Well now, if you’re lookin’ for some shows like that Ray Donovan, I reckon you’ve come to the right place. I tell ya, Ray Donovan’s a mighty fine show, all full of tough folks, moral messes, and deep family troubles. Now, I ain’t no expert on TV, but there’s a few shows out there that sure feel like Ray Donovan, if ya ask me. They all got that gritty feel and messy characters who can’t never seem to get their lives straightened out. So, let me tell ya about a few of ’em, one by one, and why you might like ‘em if you liked Ray Donovan.
The Sopranos
Now, let me start with The Sopranos. This one’s a big ol’ classic. You get all kinds of trouble with a mob boss, Tony Soprano, who’s tryin’ to juggle his crazy family life with his business dealings. The man’s got his demons, that’s for sure. It’s just like Ray Donovan, where folks are always tryin’ to fix their messed-up lives while they’re stuck in a world that’s just as messed up. If you like all that crime and family drama goin’ hand in hand, The Sopranos is one you won’t wanna miss.
Mr. Inbetween
Then there’s this one, Mr. Inbetween, which is real similar to Ray Donovan in a lotta ways. This here show’s about a hitman, just like Ray. He’s a tough guy, but he’s got his own personal problems, just like Ray does. He’s got a sick brother he’s tryin’ to take care of, and he’s got a lotta demons in his past. You’ll find yourself feelin’ for him, even though he’s out there doin’ all them bad things. If you want somethin’ that’s dark and gritty, just like Ray Donovan, then you’ll enjoy this one.
Justified
Justified is another one that’ll speak to ya if you liked Ray Donovan. It’s got that slow-burn drama, where things don’t always happen right away, but they build up and build up, and then BAM! You’re hooked. The main character, Raylan Givens, he’s a U.S. Marshal, but he’s got that tough guy attitude, like Ray Donovan. He’s always in a mess of trouble, just tryin’ to do his job and live his life. You’ll see a lotta violence, dark humor, and plenty of bad folks, but there’s a real undercurrent of personal drama that keeps you watchin’ till the very end.
Peaky Blinders
If you’re lookin’ for something set in the past, Peaky Blinders might be just the ticket. Now, I know it’s not quite like Ray Donovan in the sense of modern-day crime, but it sure shares that same feel. It’s about a gang in post-World War I Birmingham, England, and their leader, Thomas Shelby, he’s a man who’s got a lotta weight on his shoulders. The drama’s thick, just like in Ray Donovan, and you get all sorts of family and loyalty issues. Plus, there’s plenty of violence, so if you like a show with grit and intensity, Peaky Blinders might be a good fit for ya.
Breaking Bad
Now, we can’t forget about Breaking Bad, now can we? It’s a show about a high school chemistry teacher turned meth maker, and let me tell ya, it don’t get much darker than that. You got a man who’s makin’ bad choices, all in the name of family, just like Ray Donovan. You’ll be on the edge of your seat watchin’ Walter White spiral further and further into crime, and the drama is intense. Just like Ray, it’s about tryin’ to balance the bad with the good, and sometimes, it don’t end too pretty.
Fargo
Then there’s Fargo, which is another show with a whole lotta crime and dark humor. It’s got that mix of quirky characters and twisted situations, just like Ray Donovan. The stories change every season, but they all keep that same unsettling tone. Folks make bad choices, and everything just keeps gettin’ worse. It’s not always as straight-up intense as Ray Donovan, but it’s still got that crime and family feel to it, if you ask me.
Boardwalk Empire
Another show that’s just like Ray Donovan is Boardwalk Empire. It’s set during the Prohibition era, and it’s all about politics, crime, and power. You got a main character, Nucky Thompson, who’s just like Ray Donovan in a way—he’s tryin’ to run his world, keep his family intact, and deal with all the crooks and criminals that come his way. There’s plenty of drama and violence, and if you love those kinds of shows where folks are constantly jugglin’ their personal and professional lives, Boardwalk Empire’s a good match.
Longmire
If you want somethin’ a bit slower, but still with all that drama and tough situations, Longmire might be right up your alley. It’s about a sheriff out in Wyoming, tryin’ to clean up his town, but he’s got all sorts of personal baggage he’s dealin’ with. There’s crime, family drama, and the kind of tension that keeps you watchin’. If you liked Ray Donovan’s mix of personal and professional problems, you’ll enjoy this one, too.
The Shield
Last but not least, there’s The Shield. This here show’s about a corrupt cop, Vic Mackey, who’s makin’ all sorts of bad decisions in his quest for power. Just like Ray Donovan, he’s a man who’s caught between right and wrong, and he’s got a lotta mess to clean up. If you want a show that’s full of crime, corruption, and family problems, then The Shield’s a great pick for you.
Well, there you go. Those are just a few shows that’ll scratch that itch if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ like Ray Donovan. Whether you’re into crime, family drama, or just watchin’ people try to make it through the messes they’ve made, there’s a little somethin’ for everyone on this list. So go ahead, grab ya some popcorn, and enjoy watchin’ all the trouble unfold on your screen.
Tags: [Ray Donovan, TV shows like Ray Donovan, Sopranos, Mr. Inbetween, Justified, Peaky Blinders, Breaking Bad, Fargo, Boardwalk Empire, Longmire, The Shield]
