For the average person, nothing compares to collapsing on the couch after a long day of work and turning on a favorite show. And when it comes to TV shows, there’sa plethora of options catered to a “dad” personalityspecifically.
Dads are leaving behind the stereotype of loud munching and long naps, and now enjoying the modern resurgence of their own brand of comforting and relatable TV shows. “Dad TV” basically encompasses shows that lean towards crime thrillers, political dramas, gritty Westerns, and a lot of slick action. It doesn’t hurt to add a little comedy and heart in there, too.
From Andy Taylor maintaining the peace in Mayberry to Phil Dunphy juggling fatherhood with humor, fathers in television shows have evolved, acting both as comedic relief and moral center for their families and society. With patience, wisdom, and subtle display of love, they tackle life, its challenges, andbring out laughter in little things.
In today’s busier-than-ever world, Dad TV satisfies on multiple levels, and can appeal to everyone. We’ve grown to appreciate characters who are mild-mannered, or have crooked morals — and especially devotion to family and living well. But mostly, it is rewarding for fathers to see similar men using humor and humility to weather the strange little thing that life is. Here are the 20 best examples of bingeworthy Dad TV.
20The Rookie (2018 – Present)
The Rookie
Newly divorced John Nolan thought he had his life path figured out, until one day he ended up helping police officers during a bank robbery. Nine months later, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a cop.
At the age of 45, John was the oldest rookie in the academy. While graduating was challenging enough, being in the actual field, meeting skepticism about his age, and rising up the ranks just added more pressure.
An Unconventional Inspiration
The Rookiemay be a police procedural drama, but itmoonlights as a lighthearted inspirationthat proves it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Through Nathan Fillion, the audiences find a protagonist they’d want to be friends or neighbors with in everyday life.
From hauling neighborhood civilians out of harm’s way to busting dangerous drug lords, Nolan does it all in his fulfilling second act as a rookie police officer. It’s his steadfast optimism and witty humor that makes him so relatable.
Stream The Rookie on Hulu
19Justified (2010 – 2015)
Based on crime novelist Elmore Leonard’s beloved character,Justifiedisa neo-Western dramathat follows U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a man known for his notorious methods of implementing justice. Eager to leave his violent ways in the past, Raylan moves back to Harlan County, which is his part of a dangerous and volatile Kentucky. However, personal and professional conflicts constantly arise from his style of quick-drawing justice.
A Flawed Hero With A Heart of Gold
Brought to life phenomenally by Timothy Olyphant, who grounds the six-season series with his ferocity and devotion, Raylan is someone you cannot help but root for. He may bend the law, but always for noble reasons, protecting those in need.
Beyond being a Dad TV show,Justifiedis also a 21st century masterpiece on its own for its outstanding cinematography by Francis Kenny and the superb supporting cast which includes Walton Goggins and Joelle Carter, among others.
Stream Justified on Hulu
18Ray Donovan (2013 – 2020)
Ray Donovan
Ray Donovan is a Showtime original crime series starring Liev Schreiber as a Los Angeles “fixer.” Donovan can make the rich’s problems disappear, but the same can’t be said for his family’s criminal activities. Ray Donovan lasted for seven seasons and was followed up by a TV movie in 2022.
Winner of the Critics' Choice Award for Most Exciting New Series back when it premiered in 2013,Ray Donovantakes viewers to Los Angeles' most elite circles, where the titular character acts as the man to call when you have a problem that needs to be solved… discreetly.
As a strong-willed and dedicated professional, Donovan will move heaven and earth to protect his high-profile clients and keep Hollywood’s celebrities out of legal trouble. But in the process, he constantly battles his out-of-control family life, barely keeping it together.
Related:20 TV Shows For When You Don’t Know What to Watch
A Profession That Rewards (And Sometimes Strangles)
Under his tough and unapproachable exterior, Ray is a devoted and sensitive dad who loves his children dearly and constantly strives for the well-being of his family and cousins. The only slip in his perfect system is his wife.
With Liev Schreiber leading the show, and the solid storytelling, great acting, and the incredible blend of action, violence, wisdom and emotion, it is a bingeworthy classic.
Stream Ray Donovan on Fubo TV
17The Night Agent (2022 – Present)
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a suspenseful thriller in which a dedicated FBI agent becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering an emergency line call. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the agent uncovers a mole within the White House, posing significant risks to national security.
Undoubtedly one of the most entertaining recent shows in the action thriller genre,The Night Agentfollows Peter Sutherland, who seems like your average FBI agent, though with a somewhat boring job — his only task is to sit by a particular phone, and answer it if need be.
But when a strange distress call finally arrives, he’s thrown into a mysterious mission to uncover the identity of a mole in the White House. On one hand, Peter must uncover the plot and expose the mole, and on the other hand, he must protect CEO Rose Larkin from villains out to kill her.
Scratches That Action/Espionage Itch
A recent Netflix effort, this series starts off with a predictable plot but is saved mainly because of the solid chemistry between its main leads, Gabriel Basso and Luciane Buchanan. As Peter, Basso confronts threats and criminal masterminds with effortless grit, never shrinking away from his personal responsibilities. The enthralling plot twists and moments of genuine humor between the characters make the show more grounded than others in the genre.
Stream The Night Agent on Netflix
16The Boys (2019 – Present)
Set in an alternate world where superpowered individuals are treated as celebrities and worshiped as gods,The Boystakes viewers backstage, right into the belly of the powerful corporation that owns them.
Billy Butcher, a former CIA operative turned vigilante, leads a group of rogues on a mission to take down the mighty superhero franchise known as The Seven. From blackmail to explosive confrontations, the series isn’t afraid to be gory and bloodsoaked — and highly enjoyable.
R-Rated Comic Book Mayhem That’s Also Super Fun
One of the reasons for consideringThe Boysas a perfect dad TV show is its unhinged narrative. On one hand, there’s Billy Butcher and the gang’s rage against the celebrity heroes who cause chaos, and on the other hand, it’s the extremist and violent methods they use to advocate justice.
They’re twisted, yes, butAnthony Starr, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, and Erin Moriarty— many of whom play fathers in the show — are the heart of the narrative, because of the emotional core they maintain underneath all the violence. While typically aimed at a younger audience, dads will enjoy not only the action, but the feeling of being “one of the boys” again.
Stream The Boys on Prime Video
15Bosch (2014 – 2021)
Harry Bosch, the protagonist ofthis underrated detective drama, was a special force officer before he became a Los Angeles homicide detective. Living by a relentless code to seek justice in the Hollywood Division, he faces many challenges.
From seedy corruption to suspicious deaths and personal vendettas, Bosch is constantly pulled back into the dangerous territory that threatens to destroy the life he’s built.
Features An Outstanding Father-Daughter Arc
With Titus Welliver as the lead and a well-dressed Jerry Edgars as his second-in-command, the long-running seriesBoschbased on Michael Connelly novels has plenty of interesting cases and plot twists to keep a devoted dad busy.
Also, despite his rule-breaking ways, it is pretty clear that Harry only ever cares about one thing — protecting his daughter and other innocents. Even though Madeline barely pays heed to her father’s advice, it is entertaining to watch their dynamic.
Stream Bosch on Prime Video
14Peacemaker (2022 – Present)
Peacemaker
In the same vein asThe Boys,Peacemakeris a DC Comics-based superhero TV show created by James Gunn for streaming. In it, John Cena reprises his role as the DC antihero from the 2021 filmThe Suicide Squad, and thrills in his own hilarious spin-off series.
Following the events of Gunn’s film, Peacemaker recovers from his injuries and is recruited to work for a black ops squad called “Project Butterfly.” His latest mission: to eliminate a bizarre parasitic threat that has taken over mankind.
Ridiculously Fun Action-Packed Comedy
Just to get it out of the way, the only two selling pointsPeacemakerneeds to gain the attention from dads is that it is created by James Gunn,and it stars John Cena.
Cena’s character is as absurd as superheros can get. With his red, white and blue striped costume, the childish pet, and self-proclaimed set of ethics, the foolhardy character goes a long way. Moreover, the witty script and slapstick humor prove the perfect getaway for when you simply want a fun watch.
Stream Peacemaker on Max
13The Shield (2002 – 2008)
The Shield
The Shield is a gritty police drama starring Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey, the leader of a corrupt anti-gang unit in Los Angeles who breaks the law because he thinks it’s the only way to bring criminals to justice. The series ran for seven seasons on FX and received several nominations, including Emmy and Golden Globe nods.
Set against the backdrop of Farmington, a fictional district in Los Angeles,The Shieldchronicles the lives of Detective Vic Mackey and his tight-knit squad of cops as they wage a war on crime using their own unconventional and sometimes immoral methods, while also indulging in corrupt activities.
Vic and his Strike Team understand that it’s okay to break, bend, or ignore the red tape as long as the job gets done. So they use force, threats, and blackmail to make arrests.
Related:The Shield Changed Television Forever
Only Gets Better With Every Season
The consistent acclaim forThe Shieldover the many years is deserved. Rough around the edges and ultimately brilliant, the show changed cable television forever. It features a diverse group of characters as they chart a multi-layered narrative and deliver mysteries and intrigue as they go.
From stealing to lying to betraying, there’s no sinful stone left unturned. It is particularly fascinating for dads who enjoy a gritty and realistic portrayal of crime without getting into the ethics of it all.
Stream The Shield on Hulu
12Blue Bloods (2010 – Present)
Blue Bloods
Tom Selleck stars as Frank Reagan inBlue Bloods. He is the police commissioner of New York City and father to two boys, Danny and Jamie, who work as an NYPD detective and sergeant respectively. His daughter, Erin, is an assistant DA.
While being protectors of the law is a family tradition for the Reagans, they themselves aren’t safe from tragedy. Despite different viewpoints according to their roles, Frank and his brood work to serve the country — even when it puts them at odds with each other.
The Law Comes First, Even When Family Disagrees
CBS’s most successful show of all time,Blue Bloodsmainly centers around the interactions between the four integral cast members. It is also appropriately titled to depict how the Reagan family “bleeds blue” and stands united in dedication to New Yorkers and each other.
Frank is a firm and loving patriarch, and he wears the most important badge in the family. He advocates the same values he preaches, withSelleck staying committed to the rolethroughout.
Stream Blue Bloods on Hulu
11Tulsa King (2022 – present)
Tulsa King
When a noted mafia capo named Dwight “The General” Manfredi is released from prison after 25 years, all he wants is to build life anew. His boss sends him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to set up criminal operations there.
But as soon as Dwight realizes that his allies may turn against him in the blink of an eye, he forms an unlikely crew of low-lifes and hustlers to help him regain his status. With their loyalty and cunning smarts, he builds a new empire.
Stallone Makes For A Solid Mafia Capo
Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan (who gave us stunning films likeSicarioandHell or High Water) and starring Sylvester Stallone in his first television role ever,Tulsa Kingis the ultimate dad TV show.
Stallone is nevernoticonic on screen, and he grounds the series with his magnetism and fierce attitude. As Dwight, he finds a chosen family in Tulsa with whom he’d kill or die.Old school, stylish and addictive, this fish-out-of-water series is truly fantastic and addictive.
