalist, describes the idea of the show’s main character Patrick as a part detective, part justice-seeking and part con artist man. Hence, Simon in many ways is able to bring in characteristics of an eccentric genius like House. The Mentalist is a funny, charming, thought-provoking and absolutely entertaining series similar to House MD, give it a try.

4. The Night Manager (2016)

Hugh Laurie is hands down one of the best TV actors of all time and after watching House MD trust me, you’ll want to see The Night Manager. This limited series is based on a book of the same name and is a crime drama show. The story follows a former British soldier and a night manager of a hotel, Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston). Pine is assigned by an intelligence operative to spy on international businessman Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

The Night Manager not only has some of the best actors but each of them gives a great performance. The episodes are longer than usual but fast-paced and so thrilling, you will thoroughly enjoy them. Packed with action, betrayal, drama, politics, love and so much more. As a fan of shows like House MD, I highly recommend you watch this appealing spy series with Hugh in a different role than you’ve ever seen!

5. The Good Doctor (2017)

Creator of House MD, David Shore created The Good Doctor with Freddie Highmore at the centre as Shaun, a gifted surgeon with Autism and Savant Syndrome. The premise was inspired by a Korean medical drama of the same name. The story follows Shaun as he applies for residency in a prestigious hospital in San Jose hospital. The show focuses on the challenges faced by him in his professional, social and personal life.  

The show represents Shaun’s unique abilities beautifully while making sure every character gets their own time to understand their journey. This is an excellent series if you enjoy watching medical drama shows like House MD.

6. The White Collar (2009)

The White Collar is a Police Procedural Drama and it focuses on a professional con artist and criminal, Neal Caffrey. Neal works as a criminal consultant with the Law Enforcement agency FBI under Special agent Peter Burke. Peter Burke catches Neal Caffery and decides to cut him a deal to work with them as a criminal consultant for his 4-year sentence and avoid staying in prison. Here are some more shows like White Collar you should watch.

Here’s a clip from the first episode:

Neal is sophisticated and a highly skilled artist, his charm (with a little bit of cockiness) is reminiscent of House. This is one of those shows where the performances by the entire cast are absolutely on point. The White Collar ended on a high note with its final-  season 6. The White Collar is an exciting and worthy match for TV shows like House MD. 

7. A Gifted Man (2011)

Michael Holt is a talented but self-absorbed surgeon. His life is thrown into disarray when he is visited by the ghost of his ex-wife Anna Paul. She begins teaching him what life is all about. The story of a cold, distant, brilliant surgeon who learns to care again for the ghost of his dead ex-wife has the potential to be incredibly cheesy. However, the series avoids maudlin missteps, thanks mainly to the talented cast and crew.

A Gifted Man saddles with a concept with Hallmark Movie of the Week written all over it. But like Michael Holt, Wilson remains edgy and irascible even when confronted with the opportunity to repent and do the right thing. His relationship with his spectral ex is shown with complexity; the idea that he could be suffering from a brain-induced hallucination isn’t left entirely off the table. Only running for one season before getting cancelled, A Gifted Man rises above expectations if you want to see shows similar to House MD.

8. Luther (2010)

The British crime thriller Luther centres  an intelligent DCI John Luther (Idris Elba). Luther works in the Serious Crime Unit; he is often obsessed with the investigation, and the questions possess his mind, which also brings out the violence in his character, something that is seen as a key trait in House as well. 

Luther’s obsession is driven by his dedication to bringing justice to the victims of brutal crimes who are stuck in a twisted bureaucratic legal system. But it’s a constant Luther is unable to do so through following legal rules and hence resorts to questionable methods to ensure justice. The gloomy and harsh London symbolises the show’s dark nature of reality to bring out a more honest representation. If you want to watch shows like House MD, then Luther’s antihero rawness will be worth a watch.

9. Elementary (2012)

Elementary like House is another contemporary update on the classic tale of Sherlock Holmes. In this show, Sherlock (John Lee Miller) ruins his reputation in London after his drug addiction. He decides to relocate after rehabilitation to New York City where he meets Dr Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), the female version of John Watson. 

After watching great shows like House and BBC Sherlock if you want to see something similar then Elementary will be a good option for you. Elementary ran for 7 seasons and I reckon it to be quite an intelligent show. Give it a try!

10. Grey’s Anatomy (2005)

Grey’s Anatomy became very popular when it was first released. Season 1 introduces the main character, Meredith Grey when she enrols in Seattle Grace Hospital’s internship program where she faces unexpected challenges and surprises. 

The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, attendings, and residents as they become seasoned doctors while balancing personal and professional lives. The is famously known for the number of deaths that take place so be prepared for that! Grey’s Anatomy will make a good choice for you if you are bored and looking for a medical drama series similar to House MD. 

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows like House MD that didn’t make the cut, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. House of Cards
  2. Bones 
  3. Suits
  4. Dexter
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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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