It’s near-impossible to find a crime drama equal in quality to Breaking Bad, but there are still several shows in the genre that fans will enjoy. Though the story of Walter White ended over 12 years ago, the Breaking Bad timeline and franchise have continued with the equally stellar prequel series Better Call Saul and sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad movie.
Since creator Vince Gilligan won’t be returning to the Breaking Bad universe any time soon — if ever — fans need their next crime drama fix. Thankfully, there are plenty of shows that touch on similar themes, from regular people turning to a life of crime to an antihero’s descent into villainy to a couple of titles that rival Breaking Bad‘s claim as the best crime drama series of all time.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Stream On HBO Max
A show centered around TV’s OG complex male antihero, The Sopranos is frequently pitted against Breaking Bad in contention for the title “best crime drama series of all time.” But the real winner is fans of the genre because they get two excellent shows.
Whereas Walter White begins his Breaking Bad journey as a fish out of water, Tony Soprano is already ensconced in the world of organized crime as a capo for the DiMeo Crime Family. However, in addition to their moral ambiguity, both crime drama protagonists are dealing with deep existential dread.
Tony grapples with his inability to find peace despite his high-ranking mafia status, and Walter is desperate to establish himself as a great man before he succumbs to his terminal illness. “Shakespearean” is an overused word when it comes to TV criticism, but it’s apropos when discussing the ultimate flaws of these men — which are just as compelling as their thrilling power plays in the criminal underworld.
Ozark (2017-2022)
Stream On Netflix
Netflix’s Ozark is an algorithmic dream for Breaking Bad fans. The premises are essentially identical: An ordinary man gets himself and his family swept up in a world of crime that becomes as seductive as it is impossible to escape.
In the case of the Netflix series, Jason Bateman leads Ozark‘s cast as said ordinary man Marty Byrde, a financial planner who agrees to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel in the Missouri Ozarks. Though Marty finds himself forced into this new criminal life where Walter actively seeks it out, both protagonists are incredibly talented at what they do.
The most fascinating difference between the two shows is in the role of the main characters’ wives. The unfairly hated Skyler White finds herself a reluctant accomplice in Walt’s criminal endeavors, but Wendy shows much more agency and excitement toward her husband’s new career path. If anything, Wendy’s ruthless ambition makes her the Walter White of Ozark, making the Netflix show an essential Breaking Bad comparison piece.
Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)
Stream On Hulu
Like Tony Soprano, Sons of Anarchy protagonist Jax Teller begins the show already an established criminal. However, the Vice President of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original is actively looking to put his outlaw days behind him.
Upon finding his father’s manifesto on the day of his son’s birth, Jax’s prevailing mission in Sons of Anarchy is to make the titular biker gang go legitimate. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, and in his quest to become a law-abiding citizen, Jax finds himself descending further and further into villainy, à la Walter White.
Just like with Walt, it’s obvious long before Sons of Anarchy‘s emotional ending that Jax is too far gone to save himself from his tragic flaw. At this point in both shows, all we can do is buckle up for the bloody, violent ride — though what a great ride it is.
Good Girls (2018-2021)
Stream On Netflix
The crime drama genre is wildly male-dominated, which makes Good Girls a refreshing change. Though it’s much lighter in tone than Breaking Bad, Good Girls‘ main characters are also regular, law-abiding citizens who turn to criminal pursuits to solve the financial challenges in their lives.
In Good Girls, Michigan moms Beth, Ruby, and Annie plan a one-time supermarket heist, and have no intention of making a home for themselves in the criminal underworld. However, things get complicated when the store manager recognizes one of the mothers, and they accidentally attract the attention of a local gang leader who was using the supermarket to launder his money.
This is very reminiscent of Walter White’s early journey, as he thought he could just quietly cook his meth without making enemies out of local druglords. So, if you’re looking for a Breaking Bad replacement that’s a little more escapist and a little less anxiety-inducing, there’s no better pick than Good Girls.
Justified (2010-2015)
Stream On Hulu
If the lethal game of cat-and-mouse Hank Schrader played with Heisenberg is your favorite Breaking Bad storyline, Justified is an absolute must-watch. Raylan Givens is like if someone took Hank’s steadfast dedication to his law enforcement job and blended it with Walter’s volatility. It’s a masterclass performance by Timothy Olyphant, and precisely why Justified will appeal to Breaking Bad fans.
While the “mouse” Hank was hunting for so long was right under his nose, as his brother-in-law is Heisenberg, Raylan is very aware of his prey. Though he faces many adversaries throughout Justified‘s six seasons, Raylan’s primary antagonist is his childhood friend, Boyd Crowder, played by a terrific Walton Goggins.
Justified‘s Western label might turn off some crime drama fans, but the series has huge appeal across both genres. The best neo-Western shows have a lot in common with the best crime dramas, and in this case, Justified ticks too many Breaking Bad boxes for fans to ignore.
The Wire (2002-2008)
Stream On HBO Max
If there is any other crime drama whose fandom radiates “You have to watch this!” energy more than Breaking Bad‘s, it’s The Wire’s. The iconic HBO series that offers a gritty look at Baltimore’s drug trade, The Wire is widely considered to be one of the best crime drama series of all time.
Though Breaking Bad‘s focus is primarily on Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, the series shows how wide a net the illegal drug industry casts, as Walt’s meth empire touches everyone from crime bosses to dealers to DEA agents to users and addicts. The HBO show goes even deeper, as rather than being a character study, each of The Wire‘s five seasons focuses on an institution touched by the criminal underworld in Baltimore.
But even though The Wire isn’t as focused on one male antihero’s journey, it’s still rich with complex characters. Both Breaking Bad and The Wire have plenty of shocking deaths and twists, but these series are ultimately, at their core, about the people caught up in a life of crime.
- Release Date
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2008 – 2013-00-00
- Showrunner
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Vince Gilligan
