Shows like Defending Jacob
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines Defending Jacob, going by its Boxlist taste profile: A weighty crime series that is smart, intimate and morally murky. Best if you like depth over escapism. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of coming of age, deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as murder suspect, knife and teenage boy.
Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on Defending Jacob (2020).
- 1
The Outsider (2020)
TV7.4
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: lawyer, detective, investigation.
- 2
Perry Mason (2020)
TV7.5
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: lawyer, investigation.
- 3
Sherlock (2010)
TV8.5
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 4
Presumed Innocent (2024)
TV7.9
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: lawyer, investigation, murder.
- 5
How to Get Away with Murder (2014)
TV7.9
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of coming of age and deep rivalry. Common ground: lawyer, murder.
- 6
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation.
- 7
Dopesick (2021)
TV8.1
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of coming of age and deep rivalry. Common ground: lawyer, high school.
- 8
The Night Of (2016)
TV7.9Slower burn
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intimate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: lawyer, murder.
- 9
Mare of Easttown (2021)
TV8.3
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 10
Bosch (2015)
TV8.0
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem and an all-consuming quest. Common ground: murder suspect.
- 11
All Her Fault (2025)
TV8.1
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 12
Broadchurch (2013)
TV7.9
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intimate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 13
True Detective (2014)
TV8.3
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: detective, investigation, murder.
- 14
Lupin (2021)
TV7.8
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 15
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
TV7.7
Why it's like Defending Jacob: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: lawyer.
Boxlist compares Defending Jacob with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
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- What should I watch if I like Defending Jacob?
- Picks with a similar feel include The Outsider, Perry Mason, Sherlock and Presumed Innocent. Each shares part of Defending Jacob's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like Defending Jacob chosen?
- Boxlist compares Defending Jacob with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.