With the plethora of options available on the internet, the correct match as to what TV show interest us isn’t easy to find.
I spend almost an hour every time finding the best match as to what law-related shows I should watch next… here’s a list of top 8 legal series that you shouldn’t miss if you’re a law student and a fan of Netflix. (Or a torrent fan Sshhh!)
Also, if you’ve not read the previous list: Top 10 Best Movies for Law Students: A Must Watch
1. How to Get Away with Murder
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10 – 711 votes
This series revolves around 5 students and their criminal law lecturer Ms. Keating. You’d love the way the story unfolds. I’ll tell you my favorite.
The series starts with a lecture where Ms. Keatings enters the room and tells the student, “Welcome to the first lecture of criminal law or as we like to call it… How to get away with Murder”
it’s a kick-ass thriller. Although, I’d suggest not taking any study notes from here as this is ofcourse, a drama.
2. The People v OJ Simpson
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10 – 22,113 votes
It’s an American television series made on true events of the infamous case by the same name and is based on a book named The Run of His Life: The People v. O. J. Simpson (1997)
This 22 primetime Emmy award nomination is worth a watch because of the delight it brings on screen, especially the issues surrounding evidence, jury trials – particularly jury selection in the US, media or press coverage of court cases and racial discrimination in the system.
A 10 episode series you’d learn a lot of things watching.
3. When They See Us
IMDB Rating: 9/10 – 4,506 votes
It’s important that we as law students understand how justice plays an important role in society. This legal mini series on Netflix revolves around 5 male suspects who were falsely accused and later prosecuted. A Gem of a show highlighting the ‘miscarriage of justice’
This mini-series is based on a true event of April 19, 1989, of rape and assault also infamously known as the Central Park Jogger. You may have heard of The Central Park Five (later renamed the Exonerated Five).
4. The Trial
IMDB Rating: 7/10 – 1,676 votes
A group of characters in the story is implicated in the brutal murder of Angelica, a teenage girl involved into something bigger than her. The trial was originally aired first in Italy and later released on Netflix.
Although this Netflix show is going to stick you to the screens throughout the episodes, its unfortunately not based on a true event. But the way the legal drama unfolds, you’d bet this was original.
5. Better Call Saul
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10 – 303,135 votes
It’s a fiction based Kickass drama. You must have heard about Saul Goodman, the lawyer from Breaking Bad, this legal drama is a prequel to the same lawyer’s story. Better call Saul is typically black comedy with a mix of a little tragedy and of course a lot of crime. Its made by the same persons that made ‘breaking bad’, the greatest television show on earth as many people like to call it.
Better Call Saul is also critically acclaimed especially a lot of praises for its acting, sharp characters, mindful writing, edgy direction, and precise cinematography; It’s not wrong as many critics have called it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad and one of the best prequels ever made, with some deeming it superior to its predecessor.
6. Scandal
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10 – 4,601 votes
Scandal is based on the life of Judy Smith, a real-life Washington D.C. fixer who frequently represented high profile personalities like Monica Lewinsky and Kobe Bryant. This show revolves around Olivia Pope, and her job is to help these high profile people when they are involved in scandals as the name of the show suggests. Somehow, these people with larger than life images always find themselves in the midst of a storm and they want the lawyers to rescue them from the public wrath.
Given the nature and theme of the show, the makers were able to include funny scenes and get the viewers taped to the screens. Scandal shows how the government is favoring the rich, and busy protecting its own agendas rather than working for the greater good of public welfare.
Apart from everything, Olivia pope is a delight watching.
7. The Staircase
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10 – 17,055 votes
Its a 13 episode documentary released in 2004 and is a French television miniseries by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade documenting the trial of Michael Peterson, convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson. Quite infamously known as the most bizarre murder case ever.
If you want a first hand experience into a court room of a murder trial, welcome to the story of the staircase. As much of this piece of documentary is filmed in the courtroom or interviewing attorneys, it gives a real insight into trials and the legal profession in the US that every law student must watch.
8. Suits
IMDB of the first episode was available Rating: 8.9/10 – 4,356 votes
No legal drama show list can be complete if it doesn’t mention the American television show SUITS. It’s the top law series on Netflix or anywhere else. You’ve probably heard of it and you’ve probably read a lot of quotes from this show. It wouldn’t be wrong to say its the greatest show on lawyers ever made in the history of humankind. Harvey Spector, the lead actor of SUITS is truly a God for the viewers. This show is globally acclaimed.
The way this legal drama slowly unfolds in Netflix will give you an energy boost. I have always felt inspired and to study law after I’ve watched the show. If you’d ask my favorite from the list, Its always Harvey’s Suits.
Passionate about using the law to make a difference in people’s lives. An Advocate by profession.
