Top 7 Shows Like Ray Donovan That You Need Watching Update 04/2024

Shows Like Ray Donovan

Showtime’s crime drama, Ray Donovan, stars Ray Liotta as the stylish, complex anti-hero you might find yourself rooting for. Liev Schreiber plays the lead, a charismatic and complex figure. Schreiber has a distinguished stage and screen career, including roles in ‘X Men Origins: Wolverine,’ ‘The Manchurian Candidate,’ and he is hard to look away from in ‘Ray Donovan.’

The premise of the show is so compelling that you’ll never want it to end. A “crime cleaner” or “fixer” who helps the wealthy and powerful achieve their desired results through shady and unethical means is followed by the titular character, who is involved in shocking conflicts as a result of his work. The early release from prison of Ray’s murderous father heightens the intrigue. “Ray Donovan” has plenty of family drama thanks to Ray’s shaky, resentful relationship with his father.

The father is played superbly by American actor Jon Voight, whose chemistry with Schreiber is enticing. Voight is a two-time Oscar nominee and four-time Golden Globe winner who is also Angelina Jolie’s biological father. Eddie Marsan, a talented British actor, joins the show’s impressive cast as Ray’s older brother with Parkinson’s disease, in addition to Voight and Schreiber.

“Ray Donovan” has received nine Emmy nominations in six years and the Critics’Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series in its first season for its first season. Aside from its strong writing and incredible characterization, it has received acclaim for the actors’ breath-taking performances. More shows with addictive characters and a slew of unresolved and complex conflicts explored with wit and panache (pun intended) await you! You can put your guilt about procrastination on hold and binge on these similar shows instead. Several of these shows, such as ‘Ray Donovan,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, to name a few.

7. House M.D.

House M.D.

One of the best protagonists ever created for a television series is Gregory House. Dr. House, starring Hugh Laurie, is not your run-of-the-mill, medical drama similar to ‘Grey’s Anatomy. It’s centered on a brilliant medical professional leading a group of gifted doctors to solve puzzling medical cases that can’t be diagnosed.

Dr. House solves the medical problems of a different patient in each episode. The narcissistic, painkiller-addicted protagonist, on the other hand, thinks he’s always right, so you’ll be compelled to keep watching. In the beginning, House’s humorous remarks and casual rejection of authority often translate into his problematic and self-isolating behavior. To understand his character, you must empathize with his desperate attempts to overcome his addiction, and his sardonic attitude toward his colleagues and patients.

As a result of watching the series, it’s difficult to envision Hugh Laurie in any other role going forward. Here’s something to think about: a British actor with a natural British accent plays the role of an American doctor in the film Hugh Laurie is from the United Kingdom. An example of the actor’s brilliance comes in a scene where he flawlessly imitates a British accent while playing the role of an American. Just for that scene, you’d want to award him an Oscar.

6. Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014)

When I think of tense family relationships, I immediately think of ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ with its father-son brawl and disregard for the law. This crime drama centers on a motorcycle gang that is involved in the illegal trafficking of weapons. Each season focuses on a different conflict, usually involving rivals, political intrusions, and the protagonist Jax Teller’s personal issues.

Charlize Theron’s Jax Teller is well-played by Charlie Hunnam. The motorcycle club acts as a kind of vigilante in the show, getting involved in a number of morally dubious activities. Katey Sagal plays Jax’s mother with an intensity and glitz that begs the question of her age as Ron Perlman portrays Jax’s stepfather.

5. Power (2014-)

Power (2014-)

And we will never get enough of seeing the wealthy and powerful airing their dirty laundry. This list would not be complete without ‘Power,’ another excellent crime drama to add. Omari Hardwick portrays James St. Patrick, a.k.a. “Ghost,” in the series. When it comes to the outside world, James appears to have it all together. He owns a successful nightclub in Manhattan and has a hot wife. However, his drug empire, which caters to the wealthy and powerful, remains a closely guarded secret. As he tries to expand his legal business in order to stop his illegal one, James finds himself and his family in dangerous situations.

Courtney A. Kemp, the show’s creator, has proven with her work on ‘The Good Wife’ that she can keep audiences interested.

4. Animal Kingdom (2016-)

Animal Kingdom (2016-)

You’re safe until you’re prey in the Cody household. An unusual blend of crime drama and family dramedy, this new American production is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. The story follows baby-faced Joshua, who moves in with his grandmother after his mother dies, and is based on the Australian film of the same name. As a tour de force in Joshua’s life, his grandmother, who runs a criminal empire with his uncles, turns out to be quite a surprise. His life takes an unexpected turn when he starts working for the family business.

3. House of Cards (2013-2018)

House of Cards (2013-2018)

Politics, greed, and intrigue are all served up in spectacular fashion in this hugely popular political thriller. A Democratic Party “whip,” Kevin Spacey portrays Frank Underwood in the film. Like Ray Donovan, his role is to persuade the members of his own party in Washington, D.C. Underwood is a driven individual who will do whatever it takes to succeed. Despite the fact that he is corrupt, unethical, and lacks empathy, you will still support him. In terms of political wit, he has none. His rise and fall have been fascinating to watch. And by his side is Robin Wright as his equally cold-blooded wife. The best parts of the movie are Wright and Spacey’s on-screen chemistry and political maneuvering in Washington, D.C., as well as their personal relationship.

2. Suits (2011-)

Suits (2011-)

In this legal drama, Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter epitomizes coolness under pressure. There are two main characters in this story: successful corporate lawyer Harvey Specter, and Mike Ross, a new employee he’s hired. Even though both of them are outstanding lawyers, they have a big secret in common: Mike has a fictitious law degree. They become entangled in New York City’s 1 percent circle and have to deal with lawsuits, mergers, acquisition fears and much more as the truth emerges.

1. The Sopranos (1999-2007)

The Sopranos (1999-2007)

In many reviews, Ray Donovan has been compared to David Chase’s ‘The Sopranos,’ which is the highest praise any show could ever hope to receive! Tony Soprano is a Mafia don who is the focus of this crime drama, which is considered one of the best ever produced on television. Every other crime show has had to deal with the unachievable expectation of living up to the standard set by ‘The Sopranos,’ for its entire six-season run.