The 14 Best Legal Drama Shows on Netflix Right Now (2024)

Do you feel the adrenaline rushing when you see attorneys striving for justice in a legal show? Or does the tension of the courtroom keep you on the edge of your seat? If the answer is yes to either or both of these questions, then you are at the right place. Whether you are a law enthusiast, a legal drama fan, or simply passionate about good storytelling, legal drama shows can be one of the most satisfying entertainment experiences. From real-life events and well-researched documentaries to fascinating fiction, these are the best legal drama on Netflix right now. Now, approach the bench, counsel.

For recommendations, check out our list of the best movies and shows on Netflix.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

Editor's note: This article was updated June 2024 to include Your Honor.

'Your Honor' (2020 - 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 50% IMDb: 7.6/10

Your Honor

Drama

Crime

Release Date

December 6, 2020

Cast

Bryan Cranston , Michael Stuhlbarg , Hope Davis , Isiah Whitlock Jr. , Tony Curran , Carmen Ejogo

Developed by Peter Moffat, Your Honor is a drama series adapted from the Israeli TV show Kvodo. The series stars Bryan Cranston as a prominent Michael Desiato, a New Orleans judge whose teenage son kills another teenager in an accidental hit-and-run. Though Michael initially encourages his son to turn himself in, things become infinitely more complicated when he finds out that the victim is the son of a dangerous mob boss. Besides Cranston, the series also stars Hunter Doohan, Hope Davis, Michael Stuhlbarg, and more. Originally planned as a miniseries, Your Honor consists of two ten-episode seasons. The series’ first season had a rather mixed reception, but reviews of the second were markedly better. It’s a show that’s very much meant for Cranston’s fans, especially those who loved him on Breaking Bad, but it also features some great performances from Doohan, Stuhlbarg, and others. Your Honor explores the familiar premise of a good man doing bad things for the sake of his family through a grounded yet dramatic story that’s elevated by its powerful performances.

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'Suits' (2011 - 2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 8.4/10

Suits

Drama

Comedy

Release Date

June 23, 2011

Creator

Aaron Korsh

Cast

Gabriel Macht , Amanda Schull , Rick Hoffman , Dule Hill , Katherine Heigl

Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams seamlessly share the screen as co-stars in the beloved cable series Suits, created by Aaron Korsh. Combining workplace tension mixed with legal drama, Suits blossoms from a base premise of a super smart college drop-out (Adams) landing a job at an elite law firm, evolving into a complex interpersonal story of charming characters navigating office politics. Featuring a stellar and expansive cast, including royalty Meghan Markle as well as science-fiction royalty Gina Torres, Suits is a witty series with a dedicated fandom that has only grown over the years. – Yael Tygiel

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'The Night Agent' (2023 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 7.5/10

The Night Agent

Action

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

March 23, 2023

Creator

Shawn Ryan

Cast

Gabriel Basso , Luciane Buchanan , Fola Evans-Akingbola , Sarah Desjardins , Eve Harlow , Phoenix Raei

See Also

25 Shows To Watch If You Like Netflix's Bodyguard

Prominent show creator Shawn Ryan (The Shield) brings the novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk off the page and onto television screens in this explosive new series filled with action, conspiracies, and political espionage. The Night Agent follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), who gets a call at the White House that pulls him into a desperate manhunt for a potential traitor in the US government that could endanger the whole country. Anyone who loves a good spy show with all the bells, whistles, and heart-pumping gunplay is sure to enjoy falling down this rabbit hole along with our stalwart, Agent Sutherland.

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'Partner Track' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Partner Track

Drama

Release Date

August 26, 2022

Creator

Georgia Lee

Cast

Arden Cho , Dominic Sherwood , Rob Heaps , Nolan Gerard Funk

Based on the 2013 novel by Helen Wan, Partner Track follows a young, idealistic lawyer named Ingrid (Arden Cho), who will do anything to make partner at her firm, including skipping holidays, blowing off her boyfriend, and not getting involved in confrontations at work. There are just two little problems: a casually racist coworker (Nolan Gerard Funk) who’s also vying for the position and a new addition to the team (Dominic Sherwood) who she has a past with. The show combines steamy romance with real-life issues like microaggressions – both of which set it apart for the genre. – Taylor Gates

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'The Lincoln Lawyer' (2022 - Present)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.7/10

The Lincoln Lawyer

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Release Date

May 13, 2022

Cast

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Neve Campbell , Becki Newton , Angus Sampson

From the men behind so many of the best legal dramas on television, David E. Kelley (Boston Legal, Ally McBeal) and Ted Humphrey (The Good Wife), comes The Lincoln Lawyer – a cleverly written legal drama erupting with action, mystery, and even some comedy. Based on Michael Connelly’s novels of the same name, The Lincoln Lawyer’s premise is simple: He’s a lawyer who practices law out of his Lincoln Town Car. But the story becomes quite more intricate as it unfolds. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (Murder on the Orient Express) takes on the lead role previously occupied by Matthew McConaughey in the film adaptation, starring alongside the incredible Neve Campbell (Scream) and underrated Becki Newton (Ugly Betty). – Yael Tygiel

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'NCIS' (2003 - Present)

IMDb: 7.8/10

NCIS

Cast

david mccallum , sean murray , Mark Harmon , Brian Dietzen , Pauley Perrette , Rocky Carroll

Created by

Donald P. Bellisario

Criminal dramas and procedurals are a dime a dozen these days, but few make it past a handful of seasons, and even fewer manage to maintain the level of quality as NCIS, currently in its nineteenth season. Following the titular Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the show is a contemporary of shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and is arguably the most charming of television’s most famous dramas. Despite numerous cast shake-ups in recent years, the series remains a primetime staple, one of the few police procedurals still airing that remains firmly within the “bad guy of the week” formula popularized in the early 2000s. As the third longest-running scripted, non-animated series currently airing in the US, the show has spawned numerous spinoffs, including NCIS: New Orleans and the newer NCIS: Hawaii, but there’s nothing quite like the panache of the original, helmed, up until recently, by the stoic and dependable Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), and its clear commitment to tying up its loose ends with a smile. —Maggie Boccella

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'Mindhunter' (2017 - 2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.6/10

Mindhunter

Thriller

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Release Date

October 13, 2017

Cast

Holt McCallany , Anna Torv , Jonathan Groff , Hannah Gross

The FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit, currently a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, is well-known by fans of crime dramas, featuring prominently in various shows of the genre. Mindhunter tells the fictionalized story of a group of BSU agents tasked with investigating serial killers between the late 70s and early 80s to solve the ever-growing number of cases that defied the traditional police approach. Often praised for the accuracy with which it portrays infamous murderers such as Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton) and Charles Manson (Damon Herriman), Mindhunter goes beyond the usual procedural structure, that focuses almost exclusively on the crimes themselves, to allow its mains characters time to shine and present viewers with their own stories. It’s a moving and thrilling series, that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, wondering what will the next development be, whether officers Ford (Groff) and Tench (McCallany) next interview with Kemper, on the crimes they are currently investigating, or on officer Tench’s attempt at figuring out his quiet six-year-old son. — Elisa Guimarães

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'When They See Us' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.9/10

When They See Us

Crime

Drama

Biography

Release Date

May 31, 2019

Creator

Ava DuVernay

Cast

Marsha Stephanie Blake , Michael K. Williams , John Leguizamo , Aunjanue Ellis , Niecy Nash , Asante Blackk

Sometimes, a story feels so important that even though it’s heartbreaking, it must be told and heard. When They See Us is a story like that. When five teens from Harlem, Kevin Richardson (Asante Blackk), Antron McCray (Caleel Harris), Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse), Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome), and Raymond Santana (Marquis Rodriguez), are falsely accused of a brutal assault on a jogger in Central Park, their lives become a nightmare. The limited series follows the real-life story of these five people, from discovery by the police to an extended courtroom trial.

The limited series is based on events that happened in 1989 in New York City’s Central Park. The show narrates the events and the experiences of these teenage boys and spotlights the biases of the justice system.

When They See Us received widespread critical acclaim on its release and was nominated for a host of awards, winning a Peabody and an Emmy Award. With an ensemble cast, a pressing social issue, and positive reviews, this is a show that you don’t want to miss.

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'Unbelievable' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.3/10

Unbelievable

Crime

Drama

Release Date

September 13, 2019

Cast

Kaitlyn Dever , Toni Collette , Merritt Wever , Blake Ellis

Even the best people in law and order can make horrible mistakes. Unbelievable proves this over and over. It is the story of Marie Adler, an 18-year- old girl who reports being raped by a masked intruder who broke into her house. But instead of getting justice, she is accused of lying and victimized by detectives who claim she’s making false allegations. And so, she recants her statement. Eventually, two female detectives decide to follow all the pieces of evidence and uncover the truth so that they can bring justice to Marie.

The Netflix original miniseries is based on a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning news story by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and their book A False Report. The show focuses on Marie and her experiences with the police, courts, judges, and jury over eight episodes. The award-winning series earned many rave reviews and critical acclaim.

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'Hyena' (2020)

IMDb: 7.6/10

Hyena

Drama

K-Drama

Release Date

February 21, 2020

Creator

SBS Drama Headquarters

Cast

Kim Hye-soo , Ju Ji-Hoon

Hyena is another thrilling legal K-drama that is worth a watch. It is the story of two ambitious rival lawyers, Jung Geum-ja (Kim Hye-soo) and Yoon Hee-Jae (Ju Ji-hoon) who work at Song & Kim, a law firm that represents the crème-de-la-crème of South Korea. Jung and Yoon are both extremely competitive and ambitious, but each with their own legal arsenal. Jung is a daring soul who would not stop at the boundaries of ethics, emotions, law, and justice, and would do anything to succeed. With her whatever-it-takes attitude, sharp mind, and strong survival instincts, Jung can tear her competitor down at any point. Yoon, on the other hand, is Jung’s extreme opposite. He is an elite lawyer, who is brilliant, egotistical, and confident, and believes in himself. But he cannot always keep up with Jung’s slick nature and gets outsmarted by her. Yet, he will never let anything stand in the way of his ambition.

As the title suggests, the series portrays the metaphorical animalistic nature of the rival lawyers, to keep their heads up in the dog-eat-dog world of the legal system. Hyena only has one season with 16 episodes.

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'Better Call Saul' (2015 - 2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 9.0/10

Better Call Saul

Drama

Crime

Release Date

February 8, 2015

Cast

Bob Odenkirk , Jonathan Banks , Rhea Seehorn , Patrick Fabian , Michael Mando , Tony Dalton , Giancarlo Esposito

Here comes another exceptional work from the creators of Breaking Bad. A spin-off of Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s hit crime drama, Better Call Saul begins around six years before the events of Breaking Bad in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while also delving into the backstory of Saul Goodman. The story follows the journey of James McGill (Bob Odenkirk), from a con-man turned small-time lawyer to the morally challenged criminal lawyer Saul Goodman.

Bob Odenkirk steals the show as Jimmy McGill, through his struggles and achievements in professional and personal lives, endless escapes, and encounters with dangerous enemies, ranging from high-profile corporate sharks to ruthless drug lords. The quirky, witty, and engaging series has been critically acclaimed and has earned many nominations and awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

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'Alias Grace' (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Alias Grace

Drama

Release Date

September 25, 2017

Cast

Sarah Gadon , Rebecca Liddiard , Zachary Levi , David Cronenberg , Paul Gross , Anna Paquin

Writers

Sarah Polley

Directors

Mary Harron

If you are a Margaret Atwood fan, or just love 19th-century thrillers, then this is the perfect show for you. Even if you aren’t, Alias Grace has all the ingredients of good literature: a gripping story, intriguing characters, and a peek into history, especially the legal system of a bygone era.

Set in 1843 Canada, Alias Grace depicts the true story of Grace Marks, based on the eponymous historical fiction by Margaret Atwood. The plot follows the 16-year-old housemaid, Grace (Sarah Gadon), who was convicted of murdering her employer, Thomas Kinnear, and was also suspected of killing the housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery.

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'How To Get Away With Murder' (2014 - 2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.1/10

How to Get Away With Murder

Drama

Crime

Mystery

Release Date

September 25, 2014

Cast

Viola Davis , Billy Brown , Jack Falahee , Aja Naomi King , Liza Weil

Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is a professor and one of the most brilliant lawyers in Philadelphia. How to Get Away With Murder follows Annalise and five of her students as they use their intelligence, skills, and classroom lessons to cover up a murder. The power-packed show revolves around the consequences of one major incident that spans years and upends not just every character’s life, but the social and legal system as well. The plot thickens and twists in every season with new problems and characters, all striving to escape one thing – death!

Another striking feather in producer Shonda Rhimes’s hat, HTGAWM earned high accolades and great reception from the audience and critics alike. This Emmy and Golden Globe-winning legal drama series is one of the most popular and most-watched shows on Netflix at the moment.

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'House of Cards' (2013 - 2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 8.6/10

House of Cards (2013)

Drama

Mystery

Thriller

Release Date

February 1, 2013

Cast

Robin Wright , Michael Kelly , Patricia Clarkson , Derek Cecil , Boris McGiver , Lars Mikkelsen , Campbell Scott , Greg Kinnear

Understandably, you may be hesitant about watching a Kevin Spacey series right now considering his crimes. However, Spacey’s involvement shouldn’t overshadow the fact that House of Cards changed television forever. The first major Netflix original series raised the game with its production value, and the first two episodes were helmed by none other than David Fincher. House of Cards essentially started the binge-watching phenomenon. Although the show dipped in quality over time, the first two seasons are among the most riveting political television ever created. We also got one of the greatest female characters in recent memory: Robin Wright’s Claire Underwood. — Liam Gaughan

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