A procedural or procedural drama is a cross-genre type of literature, film, or television program which places emphasis on technical detail. A documentary film may also be written in a procedural style to heighten narrative. A popular subgenre is the police procedural. Some dramas include a lab or high-tech conference room where the main characters meet to work out the problem. Shows usually have an episodic format that does not necessarily require the viewer to have seen previous . Episodes typically have a self-contained (also referred to as stand-alone) plot that is introduced, developed, and resolved within the same episode.
The procedural format is popular around the world.
Types of media
Television
Fiction
In television, "procedural" specifically refers to a genre of programs in which a problem is introduced, investigated, and solved all within the same
episode. These shows tend to be hour-long dramas and are often (though not always) police or crime-related. The general formula for a police procedural involves the commission or discovery of a crime at the beginning of the episode, the ensuing investigation, and the arrest or conviction of a perpetrator at the end of the episode. Modern examples of this genre are the
Law & Order,
CSI &
NCIS franchises.
House is an example of a non-crime-related procedural.
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Procedural dramas are generally very popular in broadcast syndication because the lack of long-term storylines makes it easier for viewers to tune in for just one episode without feeling lost.
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Procedurals are sometimes noted for their lack of Character arc, with little attention being paid to the lives of the recurring characters outside of their jobs.
Non-fiction
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Non-fiction science procedurals such as the PBS Secrets of the Dead series and Court TV's Forensic Files take a viewer step-by-step through an investigation, much like a fictional procedural.
Literature
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Police procedural: the best-known variety, a large subgenre of mystery fiction. Lawrence Treat's 1945 novel V as in Victim is cited as perhaps the first "true" police procedural.
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Military procedural: a term used by Publishers Weekly in 1989,
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War procedural: an example is the film The Dam Busters, 1955, which was called a war procedural by Richard Gilliam in Allmovie.
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Tom Clancy's novels are sometimes called war procedurals or political procedurals.
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Science procedural: science fiction novels or stories may have sequences of scientific procedure. An example would be Timescape, written by the scientist and author Gregory Benford.
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A relatively recent subgenre is the presidential procedural: a novel which focuses on the office of the US presidency, and the activities of its occupant. Examples would be Executive Orders by Tom Clancy, The President's Plane Is Missing by Robert Serling, and Maximum Vigilance by Steve Pieczenik.
Television examples
This list provides examples of procedural dramas; it is not exhaustive.
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9-1-1 (2018–present)
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(2020–2025)
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Adam-12 (1968–1975)
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(2023–2025)
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Battle Creek (2015)
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Bosch (2014–2021)
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(2022–2025)
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Beauty & the Beast (2012–2016)
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Blindspot (2015–2020)
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Bull (2016–2022)
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Blue Bloods (2010–2024)
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Body of Proof (2011–2013)
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Bones (2005–2017)
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Castle (2009–2016)
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Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)
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Chicago Fire (2012–present)
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Chicago Med (2015–present)
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Chicago P.D. (2014–present)
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Chicago Justice (2017)
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The Closer (2005–2012)
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Cold Case (2003–2010)
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Columbo (1968–1978; 1989–2003)
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Common Law (2012)
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Conviction (2006)
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Criminal Minds (2005–2020; 2022–present)
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(2016–2017)
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(2011)
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(2000–2015)
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(2015–2016)
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(2002–2012)
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(2004–2013)
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(2021–2024)
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Deadline (2000–2001)
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Dragnet (1951–1959; 1967–1970)
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Elementary (2012–2019)
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Elsbeth (2024–present)
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Emergency! (1972–1979)
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FBI (2018–present)
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(2020–2025)
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(2021–2025)
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Fire Country (2022–present)
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Found (2023–2025)
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Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980)
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Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020)
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(1993–1999)
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House (2004–2012; medical procedural drama)
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Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
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In Plain Sight (2008–2012)
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Instinct (2018–2019)
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Ironside (1967–1975)
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iZombie (2015–2019)
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JAG (1995–2005)
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Jo (2013)
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Law & Order (1990–2010; 2022–present)
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(1999–present)
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(2021–present)
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(2001–2011)
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(2005–2006)
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(2009–2014)
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(2010–2011)
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(2024–present)
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Lie to Me (2009–2011)
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Lucifer (2016–2021)
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Major Crimes (2012–2018)
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Matlock (1986–1995)
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Miami Vice (1984–1990)
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Midsomer Murders (1997–present)
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McCallum (1995–1998)
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The Mentalist (2008–2015)
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Monk (2002–2009)
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Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996)
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Naked City (1958–1963)
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Nash Bridges (1996–2001)
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NCIS (2003–present)
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(2009–2023)
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(2014–2021)
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(2021–2024)
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(2023–present)
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New Tricks (2003–2015)
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New York Undercover (1994–1998)
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Numb3rs (2005–2010)
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NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
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Perception (2012–2015)
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Perry Mason (1957–1966)
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Person of Interest (2011–2016)
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The Practice (1997–2004)
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Prodigal Son (2019–2021)
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Psych (2006–2014)
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Quincy, M.E. (1976–1983)
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Rebus (2000–2007)
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Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2016)
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The Rookie (2018–present)
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(2022–2023)
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Silent Witness (1996–present)
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So Help Me Todd (2022–2024)
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Southland (2009–2013)
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Suits (2011–2019)
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S.W.A.T. (2017–2025)
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Taggart (1983–2010)
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Taxi Brooklyn (2014)
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The Good Doctor (2017–2024)
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The Equalizer (2021–2025)
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The Unit (2006–2009)
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Third Watch (1999–2005)
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White Collar (2009−2014)
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Without a Trace (2002–2009)
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Wild Cards (2024–present)
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Will Trent (2023–present)
See also
