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15 Must-Watch Shows Like White Collar: The Ultimate Listicle For Fans Of Charming Con Artists And FBI Partnerships (2024 Update)

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Are you one of the millions of fans eagerly awaiting the return of Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke? As of late 2025, the excitement for the confirmed *White Collar* reboot—reportedly titled *White Collar: Renaissance*—is palpable, with original stars Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay, and Tiffani Thiessen all set to return. While you wait for creator Jeff Eastin to deliver the next chapter of the stylish con artist and FBI agent dynamic, you need a new series to fill that void. The perfect "shows like White Collar" must blend a witty, charismatic criminal, an unlikely law enforcement partnership, high-stakes white-collar crime, and a dash of serialized mystery. Finding that perfect mix of procedural drama and genuine comedic chemistry is key, and we’ve compiled the definitive list of series that nail the formula, including the newest 2024 releases.

The original USA Network hit, which ran from 2009 to 2014, set the gold standard for the "criminal consultant" genre. It masterfully balanced the weekly case-of-the-week with Neal's search for freedom and Peter's unwavering belief in his CI (Confidential Informant). This list focuses on series that capture that unique blend of style, substance, and the essential "buddy cop" dynamic, ensuring your next binge-watch is as compelling as a forged masterpiece.

The Essential "Charming Criminal & The Cop" Dynamic

The core appeal of *White Collar* is the complex, often hilarious, and deeply loyal relationship between the sophisticated con artist Neal Caffrey and the straight-laced FBI Special Agent Peter Burke. This sub-genre thrives on the tension and trust between two brilliant minds on opposite sides of the law. These shows capture that electric, symbiotic partnership perfectly.

  • The Blacklist (2013–2023): This is arguably the most successful spiritual successor to the *White Collar* premise, albeit with a much darker tone. The series centers on Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader), a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal mastermind who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI. His condition? He will only work with rookie profiler Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone). Red provides the FBI with a "Blacklist" of dangerous global criminals, creating a dynamic where the master criminal operates with impunity while helping the government. The high-stakes, global conspiracies and Red's charismatic, morally ambiguous nature are a direct parallel to Neal Caffrey’s charm.
  • Wild Cards (2024): For the freshest and most direct comparison, look no further than this 2024 Canadian-American procedural, which premiered on The CW. The premise is nearly identical: a demoted detective, Cole Ellis (Giacomo Gianniotti), is forced to team up with a brilliant, street-smart con artist, Max Mitchell (Vanessa Morgan), to solve crimes. Max uses her expertise in scams, deception, and human psychology to crack cases, mirroring the way Neal uses his forgery and art theft knowledge. It’s the closest modern iteration of the *White Collar* formula.
  • The Mentalist (2008–2015): Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is a former celebrity psychic medium who now works as an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Like Neal, Jane is a charismatic, rule-breaking genius who uses his observational skills and psychological manipulation to solve crimes—specifically, to hunt down the serial killer Red John. His dynamic with the skeptical Agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) is the perfect "odd couple" partnership that fans of Peter and Neal will appreciate.
  • Lupin (2021–Present): This French-language Netflix hit is a must-watch for fans of the "gentleman thief" archetype. Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is a charismatic master of disguise and deception who is inspired by the fictional character Arsène Lupin. While Assane is not working for the police, his elaborate heists and cons are executed with the same style, intelligence, and moral code as Neal Caffrey. It’s pure, high-style escapism focused entirely on the art of the con.

Procedural Shows with Witty Banter and High-Concept Crimes

Beyond the central partnership, *White Collar* excelled at the weekly procedural format, making every case feel like a stylish, high-stakes puzzle. These shows maintain that procedural structure while infusing it with sharp dialogue, humor, and a focus on unique criminal expertise, often from an unconventional consultant.

  • Psych (2006–2014): If you loved the lighthearted, humorous side of *White Collar*, *Psych* is the ultimate USA Network "blue sky" viewing experience. Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) is an observant slacker who convinces the Santa Barbara Police Department that he is a psychic detective. His best friend and reluctant partner, Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill), provides the necessary grounding. The show is pure witty banter, observational genius, and a fantastic buddy dynamic, albeit focused more on comedy than white-collar crime.
  • Lie to Me (2009–2011): This series focuses on Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth), a deception expert who runs The Lightman Group, a private firm that assists federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI. Lightman’s ability to read micro-expressions and body language to uncover the truth makes him a human lie detector. This expertise-driven procedural mirrors Neal’s ability to "read" a crime scene and understand the mind of the criminal, providing that satisfying intellectual puzzle each week.
  • Castle (2009–2016): Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is a successful mystery novelist who shadows NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) for inspiration. Like Neal, Castle is the charming, often arrogant, but ultimately helpful outsider who brings a fresh, unconventional perspective to the procedural. The romantic tension and the contrasting personalities of the creative civilian and the serious cop are a hallmark of the genre.
  • Burn Notice (2007–2013): Another classic USA Network show from the same era, *Burn Notice* follows Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan), a spy who is "burned" (blacklisted) and stranded in Miami. To survive, he works as an unlicensed private investigator, using his spy skills to help ordinary people while trying to figure out who burned him. The blend of action, procedural work, and Michael's suave, resourceful nature is a perfect match for the *White Collar* vibe.

The High-Stakes Heist and Team-Based Crime-Solving

Part of the fun of *White Collar* was watching Neal, Mozzie, and Peter pull off elaborate cons, stings, and counter-heists. These shows focus on a team of specialists who use their unique criminal or technical skills to take down the truly bad guys, often operating outside the strict confines of the law.

  • Leverage (2008–2012): This series is the ultimate "good guys using bad guy methods" show. It follows Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton), a former insurance investigator, who leads a team of reformed criminals—a hacker, a retrieval specialist, a grifter, and a hitter—to pull off elaborate cons and exact justice for ordinary people wronged by the powerful and corrupt. The team dynamic, the focus on complex heists, and the satisfaction of seeing white-collar criminals get their comeuppance are pure *White Collar* energy.
  • Suits (2011–2019): While a legal drama, *Suits* shares the high-style, New York City setting, and the core premise of a brilliant imposter. Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is a college dropout with a photographic memory who cons his way into working as a lawyer for Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), one of the city's top attorneys. The show is all about quick wit, ethical gray areas, and the tension of an outsider maintaining a secret identity while operating in the world of high-stakes corporate crime.
  • Sneaky Pete (2015–2019): Created by Bryan Cranston and David Shore, this show stars Giovanni Ribisi as Marius Josipović, a con man who assumes the identity of his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, to escape a dangerous gangster. He then finds himself working for Pete's estranged family's bail bond business, using his criminal skills to catch other criminals. The constant threat of exposure and the use of con artistry for good make this a compelling, darker cousin to *White Collar*.
  • Hustle (2004–2012): This long-running British series follows a team of professional grifters who specialize in "long cons," targeting greedy and corrupt individuals. It is a pure, exhilarating exploration of the art of the scam, with each episode detailing the meticulous planning and execution of an elaborate con. The sophisticated style and focus on the mechanics of deception are a perfect match for fans of Neal and Mozzie’s schemes.

More Shows That Complete the Topical Authority Map

To further round out your viewing list, these additional entities share key DNA with *White Collar*—whether it’s the genre, the tone, or the central character dynamic.

  • Numb3rs (2005–2010): A procedural where an FBI agent (Don Eppes) enlists his genius mathematician brother (Charlie Eppes) to solve complex crimes using mathematical models. It shares the "genius consultant working with the FBI" structure.
  • The Catch (2016–2017): A security expert realizes her fiancé is a con artist. The show quickly pivots to her trying to catch him while they both navigate the world of high-level scams.
  • Imposters (2017–2018): A dark comedy about a beautiful con artist who marries and then robs her victims, only to have three of them team up to hunt her down. It's a deep dive into the psychology of the professional scammer.
  • Royal Pains (2009–2016): While a medical drama, this USA Network "blue sky" series features a disgraced doctor who becomes a concierge physician for the rich and powerful in the Hamptons. It shares the high-fashion, wealthy New York setting and the charming, resourceful protagonist.
  • Rizzoli & Isles (2010–2016): This features a strong female buddy cop dynamic between a detective and a medical examiner, providing the procedural framework and the strong character chemistry that makes *White Collar* so beloved.

Whether you're drawn to the intricate heists of Assane Diop in *Lupin*, the dark charisma of Raymond Reddington in *The Blacklist*, or the fresh, familiar dynamic of Max Mitchell and Cole Ellis in *Wild Cards*, the spirit of Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke lives on in modern television. Until *White Collar: Renaissance* finally hits your screen, these 15 shows will keep you entertained with their blend of style, intelligence, and unforgettable partnerships.

15 Must-Watch Shows Like White Collar: The Ultimate Listicle for Fans of Charming Con Artists and FBI Partnerships (2024 Update)
shows like white collar
shows like white collar

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