House is one of the greatest medical dramas of all time, renowned for its detective-style diagnostics storylines and career-defining performance from Hugh Laurie as the antisocial Dr. Gregory House. The show was also a fantastic example of an ensemble cast bringing something new to the show. House‘s diagnostics team was an ever-changing line-up of characters that improved and challenged each other.
While House might be a medical drama that redefined the genre, its themes are found in other TV shows with different genres and settings. House is heavily centered on mental illness, clue-hunting, and deep but troubled connections, and its central antihero is one of a kind. Viewers looking for a similar show to watch have plenty of fantastic dramas to choose from.
The Mentalist
Dr. House Would Not Like This Main Character, But The Two Are Similar
Simon Baker as Patrick handcuffed to a table in The Mentalist
The Mentalist follows Patrick Jane, a former psychic, who uses his abilities to help solve crimes. While Dr. House famously ridicules psychics, the two characters are similar in the way they often solve cases through intuition. Both characters challenge authority, so people looking for a procedural show with a brilliant but antagonistic main character should watch The Mentalist next.
Perception
The Protagonist Is Fighting A Deep Internal Battle, Like House
Eric McCormack in a promotional image for the TV show Perception
House has some very dark scenes, and many involve Dr. House’s battle with Vicodin addiction. The protagonist in Perception, Dr. Daniel Pierce, fights a similar battle, except that his is with schizophrenia. Pierce’s condition causes him pain but allows him to see situations differently, spotting patterns that others don’t. Perception is a medical drama, like House, but with a slightly different protagonist.
Better Call Saul
The Legal Drama Shares House’s Dark Humor
Mike and Jimmy in an elevator in Better Call Saul. Mike looks typically deadpan, while Jimmy looks optimistic
Saul Goodman shares Dr. House’s disregard for rules, as well as his sense of mischief. While Better Call Saul is a legal drama rather than a medical show, fans of House‘s humor may love it. The scenes in which Jimmy McGill tries to irritate everyone in the law firm by being insufferable are very similar to the pranks House often pulls on Cuddy and Wilson.
E.R.
The Blueprint For Most Modern Medical Dramas
Juliana Margulies and George Clooney in ER
E.R. is often referred to as “thebest medical drama of all time,” setting the standard for the genre before House was created. The show has an ensemble cast, featuring George Clooney in his breakout role, and fans of the diagnostics processes in House should watch it. While the show deals with moral dilemmas just as House does, it lacks an antagonistic lead character.
Bones
If House Had Healthier Relationships, Bones Might Be The Result
Emily Deschanel as Temperance ‘Bones’ Brennan talking about a bone in Bones
Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan has few social skills, but is an expert in her field. This description could easily apply to Dr. House, but Brennan’s field is forensic anthropology. The best Bones episodes develop Brennan as a character, while introducing shocking plot twists and villains that challenge her. Brennan’s character arc is similar to House’s, including troubled relationships.
Bones could be seen as a version of House that has a happier ending. Brennan’s relationship with FBI Agent Seeley Booth lends romantic tension to the show, so when the two finally end up together, it resolves the storyline while still challenging both protagonists. Fans of House and Cuddy should watch Bones next for a show with a healthier relationship.
Sherlock
The Inspiration For Dr. House
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson
House often references Sherlock Holmes because the formula for the show is heavily based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character. Benedict Cumberbatch’s interpretation in the show Sherlock is similar to Dr. House, and his relationship with Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) often resembles House and Wilson’s. The character dynamic is the best part of both shows, and Sherlock is a great way to continue enjoying it.
Many of House‘s cases were medically inaccurate, and despite the great acting and dark tone of the show, this can be distracting for many viewers, especially medical professionals. On the other hand, doctors have praised The Pitt for being “the most accurate medical drama of all time.” For a drama like House that holds up in a medical context, watch The Pitt next.
Californication
If House Was A Writer, He Might Be Like Hank Moody
Hank taking a selfie in Californication.
Californication centers on Hank Moody (David Duchovny,) a self-destructive writer battling addiction. Like House, he struggles to open up, and ruins some of his closest relationships. While the subject matter is different from House, the core themes in Californication are very similar. The show often feels like watching Dr. House in another context, making Californication a great character study of an antihero.
Elementary
A Modern Re-Imagining Of Sherlock Holmes
Jonny Lee Miller looking thoughtful as Sherlock Holmes in Elementary
Elementary draws on certain characteristics from the original Sherlock Holmes and reimagines them for a modern audience. These include his addiction to opioids. Elementary is often thought to be the best Sherlock Holmes adaptation, diving deeper into his vulnerabilities. House also explores its main character’s pain as the show goes on, and both shows are exciting and intellectual, while keeping their main characters relatable.
Nurse Jackie
If House And Cameron Were The Same Person, They Would Be Nurse Jackie
Nurse Jackie poses in front of medicine bottles
Edie Falco might be best known for her role in The Sopranos, but she shines in Nurse Jackie, a medical drama about a skilled ER nurse with a painkiller addiction. Jackie has the compassion and kindness of House’s team member Cameron, but the unconventional manner and personal demons of House himself. This combination makes her one of TV’s best antiheroes.
Edie Falco won a Primetime Emmy Award for playing Jackie.
While Dr. House usually has his Vicodin addiction under a degree of control, Jackie’s struggle is one of the main sources of drama in the show. Nurse Jackie is a great exploration of addiction in the medical industry, and after a slight ratings slump, the final season of the show has a 94% positive critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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