Top Crime Drama TV Shows of Fall 2011

Read on for info about and the times of the best crime drama TV shows of the current season. Clicking on the title of the TV show will take you directly to the official site.

SUNDAY

The Good Wife-Sundays 9PM ET CBS (09/25)

I've been a huge fan of The Good Wife since the beginning. It stars Julianna Margulies as a very internalized lawyer and the wife of a jerky politician who cheated on her repeatedly prior to the start of the series (Chris Noth, who I enjoy watching play a sleazeball). The show usually features a one of (or sometimes 2 part case) that they have to solve as well as the personal lives of herself and her coworkers/competition. This season she is supposed to be becoming more free and try to worry less about everything.

The cast is freaking amazing and includes Josh Charles (of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead , Sports Night, who I've always been a huge fan of), Alan Cumming (who is always so amazing but totally throws you on here because it's such a different type of character for him), Christine Baranski, Archie Panjabi and Matt Czuchry (of I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, actually went to law school when he was younger). Oh and then other totally awesome actors like Michael J. Fox and Gary Cole just stop by sometimes. Many of the cast are nominated for Emmys this year and I hope they win every one of them.

The only thing I must mention that may seem slightly negative is that the show is a slow burn payoff type of show. Sometimes you have to wait a while for stuff to happen. CBS has been marketing it an opposite way. And hey market it any way you want if that will get more viewers and keep in on the air, just don't be disappointed if you don't get it.

Boardwalk Empire-Sundays 9PM ET HBO (09/25)

So I haven't actually gotten around to watching any of Boardwalk Empire yet. When you don't subscribe to a channel you have to always play catch up with the different series that they offer. The series stars my teen crush Steve Buscemi as a politician and gangster in the 1920s. The cast includes Kelly Macdonald, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon and Gretchen Mol. The stills that I've seen from this are beautiful.

MONDAY

Castle-Mondays 10PM ET ABC (09/19)

Castle is about a detective (Stana Katic) for the NYPD who lets a writer follow her around on cases because he's adorable. Hey, it's Nathan Fillion, you would too. I definitely enjoy Castle because of the dynamic between the cast, including Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever. You can't be a stickler for reality with it though. On basically every episode they arrest & accuse multiple people of murder before nabbing the real killer. There would be so many lawsuits.

Hawaii Five-0-Mondays 10PM ET CBS (09/19)

I am super behind on this show. It's a remake. It stars Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan. Plot: "Steve McGarrett returns home to Oahu, in order to find his father's killer. The governor offers him the chance to run his own task force (Five-O). Steve's team is joined by Chin Ho Kelly, Danny "Danno" Williams and Kono Kalakaua. " (from IMDB.com)

TUESDAY

Body of Proof-Tuesdays 10PM ET ABC (09/20)

Dana Delaney stars as a former MD who helps solve crimes by examining dead bodies. Delaney is always great. The talented Jeri Ryan costars.

Unforgettable-Tuesdays 10PM ET CBS (09/20)

Poppy Montgomery stars as a woman who recalls every moment. This means that she is really great at helping solve crimes but that it takes a horrible toll on her as well. Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck) costars.

THURSDAY

Bones-Thursdays 9PM ET FOX (11/03)

Bones is a procedural crime drama whose sparks comes from the chemistry between David Boreanaz's cop character and Emily Deschanel's forensic anthropologist.

Person of Interest-Thursdays 9PM ET CBS (09/22)

Plot: "Centers on ex-CIA hitman and a scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen. " (from IMDB.com). This looks like a pretty cool concept. It stars the talented James Caviezel.

Prime Suspect-Thursdays 10PM ET NBC (09/22)

Maria Bello stars as a ballsy NYPD detective in this remake of the British TV movie series of the same name (starring Helen Mirren). Bello is always so strong so this feels like a great fit for her.

The Mentalist-Thursdays 10PM ET CBS (09/22)

He solves crimes by being perceptive. I don't watch The Mentalist anymore but I like knowing that the super hot Simon Baker (Something New) is there should I decide to restart. Robin Tunney costars.

FRIDAY

Nikita-Fridays 8PM ET CW (09/23)

Plot: "Nikita is a trained assassin gone rogue trying to stop a secret U.S. agency known only as Division from recruiting deeply troubled teenagers and training them to be assassins." (from IMDB.com). Just a great show with a great cast. Maggie Q, Shane West and Lyndsy Fonseca star.