There is every reason for one to call the Mentalist, one of the best TV shows ever. From wittiness to suspense to comedy to romance to amazing acting of every character involved, the show brought in all the best ingredients to a perfect masterpiece. Yet, as the show has gone past its 7th and final season, the fans have to look forward to some other shows like ‘The Mentalist’ to fill that void.
Well, before we go ahead with that handpicked list of TV series like The Mentalist, let’s take a sneak peek into the major highlights of this epic crime thriller. Patrick Jane, the protagonist, is a former psychic. He is up for revenge on a serial killer named Red John who killed his family.
Jane put all the blame for his family killing on himself, as he mocked the serial killer on National TV right before the horrific incident. Eventually, Jane joins the famous California Bureau of Investigation as a consultant. His only aim here is to hunt down and kill the murderer of his family.
As he now works with the CBI, his quest to find the serial killer just got a bit easier. Now, that’s where Jane’s mind-reading skills as a mentalist come in handy for the task. Besides this, he can easily snoop into small details while making people behave according to his will. Even though it sounds a bit uncanny, his skills have helped CBI in solving a number of cases.
That said, let’s proceed with the list of shows like The Mentalist that have been hand-picked by taking views and reviews of millions of viewers into consideration.
1. Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’ has served as a true motivation for all the filmmakers who look forward to creating some timeless crime thrillers shows. Now, the question is – how come these tv series make it into the list of tv shows like The Mentalist?
Well, the answer lies in the interesting plot of this epic thriller that casts Benedict Cumberbatch as the protagonist named Sherlock Holmes. If that isn’t enough, you got the likes of Martin Freeman portraying the role of a lovable sidekick named Dr. John Watson.
The thrill just doesn’t right there and the show also brings along renowned actors like Mark Gatiss, Mycroft Holmes, and Andrew Scott in interesting character roles. So, when you bring all these seasoned actors in one epic platform, a sharp, witty, thrilling, and binge-worthy show is what you get in resultant.
As far as Sherlock is concerned, he solves every case like a pro, while using his perfect crime investigation gadget aka Smartphone. The plot of the story mostly revolves around Sherlock and Doctor Watson and their quest to bring every criminal to justice.
You may have witnessed a number of adaptations to this famous book. Yet, this one comes over as the best one on the list. Sherlock is fast, intelligent and goes by his tasks like a magician. So, you may never find a dull moment while binge-watching this amazing thriller.
How does Sherlock make it into the list of Tv shows like The Mentalist?
Both Jane (The Mentalist) and Sherlock are police consultants. Moreover, other characters like Patrick and Homes are quite perfect in tracking even the minutest of clues. So, you can easily find them making all the right calculations and conclusions.
2. Lucifer
Lucifer stands as yet another Tv show that has some close resemblance to a series like Mentalist. The protagonist, Lucifer Morningstar, gets bored with his monotonous life as the lord of hell. So, he decides to take a long-standing vacation in the city of angels.
He makes a nightclub as his hub and tries to keep on with his evil deeds the old way. While making the best out of these changed settings, he further trades a list of favors from all of his visiting clients. Yet, given the unfortunate murder of one of his clients, he eventually joins hands with an LAPD detective for further investigation.
Lucifer gets so besotted with the detective that he eventually decides to join LAPD as a full-time consultant. What follows is his witty acts of using his power to sketch out people’s darkest desires en route to solve the given cases.
You may find it as just another crime thriller show. Yet, its main character with all the uncanny powers holds the spotlight right till the end. Few of you may not like the plot given the dark context of the whole story. Still, it can be deemed as the best depiction of the comic version with the same name.
Why Lucifer makes it into the list of shows like the mentalist?
Just like the Mentalist, Lucifer is also blessed with some supernatural powers. Although the latter has portrayed an evil side, his powers have come up as a great support to CBI.
The protagonist in both shows portrayed some similar characteristics. Yet Lucifer finds himself doing all the weird and witty things all along.
3. Psych
The main character named Shawn Spencer is portraying the role of a psychic here. Just like the other two shows in our list, even this one talks about the usage of supernatural powers while reaching down to the end conclusion of crime cases.
The protagonist here is blessed with a fail-proof memory and he further possesses some unmatched confidence and focus. The show kick starts when Shawn and his best friend Gus join hands with the police after making the latter believe that Shawn is a real psychic.
As the police get to believe in this, they agree to hire Shawn in their quest to resolve some of the toughest cases down the line. The best part of this show is its humorous and witty commentary. So, if you looking forward to some good shows like the mentalist, this can comes as a handy pick.
How can Psych be deemed as a series-like The Mentalist?
Both the shows talk about Police and their quest to crack some tangled murder mysteries. That said, the characters of both the Mentalist and Psych help the cops with their special powers.
The only visible difference is the comical approach of the Psych. Besides, Patrick Jane from the mentalist is quite honest about him not being a real psychic. Shawn from the Psych, however, follows a completely different approach altogether.
Also, speaking from my own personal experience, this can truly be a great show to watch, if you want something just like “The Mentalist”. And maybe, you might find this even better! Just like me! 🙂
4. Monk
Monk generally revolves around Adrian Monk, an imaginative ex-detective hailing from the city of San Francisco. He is suffering from severe OCD and a list of other phobias ever since the death of his wife.
As he used to work as a detective at San Francisco Police Department, he got suspended due to his mental health issues. Defying all the odds, Monk fights back for his role as a police consultant. What comes next is an eventful journey that caries all the interesting twists and turns of his life.
You can consider Monk as a good detective show. Although it makes you feel bored in a few of the seasons, the overall verdict is quite satisfactory.
Why Monk can be listed in the category of shows like The Mentalist?
Yet again, both The Mentalist and Monk got some big involvement of police and crime. Just like the Mentalist, Monk also holds some great capabilities to track down even the smallest of details.
Eventually, they both help the police in getting to the roots of any given crime scene. Yet Monk loves to go the pre-defined ways towards his role as a police consultant, unlike Patrick.
5. Criminal Minds
If you love crime thrillers, there’s no way you wouldn’t have heard of ‘Criminals Minds’. It is a famous American police drama that got launched in the year 2005 and entered into its 15th and final season in the year 2019.
This astonishing drama is based on a list of real-life crime scenarios and majorly talks about a team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Behavioral Analysis unit firstly evaluates the situation while taking a shot at the behavior of most ruthless criminals. Doing that, they rightly predict the next move of these criminals, in a quest to stop them from creating any more damage.
En route to its 15th and final season, the show has witnessed the arrival and retirement of some of the most recognized TV actors. Yet, the character named Jason Giddiyan, played by Mandy Patinkin tops the list.
His retirement from the show comes as quite interesting. While bidding adieu to Criminal minds after three amazing seasons, mandy insisted that the show is too ghastly for his taste.
The series has reached some big landmarks ever since and its members David Rossi (founding member), Emily Prentiss, Dr. Spenser Reid. Jennifer Jareau, Tara Lewis, Luke Alvez, Simmons, and Penelope Garcia have put their hands on a list of serial killers in the process.
Can we categorize Criminal minds into the list of shows like The Mentalist?
Yes, there are many reasons for us to find the similarities in both the shows. Just like the Mentalist, even this one revolves around the eventful life of police officials. Besides, the characters in both shows use their unique skill set to derive conclusions to even the most complicated cases.
Right like the mentalist, Criminal minds also brings along a great plot and solid character development. With 24 episodes every season, Criminal minds come as a perfect binge-watch option this weekend.
6. Elementary
If we have to describe Elementary in a layman’s language, we must quote it as a modern-day depiction of the classic stories of Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock, the protagonist, stays in New York while getting along with his job as a private detective.
England used to be his old home but he moves on eventually to chase his dreams in a big city like new york. He plays the role of a police consultant to the NYPD who is assisted by young and beautiful Joan Watson.
Discussing Joan, she is playing the character of a former surgeon, who is employed with the NYPD as an assistant. Interestingly, NYPD hired Watson to help Sherlock stay away from his drug addiction. Eventually, she ends up being his assistant and PI in training.
Elementary is a good show, yet far enough from the level of the Sherlock series. Yet, there are many reasons for you to call it as one of the TV shows like The Mentalist.
Is Elementary worth it to make it to the category of shows like The Mentalist?
Both Elementary and The Mentalist discuss the action-packed life of police officials from the NYPD. Besides, both Patrick and Sherlock are quite amazing in observing tiny clues while reaching out to the desired conclusions. Just like Patrick, even Shawn doesn’t like to bend the rules while going along with his objectives.
7. White Collar
You surely would’ve loved The Mentalist for the buffet of emotions, suspense, drama, and thrill attached to it. Discussing White Collar, arguably brings you the same kind of experience, along with a brilliant storytelling act.
What makes this show extremely attractive is the eye-candy character of Neal Caffrey, played by Matt Bomer, a conman under FBI custody. FBI agent Peter Burke, portrayed by another amazing actor, Tim DeKay, recaptured Caffrey during his prison break efforts.
Eventually, he uses the latter’s uncanny skills to solve all the murder mysteries and other cases around. The show sounds quite intriguing with all the handy twists and turns. Still, you will find it more charming with the evolution of an unlikely, yet striking friendship.
So, if you are planning to catch hold of some shows similar to The Mentalist, the White collar is surely going to live up to your expectations.
Does it qualify to the list of shows like The Mentalist?
It certainly does and you are surely going to feel intrigued with the main characters of the White collar. Just like Jane, Neal Caffey is also playing the role of a con man. Still, the background of the main characters comes as the only visible difference in this comparison.
8. Dexter
While talking about the TV shows like The Mentalist, we now enter into the league of famous psychological thrillers. Few of the fans did not like the extremely disturbing concept of ‘Dexter’ given its release in the year 2006.
The show kick starts in Miami where Dexter, portrayed by Michael C. Hall, appears to be a forensic technician that studies blood splatter. In reality, this technician is a cold-blooded serial killer. Yes, for a change, the protagonist in our list is a serial killer himself.
Interestingly, the bad boy Dexter here is actually a good guy, simply because of the fact that every person he killed is a serious crime. Now that you may find the plot interesting, you can certainly give it a watch over the weekend.
Is it worth going into the category of shows like The Mentalist?
The characters, case scenarios, and the plot are quite different in both shows. Still, given the involvement of crime scenes and related events, you will surely find some kind of similarities in between
9. Luther
‘Luther’ may not bring similarities to a TV series like Mentalist. Still, it brings on all the high octane drama, thrill, and entertainment all along. It appears to be a kind of television series that will make you think twice about all the fairytales about London city.
Still, the most intriguing part of this series is its plot that revolves around a detective named Luther. He is not just any random detective. Often, you will find him getting stuck between his job and the dark world he is a part of.
You can surely look forward to the protagonist Idris Alba who has done full justice with his role in the show. Moreover, the edge-of-the-seat thrill will keep you stuck to your TV screens for some good time.
Does Luther qualify for the list of shows like The Mentalist?
Just like the Mentalist, Luther finds himself amidst the dark world of crime scenes and horrific murders. Both the characters are trying to reach the end of a particular case scenario. So yes, you can definitely give it a watch in the absence of your beloved show.
10. Chuck
Every one of us is aware of the fact that governments do hide secrets from their citizens for their own special reasons. So, how would you feel when a nerd get access to all those hidden secrets out of nowhere /
Well, that’s what happens in this witty, yet the interesting story of Chuck Bartowski, portrayed by Zachary Levi. As he mistakenly downloads a list of secrets into his brain, the NSA and the CIA hires him as their secret agent. What follows next is a journey full of stupid acts and comic scenarios that will make you laugh to the core.
Is it worth listing Chuck into the category of shows like The Mentalist?
Everything from the plot, characters, and background is quite different in both shows. Still, given the role of conman played by Chuck, you can find some similarities in his troubles with that of the mentalist. Watch it to cherish some funny moments with your family this weekend!
Final Word
The above mentioned list of shows like the mentalist is prepared while taking thousands of fan reviews into account. Do let us know in the comments section if you want some of your favorite shows to feature in this list.
