Person Of Interest is one of those timeless classic shows that are great to watch anytime. The show has hilarious moments, emotional moments, truly lovable characters, great character development and a storyline that puts much of modern TV to shame. While the show didn’t receive as much appreciation as it should have when it was ongoing, people who discovered this crime drama/ murder mystery show ended up loving it unanimously.
Even though shows like Person Of Interest can get a bit heavy on the technical and moral side, for fans of Sci-Fiction and Thrillers, that’s nothing new. The series follows the story of ex-CIA agent John Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Harold Finch (Michael Emerson), a reclusive billionaire wealthy, secretive tech genius. Together, they save people’s lives by using a powerful AI to put the right criminal behind bars and track people who are going to violent crimes and the growing crime rates. It’s an incredibly complex subject, but the show handles it brilliantly so that even someone who hasn’t heard of Artificial intelligence will understand what it all means.
The supporting characters are all great as well, and actress Amy Acker’s character, Root, is a standout star in the show. This 5-season show is a gem. For your consideration, we have curated a list of incredible similar shows that you might enjoy!
10 Shows Like Person Of Interest
- Blacklist
- Mr Robot
- Westworld
- Fringe
- Elementary
- White Collar
- Mentalist
- Homeland
- Castle
- Burn Notice
- Reacher
1. Blacklist (2013-2023)
There’s one and only one reason to watch Jon Bokenkamp’s crime thriller- The Blacklist, and that is James Spader’s character, Raymond Reddington. It’s possibly the best role he’s played in his acting career. It’s just a pleasure to see him at work, with his perfect demeanor hiding an unspeakable amount of rage. He is one of the smartest and most dangerous criminals in the world but can make you feel at ease with a small conversation. James Spader’s character is one of the best characters to have come on TV in a few years.
The 10 seasons of the show follow the story of Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), whose life is turned upside down when the highly dangerous criminal, Raymond Reddington, turns himself in on the condition that he will only speak with Keen. Similar to shows like Person of Interest, this is a world of mind game, killings, twists and turns, and murder investigation to say the least. The two form a working relationship where Reddington helps Keen catch some of the most dangerous criminals in the world, and in exchange, Reddington is allowed to go free and do what he wants.
Also Read: Shows like The Blacklist
2. Mr Robot
Mr Robot is one of the best mystery crime thriller shows to come out in recent times and for Person of Interest fans, it’s a perfect match, or close enough. The show dives into a lot of serious topics in a very smart way and still manages to keep the viewer thoroughly entertained. This show is a bit darker than Person Of Interest but has its own humor to it. The acting of the main characters in this show is beyond perfect, and Rami Malek plays Elliot Anderson like he was born for it.
The show has a total of 4 short seasons that are very binge-able, but considering the heavy subject matter and the dark nature of the show, viewers would be wise to watch it over a period of time. It’s a show that everyone who likes mystery and thrillers with great character development should watch at least once in their lives. Every character, including Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), play their role perfectly. Show-runner Sam Esmail has shown his brilliance with this masterpiece of a show. I cannot praise it enough. There is one episode in Season 4, which is considered by fans of the show as the best episode on TV ever made, and I would have to agree.
3. Westworld (2016-2022)
There is nothing on TV quite like season 1 of drama sci-fi series Westworld. I followed the show from the very beginning, being a fan of Jonathan Nolan’s work. Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, this series is a work of art. Each episode flows like poetry. Anthony Hopkins plays the Godlike scientist and founder of Westworld, a park filled with lifelike androids where the rich come to enjoy life with no limits, the show also features Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Thandie Newton and James Marsden.
Adapted from the 1973 film Westworld written and directed by Michael Crichton, the show explores a lot of themes like morality, humanity, artificial intelligence, what’s real in the world and what’s not. At the end of the first, you’ll come away feeling confused, wondering if you aren’t one of those automatons in Westworld. I won’t spoil much of the show here, but it’s a brilliant piece of sci-fi thriller work to watch as a Person of Interest fan. The second, third and fourth seasons went off the rail a lot, so I recommend watching just the first season like a limited series. I promise you’ve seen nothing like it.
4. Fringe (2008-2013)
Fringe is part Person Of Interest and part X-files combined, in a very good way. Anna Torv shines in the role of Olivia Dunham, but it’s actor John Noble who steals the show as eccentric scientist Walter Bishop. John Noble’s performance as the mysterious character is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and some of his scenes will bring tears to your eyes. Joshua Jackson does terrific job playing Peter Jackson as well. J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci, this show is a dream for people who like mystery, sci-fi, parallel dimensions, and beings from other universes.
Even after dealing with the most outlandish topics in their show, 5 seasons of J.J. Abrams’ Fringe manage to keep the focus on their brilliant characters. The more you watch the show, the more you will get involved with each of these characters and begin to sympathize with them. The show manages to balance emotions, sci-fi, and thriller elements perfectly.
5. Elementary (2012-2019)
The show Elementary by Robert Doherty is a modern-day drama adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Unlike the BBC Sherlock TV show, which had a brilliant first 2 seasons but declined to keep the story engaging in 3rd and 4th seasons, Elementary’s 7 seasons stay consistently good from the beginning to the end. It’s difficult to find good detective crime thriller shows that start well and remain good till the end, as show-runners often run out of ideas after completing the main storylines.
Created by Robert Doherty, Elementary follows the story of detective Sherlock Holmes, played by Johnny Lee Miller, who meets Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), his ‘sobriety companion as appointed by his father to keep his addictions in check. In the beginning, their relationship is cold and based on mutual exchange, but as time progresses, their platonic relationship grows warmer. The crime-solving duo help the NYPD solve difficult crimes that normal detectives are unable to.
There are some great storylines in this detective show, and a few good villains you won’t be able to forget and of course, the legendary Irene Adler and Moriarty make an appearance. I won’t give away any more of the story, but if you appreciate blend of mystery, character depth, and moral quandaries found in shows like Person of Interest, you might find Elementary to be a worthwhile watch.
6. White Collar (2009-2014)
White Collar was one of my favorite shows growing up. The character of Neal Caffery (Matt Bomer) as the super smart and cunning conman with a heart of gold, was just perfect for this show. Neal’s relationship with his parole officer and consultant, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay), was just beautiful to watch. Created by Jeff Eastin, White Collar was one of the first shows that got me into watching thrillers and mystery shows.
Every character in this is great, and every episode is enthralling in its own right. While each episode of the 6 seasons delves into a different crime, there main story arc of Neal and Peter Burke is developed really well. Willie Garson’s character, Mozzie, is the best sidekick any show could possibly have. White Collar is a lot of fun but also has some genuinely intense episodes.
Seen It Already? Also Read: Shows like White Collar
7. The Mentalist (2008-2015)
The Mentalist is a captivating crime thriller TV series by Bruno Heller that ran for 7 seasons. The show revolves around Patrick Jane, a former psychic medium with razor sharp skills of observation, turned consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Jane uses his remarkable observational skills and keen intuition to help solve complex criminal cases, particularly those involving serial killers and elusive criminals. The series blends elements of crime procedural, drama, and mystery, making it immensely appealing to a wide audience.
Viewers are drawn to The Mentalist for its clever storytelling, intriguing cases, and the charismatic performance of Simon Baker as Patrick Jane. The show also features great characters like Teresa Lisbon (Played by Robin Tunney) Kimball cho, a former senior agent for the California Bureau of Investigation and is currently an FBI special agent (Played by Tim Kang). The show’s unique blend of crime-solving and character development also draws parallels with Person of Interest, with its intriguing mysteries, sharp skills and charismatic lead characters.
Also Read: Shows like The Mentalist
8. Homeland (2011-2020)
Homeland is one of the most popular American crime thriller shows. Created by Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa , and Gideon Raff, the show portrays war and the lives of spies very realistically. In the movies and films, war and being a secret agent are very romantic concepts, whereas in reality, it’s the opposite. Claire Danes as United States CIA officer, Carrie Mathison gives the performance of her lifetime in this show. This show is dark, but that’s because it’s based on reality. The series also features Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin.
The series is based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War. The acting from the cast is superb throughout the duration of the show. The show makes you really care about the main characters and the stuff they are going through. Finally, the 8 seasons of the show manage to show the bad guys, the Russians and the Arabs, in a relatable and positive light and not as ‘terrorists’ or ‘commies’ to be blown up. It’s very much like Person of Interest in that sense. You should definitely check out Homeland if you like gritty reality-based TV with a focus on the characters and realistic crime scenes.
9. Castle (2009-2016)
Castle is very much like The Mentalist as a show and has a lot of elements that made Person Of Interest so popular. The show has a great pair of lead characters, Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle and Stana Katic as Kate Beckett, that you really end up rooting for. The supporting cast is also great and does a good job. While there is an overall story arc to the show, the crime of the week type of episodes are engrossing and fun to watch.
The show ran for 8 seasons and combined a lot of humour and genuine emotion with a lot of darkness and violence very well. Nathan Fillion’s character and Katic’s characters have a lot of chemistry. Created by Andrew W. Marlowe, the show follows the adventures of Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a novelist. When a serial killer starts imitating the murders in his novels, the police come knocking on Castle’s door. That gives rise to a long collaboration between Fillion’s and Katic’s characters.
10. Burn Notice (2007-2023)
Matt Mix’s Burn Notice is one of the best shows on the list for fans of Person Of Interest. The 7 season-long Action, Crime thriller series Burn Notice should definitely be on your list. It’s a must-watch for fans of spy thrillers. While the show is a bit old, it ages very well.
Burn Notice follows the story of Michal Westen, played by the talented Jeffery Donovan, a spy who has been disavowed by the US government, and Gabrielle Anwar plays Fiona Glenanne. Westen uses his abilities as a spy to help people in need. This is almost exactly like the character of John Reese in Person of Interest. You should definitely check out this show.
11. Reacher (2022-)
Reacher is a gripping series that has quickly become a recent small-screen sensation. With a blend of crime, mystery, and thriller elements reminiscent of the popular show Person of Interest, it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Starring Alan Ritchson as the enigmatic protagonist Jack Reacher, alongside Eliza Dushku in a pivotal role, the series is based on Lee Child’s beloved novel series. Following Reacher’s adventures as he unravels mysteries and confronts adversaries with his distinctive sense of justice, the show has garnered attention for its intense storyline. As of now, it boasts one season, promising viewers an exciting journey into the world of suspense and intrigue.
Honourable Mentions
Here are a few shows that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless:
1. Criminal Minds
2. Rabbit Hole
3. The Old Man
4. True Detective