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TV series that are 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 have also watched many 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, here are some of the best ones on Netflix.
10 Best Legal Dramas on Netflix
Best for Law Students
These shows offer law students insights into legal principles, ethical challenges, and professional dilemmas in real-life practice. They serve as a foundation for understanding law areas and preparing for complex situations.
1. How To Get Away With Murder?
- Seasons: 6
- Key Cast: Viola Davis - Billy Brown - Jack Falahee
- Awards/Recognition: Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress
- Legal Focus: Criminal Defense and Law Education
- What Makes It Unique: Realistic portrayal of legal proceedings and ethical challenges.
- Accuracy Rating: High
- Best Episodes: Stay (2020) - What Did We Do? (2015) - Live. Live. Live. (2017)
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.
In my opinion, this legal series 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 who 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
2. Better Call Saul
- Seasons: 6
- Key Cast: Bob Odenkirk
- Legal Focus: Criminal Defense
- Accuracy Rating: Moderate
- Unique Aspect: Provides an inside look at defense tactics, ethics, and personal cost.
- Best Episodes: Season 6, Episode 13: “Saul Gone” - Season 6, Episode 12: “Waterworks” - Season 6, Episode 8: “Point and Shoot”
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
Best Courtroom Drama
Focused on the intensity of trials, these dramas highlight the tension, persuasion, and quick thinking required in court, which is ideal for fans who enjoy dynamic, high-stakes legal battles.
3. Lincoln Lawyer
- Seasons: 3
- Key Cast: Manuel Garcia Rulfo - Becki Newton -Angus Sampson
- Legal Focus: Criminal Defense
- What Makes It Unique: Engaging courtroom strategy scenes; highlights defense tactics.
- Accuracy Rating: Moderate
- Best Episodes: The Gods of Guilt (2024) - Ghosts (2024) - The Magic Bullet Redux (2022)
This is a tremendous legal TV series based on the book by Michael Connelly. It follows the life of a criminal defense lawyer named Mickey Haller.
He can 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.
4. Suits
- Seasons: 9
- Key Cast: Gabriel Macht - Patrick J. Adams - Meghan Markle
- Legal Focus: Corporate Law
- What Makes It Unique: Sharp, character-driven drama with iconic courtroom exchanges.
- Accuracy Rating: Low, with dramatized elements
- Best Episodes: 25th Hour, Season 5, Episode 16 (2015) - P.S.L, Season 6, Episode 10 (2016) - High Noon, Season 2, Episode 10 (2012)
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. However, when he hires a new associate named Mike Ross, he realizes there is more to life than 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.
While some critics mention that the series can feel formulaic in later seasons, the show's sharp suits, courtroom drama, and banter-filled exchanges keep it fresh for me. Suits have remained a favorite of mine, mainly for its addictive mix of legal battles, corporate intrigue, and personal relationships.
Most Legally Accurate Shows
These series aim to depict legal practices authentically, covering detailed procedures and realistic portrayals of courtroom strategies, making them valuable for viewers interested in legal accuracy.
5. When They See Us
- Seasons: Limited Series
- Key Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Asante Blackk
- Legal Focus: Wrongful Conviction
- What Makes It Unique: Based on a true story, it is a powerful exploration of systemic racism.
- Accuracy Rating: High
A harrowing limited series based on the true story of the Central Park Five, five teenagers wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime in 1989.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, this series dives deep into the injustices of the legal system and the personal toll it took on young men and their families. With powerful performances from Jharrel Jerome and Asante Blackk, it sheds light on racial injustice and systemic failures.
6. The Innocence Files
- Seasons: Miniseries
- Legal Focus: Wrongful Convictions and Justice Reform
- What Makes It Unique: Insightful interviews and real-life case breakdowns.
- Accuracy Rating: Very High
- Best Episodes: The Prosecution: Hidden Alibi (2020) - The Evidence: The Truth Will Defend Me (2020) - The Evidence: The Duty to Correct (2020)
This documentary series takes a deep dive into the real-life efforts of the Innocence Project, highlighting wrongful convictions and the flaws in the criminal justice system.
Each episode features interviews with exonerees, lawyers, and investigators, providing a raw look at the fight for justice. It’s an eye-opening series emphasizing the importance of reforming the system to prevent further injustices.
7. Unbelievable
- Seasons: 1
- Key Cast: Kaitlyn Dever - Toni Collette
- Awards/Recognition: Golden Globe for Kaitlyn Dever. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever won Critics’ Choice Awards for their roles.
- Legal Focus Criminal Investigation
- Accuracy Rating: High accuracy in portraying criminal investigations, realistic depiction of law enforcement protocols, and victim handling in sexual assault cases.
- Unique Aspect: Based on Pulitzer-winning reporting.
- Best Episodes: Episode 8 - Episode 1 - Episode 2
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 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.
Best Criminal Defense Shows
Centered on criminal law, these series showcase defense strategies, moral conflicts, and complex cases, offering a closer look at defense attorneys' challenges.
8. Seven Seconds
- Seasons: 1
- Key Cast: Regina King - Clare Hope Ashitey
- Awards/Recognition: Regina King won an Emmy for her role.
- Legal Focus: Criminal Justice, Police Misconduct
- What Makes It Unique: Focuses on the societal impact of crime and legal battles around racial tensions.
- Accuracy Rating: High, portrays realistic legal and emotional complexities.
- Best Episodes: A Boy and a Bike, Season 1 (Episode 10) - Boxed Devil, Season 1 (Episode 7) - Bailed Out, Season 1 (Episode 8)
This thought-provoking drama deals with the aftermath of a hit-and-run involving a police officer and a black teenager. As the community grapples with the tragedy, the show explores the racial tensions and legal battles that follow.
Clare-Hope Ashitey and Regina King deliver powerful performances in this emotionally charged series that takes on race, justice, and accountability issues.
Best Corporate Law Shows
These shows explore the high-pressure world of corporate law, with themes of ambition, ethics, and complex deals, offering insight into the legal corporate landscape.
9. Partner Track
- Seasons: 1
- Key Cast: Arden Cho - Bradley Gibson
- Legal Focus: Corporate Law, Professional Ethics
- Accuracy Rating: Moderate—focuses more on the corporate ladder and personal relationships.
- Unique Aspect: Provides an inside look at defense tactics, ethics, and personal cost.
- Best Episodes: Dawn Raid, Season 1 (Episode 10) - Pro Forma, Season 1 (Episode 9) - Client Relations, Season 1 (Episode 6)
This drama follows the ambitious Ingrid Yun, a young lawyer at a prestigious law firm, balancing the challenges of career ambition, personal life, and ethics.
The show dives into the intricacies of corporate law while highlighting Ingrid's struggles with the competitive world around her. Arden Cho shines in the lead role, supported by a diverse and engaging cast, including Bradley Gibson.
Best Legal Documentaries
10. Making a Murderer
- Seasons: 2
- Legal Focus: Wrongful Convictions
- Unique Aspect: In-depth portrayal of courtroom dynamics and legal flaws.
- Best Episodes: Indefensible, Season 1 (Episode 4) - The Last Person to See Teresa Alive, Season 1 (Episode 5) - Fighting for Their Lives, Season 1 (Episode 10)
A gripping true-crime documentary series following the story of Steven Avery, a man wrongfully convicted of a violent crime, only to be later accused of murder.
The show sheds light on the weaknesses of the American legal system, with in-depth interviews and courtroom footage raising critical questions about wrongful convictions. It’s a powerful look into one man’s fight for justice and the following legal complexities.
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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