Copyright Screen Rant
For fans of the John Wick franchise, tuning into action TV can be hit or miss unless there's some careful consideration about what shows they're watching. While the John Wick films are action-centric, the neo-noir action thrillers are far more about explosions and bullets than those unfamiliar with the franchise realize. Viewers are drawn to the franchise for its world-building, which is crucial in an action-centric universe. For those who are interested in more action in their lives, the fact that the John Wick franchise only features four films along with a spin-off doesn't feel like enough. With its tightly choreographed action sequences, intensely disciplined protagonist, and well-defined underworld, the franchise has a fleshed-out universe that's simple to slip into as it continues to build on itself. Action TV shows that work for John Wick fans need to be of a certain caliber, especially if they're going to hold their attention. Bringing a sense of high stakes, sleek style, and character-driven intensity, there are some action shows that work better than others for those who enjoy the John Wick universe. The right sense of controlled chaos is tough to achieve, but important to capture. As fans continue to celebrate the John Wick films, some have been able to find TV shows that spark their interest in a similar way. Working through the lore of a world and the moral codes of different characters, action shows tend to have to lay a lot of groundwork before they can proceed. Fans of John Wick are likely to enjoy TV that delivers a punch. 12 Reacher Amazon Prime Video Based on the novels by Lee Child, Reacher follows former US Army Major Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) as he travels the US and encounters criminal conspiracies throughout his journeys. Reacher may be a drifter, but he has the physical and intellectual capabilities it takes to handle the dark scenarios he often finds. With a firm moral code, Reacher finds himself struggling consistently. The anti-hero storyline that runs throughout John Wick is rich within the episodes of Reacher, which has been on Amazon Prime Video for three seasons. The series often leans into the action of its stories, but the precision is fascinating to watch. For those who enjoy the character-driven stories of John Wick, Reacher is a safe bet for modern TV. 11 Person Of Interest CBS A five-season CBS series, Person Of Interest followed reclusive tech genius Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) and former CIA operative John Reese (Jim Caviezel) as they work to stop impending terror attacks. The series blends an episodic procedural-style series with high-stakes action sequences, allowing for the best of both worlds within one simple show. With wide-scale drama, Person Of Interest has an interesting format. For John Wick fans, Person Of Interest has all of the familiar charms of a procedural, which allows viewers to get invested in the characters on screen while enjoying the more action-based storytelling. With high-stakes missions, great pacing, and intense stuntwork throughout the series, Person Of Interest blends some of the best parts of action films with solid TV tropes. 10 Jack Ryan Amazon Prime Video Based on the popular Tom Clancy novels, Jack Ryan follows the titular CIA analyst played by John Krasinski as he uncovers a pattern in terrorist communications, which sends him into an escalating game of cat and mouse. Jack Ryan is one of the more cinematic action shows of the last decade, inventive in its use of the source material from Clancy's novels. Exploring themes of international espionage, geopolitical threats, and the rise of technology, Jack Ryan delivers a balanced, intense stretch of seasons. While the series is often a more cerebral look at the action genre, it's able to bridge the gap between spy thriller and action series season after season. For John Wick fans, it offers some wonderful world building throughout the series. 9 24 Fox Fox's landmark series, 24 stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a counter-terrorism agent working against the clock to prevent major threats to the US. Throughout each season, the show's big convention is that every episode is just one hour of time in Bauer's life as he works against major threats. With each season encapsulating one day, 24 uses an inventive structure that John Wick fans would enjoy. 8 Daredevil Netflix/Disney+ Originally a part of Netflix's Marvel universe, Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again, which airs on Disney+, follows Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer by day and masked vigilante by night. Murdock uses his heightened senses to fight the criminal underworld in Hell's Kitchen, the New York neighborhood he loves. A mix of gritty street action and moral complexity, Daredevil builds its world well for John Wick fans. 7 Bosch Amazon Prime Video Based on Michael Connelly's novels, Bosch follows LAPD detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch (Titus Welliver) as he takes on complicated cases in the homicide unit. While Bosch, and its sequel Bosch: Legacy, often follow different cases from season to season, the complexity of each case and the impact it has on Bosch's moral compass is fascinating to watch with each new episode. Bosch would work well for John Wick fans for a few reasons. The show's rich world-building allows viewers to feel like they're a piece of the puzzle within Bosch's LAPD, and makes sure that its grounded approach is never overshadowed by predictable choices. The high stakes and personal tension allows Bosch to feel like a more grounded, intense universe than some other detective dramas. 6 Lioness Paramount+ A spy thriller starring Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, Lioness features military and undercover elements in its intense premise. Joe McNamara (Saldaña) is a CIA case officer that handles high-value missions, bringing an ex-Marine into a covert operation in order to take down an asset from the inside. The politicking and personal consequences allow the sprawling world of Lioness to feel rich and lived-in. 5 The Terminal List Amazon Prime Video Based on Jack Carr's novel, The Terminal List follows Lieutenant Commander James Reece (Chris Pratt) after his SEAL platoon is ambushed. Once Reece returns home, he struggles with conflicting memories that push him into dark places, curious about who betrayed his team. John Wick fans will enjoy The Terminal List because of the fast-paced action, and because the protagonist has a relentless focus. 4 The Punisher Netflix As another Netflix show within the Marvel universe, The Punisher follows Daredevil's Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), a former Marine who witnessed the brutal murders of his wife and children. Following a strict moral code, Frank becomes The Punisher, a vigilante who unleashes lethal justice on criminals he feels are deserving of his wrath, ultimately uncovering a much larger conspiracy theory in the process. While Frank's decisions aren't necessarily the most moral, the series makes it clear that he justifies his choices within himself as he moves forward. The Punisher will resonate with fans of the John Wick franchise because of its unflinching look at an anti-hero and their moral code. The series shows a raw, vengeful, emotionally grounded story, which John Wick viewers should enjoy. 3 Justified FX
