10 Shows Like White Collar: Suits, Scams, and Sharp Twists

Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of an investigation? Like, what does it feel like to slowly watch a case unfold in real time? Or how do police and investigators feel when they finally solve a cold case years and years later? Questions like these are exactly why we’re drawn to police procedural TV shows.

It’s all of the action without, you know, actually having to chase down criminals. Add in a little depth, drama, and a handful of characters we’re way too emotionally invested in, and you get White Collar. If you’ve seen it, you know how good a series it is. And chances are, you want MORE. More charming ex-cons, unlikely partnerships, clever schemes—we get it.

And that’s exactly why today, we’re sharing a list of all the best shows like White Collar. Think: wild plots, characters you can’t get enough of, and a healthy dose of sophisticated sass. If you’re looking for your next binge-worthy obsession that’s just as interesting and captivating as White Collar, you’re in the right place.

10 Shows Like White Collar: Suits, Scams, and Sharp Twists

Crime stories, whether fictional or real, have always captured our attention. That’s why we’ve shared everything from TV shows like Dexter to TV shows like Presumed Innocent! Give us a good plot, a little bit of suspense, and some of that “edge of the seat” thrill? We’re totally in. 

So naturally, as soon as we finished White Collar, we didn’t want to stop there. Sure, we could rewatch it enough times to recite the lines from all 6 seasons… but what’s the fun in that? Instead, we found tons of shows with the same vibe.

But before we share our list of recs with you, we first have to cover a few other bases: Is White Collar TRULY a good show? And what’s it actually about? Whether you’re on your fifth rewatch or you’re never seen the series before, a little refresher never hurts!

Is White Collar a Good Show?

White Collar isn’t just a good show—it’s the BEST show. And honestly, it doesn’t get talked about enough in this era of throwbacks and rewatches. 

It’s got the storytelling, it’s got the witty jokes, and it’s got the perfect amount of emotional depth. Plus, it’s compelling without being confusing, and thoughtful without getting too dark. The best part? You get to crack cases from the comfort of your own bed—no pen, paper, or whiteboard required.

And if you like a little realism mixed into storytelling, get this… The character, Neal Caffrey, is based on real con artist and former FBI informant, Frank Abagnale Jr. So now that you know it’s worth watching (if you haven’t tuned in already), let’s talk more about what the show is all about. 

What Is the Show White Collar About?

White Collar is half police procedural, half crime drama—with a dash of comedy, style, and depth. The story centers around Neal Caffrey, a once-charming con artist who was caught by FBI agent Peter Burke. But instead of getting shipped off to prison again, Neal decides to make a little bargain. 

If he gets to keep his freedom (minus his required tracking anklet), then he’ll help the FBI catch other white collar criminals. He’s got a real track record in art and document forgery, confidence schemes, and racketeering anyway—who better for the job? Peter agrees, and the two team up to solve all of those fancy crimes that don’t involve car chases and explosions.

Underneath it all, Peter and Neal have this, dare we say, slow-burning bromance. Despite the obvious differences in their backgrounds, they form a friendship based on total trust. There’s also a handful of other equally lovable, witty, and interesting characters that make the show so easy to binge-watch. 

The series is intricate and enjoyable without feeling too dark and heavy. Yes, there are those morally gray areas and emotional moments, but it never feels like too much. So, if you’re into engaging characters, twisty and suspenseful plots, and a little bit of edge-of-the-seat danger, you’ll love the recs we have coming next.

What Shows Are Like White Collar?

The Blacklist

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

The Blacklist is like the darker, more sophisticated sibling to White Collar. The show follows Raymond “Red” Reddington, a criminal mastermind who, after years on the run, finally turns himself in to the FBI. The catch? He won’t speak to anyone other than FBI profiler Elizabeth Keen. 

Naturally, this raises a lot of suspicion. And to add to it, Elizabeth Keen has absolutely no idea who Red is or what he wants from her. The show is 10 seasons worth of high-stakes crime, intricate storytelling, and surprisingly clever twists. 

Burn Notice

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

When former spy Michael Westen gets “burned” (AKA blacklisted) by the government, he’s left totally S.O.L. So what does he do? He returns to Miami, sets up a freelance operation, and uses his skillset to help other people solve their problems. 

Behind the scenes, though, he’s also working on his own case: he wants to know the real reason he was given a burn notice. But there’s another catch—he can’t draw any attention from former employees. Like White Collar, Burn Notice is full of clever cons, charming characters, and messy pasts.

Psych

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

Psych follows Shawn Spencer, a seemingly regular guy who grew up with a police detective father. Except… he’s not a regular guy—he’s psychic! Or so people think. Using what his dad taught him over the years, Spencer has both sharp observational skills and a photographic memory.

Using this to his advantage, he starts a psychic detective agency with his best friend, Burton “Gus” Guster. The two team up with the Santa Barbara Police Station to bust cases and solve crimes, all while the people around them think they’re using these supernatural psychic abilities. If you loved Neal and Peter’s back-and-forth in White Collar, you’ll love Shawn and Gus.

In the spirit of Shawn Spencer, you have to tune into “Did You Know That You’re Psychic?” from Dear Gabby. You might even learn a thing or two!

Wild Cards

Where to watch: The CW, Amazon Prime Video

Con artist Max Mitchell and by-the-book detective Cole Ellis are both in hot water in their own respective ways. Max was recently arrested while Cole was getting demoted—the two were clearly struggling. So, to redeem their reputations and stay out of trouble, it only makes sense to team up together… right?

Max wants freedom, Cole wants his own position back—you get the vibe. However, for both of these things to happen, they have to combine their skills to solve crimes. The series is funny, charming, and, of course, we can’t get enough of Max and Cole’s relationship. Wild Cards is a MUST-watch if you love clever plots and dynamic twists.

The Mentalist

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

The Mentalist follows Patrick Jane, a former faux psychic turned consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The real reason he wants to help, though? He wants to find Red John, the man who murdered his wife and daughter. 

Although he was lying about being a psychic, he does have the skills it takes to be a member of the bureau. With razor-sharp observation, logical reasoning, and a knack for manipulation, Patrick takes down criminals while trying to solve his family’s murder. If you love the charming-turned-morally-gray vibe from White Collar, you’ll love The Mentalist. 

Suits

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

So Suits isn’t technically a cop show, but it still totally has that White Collar vibe. It follows Harvey Specter, a corporate lawyer who’s tired of hiring the same old grad students. So, instead, he decides to take a risk! 

Harvey hires Mike Ross, a college dropout (who didn’t attend law school, mind you), but can solve a case. The thing is, though, nobody else in the firm can know that Mike lacks the legal credentials, even though he has the necessary skills. Like White Collar, Suits is witty with lots of high-stakes drama.

Honestly, this whole series reminds us of “How to Get People to Like You More, Create Connection, & Develop Personal Confidence” from The Bossticks. 

Castle

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

Richard Castle is a super famous mystery novelist, but he’s honestly bored with that “same-old same-old” thing. Fortunately, all of that changed when the NYPD brought him in for questioning about a serial killer. Why Richard, you might ask? Because the killer was using scenes from Richard’s book(s) to stage the murders. Yeah, eerie. 

From there, Richard teams up with detective Kate Beckett to solve murders and offer unique insight. Like White Collar, Castle delivers the same mix of humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Except in this series, we also get a little bit of that “we shouldn’t be doing this” romance. Totally worth the watch.

Leverage

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

A lot of the shows we’ve mentioned so far feature one criminal-turned-consultant. But what if you grouped a bunch of criminals together instead of one? You’d get Leverage—a series following a team of con artists who use their skills in conning, hacking, and thievery to solve crimes. 

The team is led by Nate Ford, an insurance investigator motivated by the betrayal of a previous employer. And like White Collar, Nate isn’t worried about the dark and heavy stuff—he just wants to help anyone who’s been wronged by the rich and powerful. It’s smart, slick, intricate, and captivating.

Lie to Me

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

Lie to Me doesn’t involve con artists or college dropouts, but it does involve a human lie detector. Intriguing, right? Dr. Cal Lightman is a deception expert who is literally trained to catch liars by their microexpressions and body language. And honestly? He never misses. 

He runs “The Lightman Group,” a team that helps police, government agencies, and individuals seeking the truth. It’s not so much crime drama as it is psychological thriller, but it’s a perfect watch for White Collar fans.

If you end up loving Lie to Me as much as we do, make sure to check out books like Gone Girl! Same vibe, just on paper.

Chuck 

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Chuck Bartowski is a regular computer store employee, living an average, mundane life. That’s until he accidentally downloads an encoded email that turns out to be the “Intersect,” a top-secret government database. Oh, and we didn’t mean he downloads the encoded email onto his computer or anything—that’s too simple. No, he downloads the email into his brain.

Then suddenly, Chuck went from regular employee to a secret spy. And, of course, it’s not like he can tell anyone, forcing him to live this double life that his friends and family have no idea about. Chuck has a more action-comedy approach, but it’s still lighthearted, charming, and super similar to White Collar.

Don’t rewatch White Collar for the tenth time, just tune into one of these recs!

We all have our comfort show—the one we rewatch time and time again because we just love it that much. And for a LOT of us, that show is White Collar! It’s fun, witty, easy to watch, and easier to enjoy. But instead of tuning in for the fifth time, treat yourself to one of the series above! They all have a similar vibe, just a whole new list of characters, controversy, and charisma for you to fall in love with. 

For plenty of other TV show recs, make sure to check out the Dear Media blog! You can find plenty of options similar to all of your other comfort shows. And, on top of that, we also talk all things pop culture, love life, and health and wellness. Also, don’t forget to head over to the DM shop to see what we have in store! This “The Worst V2” mug is exactly what you need for all your future binge-watching endeavors.