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| Love D.O.P.E. Unit? Here Are 19 Gritty Crime Series That Deserve Your Watchlist. (Photo: IMDb) |
D.O.P.E. Unit wasted no time becoming one of the most talked-about crime dramas of the summer. Packed with undercover missions, dangerous crime syndicates, corrupt officials and enough trust issues to make everyone suspicious of their own shadow, the ALLBLK series quickly found an audience looking for gritty television without unnecessary glamour. Unsurprisingly, many viewers reached the eighth episode and immediately started asking the same question: what should they watch next?
The answer depends on which part of D.O.P.E. Unit kept you glued to the screen. Some fans loved the undercover operations, others enjoyed the constant hunt for the mole inside the police department, while plenty simply appreciated watching criminals and detectives trying to outsmart each other every five minutes.
Whatever pulled you in, these series capture many of the same themes, from institutional corruption and urban crime to morally complicated heroes and suspense that rarely lets anyone relax.
Fan reactions have naturally been mixed. Some viewers compare D.O.P.E. Unit to modern crime classics and praise its dark atmosphere and grounded action, while others think the show still has room to grow in future seasons. One thing almost everyone agrees on, however, is that it scratches the itch for realistic undercover drama—and that's exactly why these series deserve a place on your watchlist.
Shows Like D.O.P.E Unit
1. Graceland (2013)
If the undercover side of D.O.P.E. Unit was your favourite element, Graceland should be your first stop. The series follows undercover agents from several federal agencies forced to live together while juggling dangerous covert assignments.
Like D.O.P.E. Unit, every operation depends on trust, quick thinking and convincing criminals that the badge is nowhere to be found. One wrong move can destroy months of work, and the tension rarely disappears.
2. Line of Duty (2012)
Rather than chasing drug traffickers, Line of Duty focuses on the officers investigating corruption inside the police itself.
The British thriller shares D.O.P.E. Unit's obsession with hidden moles, internal conspiracies and powerful figures manipulating investigations from the shadows. If you enjoy questioning every character's loyalty, this series practically turns suspicion into an Olympic sport.
3. We Own This City (2022)
Inspired by real events, We Own This City examines corruption inside the Baltimore Police Department. It explores abuse of power, systemic failures and the devastating impact dishonest officers can have on entire communities. Fans who enjoyed D.O.P.E. Unit's institutional corruption storyline will find this an easy recommendation.
4. The Shield (2002)
Long before modern police thrillers became fashionable, The Shield proved morally complicated officers could make gripping television. Its anti-heroes constantly blur the line between justice and criminality, creating the same ethical grey areas that make D.O.P.E. Unit so compelling.
5. Snowfall (2017)
Set during Los Angeles' crack epidemic, Snowfall brilliantly connects dealers, government agencies, neighbourhood politics and ambitious criminals.
Like D.O.P.E. Unit, every decision carries consequences that spread far beyond individual characters, making the story feel much bigger than simple police-versus-criminal drama.
6. BMF (2021)
BMF follows the rise of one of America's most influential crime organisations while exploring loyalty, ambition and family ties.
Fans who enjoyed the powerful Roth crime family in D.O.P.E. Unit will appreciate another story where criminal empires function almost like complicated family businesses—with considerably worse office politics.
7. Power (2014)
Few modern crime dramas balance organised crime and personal relationships as effectively as Power. The series follows nightclub owner and crime boss James St.
Patrick as he attempts to escape his criminal life without losing everything. The constant cat-and-mouse battle with law enforcement feels very familiar.
8. Bosch (2014)
Bosch slows the pace slightly but rewards viewers with intelligent investigations, realistic police work and deeply layered characters. While it contains fewer undercover operations, it shares D.O.P.E. Unit's commitment to grounded storytelling and complex moral choices.
9. Gangs of London (2020)
Violent criminal organisations, shifting alliances and breathtaking action sequences make Gangs of London one of television's most intense modern crime dramas. If D.O.P.E. Unit left you wanting more dangerous gang politics, this delivers in spectacular fashion.
10. Narcos (2015)
Narcos blends law enforcement operations with the rise of major drug cartels, showing both sides of the conflict equally well. Like D.O.P.E. Unit, it reminds viewers that catching powerful criminals is rarely straightforward, especially when corruption lurks nearby.
11. Southland (2009)
This overlooked police drama presents everyday law enforcement with remarkable realism. Officers face impossible choices, emotional pressure and unpredictable street situations, creating the same grounded atmosphere that helps D.O.P.E. Unit stand out from more exaggerated action series.
12. Mayor of Kingstown (2021)
Although centred on prisons rather than undercover policing, Mayor of Kingstown explores corruption, crime networks and the impossible balance between justice and survival. Every institution appears flawed, making it a perfect companion for viewers who enjoy morally complex storytelling.
13. Breaking Bad (2008)
At first glance it may seem like an unusual recommendation, but Breaking Bad explores many of the same themes surrounding the illegal drug trade, shifting loyalties and ordinary people making extraordinary choices. The psychological tension remains just as addictive.
14. Ozark (2017)
Money laundering replaces undercover policing, yet Ozark delivers relentless suspense through criminal organisations, dangerous negotiations and impossible moral dilemmas. Every episode reminds viewers that one bad decision usually invites three even worse ones.
15. ZeroZeroZero (2020)
International drug trafficking, political influence and global criminal organisations collide in ZeroZeroZero. Its realistic presentation of organised crime feels darker and more expansive than many traditional police dramas, making it ideal for fans wanting higher stakes.
16. The Wire (2002)
Often considered one of television's greatest crime dramas, The Wire examines policing, politics, education, journalism and organised crime with extraordinary depth. Like D.O.P.E. Unit, it understands that corruption is rarely limited to one bad person—it often grows through entire systems.
17. Chicago P.D. (2014)
For viewers wanting more tactical police operations, Chicago P.D. combines undercover assignments, street investigations and emotionally driven cases. The Intelligence Unit frequently operates in ethical grey areas, echoing many of D.O.P.E. Unit's toughest dilemmas.
18. Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Swap drug syndicates for an outlaw motorcycle club and you'll discover another story built around loyalty, betrayal and criminal families.
Beneath the explosive action lies an emotional drama about trust, leadership and impossible choices that fans of D.O.P.E. Unit will instantly recognise.
19. Animal Kingdom (2016)
Closing the list is Animal Kingdom, a crime drama following a powerful criminal family whose members constantly compete for control while avoiding law enforcement. Much like the Roth organisation in D.O.P.E. Unit, family loyalty is both its greatest strength and its biggest weakness, creating endless twists and betrayals.
Next: Where Was D.O.P.E Unit Filmed?
Whether you loved D.O.P.E. Unit because of its undercover operations, realistic urban setting, police corruption or slow-burning mystery, these nineteen series offer something remarkably similar while still bringing their own identity to the screen.
Some lean further into procedural investigations, others embrace organised crime or psychological tension, but all deliver the kind of suspense that keeps saying "just one more episode" until suddenly it's two in the morning and tomorrow becomes today's problem. Which show would you recommend to fellow D.O.P.E. Unit fans, and did we miss one that deserves a place on this list?