Prime Video’s Reacher recently returned for its second season, and critics are once again in awe of the action-thriller series. The series — which follows former military police officer Jack Reacher as he investigates and punches various conspirators — has been described as the typical “dad show.” The term is used to describe television productions that feature male characters who fancy confrontations, make money, take care of loved ones, and deal with issues in a mature, dad-like manner. Such shows are also straightforward enough to appeal to fathers who neither have the time nor the patience to analyze complex themes. Instead, they dwell on honor, resilience, duty, and sacrifice.
For fathers looking for shows that they can enjoy on that rare occasion when they are home alone or when everyone has gone to bed, there is no shortage of options. These small-screen projects have amazing protagonists who never hesitate to get business done and rarely bend their principles. Additionally, they are full of smile-triggering elements, whether it is cheesy lines of dialogue that border on dad humor or breathtaking action sequences.
Update February 2, 2024: This article has been updated by Soniya Hinduja with more gritty, action-laced TV shows to keep dads entertained in their free time after they have finished Reacher.
Reacher
- Release Date
- February 4, 2022
- Creator
- Nick Santora
- Cast
- Alan Ritchson , Maria Sten , Malcolm Goodwin , Willa Fitzgerald
- Seasons
- 2
15 Ray Donovan (2013-2020)
In Ray Donovan, the titular antihero is a professional “fixer,” who cleans up after the mess of his celebrity clients. He does this by arranging payoffs, bribes, intimidation, and disappearances. Ray also loves his children and siblings very much, but his relationship with his wife centers around arguments and threats of separation.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Dads’ lives are defined by bills and challenges, so there is rarely anything to smile about. Well, Ray never smiles either. As soon as he solves one problem, he starts thinking of how he will solve the next. Most importantly, he is rarely amused by the actions of those around him. Whether it’s his wife or his daughter, he is quick to call out people for their irresponsibility, something many dads watching would approve of.
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14 Luther (2010–2019)
Luther
- Release Date
- May 4, 2010
- Seasons
- 5
In Luther, Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther, a brilliant London detective who is dedicated to his patrol for justice but often lets his intense nature get the best of him. He gets dangerously obsessed and violent, clashing with his partners over his unconventional methods to find the truth. Throughout the five gripping seasons of this BBC series, we see him in direct conflict with a serial killer named Alex Morgan.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Dads are often the most dedicated and possessive ones in the lot that makes a family; much like Luther, life and profession take an emotional toll on them, stirring several other feelings and testing their personal relationships. Elba’s character is intelligent, gritty, and uncompromising in his pursuit of justice, and while he is always at odds with his team, he ends up shielding them the way paternal figures do. Not to forget, the show’s raw and unflinching crime stories are perfect for dads to appreciate.
13 The Terminal List (2022)
The Terminal List
A former Navy SEAL officer investigates why his entire platoon was ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Starring Chris Pratt
- Release Date
- July 1, 2022
- Seasons
- 1
In The Terminal List, Lieutenant Commander James Reece (played by Chris Pratt), assumes it’s just another bad day on the job when his entire team gets ambushed and killed during his final day of duty. However, he starts suspecting that something is off when more people are killed. He, therefore, begins investigations and learns that there is a conspiracy stretching to the highest levels of the government.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
To most dads, there is always something the government is doing wrong, and in The Terminal List, there are a lot of things the government is doing wrong. Not only is it not taking care of its veterans, but it’s also playing chess with their lives. Dads are, therefore, likely to be very pleased as they watch Reece beat up every fictional character who is responsible for the decay of America’s military complex.
12 Yellowstone (2018-Present)
Neo-Western TV shows are becoming popular, and much credit goes to Yellowstone for creating this appetite. The series follows the Dutton family patriarch, John Dutton III (Kevin Costner), as he manages the largest ranch in Montana and handles conflicts with land developers as well as managers of the bordering Yellowstone National Park and the Broken Rock Indian Reservation.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Fathers love their property, and for John, the Yellowstone Ranch means everything to him. It’s the pride of his family, having been passed down from generation to generation, and for that reason, he will do everything to protect it. John is also a symbol of ambition. In the same manner that dads yearn for more to make their families comfortable, John remains ambitious, and he is eventually elected Montana governor, granting him power over the state’s entire land.
11 Designated Survivor (2016–2019)
Less action-oriented than Reacher but still utterly compelling, this political thriller directed by David Guggenheim centers around a low-level cabinet member, Tom Kirkman, who suddenly becomes President after a shocking attack kills everyone above him and cuts off the line of succession. Despite his inexperience in politics, he steps bravely into the Oval Office and saves America from drowning in what can only be seen as the country’s darkest hour.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Designated Survivor is a series known for its strategic writing, clever navigation of political threats, and unpredictable change in dire environments. Played by Kiefer Sutherland, Kirkman’s character is one sincere and empathetic leader who carries the first two seasons with skill. He is a relentless worker who places his nation above everything else like any father would his family. He even receives support from those around him and makes personal sacrifices in the process. But more than anything, it is the intrigue and plot twists that make the show so good.
10 Banshee (2013–2016)
Banshee
- Release Date
- January 11, 2013
- Cast
- Antony Starr , Ivana Miličević , Ulrich Thomsen , Frankie Faison , Matthew Rauch , Lili Simmons , Matt Servitto , Ryann Shane
- Seasons
- 5
Definitely finding a place among the underrated TV dramas of the decade, Banshee centers around an ex-con who gets out of prison after a 15-year sentence and finds himself in a fictional Pennsylvanian town. After the town’s new sheriff, Lucas Hood is mysteriously murdered, the swindler assumes his identity and begins conducting criminal activities under disguise. However, violent secrets from his old life catch up to him, and he’s forced to confront them.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Good writing, incredible production values, stunning cinematography, and great acting by Anthony Starr (who is now quite famous for playing Homelander in Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys) are what make Banshee such a stand-out action series. The protagonist of Banshee is a protector at heart, and even though we see him walking the tightrope between abiding by the law and breaking it, his use of a specific set of skills, desire to reunite with his former girlfriend, and slick fight techniques is fun for any paternal figure to watch.
9 Bosch (2014-2021)
Bosch
- Release Date
- February 6, 2014
- Seasons
- 7
Adapted from Michael Connelly novels, The Concrete Blonde, City of Bones, and Echo Park, Bosch follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) as he solves different cases. Instead of taking a villain-of-the-week format the way many popular American police procedurals do, the series extensively covers two or three cases per season as well as the lawman’s personal life.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Many fathers adore their daughters, and Bosch has a heartwarming father-daughter arc. Throughout the series, Bosch makes plenty of sacrifices for his daughter, ensuring she gets the best life she can ever have. He also makes a point of instilling life lessons in her, even though she isn’t always receptive to his tutelage efforts. Besides that, Bosch is a principled man who stands for order and justice. To him, criminals have to pay for their actions by whatever means necessary.
8 Justified (2010–2015)
Justified
- Release Date
- March 16, 2010
- Seasons
- 6
Based on a recurring character from Elmore Leonard’s stories, Justified is a neo-Western action drama that takes you to rural Kentucky. Timothy Olyphant stars as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a man famous for his ignorant and quick-draw shooting style. When he is assigned to overtime in his hometown, Harlan County, old family ties and criminal connections from a past life come to the surface, sending Givens on a spree to enforce justice harder and faster.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Less emotionally inclined than Reacher, Justified is still quite poetic and fun to watch. Besides the jarring plot twists, scenes of investigations, and dark mysteries, the six-season long crime drama showcases colorful vistas and plenty of gregarious character arcs as well. The part that is utterly relatable to dads is Olyphant’s lead – he might bend some rules along the way, but he’s got some wit and sense of justice. Plus, Justified gives a modern twist to Western tropes and combines brains and bullets to deliver peak entertainment.
7 Echo 3 (2022-Present)
Echo 3
- Release Date
- November 23, 2022
- Creator
- Mark Boal
- Cast
- Michiel Huisman , Luke Evans , Jessica Ann Collins , James Udom
- Seasons
- 1
Echo 3 sees the scientist Amber Chesborough (Jessica Ann Collins) heading to Colombia to research drugs that will prevent addiction. Unfortunately, she is abducted and accused of being an American agent, forcing her husband, Prince (Michiel Huisman), and her brother, Bambi (Luke Evans), who are both highly-trained special forces soldiers, to go to the South American country to save her.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Life can be stressful, and dads never hesitate to embrace escapism. Well, Echo 3 has plenty of gunfights, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best military-themed shows ever made. Apart from that, the series heavily dwells on the theme of duty. Even though Bambi and Prince rarely get along, they agree to put their differences aside and get Amber out of trouble. Most dads are likely to feel appreciative as they watch the two put their lives and careers in danger to rescue a family member.
6 Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018-2023)
Based on various Tom Clancy espionage novels, Jack Ryan centers around the titular CIA agent (John Krasinski) as he deals with various threats around the globe with the help of his boss (James Greer). Throughout the series, Jack experiences tremendous career progress, growing from a financial analyst in the agency to a deputy director.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Jack Ryan is a cocktail of action and politics, two things that many fathers enjoy very much. Whether confronting a corrupt president in Venezuela or trying to stop a Kremlin conspiracy to overthrow the president, Jack gets to have a lot of fun. Fathers are also likely to appreciate the dialogue, some of which is inspired by classic films. For example, when Greer says, “If you pull your weapon to shoot, you shoot,” it quickly reminds everyone of the memorable quotes from the Dollars trilogy, where the bandit, Tuco, kills a man that had cornered him before stating, “When you have to shoot, then shoot, don’t talk.”
5 Blue Bloods (2010-Present)
Blue Bloods revolves around the lives of New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) and his family members, most of whom are involved in law enforcement in a different capacity. One is a detective, another is a prosecutor, and the other is a beat cop. The series also touches on the lives of various other officers and the realistic crimes that they solve on a day-to-day basis.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Every good dad dreams of shaping his children into responsible and respectable citizens, and Frank does just that in Blue Bloods. The fact that his family members have all chosen to follow his career path without him asking them to do so, proves they worship him, and that’s something that would please many parents. Frank also handles his job with grace and poise. He doesn’t tolerate misbehavior within the police force and is keen on ensuring every victim gets justice.
4 The Continental (2023)
The Continental
- Release Date
- September 22, 2023
- Creator
- Greg Coolidge, Shawn Simmons, Kirk Ward
- Seasons
- 1
A spinoff of the John Wick film series, The Continental examines the origin of the iconic Continental Hotel, which is the favorite stopover spot for many of the world’s deadliest assassins. Set in an alternate history, the show tweaks events such as the American Mafia’s rise to power, and the Winter of Disconnect, to fit within its adrenaline-fueled narrative. The series shows how Winston becomes the owner of the Continental in the John Wick films.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Once again, the appeal mostly lies in the action. The John Wick films are known for their endless fights, and the series doesn’t disappoint either. Watching characters engage in gunfights and fisticuffs every few minutes is true nirvana, and any dad is unlikely to step away from their seat while watching this particular spinoff. There is a lot to do with sacrifice, too. Early in the series, one of the protagonists even chooses to die to prevent harm from coming to his counterparts.
3 Deadwood (2004–2006)
Deadwood
- Release Date
- March 21, 2004
- Seasons
- 4
Spanning three seasons and 36 episodes, Deadwood takes you to the lawless South Dakota town of Deadwood during the 1870s, when all people wanted was to obtain wealth and get rich–by whatever means necessary. Among the ragtag bunch of settlers and prospectors are Ian McShane’s iconic lead, Al Swearengen, and Timothy Olyphant’s town sheriff, Seth Bullock. The show mainly centers around the cultural clash and historical progress that occurs when more and more characters vie for control and power.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
Dads are naturally drawn towards Westerns, and with Deadwood’s own brand of foul language, gritty realism, and morally complex characters makes the show extremely addictive and ahead of its time. Like any frontier town, Deadwood tests its inhabitants on a daily basis. Both Swearengen and Bullock represent a father’s pragmatic handling of problems. Every now and then, they must make tough choices and compromises in order to build a community. Plus, the witty dialogue and depth of narratives turns the entire series into a riveting drama.
2 MacGyver (2016-2021)
MacGyver
- Release Date
- September 23, 2016
A reboot of the popular series from the 1980s of the same name, MacGyver follows the titular character (Lucas Till), a US government agent of a secret, privately funded US government intelligence agency named the Phoenix Foundation, uses his extraordinary talent for problem-solving and his extensive knowledge of science to use simple house hold items like pens, rubberbands and basic stuff around the house to save lives and the world.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
A serialized show with many episodes, MacGyver features plenty of thrilling espionage for fans of Reacher, but also has plenty of fun as a laid-back case week series that makes the series easy to watch or have on in the background. In contrast to many of the series on this list, MacGyver does not use a gun and instead shows how cool action can be with one’s wit and knowledge. This is a dad show, but one that can also be enjoyed by the whole family.
1 The Night Agent (2022-Present)
The Night Agent
- Release Date
- March 23, 2023
- Cast
- Gabriel Basso , Luciane Buchanan , Fola Evans-Akingbola , Sarah Desjardins , Eve Harlow
- Seasons
- 1
The Night Agent’s Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), initially has to endure boring nights because of his job as a low-level FBI agent working in the White House basement. His task is to manage a “Night Action” emergency phone line that rarely rings, but all that changes one night when he receives a distress call and chooses to act.
Why It’s a Perfect Dad Show
The Netflix series has a resourceful, caring, and proactive male lead, who goes out of the way to solve issues that are outside his job description. The numerous twists and turns also make for an engaging plot that’s likely to keep everyone glued. The baddies aren’t outrightly revealed, so viewers will likely enjoy playing their own investigative and prediction games while following the proceedings on the couch. One of the surprise hits of this year, dads will be pleased to know that Netflix has renewed The Night Agent for a second season.
Ever want to know why Tom Cruise did not return as Jack Reacher? Check out our video on the topic below.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
