8 Shows to Watch If You Loved Sons of Anarchy

As a huge TV fan, I truly believe “Sons of Anarchy,” which aired for seven seasons on FX, is one of the best shows ever made. It followed the lives of an outlaw motorcycle club, SAMCRO, and had such well-developed characters – you really got invested in them, even the villains! They weren’t always ‘good guys,’ which made it even more compelling, and the storylines were just fantastic. What I appreciated most was that the show knew when to end, leaving a lasting impression instead of dragging things out like so many others do.

The ending of Sons of Anarchy felt right, but it left viewers missing the show. Luckily, there are plenty of other series with similar themes for fans to enjoy. While shows specifically about outlaw motorcycle clubs are uncommon, the idea of flawed characters doing bad things for good reasons is a popular trope on television.

The Shield Is an Excellent Drama About Police Corruption

The TV show The Shield is set in Los Angeles and follows an innovative LAPD division working in the made-up neighborhood of Farmington. This team operates out of a former church and aims to reduce gang activity and other crimes. However, they use questionable tactics to gather information and illegally keep some of the money and drugs they seize during arrests.

The series begins when team leader Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) shoots a new team member he doesn’t trust and then manipulates evidence to blame someone else – an action that drives the plot for all seven seasons. Set in a dark and realistic criminal world, was a producer on The Shield during its original run from 2002 to 2008. The show attracted acclaimed actors like Glenn Close, Forest Whitaker, and Michael Peña.

Peaky Blinders Is a Standout British Crime Drama

Peaky Blinders is a hugely popular British crime drama set in Birmingham, England, right after World War I. It centers on a young gang and their ambitious leader, who uses cleverness and force to build their power and expand their influence across the country and beyond. The show follows their story up to the start of World War II.

Shelby’s increasing power attracts dangerous enemies, including various criminal organizations like the Mob, the IRA, and even Nazi groups. The show is known for its strong acting, featuring standout performances by Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Tom Hardy. Critics have praised the series, and it currently has a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Outsiders Shows Criminal Life in Appalachia

If you’re still sad about the end of Sons of Anarchy, Ryan Hurst is back in another show about a family involved in crime. Outsiders takes place in the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains and centers around the Farrell family, who have lived a secluded life on Shay Mountain for over two centuries. And judging by their attitude, they have no intention of changing that.

A national mining company wants to mine coal on Shay Mountain, threatening the Farrell family and their traditional way of life. The story begins with Asa Farrell (played by Joe Anderson) returning home after spending time exploring life outside the clan. Though the show only lasted two seasons, it offered a realistic and raw portrayal of life in the Appalachian region.

The Mayans M.C. Kept the Anarchy Rolling

For fans of the original series, “Mayans M.C.” is a natural continuation. The Mayans were sometimes enemies and sometimes partners with SAMCRO, and they now have their own story to tell. While the show mainly follows new characters like EZ Reyes, a determined newcomer, expect some welcome appearances from familiar faces from the original motorcycle clubs.

Kurt Sutter, the creator of Sons of Anarchy, brought that same energy to Mayans M.C., delivering compelling characters, intricate plots, and plenty of action. While the show is sure to please viewers, it shares a drawback with its predecessor: it’s already finished. Mayans M.C. wrapped up after five seasons, with the final episode airing on F/X in July 2023.

The Wire Features Intense Violence and Lawless Antiheroes

Despite initially struggling to find an audience, the show became a beloved favorite, praised for its raw and realistic depiction of crime in Baltimore. While it aimed to show all sides of city life, including politics and the media, it was the portrayal of both large and small criminal enterprises that truly captivated viewers.

Omar Little, a drug dealer who steals from other drug dealers and brought to life by Michael K. Williams, is considered one of the most memorable characters in television history—even if the actor portraying him also had a real-life criminal past. Viewers who enjoy shows like Sons of Anarchy will likely be drawn to these complex, rebellious figures.

Hell on Wheels Is Like SOA, But in the Old West

Okay, so if you’re a fan of shows like Sons of Anarchy, this feels like the same kind of outlaw vibe, but updated for a modern setting. Both of the main characters are clearly carrying a lot of baggage from their pasts, though their stories are set in very different eras. It’s a classic haunted-by-the-past trope, just with a fresh coat of paint.

The AMC series Hell on Wheels launched in 2011 and quickly became a hit, second only to The Walking Dead in terms of debut viewership. Its success stemmed from strong writing and outstanding performances, particularly from lead actor Anson Mount and supporting players Colm Meaney, Common, and Robin McLeavy.

A truly memorable TV show needs a fantastic villain, and Christopher Heyerdahl’s performance as The Swede is among the most unsettling and frightening ever seen on television.

Sons of Anarchy Might Not Exist Without The Sopranos

Premiering in 1999, HBO’s The Sopranos ushered in a new age of realistic and intense television dramas, moving away from the more sensational shows on traditional networks. It essentially paved the way for shows like Sons of Anarchy, making it a must-see for fans. Like SOA, The Sopranos features compelling stories of deception and the ruthless world of organized crime. The show also famously made audiences root for flawed, even villainous, main characters – a trend many shows have since tried to copy.

The show centers on Tony Soprano, a mob boss in New Jersey, and his struggles to manage both his criminal organization and his complicated, often chaotic family – especially his demanding mother. Dealing with all this stress causes Tony anxiety and panic attacks, and much of the story unfolds during his therapy sessions with a psychiatrist.

The people surrounding Tony are a wonderfully quirky and incredibly talented group. And despite any criticism, the show had a perfect finale.

Breaking Bad Is One of the Best Crime TV Shows Ever Made

Lots of shows have copied the style of The Sopranos, but Breaking Bad did it even better. This AMC series, which first aired in 2008, follows Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer. He turns to crime to provide for his family after he’s gone.

Many consider the writing in Breaking Bad to be the best ever seen on television, and the acting is consistently phenomenal. The show also boasts an incredible group of villainous characters – the Salamancas, particularly the twins, and the unforgettable Gus Fring, who is often cited as the greatest TV villain of all time.

What really makes this show great is its 62 captivating episodes. If you’re a fan of Sons of Anarchy, the first show you should check out is Breaking Bad. It delivers the same thrilling darkness, intense action, and complex characters – a seemingly good person doing very bad things – that you love.

2026-05-08 19:11