10 Best Underrated Buddy Cop Shows Worth Discovering

Based on the age-old “odd couple” trope, the buddy cop genre takes the concept and applies it to a law enforcement setting. Rising to prominence in the 1980s with movies like 48 Hrs. and Lethal Weapon, it generally sees two contrasting personalities – one reckless and hot-headed, the other calm and collected – forced to put their differences aside to tackle a bigger criminal threat.

The genre has been responsible for many an iconic show over the years, including Starsky and Hutch, Miami Vice, and even The X-Files (to an extent). Here, though, we’re focusing on those shows that never got the recognition they deserved. Whether they were ahead of their time, struggled to achieve the numbers needed to justify their TV spots, or simply flew under the radar of mainstream audiences, these are 10 underrated buddy cop shows.

10

‘Street Justice’ (1991 – 1992)

The buddy cop genre tends to find two mismatched law enforcers forced to work together by order of their superior. In Street Justice, though, the set-up isn’t quite so formulaic. It revolves around U.S. Army Special Forces soldier-turned-metropolitan police detective, Grady Jameson, and Adam Beaudreaux; a Canadian martial arts expert with a criminal past who had saved Grady as a child during the Vietnam War. When reunited after 20 years, Grady takes on Adam to assist him in his crime-fighting efforts.

‘Street Justice’ Benefits from its Strong Central Performance, Interesting Guest Stars and Martial Arts Action

Budget restraints meant it wasn’t as sleek and polished as many of its contemporaries and, despite its intriguing set-up, the show was fairly formulaic on an episode-to-episode basis. However, thanks to a strong central performance from Carl Weathers as the no-nonsense police detective, and its array of exciting guest stars including Salma Hayek and Mike Epps, the show was elevated slightly above the sea of low-budget action shows of the time. It managed to garner a small cult following, with many finding its inclusion of martial arts fight sequences to be a refreshing addition to the oversaturated buddy cop genre.

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9

‘Life on Mars’ (2006 – 2007)

Life on Mars adopts an utterly unique approach to the genre by blending sci-fi elements with its buddy cop premise. The show revolves around Sam Tyler, a present-day detective who, after being hit by a car, awakens in the year 1973, under the command of DCI Gene Hunt.

‘Life on Mars’ Has Been Remade in Several Countries

As expected, Tyler and Hunt have hugely contrasting approaches to law enforcement based on their opposing attitudes towards gender, race, and justice, providing both dramatic conflict and sharp social commentary. The show’s exploration of progress versus tradition resonated with its native British audience and spawned a spin-off show plus multiple international adaptations, including an American remake starring Harvey Keitel. While these certainly have their merits, people should definitely check out the original for its sharper writing, richer cultural context, and unbeatable chemistry between its two leads.

8

‘Turner and Hooch’ (2021)

In 1989, beloved actor Tom Hanks teamed up with Beasley the dog to solve the murder of its owner in Turner and Hooch. This classic buddy cop comedy may have received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial hit and is remembered fondly by many who loved the on-screen chemistry between the neat-freak detective and the endearingly chaotic Dogue de Bordeaux.

Canine Capers for a New Generation

While the movie is considered iconic in the buddy cop subgenre, the 2021 TV series of the same name came and went, flying under the radar of many. Serving as a legacy sequel, it sees Josh Peck playing the son of Hanks’ Detective Scott Turner. Paired with an unruly canine companion named Hooch, the pair work together to solve the murder of Turner’s father.

Whilst certainly nothing groundbreaking, it’s a shame it was cancelled after just one season, as it was a joy to watch the odd couple work together in a show that was full of heart, humor, and plenty of intrigue and mystery.

7

‘Fastlane’ (2002 – 2003)

Fastlane sees reckless, street-smart cop Van Ray paired with the far more level-headed and disciplined Deaq Hayes in a secretive undercover division of the Los Angeles Police Department. Operating out of a warehouse known as the “candy store,” filled to the brim with a plethora of confiscated cars, clothes, and weapons, the duo are given criminal covers and access to all of these resources to aid in apprehending dangerous criminals.

“Everything we seize, we keep. Everything we keep, we use.”

Unapologetically ostentatious, Fastlane is jam-packed with action, fast cars, flashy wardrobes, and explosive shootouts — all wrapped in a slick MTV-era aesthetic. While naysayers may have accused it of favoring style over substance, its sheer commitment to its outlandish premise and over-the-top action is a feat in itself and makes for one heck of a wild ride.

6

‘Tequila and Bonetti’ (1992)

Tequila and Bonetti

Release Date

1992 – 1991

Network

CBS

Directors

James Whitmore Jr.

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  Charles Rocket

  Midian Knight

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Following in the steps of iconic buddy cop movies Turner and Hooch and K-9, Tequila and Bonetti sees police officer Nico Bonetti getting partnered with a police dog by the name of Tequila. Only this time around, the dog in question has a sassy, street-smart, jive-talking voiceover that only the audience can hear. This bizarre decision gives the show a somewhat surreal quality.

‘Tequila and Bonetti’ Is Odd but Endearing

While the tonal shifts and quirky blend of police drama, light comedy, and a talking dog made it hard for many to get on board with, those who appreciate content that is a little offbeat might find something oddly endearing about it all. If you’re willing to suspend disbelief and embrace the weirdness, you might just find the whole thing to be a surprisingly warm and entertaining experience.

5

‘The Good Guys’ (2010)

The Good Guys

Release Date

2010 – 2009

Network

FOX

Directors

Sanford Bookstaver, Jeremiah S. Chechik, John T. Kretchmer, Jonathan Frakes, Matt Shakman, Stephen Surjik, Adam Davidson, Dennie Gordon, Kevin Bray, Matt Nix, Peter Lauer, Tate Donovan

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With its tongue placed firmly in its cheek, The Good Guys leans heavily into nostalgia with its unique take on classic 1980s cop shows. The “buddies” in this instance come in the form of the mustachioed Dan Stark – a washed-up detective stuck in the glory days of yesteryear – and his newly assigned, uptight, by-the-book partner Jack Bailey.

Silly, Self-Aware Fun

Combining over-the-top action sequences with silly, self-aware humor verging on parody, much of the comedy stems from its leads’ on-screen chemistry and the juxtaposition of Stark’s heavy-handed approach to law enforcement and Bailey’s modern sensibilities. Unfortunately, the show failed to attract the kind of numbers required to justify its slot on Fox and was swiftly cancelled after a single season.

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4

‘Lethal Weapon’ (2016 – 2019)

The Lethal Weapon movie is the epitome of buddy cop films, and its leading men, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, have solidified their status as the greatest and most iconic duo in the genre. Released in 1987, the film revolutionized the genre by introducing a perfect blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments.

‘Lethal Weapon’ Remains Forever Overshadowed by Its Iconic Source Material

For the TV series, Gibson and Glover are replaced by Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, respectively. Big shoes to fill – but the duo rise to the occasion with aplomb as they blast and bicker their way through three seasons of buddy cop mastery that, despite consistent positive critical reception, will forever remain in the shadow of its iconic movie predecessor.

3

‘Battle Creek’ (2015)

Battle Creek

Release Date

2015 – 2014

Network

CBS

Directors

Andrew Bernstein, Allison Liddi-Brown, Bryan Singer, Colin Bucksey, Craig Zisk, Daniel Attias, Daniel Sackheim, Eriq La Salle, James Roday Rodriguez, Oz Scott, Randall Zisk

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  Josh Duhamel

  Special Agent Milton Chamberlain

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  Robert Sean Leonard

  Brock

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  Daniel Lee Robertson III

  Uniformed Officer

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Relying on a more nuanced, dry sense of humor, Battle Creek pairs the old-school, jaded detective Russ Agnew with the younger, more optimistic FBI Special Agent Milt Chamberlain, as the duo work together to solve a series of complex cases.

A Clash of Jaded Cynicism and Spirited Optimism

Agnew’s and Milt’s clash of personalities never escalates into full-blown arguments but instead bubbles underneath as the pair quip back and forth, creating an atmosphere that’s both grounded and unexpectedly charming. The show, unfortunately, never found its footing in the crowded TV landscape, resulting in its cancellation after just one season. Nevertheless, it still stands as a smart, character-driven twist on the buddy cop formula that deserved more time to grow.

2

‘Common Law’ (2012)

Common Law

Release Date

2012 – 2011

Network

USA Network

Directors

Stephen Surjik, Aaron Lipstadt, Dermott Downs, John Behring, John Scott, Mel Damski, Seith Mann, Larry Teng, Michael Smith

Writers

Jeff Lowell, matt ward, Tim Talbott, Douglas Petrie, John McNamara

Cast

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  Jack McGee

  Captain Mike Sutton

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  Michael Ealy

  Travis Marks

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The buddy cop genre thrives on the mismatched dynamics of the cops in question. Common Law, however, takes this concept to the extreme by pairing two cops who literally detest each other. As a result, they’re sent to couples therapy to work through their differences.

‘Common Law’ Ticks All the Right Boxes

The cases themselves are fairly standard, but the interplay between the leads gives the show its heart. Brimming with personality, Common Law revels in the pair’s humorous interactions but never slips into farce, with enough drama to keep it grounded firmly in reality. Despite ticking all the appropriate buddy cop boxes, the show never truly got the recognition it deserves.

1

’10-8: Officers on Duty’ (2003 – 2004)

10-8: Officers on Duty

Release Date

2003 – 2003

Network

ABC

Directors

Jeff Bleckner, Alex Zakrzewski, James Whitmore Jr., Martin Campbell, Thomas J. Wright, Jim Charleston, Perry Lang, Tawnia McKiernan

Writers

Frank Renzulli

Cast

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  Cliff DeYoung

  Deputy Rico Amonte

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  Danny Nucci

  Senior Deputy John Henry Barnes

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Referencing the police “ten-code” for “officers in service and available for calls,” 10-8: Officers on Duty revolves around rookie cop Rico Amonte who, fresh from the academy, is assigned to Senior Deputy John Barnes for his probationary period, where he learns the ropes and puts theory into practice.

Audiences Were Left Wondering if Rico Ever Passed His Final Evaluation

With a keen eye for detail, Rico makes up for his lack of experience with his gifted observational and deduction skills, and despite initially being a source of frustration, he soon develops a strong bond with his superior. With its gripping cases and compelling overarching story, those invested in Rico’s journey were left sorely disappointed when the show was cancelled before it was ever revealed whether he passed his probation and final evaluation.