TV show · 2009 · Action & Adventure, Drama, Crime, Mystery · English
Curator score: 4.7/10 (61.5K ratings)
New city. New team. Same attitude.
Overview
The exploits of the Los Angeles–based Office of Special Projects (OSP), an elite division of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that specializes in undercover assignments.
Ratings
Curator score: 4.7/10
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 7.5/10
Production
Shane Brennan Productions, Belisarius Productions, CBS Studios
Cast
Chris O'Donnell, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Medalion Rahimi, Caleb Castille, Gerald McRaney, LL Cool J
Where to watch
USA Network
Curator Review
Verdict
A durable, easy-to-binge procedural with strong team chemistry, glossy action, and a reliably comforting case-of-the-week rhythm. It’s best when it leans into undercover ops and the ensemble banter; it’s less compelling if you want deep serialization, sharp realism, or consistently top-tier writing across all 14 seasons.
Best for
Fans of network procedurals and long-running ensemble shows
Viewers who like light espionage, undercover missions, and action-forward cases
People seeking an easy, low-commitment binge with familiar rhythms
Fans of team banter and character-driven workplace dynamics
Skip if
You want prestige-level plotting or tightly serialized storytelling
You prefer hard-edged realism over glossy, heightened action
You get bored by repetitive procedural formulas
You want a show that stays consistently strong for its entire run
Overview
NCIS: Los Angeles is one of the more watchable entries in the NCIS franchise because it gives the formula a slicker, more action-oriented identity. The undercover angle lets it play like a hybrid of procedural, spy show, and buddy-team drama, with a cast that settles into an easy rhythm and makes the weekly missions go down smoothly.
Worth noting
Its biggest strength is comfort: the show knows exactly what it is, and for a long stretch it delivers dependable entertainment with enough personality to keep the cases from feeling disposable. The Los Angeles setting and OSP missions add a bit more style than the average broadcast crime drama, and the ensemble chemistry is a major reason it lasted so long.
Bottom line
That said, it’s still a network procedural at heart, so repetition is part of the package, and the writing can be uneven across the later seasons. If you’re in the mood for a long-running, breezy, action-leaning series rather than a sharply serialized drama, it’s an easy recommendation; if you want the franchise’s most essential or most sophisticated chapter, this isn’t quite that show.
2003 · Curator 4.6/10 (178.5K ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Netflix Standard with Ads
The closest tonal match: a long-running, case-driven federal procedural with strong ensemble comfort and broad mainstream appeal.
2005 · Curator 6.5/10 (193.4K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock Premium, Philo, BBC America, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus
Another long-running network procedural that balances casework, ensemble rapport, and character continuity over many seasons.
2014 · Curator 6.3/10 (54.2K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, NBC, USA Network, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus
A tougher, more intense network ensemble crime drama with a strong unit dynamic and case-driven momentum.