With its focus on an energetic crime-fighting duo, incorporating dramatic and comedic elements,White Collarsimultaneously stood out as a unique series with a grounding in familiar tropes. The show found a particular niche by focusing on crimes like art thefts and heists that are not as common in standard police procedurals. While this gave the show a unique premise, there are also many other shows likeWhite Collarthat might appeal to fans.
News about aWhite Collarrevivalhas revealed that the sequel will feature several of the lovable characters that have helpedWhite Collar’s popularity endure, despite its premature ending.The sequel could potentially reconnect Neal Caffrey and his FBI partner, Agent Peter Burkeafter Neal faked his death in theWhite Collarfinale. But until more details about the reboot become clear, there are several other shows to watch that are just as captivating.
Suits
Cast
Suits is a legal drama series that premiered in 2011, centering on Mike Ross, a college dropout with a photographic memory who lands a job at a top New York law firm despite lacking a law degree. Partnering with one of the city’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter, they navigate the challenges of high-stakes cases and firm dynamics.
Suitsis an incredibly binge-worthy show. It focuses on lawyer Harvey Specter and his unlikely partner, Mike Ross, who gets hired at Harvey’s firm through sheer luck. Mike is not a lawyer, but he has a photographic memory, is highly intelligent, and he has passed the bar exam several times under someone else’s name. Together, the two work together in collaboration with the rest of Harvey’s firm in a way that is similar to Neal and Peter inWhite Collar.
SuitsandWhite Collarboth feature drama, comedy, and romance.Suitsalso features excellent dialogue and character development, as the lack of Mike’s law degree starts to pose problems for the team. The largest similarity between the two shows is thatwhile both partners are experts in some way, only one is a professional. Neal and Mike are intelligent and adaptable, but they lack the credentials that Peter and Harvey possess. Together, the information that the characters possess aids each case that the duo comes across.
The Blacklist
The Blacklist follows Raymond “Red” Reddington, a notorious fugitive, who shocks the FBI by surrendering and offering to help capture dangerous criminals. With a mysterious agenda, Reddington insists on working exclusively with rookie FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen, using his deep knowledge of an elusive criminal network.
The Blacklistis a darker version of Neal and Mozzie’s worldinWhite Collar. While the show lacks the comedic elements that makeWhite Collarso effective, it does focus on the underground criminal world that is at the center of most police work.The Blacklistfollows Red Reddington, one of the world’s most wanted criminals, as he works with the FBI to catch his criminal colleagues on the condition that he gets to work closely with FBI agent Elizabeth Keen.
The premises of bothThe BlacklistandWhite Collarfocus on conditional working conditions within the FBI. Neal works with the FBI under the promise that he will regain his freedom, while Reddington collaborates in order to work with Elizabeth Keen. Even thoughboth characters have significantly different motivations for working with the FBI, the two men do share the desire to pursue their own interests. As a result,The Blacklistis a greatWhite Collarreplacementto watch while waiting for the sequel.
Burn Notice
After being “burned,” (i.e., fired and cut off from his job as a spy), former CIA agent Michael Westen finds himself stuck in Miama with no cash, no credit, and no job history. With the help of an old friend and an ex-flame, he takes whatever work he can as a private investigator, while trying to solve the mystery behind why he was burned.
Burn Noticeis more like ifWhite Collar’s Neal Caffrey was focused on staying above the law rather than being a devout con man.Burn Noticefocuses on a burned CIA agent, Michael Westen, who is stuck in Miami with no resources and is forced to keep a low profile while relying on the help of his mom and a few old friends. While the premise is completely different fromWhite Collar, the two shows feature several similarities.
Burn Noticealso features a team that aims to solve cases, a likable cast, and charismatic characters. Both Neal and Michael are also limited in what they can do. Neal is limited by his freedom and collaboration with the FBI, which is contingent on him not committing more crimes.Micheal is limited by his burned status and his desire to keep a low profileand to keep the police uninterested in him.Burn Notice’s interesting premise and similarities toWhite Collarmake it the perfect show to watch while waiting for theWhite Collarreboot.
Lupin
Lupin follows Assane Diop, a gentleman thief that seeks to settle a twenty-five-year vendetta against the people who accused his father of stealing a necklace once belonging to Marie Antoinette. Along the way, Assane’s quest will drag the two people he loves most, his son and ex-wife, into an ever-increasing conflict. Assane will be forced to decide what he will risk for revenge. Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief and master of disguise from the books by author Maurice Leblanc inspires the inspirations behind his heists and theft.
WhileLupinholds fewer similarities toWhite Collarthan some other shows, it also focuses heavily on art heists and the underground criminal world.Lupinis more similar to the world of Neal and Mozzie, rather than the world of Neal and Peter. Neal and Peter work above ground to solve cases with the FBI, whereas Neal and Mozzie work underground in pursuit of their own interests, and this is where the majority of criminal elements in the show come from.
Lupinis a thriller based on the French story and character, Arsène Lupin, who is a self-proclaimed gentleman thief. The show follows Assane Diop, whose alias is Lupin, as he seeks to right an injustice by stealing a diamond necklace from a wealthy family that his family has a history with.The series is focused on the act of committing a crimerather than the act of solving one, which makes it different fromWhite Collar. However, the show’s dynamics and plots still hold several similarities toWhite Collar, especially through its portrayal of white-collar crime.
Castle
When Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a famous mystery novelist, finds himself struggling with writer’s block, he begins shadowing edgy NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) for inspiration. His mind for mystery proves useful to the NYPD, making him Beckett’s unofficial partner, and the pair work to solve various homicides and mysteries throughout the city - despite the fact that the detective can hardly stand the author.
Castlehas several similarities toWhite Collar, but the main thing is that the show also focuses on an unlikely duo.Castlefeatures the multimillionaire and author Rick Castle as he teams up with the NYPD to research for his new book. He gets partnered up with Detective Kate Beckett, who is less than pleased to work with the smug Castle. The show has comedic elements, just likeWhite Collar, and also shows howan unlikely partnership grows into friendship as time passes.
Castle’s Rick Castle is a combination of Neal and Mozzie. He is goofy but charming, flirtatious, and highly intelligent.Castle’s Kate Beckett is more like Peter inWhite Collar. BothKate and Peterlike to stick to the rules and follow protocol, they are highly skilled detectives, and theysometimes put up with more than they should from their partners. The two shows complement each other by being similar enough to be enjoyed, but they still hold significant differences as to how the partnership began.
Rizzoli & Isles
Rizzoli & Isles follows Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles as they solve various complex crimes. Starring Angie Harmon as Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as Isles, the series delves into their professional partnership and personal lives.
Rizzoli & Islesalso highlights the good that can come from a surprising partnership. Detective Jane Rizzoli is a tough and assertive detective. Her best friend, and crime-fighting partner, is Dr. Maura Isles, the cold and literal medical examiner of the Boston P.D.The two have vastly different personalities, but somehow they balance each other out. Their friendship plays a significant part in each episode.
By focusing on police cases and friendship,Rizzoli & Islesholds several similarities toWhite Collar. While Jane and Maura were friends for years before the show began, and Peter and Neal became friends over time,both shows focus on the friendships between the duos. Neal’s friendship with Peter is particularly significant because it shows Neal’s character growth as he moves away from seeing Peter as his key to freedom, and instead starts to see him as a friend.
Psych
Shawn Spencer happens to possess some uncanny powers of observation thanks to his father, Henry, a former police officer who taught his son to remember even the smallest details of his surroundings. When Shawn is accused of committing a crime that he actually solved, he convinces the cops that he’s a psychic – and with the reluctant help of his best friend, Gus, Shawn starts solving cases for a skeptical but increasingly impressed police force.
Psychis one of the shows that is most similar toWhite CollarbecausePsychalso features two best friends who work with an organization to solve crimes. InPsych, Shawn Spencer uses his excellent attention to detail and photographic memory to solve cases for the Santa Barbara P.D. under the guise that he is a psychic. His best friend, Burton Guster, acts as his partner-in-crime, helping to translate Shawn’s psychic visions and help him solve cases.
…both Neal and Shawn act as the main characters, while Mozzie and Gus act as secondary, but equally lovable partners.
WhileWhite Collar’s best friends, Neal and Mozzie, are a bit different fromPsych’s, both Neal and Shawn act as the main characters, while Mozzie and Gus act as secondary, but equally lovable partners. Shawn holds close ties to the SBPD inPsychjust like Neal is more closely associated with the FBI inWhite Collar. Despite the uneven dynamics, both friendships are vital to the shows and to solving the cases that each episode presents.
Psychalso highlights Shawn’s extraordinary skills, just likeWhite Collarhighlights Neal’s. InPsych, Shawn is consistently the best detective despite never having any formal training. His only training came from his dad, Henry, who taught Shawn detective skills as a young boy. Shawn’s knowledge is comparable to Neal’s. InWhite Collar, Neal is consistently the best at every sort of crime and craft, from glassblowing to art forgery, despite the fact that he also never received any formal training.
Instinct
Instinct is a crime drama series starring Alan Cumming as Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a former CIA operative turned author and university professor. Recruited by NYPD detective Elizabeth Needham (Bojana Novakovic), Reinhart uses his unique skills to help solve complex cases in New York City. The series combines psychological insights with police procedural elements.
Instinctshow’s what would happen ifWhite Collar’s Neal gave up his life of crime to have a peaceful existenceonly to be lured back in to help solve a criminal case.Instinctalso features a character that is very similar toWhite Collar’s Mozzie, who has ties to the criminal world and reminds the main character of the adrenaline buzz that comes with dealing with a life of crime.Instinctfollows former CIA agent Dr. Dylan Reinhart as he uses his experience and knowledge to help NYPD detective Lizzie Needham solve a serial killer case.
As Dylan and Lizzie work together, they realize they make a good team and decide to continue working together, just like Neal and Peter inWhite Collar. WhileInstinctwas short-lived with only two seasons, it remains an intriguing spin on an oversaturated genre. The main character, Dylan, also struggles with balancing his personal and professional life, similar to Neal’s struggles inWhite Collar,as he attempts to uphold his promise to Peter to remain a law-abiding citizen.
