As women who have watched a lot of television over the years, we love procedural TV shows where we’re portrayed as something other than the love interest or the loveable nerd in the lab. We love a procedural where we’re known as strong, intelligent, and badass. Bonus points if we know how to use weapons and make people scared of us. Nonetheless, we’re always on the lookout for shows that spotlight our capabilities to be the everyday hero. And usually, these preferences lead us to procedurals TV shows.
Being in law enforcement means interacting with everyday opinionated civilians the most. Aside from those interactions, you knock on death’s door daily. Notably, the risk of not making it home at the end of the day is always present. For those who embrace the responsibility, being selfless is what’s important. And there’s something empowering about women being the one to lead themselves and their teams into danger. Here are 7 old, new, and still running procedural TV shows led by women that you need to check out!
MORE: Missed the last NCIS: Sydney episode? Read our review of Season 3, Episode 7 ‘Gold Diggers’ HERE!
1. NCIS: Sydney
The NCIS: Sydney team tasked to solve cases in the Indo-Pacific is led by Special Agent Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann) and Sergeant Jim ‘JD’ Dempsey (Todd Lasance). If you’re looking for an action drama currently airing with multiple seasons, this show is something you’d enjoy.
As a spin-off in the popular and growing franchise of NCIS, NCIS: Sydney works in giving us angst, silly, and heartfelt moments between a team learning to work together. But it’s Swann’s Mackey that we love. She embodies strength in both vulnerability and command, which we find admirable.
NCIS: Sydney Season 3 is currently airing weekly on Paramount+.
2. Ballard
Maggie Q stars as Detective Renée Ballard in procedural drama Ballard. According to the synopsis, she “plunges into a web of murder and corruption as she hunts a ruthless serial killer and uncovers a sinister police conspiracy.” But honestly, we’re just watching for Maggie Q. She’s proven herself to be the kind of actor who can deliver on emotional beats and then punch a character in the face and save the day. Truly the best of all sides of a procedural. Also, Ballard has been renewed for Season 2.
Ballard is available to stream on Prime Video.
3. Long Bright River
If you’re in the mood to watch a drama where a cop is motivated to do their job to find lost family, this is it.
Long Bright River is led by Amanda Seyfried, known for the popular and bubbly Mamma Mia musical movies. And she plays veteran cop named Mickey Fitzpatrick who is trying to find her missing sister while also investigating other disappearances in her Philadelphia town.
Honestly, this show had us seeing Seyfried in a new light. She was a tough and empathetic woman who cared about her family and community. Together with being an engaging mystery, we were drawn into her character and rooting for her search for answers. While the ending isn’t entirely happy, it’s satisfying to see the story wrapped up without a cliffhanger.
Long Bright River is available to watch on Peacock.
4. FBI
If you’re a fan of longtime running cop dramas like Chicago P.D, we recommend watching FBI if you haven’t already.
Newly confirmed for Season 9, it stars Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell. Coming from a long line of family uplifting the law, Maggie has her whole heart in her job. And personally, we think this show has it all.
Set in New York City, there’s intensity in every case Maggie, her partner Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), and their team solve. Because a threat can come in any form of terrorism, counterintelligence, or organized crime. There’s also a lot of characters to love and get attached to.
FBI airs weekly on CBS.
MORE: Caught up? Read our FBI Season 8, Episode 7 Review HERE!
5. The Fall
Gillian Anderson stars in The Fall, a multi-season crime drama, as detective superintendent Stella Gibson. A woman who would do anything to bring justice to every victim she comes across.
Set in Ireland, Gibson and her department fight endlessly to find a serial killer terrorizing women named Paul Spector. Notably, Spector is played by Jamie Dornan, known for the Fifty Shades of Grey movies. And it’s their cat and mouse game that is suspenseful and satisfying.
The Fall is available to watch on Netflix.
6. High Potential
High Potential is a different kind of procedural TV show because the woman leading it… well she doesn’t start as a cop or investigator. Kaitlin Olson stars as Morgan Gillory on the currently airing show, a single mom whose life gets turned upside down when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a department cleaner.
Morgan is more than smart. She’s a genius. But she doesn’t fall into the stereotypical gifted “so I’m better than you” category when it comes to TV geniuses. She’s kind, empathetic, and has no problem standing up for herself. And her style, well it’s *chefs kiss*
High Potential is available to watch on ABC.
7. Law and Order: SVU
If you’re talking about procedural TV shows, then you have to include Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) in Law and Order: SVU. For those who haven’t grown up with her, there’s over twenty years’ worth of seasons to watch her evolve over time. That alone should be a reason to sit on the couch every weekend and try to catch up from the beginning.
Olivia is the heart of her team, family, and department. As a Captain, her passion for finding victims is what motivates her team to be at their best. Overall, she’s a television icon for a reason.
Law and Order: SVU is available to stream on Hulu.
