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10 Shows Like The Lincoln Lawyer That Will Keep You Hooked
- Joao Nsita
- 8 hours ago
- 9 min read
Introduction
If you are one of the millions of viewers who binged The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 this February 2026, you know the specific kind of withdrawal that hits once the final verdict is read. The series, based on Michael Connelly's bestselling novels, has mastered the art of the legal thriller. It combines the sun-drenched, gritty streets of Los Angeles with the high-stakes tension of the courtroom, all anchored by the charismatic, morally flexible defense attorney Mickey Haller. Whether he is operating out of the back of his Lincoln Navigator or fighting for his own freedom, the show delivers a unique blend of procedural satisfaction and serialized character drama.
But what do you watch when the gavel bangs for the last time? The genre of legal dramas is vast, but finding a show that captures The Lincoln Lawyer's specific mix of wit, danger, and legal maneuvering can be a challenge. You want a protagonist who is brilliant but flawed, cases that twist until the very last minute, and a world where the line between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" is often blurred by the letter of the law.
We have curated the definitive list of 10 shows that scratch that same itch. From the sun-baked noir of Bosch (Mickey's universe-neighbor) to the high-octane corporate battles of Suits, these series feature sharp-tongued attorneys, impossible odds, and personal demons that are just as dangerous as the criminals on trial. Here is your next obsession, ranked from great to absolute must-watch.
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10. All Rise
Platform: OWN / Hulu / HBO Max The Vibe: Hopeful, Chaotic, Systemic
Kicking off our list at number 10 is a legal drama that shifts the perspective from the defense table to the bench. All Rise follows the chaotic, hopeful, and sometimes absurd life of Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), a newly appointed judge who doesn't intend to sit back and watch the system fail.
Why It Fits: Like The Lincoln Lawyer, All Rise is set in the bustling legal ecosystem of Los Angeles. While Mickey Haller fights from the trenches, Lola Carmichael fights from above, challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. The show balances the procedural "case of the week" format with deep dives into the personal lives of the judges, prosecutors, and public defenders. It captures the frenetic energy of an LA courthouse, where justice is often messy, loud, and hard-won. If you appreciate Mickey's desire to find justice in a flawed system, Lola's crusade to fix that system from the inside will resonate deeply.
9. Presumed Innocent
Platform: Apple TV+ The Vibe: Tense, Obsessive, Political
At number 9, we have the gripping limited series Presumed Innocent, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Based on the novel by Scott Turow (and the 1990 film), this 2024 adaptation reimagines the story of Rusty Sabich, a chief deputy prosecutor who finds himself accused of the horrific murder of his colleague and mistress.
Why It Fits: This show mirrors the high personal stakes seen in The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4, where Mickey himself is on trial. Presumed Innocent is a masterclass in tension, exploring how easily the hunter can become the hunted. It delves into the obsession, politics, and media frenzies that surround high-profile legal cases. If you loved watching Mickey Haller navigate the treacherous waters of being a defendant in his own world, Rusty Sabich’s desperate fight to prove his innocence—while hiding his own moral failings—will keep you on the edge of your seat.
8. Reasonable Doubt
Platform: Hulu / Disney+ The Vibe: Sexy, Scandalous, Fearless
Number 8 brings us Jax Stewart, a character who could easily be Mickey Haller's spiritual sister. In Reasonable Doubt, Jax (Emayatzy Corinealdi) is a high-powered criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who judges the justice system by her own set of rules. She loves criminals, she loves the fight, and she loves winning.
Why It Fits: Jax Stewart navigates elite clients and a messy personal life with the same swagger as Mickey. The show is stylish, fast-paced, and unafraid to mix steamy romance with gritty legal battles. It explores the intersection of ethics, power, and personal desire. Just as Mickey often finds his personal history colliding with his cases, Jax’s past creates a web of complications that threaten to derail her career. It is essentially The Lincoln Lawyer with a female lead who creates smoke wherever she goes.
7. Bosch
Platform: Amazon Prime Video The Vibe: Gritty, Noir, methodical
Ranking seventh is the show that shares the most DNA with The Lincoln Lawyer. Bosch, based on Michael Connelly’s other hit book series, follows Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver), an uncompromising LAPD homicide detective. In the books, Harry and Mickey are actually half-brothers who often work together.
Why It Fits: While they are on opposite sides of the law—cop vs. defense attorney—the shows share the same gritty, atmospheric Los Angeles DNA. Bosch offers a similar commitment to procedural realism and the darker side of the city. If you love the way The Lincoln Lawyer treats LA as a character, with its sun-bleached streets and neon-lit diners, Bosch is the perfect companion piece. It is less about courtroom theatrics and more about the dogged pursuit of truth, offering a different but equally compelling look at the same universe.
6. The Good Fight
Platform: Paramount+ The Vibe: Satirical, Political, Intelligent
Breaking into the top 6 is the critically acclaimed spin-off of The Good Wife. The Good Fight follows Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) as she joins a prestigious African American-owned law firm after losing her savings in a financial scam.
Why It Fits: This show is for the viewer who loves the intellectual sparring of The Lincoln Lawyer. It grapples with timely, politically charged themes—racism, sexism, police brutality—with a sharp, satirical wit. Like Mickey, Diane is a maverick who isn't afraid to push boundaries. The legal cases are often ripped from the headlines, providing a surreal and provocative commentary on the modern justice system. It captures the chaos of the legal world with a sophistication and bite that makes it unmissable.
Internal Link: If you enjoy complex characters navigating messy relationships, check out our Review of Friends with Benefits.
5. Boston Legal
Platform: Hulu / Disney+ The Vibe: Eccentric, Humorous, Philosophical
At number 5, we have the show that defined the eccentric lawyer trope. Boston Legal, a spin-off of The Practice, centers on the brilliant but bizarre Denny Crane (William Shatner) and his ethically flexible protégé Alan Shore (James Spader) at the high-end firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt.
Why It Fits: If you love Mickey Haller’s unorthodox methods, you will adore Alan Shore. Shore is the king of the courtroom monologue, often bending the law until it snaps to serve his version of justice. The dynamic between Shore and Crane is legendary—ending every episode with scotch and cigars on the balcony. It mixes biting legal drama with laugh-out-loud absurdity, proving that the most effective lawyers are often the ones who refuse to play by the rules.
4. Suits
Platform: Netflix / Peacock The Vibe: Slick, witty, Corporate
Number 4 is the show that arguably reignited the global obsession with legal dramas. Suits follows Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), a legendary corporate closer, who hires Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory, to pretend to be a Harvard-educated lawyer.
Why It Fits: Harvey Specter shares Mickey Haller’s supreme confidence and "move fast, break things" attitude. While The Lincoln Lawyer is gritty criminal defense, Suits is high-gloss corporate warfare. However, the core appeal is identical: watching a brilliant legal mind outmaneuver opponents with style, wit, and a touch of arrogance. The mentorship dynamic and the constant threat of Mike’s secret being exposed add layers of tension that keep you bingeing season after season.
3. Better Call Saul
Platform: Netflix The Vibe: Tragic, Cinematic, Masterpiece
Taking the bronze medal at number 3 is the critically worshipped Better Call Saul. This prequel to Breaking Bad chronicles the transformation of Jimmy McGill—a struggling, well-meaning public defender—into the morally bankrupt "criminal" lawyer Saul Goodman.
Why It Fits: Jimmy McGill is the ultimate street-level lawyer. Like Mickey Haller, he operates on the fringes, hustling for clients and using every trick in the book to win. But where Mickey usually stays on the side of the angels, Jimmy slowly slides into darkness. The show explores the tragedy of a brilliant legal mind corrupted by rejection and greed. It is a slower burn than The Lincoln Lawyer, but the payoff is a rich, heartbreaking character study that redefines what a legal drama can be.
2. How to Get Away with Murder
Platform: Netflix / Hulu The Vibe: Thrilling, twisty, Intense
The runner-up at number 2 is the high-octane thriller How to Get Away with Murder. Viola Davis stars as Annalise Keating, a brilliant criminal defense attorney and law professor who becomes entangled in a murder plot with five of her students.
Why It Fits: If you watch The Lincoln Lawyer for the twists, this show will give you whiplash. Annalise Keating is a force of nature—complex, flawed, and absolutely mesmerizing in a courtroom. The show operates on two timelines, flashing forward to a murder mystery while the team solves "cases of the week" in the present. It captures the moral ambiguity of defense law perfectly: how far will you go to protect your client, and how far will you go to protect yourself?
1. Goliath
Platform: Amazon Prime Video The Vibe: Dark, Redemption, David vs. Goliath
Taking the number 1 spot is Goliath, a show that feels like the darker, grittier spiritual twin of The Lincoln Lawyer. Created by David E. Kelley (who also adapted The Lincoln Lawyer for TV), it stars Billy Bob Thornton as Billy McBride, a washed-up, alcoholic lawyer seeking redemption.
Why It Is The Perfect Match: Billy McBride is essentially Mickey Haller if he lost everything and hit rock bottom. He lives in a motel, drinks too much, and fights a massive legal system that wants him dead. The first season sees him taking on the massive law firm he helped create, embodying the ultimate underdog story. With David E. Kelley’s signature sharp dialogue and Thornton’s magnetic, Golden Globe-winning performance, Goliath captures the exact blend of legal brilliance and personal brokenness that makes The Lincoln Lawyer so compelling. It is the definitive next watch for any fan.
Call to Action: Ready to dive into your next legal obsession? Stream Goliath on Prime Video or Suits on Netflix today to keep the courtroom drama alive.
Conclusion
Whether you crave the slick corporate takedowns of Suits, the moral tragedies of Better Call Saul, or the gritty redemption arc of Goliath, the world of legal TV has something for every Lincoln Lawyer fan. These shows prove that the courtroom is the perfect stage for exploring the best and worst of human nature.
So, pour yourself a drink, settle into your favorite spot on the couch, and prepare for opening statements. The verdict is in: these shows are guilty of being absolutely binge-worthy.
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10 FAQs
1. Is The Lincoln Lawyer connected to Bosch? In the books, Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch are half-brothers. However, due to rights issues (Netflix vs. Amazon), the characters do not cross over in the TV shows.
2. Which show is most similar to The Lincoln Lawyer? Goliath is the closest match. It is also created by David E. Kelley and features a brilliant but down-on-his-luck lawyer fighting a massive conspiracy.
3. Is Suits more of a comedy or drama? It is a legal drama with a lot of witty banter and humor. While it deals with serious cases, the tone is generally lighter and glossier than The Lincoln Lawyer.
4. Do I need to watch Breaking Bad before Better Call Saul? No, Better Call Saul is a prequel and stands on its own. However, watching Breaking Bad first adds depth to the flash-forwards and certain character fates.
5. Is The Good Fight political? Yes, very. It directly addresses the political climate of the Trump era and beyond, dealing with issues like fake news, alt-right movements, and systemic racism.
6. Is How to Get Away with Murder realistic? Not particularly. It prioritizes high-stakes drama, twists, and soap opera elements over accurate legal procedure, but it is incredibly entertaining.
7. Where can I watch The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4? Season 4 was released on Netflix in February 2026 and is currently streaming worldwide.
8. Is Reasonable Doubt based on a true story? The character of Jax Stewart is loosely based on celebrity attorney Shawn Holley, who was part of the O.J. Simpson defense team.
9. Why is Boston Legal considered a classic? It broke the mold by mixing serious civil rights cases with absurd humor and breaking the fourth wall. The chemistry between James Spader and William Shatner is iconic.
10. Will there be a Season 5 of The Lincoln Lawyer? Yes, Netflix has renewed the show for Season 5, which is scheduled to start filming in March 2026 and will adapt the novel Resurrection Walk.
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