Now that May has officially arrived, it's time once again for the finale train to start leaving the station, starting with Monday night's NCIS: Los Angeles Season 7 finale. That means whatever cliffhanger the writers have in store for us (and knowing this show, it'll be a pretty good one), fans will be forced to go without the investigative series for quite some time. So when exactly will NCIS: LA return for Season 8? As of right now, no precise premiere date has been locked down by the network, but if CBS continues to follow its usual scheduling routine, viewers can expect the brand new season to debut sometime in late September of this year, which means we're still facing five months of an NCIS:LA-less world. Luckily for you, though, I have just the thing to help the time fly by.
After all, just because you won't be able to get your weekly LA-fill, doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself of exciting crime dramas altogether. There are still plenty of other great TV shows out there that pack a similar punch and are just waiting for you to marathon your way through them in the show's absence. So just in case you're looking for something to help fill the void NCIS: LA is sure to leave behind, here are a few perfect TV replacements you should definitely familiarize yourself with...
NCIS
Obviously, if you're looking for a similar crime drama fix, it would make sense to turn directly to the source of the original series. Many spin-offs may have been created in its wake, but there's nothing quite like seeing the place where it all began. They may be different characters in a different city, but the concept is just as intriguing. Plus, you get to see Gibbs repeatedly smack Tony over the head, so really it's a win-win scenario all around.
Bones
Forensic anthropologist may not sound all that exciting, but you'll think differently when you see the state of some of these bodies this group is forced to examine on a daily basis. (Hint: it's called Bones for a reason.) Combine a little bit of mystery with a compelling romantic love interest and you've got the key ingredients to a show that's well worth your time.
Castle
What happens when a mystery novelist teams up with a NYPD homicide detective? You find yourself smack dab in the middle of an addictive new series. Not to mention that anything starring the likes of Nathan Fillion is an automatic must-see.
Hawaii Five-0
A trained task force that resides in the tropical paradise of Hawaii? Where do I sign up?!?!
Criminal Minds
I'm not going to lie, this can be a pretty dark show at times, but if you like the idea of delving deeper into the minds of criminals then this is definitely the show for you.
CSI
Forensic work at its finest, the series never offers up a dull moment in the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. (Hey, it's called Sin City for a reason.)
Blue Bloods
I have two words for you: Tom Selleck. Need I say more?
Psych
Offering up a different take to the investigation process, Psych leans more on the comedic side than any of the others and centers around police consultant Shawn Spencer, who solves crimes with his BFF Gus Guster, using his astute powers of observation.
Let your summer of crime-solving commence!
Images: Ron P. Jaffe/CBS; Giphy (8)
