Finished ‘High Potential’? These crime dramedies should be your next binge
Finished ‘High Potential’? These crime dramedies should be your next binge
Whether you love case-of-the-week mysteries or crime-solving duos, these shows deliver.
I’m a huge Kaitlin Olson fa n—”It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is one of my all-time favorite shows. So when I heard she was leading “High Potential,” I was immediately in, and the comedic crime procedural did not disappoint. Olson brings her signature charm, wit, and impeccable comic timing to the role of Morgan, a single mom with a brilliant (IQ over 160) but unconventional mind who helps the police crack tough cases. It’s part crime procedural, part comedy, part heartfelt… and full fun.
If you just watched the season finale of “High Potential” (it dropped on Tuesday, Feb. 11) and need something to fill the void, don’t worry — I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re craving more quirky detectives, crime-solving with a side of humor, or just a show that balances mystery with great character moments, there are plenty of other crime dramedies worth streaming. Here are five of the best shows to check out next!
High Potential
Morgan is a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective.
Loved ‘High Potential’? Watch: ‘Poker Face’
If you love the mix of humor, heart, and offbeat detective work in “High Potential,” “Poker Face” should be next on your watchlist. The show follows Charlie Cale, played by the very funny Natasha Lyonne, a woman with an uncanny ability to tell when someone is lying. After landing in trouble with the wrong people, she hits the road, solving crimes in each town she stops in, using her unique skillset and sharp instincts. Like “High Potential,” it’s all about a brilliant but unconventional lead using her mind in ways traditional detectives don’t.
While “High Potential” leans more toward the classic police procedural with a comedic edge, “Poker Face” has a throwback, case-of-the-week structure inspired by old-school detective shows like “Columbo.” Instead of working with the police, Charlie stumbles into mysteries wherever she goes, relying on her charm and incredible gift to solve them. Both shows keep things light with plenty of humor, but also pack in satisfying mysteries and compelling characters that make them totally binge-worthy.
With Season 2 on the way, now is the perfect time to start streaming “Poker Face” with a subscription to Peacock. If you’re looking for another crime show with wit, heart, and a standout lead performance, this one’s a must-watch.
Poker Face
Follow Charlie Cale, a woman with an extraordinary ability to tell when someone is lying, as she hits the road and, at every stop, encounters a new cast of characters and crimes she can’t help but solve.
Check out ‘Monk’
Brilliant deductions, quirky habits, and plenty of laughs take center stage in “Monk,” a detective series that’s as clever as it is charming. The show follows Adrian Monk, a former police detective turned private consultant who has an extraordinary mind for solving crimes - along with a long list of phobias and compulsions that make everyday life a challenge with his OCD. Like Morgan in “High Potential,” Monk sees the world differently than everyone else, which makes him both a brilliant investigator and a lovable, sometimes frustrating, lead.
While “High Potential” brings a more modern, fast-paced energy, “Monk” thrives on its quirky, old-school procedural style, with a satisfying case-of-the-week format. Both shows lean into humor while delivering solid mysteries, and at their core, they’re about brilliant but flawed protagonists trying to navigate life while using their unique abilities to solve crimes.
With all eight seasons available to stream on Prime Video, plus a recent “Monk” movie, there’s never been a better time to jump into this classic crime dramedy.
Monk
Adrian Monk was once a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, legendary for using unconventional means to solve the department’s most baffling cases. But after the tragic (and still unsolved) murder of his wife Trudy, he developed an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now working as a private consultant, Monk continues to investigate cases in the most unconventional ways.
Don’t miss ‘Psych’
Few shows make crime-solving as fun as “Psych”, a fast-paced, hilarious detective series packed with clever mysteries and great banter.
If you love the mix of humor, quirky investigation techniques, and crime-solving camaraderie in “High Potential,” then “Psych” is an excellent choice for your next show. The series follows Shawn Spencer, a fake psychic detective who, much like Morgan, sees details no one else does - except in his case, he’s just really, really observant. With the help of his best friend Gus, he cons his way into solving crimes for the Santa Barbara Police Department, bringing plenty of laughs along the way.
While “High Potential” has a bit more of a procedural structure, “Psych” leans fully into comedy, with rapid-fire jokes, pop culture references, and playful mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously. But both shows thrive on their charismatic leads, unconventional crime-solving, and relationships that give the story heart. With eight seasons available to stream on Prime Video, “Psych” won’t disappoint in quantity or quality.
Psych
Thanks to his police officer father’s efforts, Shawn Spencer spent his childhood developing a keen eye for detail (and a lasting dislike of his dad). Years later, Shawn’s frequent tips to the police lead to him being falsely accused of a crime he solved.
Now, Shawn has no choice but to use his abilities to perpetuate his cover story: psychic crime-solving powers, all the while dragging his best friend, his dad, and the police along for the ride.
One more: ‘Castle’
Murder, mystery, and plenty of witty banter make “Castle” a must-watch for fans of crime-solving with a fun, character-driven twist. The show follows Richard Castle, a charming and successful mystery novelist who ends up shadowing an NYPD detective, Kate Beckett, to get inspiration for his books. What starts as an odd pairing soon turns into a dynamic crime-solving duo, with Castle’s out-of-the-box thinking proving just as valuable as Beckett’s detective skills.
While “High Potential” centers on Morgan’s brilliant mind and unconventional methods, “Castle” takes a similar approach with Castle’s knack for storytelling, wild theories, and intuition helping crack cases. Both shows balance lighthearted humor with engaging mysteries, and at the heart of it all, is a strong central partnership that keeps you hooked.
With eight seasons full of intriguing cases to stream on Prime Video, sharp writing, and plenty of chemistry between its leads, “Castle” is an easy binge for anyone who loves crime-solving with a playful edge.
Castle
After a serial killer imitates the plots of his novels, successful mystery novelist Richard “Rick” Castle receives permission from the Mayor of New York City to tag along with an NYPD homicide investigation team for research purposes.
More to watch after finishing ‘High Potential’
‘The Mentalist’ | Hulu
The Mentalist
Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at “reading” people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation.
‘Will Trent’ | Hulu
Will Trent
Special Agent Will Trent was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Determined to make sure no one feels as he did, he now has the highest clearance rate.
‘White Collar’ | Hulu
White Collar
In exchange for his freedom, charming con artist Neal Caffrey provides his expertise to help straight-man FBI agent Peter Burke catch elusive white-collar criminals.
‘Bones’ | Hulu
Bones
Dr. Temperance Brennan and her colleagues at the Jeffersonian’s Medico-Legal Lab assist Special Agent Seeley Booth with murder investigations when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed that the standard identification methods are useless.
‘Elementary’ | Prime Video
Elementary
A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD’s most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.
‘Lucifer’ | Netflix
Lucifer
Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer Morningstar abandoned his throne and retired to Los Angeles, where he has teamed up with LAPD detective Chloe Decker to take down criminals. But the longer he’s away from the underworld, the greater the threat that the worst of humanity could escape.