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TV series that is about the legal system can be fascinating. They have powerful stories and exciting characters. Some of them might even make you want to become a lawyer.
I have been working in the legal field for years, and I have also watched a lot of TV shows. And I have to say, some great lawyer dramas on Netflix are pretty close to the real-life experience. So if you're looking for a good legal drama to watch, here are some of the best ones you can find on Netflix.
10 Best Legal Dramas on Netflix
1. Lincoln Lawyer
This is a great legal TV series based on the book by Michael Connelly. It follows the life of a criminal defense lawyer named Mickey Haller. He is able to get his clients off by using his charm and cunning. But as the series progresses, he realizes that not all his /clients are innocent.
This is one of the good but not great courtroom TV shows. Like almost all David M. Kelly law series and characters based on Connolly books, it has solid courtroom drama and legal strategy scenes throughout each episode. The acting is generally good but not spectacular.
2. Suits
Suits is a great show that follows the life of a lawyer named Harvey Specter. He is one of the best lawyers in the city, and he always gets his way. But when he hires a new associate named Mike Ross, he realizes that there is more to life than just winning cases.
I think the lawyer's accuracy in this show is way off. I have been a lawyer for years, and I can tell you that most of the things they do in this show would never happen in real life. But despite that, it's still a great show to watch. It stars Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres, Sarah Rafferty, and Rick Hoffman.
3. How To Get Away With Murder?
This is one of the best courtroom TV shows on Netflix. It tells the story of Annalise Keating, a brilliant criminal defense attorney and law professor who chooses a team of rival lawyers studying in her class to work with her at her law firm.
Davis won an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her complex portrayal of Keating, who dealt with plenty of trauma throughout the series, including the high-profile murder trial of her husband and his mistress, a student's suicide, and the death of her unborn child.
This legal series, in my opinion, is one of the most accurate lawyer shows on Netflix. It realistically portrays the challenges that lawyers face daily and the courtroom proceedings.
Viola Davis is a fantastic actress, and she brings the character to life.
Viola Davis' How to Get Away with Murder gave us one of the most fascinating, complicated, and ultimately inspiring characters on television
- Glamour
4. The Confession Tapes
This is an interesting true-crime documentary series that investigates different criminal famous cases where people convicted of murder say their confessions were coerced or even false. Each episode looks at different aspects of the case and how there might be other explanations for what happened.
The limited two-season docuseries explores interviews and expert discussions on coerced confessions, criminal law, criminal psychology, and judicial procedures. This program may allow you to learn more about several court cases from across the United States that were not reported by the media or at least the truth behind them.
The Confession Tapes were originally going to be a feature film, but it was later developed into a docuseries that received a lot of media coverage.
5. Anatomy of a Scandal
This show is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan. It follows a high-profile Westminster sex scandal and the fallout from it.
Anatomy of a Scandal is not based on one true story but on a novel by Sarah Vaughan that seems to be pulling from countless true stories, seen headline after headline. A prominent British politician, James Whitehouse (Rupert Friend), is reported to have carried on an affair with one of his aides, the much younger Olivia Lytton (Simona Brown).
Is this courtroom drama close to the real-world experience? In my opinion, it is. I think the writers did a good job of depicting what it's like to work in Westminster and how these scandals can destroy people's lives.
However, there was a missing element for me. I would have liked to see more of the perspective of the women involved in these scandals because, in reality, during courtroom cases, their lives and experiences are often ignored or dismissed.
6. Rebel
The work of activist Erin Brockovich inspires this legal drama. Katey Sagal stars as Annie Rebel Bello in this legal thriller. Rebel is a woman who is always fighting for what's right. She never backs down, no matter what the challenge. The series is directed by Tara Nicole Weyr and also stars Andy Garcia, John Corbett, and Tim Matheson.
The show is about a woman who is trying to make a difference in the world. She is fighting for the little guy and taking on big corporations. I like that the work of Erin Brockovich inspires it. I think this show is important because it shows that one person can make a difference. I appreciate that it also portrays the legal scene realistically.
7. Better Call Saul
This show is called "Better Call Saul," a spin-off of the show "Breaking Bad." The new show is set before the series' events and follows the story of James McGill, a small-time lawyer who turns into Saul Goodman. So this show will be of particular interest to all Breaking Bad fans.
The fantastic performance by Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill steals the show, from his albeit strained professional and personal life to endless escapes and encounters with dangerous foes, ranging from high-profile corporate sharks to ruthless drug lords.
I highly recommend this show to anyone who is looking for a great legal drama. The writing is top-notch, and the performances are outstanding. You will not be disappointed.
Better Call Saul is a prequel that's better than it has any right to be, largely due to the performance of Bob Odenkirk in the lead role
- The Guardian
8. Tokyo Trial
This show is about the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, also known, as the title suggests, Tokyo Trial. The trial was held during World War II, from 1946 to 1948, and was the first war crimes trial in history.
Tokyo Trial is a historical drama that explores the story of 11 Allied Forces judges, known as "the tribunal," who is charged with passing judgment on 28 Japanese leaders and political figures. These figures on trial are prime ministers, foreign ministers, and military officers for waging a ruthless war against China and committing various atrocities during World War II.
The series follows the judges and their interactions with the suspects over two and a half years. The judges come to a verdict that changes Japan and Asia as a whole. The show follows the trial proceedings and the stories of the people involved. It is a very well-made show, and I highly recommend it.
9. Unbelievable
This show is based on a true story. It is about a young woman who was exposed to sexual assault and rape. The show is very well-made, and it is very suspenseful. The proceedings in court are also quite accurate, as I have seen in previous cases that I have worked on.
The account stems from a Pulitzer Prize-winning piece by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong titled "An Unbelievable Tale of Rape.
10. When They See Us
This show is about the Central Park Five, a name given to five boys falsely accused of a brutal assault in Central Park and chosen to be the prime suspect. A new Netflix series, When They See Us, tells their story. The series was created by Ava Duvernay, who also made Selma and 13th.
It is a very powerful and moving series. The show follows the story of the five teenage boys who were wrongfully convicted of rape. The series is very well-made, and it is very powerful. I highly recommend it.
The effects of the wrongful convictions and the unbalanced justice system on the defendants and their families are examined in When They See Us, which focuses on how the suspects' races influenced their incrimination (all five were black or Latino). That is why in my opinion, this is one of the best lawyers' shows to watch on Netflix.
FAQs
What should I watch if I want to be a lawyer?
If you want to be a lawyer, you should watch the Tokyo Trial. It is a very well-made show, and it is very informative.
What should I watch after Lincoln Lawyer?
You should watch Unbelievable after Lincoln Lawyer. It is a very well-made show and an excellent legal thriller series.
Can lawyer shows on Netflix provide educational value for law students?
Lawyer shows on Netflix can provide some educational value for law students by offering a glimpse into the legal process, courtroom dynamics, and ethical challenges faced by attorneys. However, these shows are primarily designed for entertainment, so their portrayal of legal practice may not always be accurate or realistic.
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The Bottom Line
There are many great courtroom TV shows on Netflix, and I have watched quite a few of them. In my opinion, the best lawyer show on Netflix is Better Call Saul. It is a prequel that's better than it has any right to be, largely due to the performance of Bob Odenkirk in the lead role.
There are other series such as The Innocence Files, which talks about the work of the Innocence Project, and Hyena, a South Korean series that talks about rival lawyers and how they can put aside their troubles to work together on a case. However, I would recommend watching Tokyo Trial, especially if you want to be a lawyer.