Image: Studios USA Television/Showtime Networks/The Shephard/Robin Company
About This Quiz
Ever since the era of television began, there has never been a shortage of shows where the criminal and justice system has been portrayed. Most of the shows are purely fictional and have been overly dramatized, but there are also those which are centered around real-life events, especially those which have made headlines.
There have been so many shows that focus on different types of crime, solving mysteries, and there are also those that focus on how certain criminals think. Some criminology websites claim that there have been over 300 police drama series to air on American television, and with every new year, it seems like more of them join the list. Some of the most popular shows includes Luther, The Shield, the Law and Order franchise, Columbo, The Wire, NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues and the CSI franchise.
How well do you know your police TV shows? If you were given images of the popular characters or shots from some of the most popular scenes, will you be able to identify what show it came from? Will it prove that you are a detective in the making, or will it prove that you have a long way to go? Take this quiz to find out!
Production Companies
What is the name of this show?
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Riverdale
Gotham
Gotham is an American crime drama series which was based on characters created by DC Comics, specifically, the Batman franchise. It followed James Gordon as a young detective in the Gotham Police Department and Bruce Wayne shortly after the death of his parents. Throughout the series, other characters including villains like Penguin, Riddler and Poison Ivy made their appearance.
Arrow
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Steven Bochco Productions
Can you identify this series?
NCIS
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American police procedural drama series which followed the 15th precinct detective squad of the New York Police Department as they investigated the homicides and different types of crime in the city. The show aired on ABC from 1993 to 2005 and starred James McDaniel, Dennis Franz and Gordon Clapp as its main cast.
The Blacklist
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
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Studios USA Television
What is the title of this cop show?
Station 19
Criminal Minds
Blindspot
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural television series which was created by Dick Wolf and ran from 1990 to 2010. It currently holds the record for the longest-running crime drama on primetime television and starred George Dzundza, Chris Noth and Dann Florek. Many of the cases which appeared on the show were based on real-life events.
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n/a
What series is this?
Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-0 is an American action police procedural television series which premiered as a reboot of a series with the same name which ran between 1968 and 1980. The show which stars Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan and Alex O’Loughlin, follows a police task force which was set up to fight organized and other types of crime in Hawaii.
Money Heist
Peaky Bliders
13 Reasons Why
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CBS
What is the name of this show?
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from 1960 to 1968. The show starred actor, comedian and producer Andy Griffith, as a widowed sheriff of a small fictional town in North Carolina and his inept deputy and cousin Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts.
Game of Thrones
The American
Hawaii Five-0
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Touchstone Television
Can you identify this series?
Homeland
Lethal Weapon
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural crime drama series and the original show in the Criminal Minds franchise. The show which stars Matthew Grey Gubler, Joe Mantegna and Kirsten Vangsness, has been on air for over 12 years and focuses on profiling different criminals rather than the crimes committed.
Elementary
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Youtube
What is the title of this cop show?
Breaking Bad
The Blacklist
The Blacklist is an American crime thriller television series starring James Spader, Megan Boon and Diego Klattenhoff. If follows Raymond “Red” Reddington, a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI after decades of evading capture.
Blue Bloods
iZombie
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YouTube
What series is this?
Orange is the New Black
NCIS: Los Angeles
Sherlock
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American crime drama series which ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1989. The show followed two undercover detectives and the rest of their team as they infiltrated crime organizations and brought down criminals in Miami. The series was later adapted in to film in 2006 starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.
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n/a
What is the name of this show?
Dexter
Narcos
Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods is an American fictional police drama series which made its debut on CBS in 2010. The series, which stars actors Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan, follows the Reagan family of police officers who work with the New York City Police Department.
Sons of Anarchy
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Wolf Films
Can you identify this series?
Animal Kingdom
Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D. is an American police procedural drama television series which made its premiere on NBC in 2014. The series stars Sophia Bush, Jason Beghe and Jon Seda and tells the story of uniformed cops of Chicago Police Department who patrol the streets as they try to combat organized crime, murders and drug trafficking.
Quantico
Prison Break
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Youtube
What is the title of this cop show?
Supernatural
Stranger Things
Survivor
NCIS
NCIS is an American action police procedural series which is centered around a fictional team of agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Every episode, the team (which consists of actors Pauley Perrette, Mark Harmon and Sasha Alexander) investigates different crimes which involve the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.
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Artists First/CC
What series is this?
Jessica Jones
Reno 911!
Reno 911! is an American comedy television series which ran on Comedy Central from 2003 to 2009. The show took the format of a parody on law enforcement with comedic actors playing the role of police officers. The series was the inspiration for the film Reno 911!: Miami which was premiered in 2007.
How to Get Away with Murder
Midsomer Murders
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Jerry Bruckheimer Television/CBS
What is the name of this show?
Cold Case
Cold Case is an American police procedural series which aired on CBS from 2003 to 2010. The series followed a homicide detective working with the Philadelphia Police Department who specialized in investigations which were no longer actively being pursued (cold cases).
Better Call Saul
Fargo
The Sopranos
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n/a
Can you identify this series?
Bones
True Detective
Columbo
Columbo is an American television series which aired on NBC from 1968 to 1978 and then on ABC from 1989 to 2003. It followed a homicide detective working with the Los Angeles Police Department and revolved around how the perpetrator will be caught and exposed.
Daredevil
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n/a
What is the title of this cop show?
The Punisher
Sherlock
Sherlock is a British crime drama television series which is based on the Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The show aired on BBC One from 2010 to 2017 and starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his accomplice, John Watson. The show has gained critical acclaim during its run, winning three Primetime Emmys.
Bosch
Mr. Robot
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The Movie DB
What series is this?
Happy!
CHiPs
CHiPs is an American television drama series which aired on NBC from 1977 to 1983. The show starred Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada as two motorcycle police officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In 1998, the series was adapted into a made-for-television film with the same main cast.
NCIS: New Orleans
Ozark
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Showtime Networks
What is the name of this show?
Dexter
Dexter is an American television crime mystery series which aired on Showtime from 2006 to 2013. The show is set in Miami and follows a forensic technician named Dexter Morgan, who specializes in blood spatter pattern analysis for the Miami Metro Police Department. He also happens to be a vigilante serial killer.
The Wire
Trust
Dark
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Youtube
Can you identify this series?
American Crime Story
Mindhunter
The Shield
The Shield is an American crime drama series which aired on FX from 2002 to 2008. The series was known for its portrayal of the corrupt police officers in reference to the true-life events of the Rampart Division police scandal where over 70 police officers were implicated in some type of misconduct in the late 1990s.
Big Little Lies
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20th Century Fox Television
What is the title of this cop show?
Castle
21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street is an American police procedural series which aired on Fox from 1987 to 1991. The series followed a group of young-looking police officers who went undercover in different high schools, colleges and venues where teens could be found. In 2012, the series was adapted into a feature film starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.
S.W.A.T.
Ray Donovan
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Jerry Bruckheimer Television
What series is this?
Bulletproof
Law & Order
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Without a Trace
Without a Trace is an American political procedural drama series which aired on CBS from 2002 to 2009. The series, which starred Anthony LaPaglia and Poppy Montgomery, followed a Missing Persons Unit of the FBI in New York City, and each episode focused on the search for one individual within a very strict timeline.
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Alliance Atlantis Communications
What is the name of this show?
Claws
CSI:Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American forensics crime series which aired on CBS from 2000 to 2015. The series starred William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger and Laurence Fishburne as a team of investigators employed at the Las Vegas Police Department. It was also the first show in the franchise and was the inspiration for CSI: Miami, CSI: NY and CSI: Cyber.
Person of Interest
Luke Cage
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MGM Television
Can you identify this series?
Fargo
Fargo is an American comedy-crime drama series which was inspired by the 1996 film with the same name. The series premiered in 2014 and was centered around cases involving local crime gangs and syndicates. The series starred Billy Bob Thorton, Kirsten Dunst and Martin Freeman, some of these actors winning Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards for their roles.
The Mentalist
Iron Fist
Psych
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Youtube
What is the title of this cop show?
Justified
Instinct
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an American police television sitcom which premiered on Fox from 2013 to 2018. The series revolves around an immature NYPD detective who works at the 99th Precinct and regularly gets into disagreements with his new commanding officers. The series has an ensemble cast including Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz and Terry Crews.
Chicago P.D.
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Wolf Films
What series is this?
The Good Wife
Scandal
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American procedural crime drama series which aired on NBC from 1999 to 2018. It is the second series in the franchise and was set in New York City, just as the original was.
Grey's Anatomy
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Youtube
What is the name of this show?
Castle
Castle is an American crime comedy drama series which aired on ABC from 2009 to 2016. The show follows novelist Richard Castle and a homicide detective, Kate Beckett as they solve different crimes in New York City. The series starred Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic as the main cast.
Sneaky Pete
Monk
Power
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USA Network
Can you identify this series?
Longmire
The Killing
24
Monk
Monk is an American comedy drama series which ran from 2002 to 2009 and starred Tony Shalhoub as the title character. It held the record for the most watched drama episodes during 2009 and 2012. The series followed the title character, a brilliant detective from San Francisco who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder.
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HBO
What is the title of this cop show?
The Bridge
Luther
True Detective
True Detective is an American crime drama television series which premiered in 2014. Every season, it follows a series of police investigations which reveals the personal and professional secrets of the people who are involved. The series has had an ensemble cast including Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson and Rachel McAdams.
Hannibal
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HBO
What series is this?
Wild Wild Country
Broadchurch
Weeds
The Wire
The Wire is an American crime drama series which aired for 5 seasons on HBO from 2002 to 2008. Every season, the show introduces a different institution and its relationship to law enforcement in the city of Baltimore. The cast includes a wide array of actors but also real-life figures as guest stars.
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GEP Productions
What is the name of this show?
White Collar
Psych
Psyche is an American detective comedy drama series which aired on USA from 2006 to 2009. The show followed a young crime consultant working for the Santa Barbara Police Department, whose ability to remember things and heightened sense of observation allows him to convince people that he has psychic abilities.
Boardwalk Empire
Twin Peaks
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Youtube
Can you identify this series?
Murder, She Wrote
Deadwood
Columbo
Elementary
Elementary is an American procedural drama series which was based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character, Sherlock Holmes. The series premiered on CBS in 2012 and was set in New York where Holmes, a recovering drug addict, assists the New York City Police Department in solving crimes.
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John Wells Productions
What is the title of this cop show?
CSI: Miami
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American crime drama television series which ran on NBC from 1999 to 2005. The show is centered around the lives of the police officers of the New York City Police Department, as well as the firefighters and paramedics in the same precinct who worked during the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift (the third watch).
Banshee
Bull
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Youtube
What series is this?
24
24 is an American television series which aired on FOX from 2001 to 2010 and was revived for two months in 2014. Each season was made up of 24 episodes and followed the main character Jack Bauer, a counter-terrorist agent, during a 24-hour period. It inspired a spin-off series which was not renewed for a second season.
Baywatch
Line of Duty
The Fall
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n/a
What is the name of this show?
Twin Peaks
Endeavour
Happy Valley
Happy Valley is a British crime drama series which made its debut on BBC One in 2014. The series starred Sarah Lancashire, Steve Pemberton and Siobhan Finneran, and followed Catherine Cawood, a sergeant who is on duty when a nervous man comes in to report a crime.
Father Brown
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Primrose Hill Productions
Can you identify this series?
Seven Seconds
The Shield
The Wire
The Mentalist
The Mentalist is an American police procedural series which ran on CBS from 2008 to 2015. It follows a former “psychic” Patrick Jane, a new consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation who uses his observational skills to “read” people’s minds and help solve difficult murders.
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CanWest Global Television Network
What is the title of this cop show?
The Shield
Rookie Blue
Rookie Blue is a Canadian police drama series which aired on ABC from 2010 to 2015, starring Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith. It follows the lives of five rookie cops who recently graduated from the academy. The series has been called the Grey’s Anatomy of the rookie cop world.
Law & Order
Hill Street Blues
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n/a
What series is this?
NCIS
Southland
Luther
Luther is a British crime drama series starring Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson and Steven Mackintosh. The show follows John Luther, an obsessive and possessed Detective Chief Inspector who works for the Serious Crime Unit. The show gained critical acclaim, winning several Primetime Emmy Awards and the lead actor winning a Golden Globe Award.
Blue Bloods
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YouTube
What is the name of this show?
Starksy and Hutch
Starsky & Hutch is an American television series which aired on ABC from 1975 to 1979. It followed two police detectives from Southern California who ride around town in a Ford Torino busting criminals. The series served as the inspiration for a theatrical film as well as a video game.
Columbo
Homicide: Life on the Street
Chicago P.D.
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The Shephard/Robin Company
Can you identify this series?
Castle
Mindhunter
Dexter
The Closer
The Closer is an American television police procedural series starring Kyra Sedgwick as a Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief, originally from Atlanta. The series ran on TNT for 7 seasons from 2005 to 2012 and inspired a spin-off series, called Major Crimes, which aired for 6 seasons.
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YouTube
What is the title of this cop show?
Dragnet
The Mentalist
Miami Vice
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues is an American police drama series which aired on NBC from 1981 to 1987. The show focused on the lives of the staff who work at the police station which was located in the fictional town of Hill Street. Throughout its run, the show received a total of 98 Emmy nominations.
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John Wells Productions
What series is this?
Magnum, P.I.
Southland
Southland is an American crime drama series which aired on NBC in 2009 and then on TNT from 2010 to 2013. The series starred Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis and Michael Cudlitz, and it was centered around lives of a group of Los Angeles Police Department patrol officers and detectives who protect the city.
Cold Case
Kojak
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You Got:
/40
Studios USA Television/Showtime Networks/The Shephard/Robin Company