The television landscape is currently defined by a painful paradox: two of ABC’s most popular police procedural dramas, The Rookie and Will Trent, have been pushed to mid-season premieres. With The Rookie Season 8 and Will Trent Season 4 both scheduled for a January 2026 return, fans face an agonizingly long wait, missing the quick wit of John Nolan and the sharp deductive skills of Will Trent.
Fortunately, the network that brought us these hits has a long, rich history of producing critically acclaimed, character-driven cop shows. From gritty classics that redefined the genre to modern hits that blend drama and comedy, there is a deep bench of excellence ready for your binge list.
To help you get through the drought, here are 8 critically acclaimed ABC police dramas, spanning decades, themes, and styles, that you can stream right now.
The Modern Procedural Powerhouses (The Hits You May Have Missed)
These recent ABC shows offer the perfect modern procedural fix, featuring complex characters and high production value, making them ideal replacements for your weekly dose of The Rookie and Will Trent.
1. High Potential (2025 – Present)
- Why it’s a must-watch: Though a new addition, High Potential has been hailed for its fresh, chaotic energy. It follows Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a single mother with an exceptionally high IQ—a quality she uses to her advantage as she joins the police force as a consultant. She can quickly piece together cold cases and intricate clues, but her tendency to disregard procedure and traditional protocol puts her constantly at odds with the serious, by-the-book detective she is partnered with.
- The Appeal: If you love Will Trent‘s unique, outsider protagonist and The Rookie‘s blend of humor and crime, this show is the perfect bridge.
2. Stumptown (2019-2020)
- Why it’s a must-watch: This short-lived but beloved series is a hidden gem. Based on the graphic novel series, it stars Cobie Smulders as Dex Parios, a sharp-willed, wisecracking Army veteran turned private investigator in Portland, Oregon. Dex struggles with PTSD and gambling debt but uses her military skills and street smarts to solve cases that the local police often ignore.
- The Appeal: Stumptown brings a stylish, noir sensibility to the procedural format. It boasts intricate, character-driven mysteries and a lead character whose personal life is as complicated as the crimes she solves.
The Gritty, Groundbreaking Classics (The Genre-Definers)
These shows are often credited with revolutionizing the police procedural genre, delivering realism, complex morality, and serialized storytelling that paved the way for modern dramas.
3. NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
- Why it’s a must-watch: No discussion of top cop shows is complete without NYPD Blue. Created by Steven Bochco and David Milch, it broke ground for its raw, gritty realism, its morally ambiguous characters, and its frank depiction of adult themes and police corruption. It follows the detectives of the fictional 15th Precinct in Manhattan.
- The Appeal: If you appreciate the complex ethics often faced by John Nolan and the serialized personal lives of the Will Trent cast, you need to see where it all began. Detective Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) is one of the most celebrated and flawed characters in TV history.
4. Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
- Why it’s a must-watch: Widely considered the mother of the modern police drama, Hill Street Blues pioneered the ensemble format, blending multiple intersecting storylines—both personal and professional—in a single episode. Set in a decaying urban precinct, it focused on the daily grind and systemic stress faced by police officers.
- The Appeal: This show is a masterclass in ensemble storytelling. It gave every character a rich interior life and balanced comedy with tragedy, influencing virtually every procedural that followed, including The Rookie.
The Undercover & Specialist Operations (High-Stakes Thrills)
If the high-stakes investigations and tactical maneuvers are what you love most about current ABC dramas, these critically praised shows focused on specialized roles will keep you on the edge of your seat.
5. The Shield (2002–2008)
- Why it’s a must-watch: While technically airing on FX, The Shield was a co-production and essential part of the Disney/ABC lineage, and it remains one of the darkest and most challenging police dramas ever made. It centers on the Strike Team, a controversial, crime-fighting unit operating in a high-crime area, led by the morally bankrupt but hyper-effective Detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis).
- The Appeal: This show is pure, uncompromising intensity. It’s an unflinching exploration of police corruption and the cost of maintaining order through illegal means. It’s the perfect antidote to the lighter elements of The Rookie.
6. Detroit 1-8-7 (2010–2011)
- Why it’s a must-watch: This short-lived but highly regarded series offered an authentic look at homicide investigation in Detroit, focusing on a diverse group of detectives. It was praised for its documentary-style look and its commitment to procedural realism, steering clear of excessive glamour.
- The Appeal: If you appreciate the meticulous detective work of Angela Lopez and Nyla Harper in The Rookie, this show delivers grounded, location-specific mysteries with a strong sense of place and compelling partnerships.
The Unique and Character-Driven (The Ones That Stand Out)
These shows prioritized character neurosis, complex psychology, and unconventional protagonists, echoing the unique charm of Will Trent.
7. Castle (2009–2016)
- Why it’s a must-watch: While not a typical “cop show,” Castle was a hugely successful ABC procedural built entirely on the chemistry between its two leads: mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic). Castle tags along with the detective team, injecting humor and unconventional theories into the investigative process.
- The Appeal: This is the ultimate choice for The Rookie fans. It features Nathan Fillion in a role that defined his charismatic on-screen persona, delivering sharp dialogue, engaging mysteries, and a beloved slow-burn romance that serves as the heart of the series.
8. Life on Mars (2008–2009)
- Why it’s a must-watch: Based on the acclaimed UK series, the US version of Life on Mars brought a unique science-fiction twist to the procedural genre. Detective Sam Tyler is hit by a car in 2008 and wakes up in 1973, finding himself working as a detective in an era of outdated technology and vastly different police procedures.
- The Appeal: This is a fantastic mind-bender that explores nostalgia, police work evolution, and character psychology. Its fish-out-of-water scenario is a fascinating premise that delivers constant conflict between modern investigative techniques and old-school policing.
Your Binge Schedule is Set
The long wait for The Rookie Season 8 and Will Trent Season 4 is less daunting when you consider the wealth of acclaimed content that ABC has produced. Whether you seek the gritty realism of NYPD Blue, the charming wit of Castle, or the intense character drama of The Shield, the history of ABC’s cop shows offers a rich, quality viewing experience to fill the void until January 2026.
