10 Movies and Shows Like Banshee (2013)

Description: The Sopranos, like Banshee, revolutionized television with its blend of crime drama and psychological character study. Both shows feature charismatic antiheroes balancing criminal enterprises with personal lives, and explore themes of identity, therapy, and violence. The mix of brutal crime and dark humor is another shared characteristic.

Fact: James Gandolfini kept his script pages in his refrigerator. The famous opening sequence was shot in one take. David Chase originally envisioned the show as a movie about his mother.

Description: The Shield, like Banshee, features morally ambiguous protagonists operating in gray areas of the law. Both shows are known for their raw, visceral storytelling and unflinching violence. The corrupt cop premise of The Shield mirrors Banshee's theme of law enforcement figures with criminal pasts.

Fact: One of the first major TV shows shot with digital cameras. Michael Chiklis was the first actor cast in a lead TV drama role who wasn't traditionally handsome. The show's famous 'cop walk' was inspired by real LAPD officers.

Description: Breaking Bad shares Banshee's exploration of a protagonist's moral descent and transformation into a criminal figure. Both shows feature intense violence, complex character arcs, and the juxtaposition of suburban life with criminal enterprises. The meticulous attention to criminal methodology is another shared element.

Fact: Bryan Cranston was not the first choice for Walter White. The show's iconic RV was nicknamed 'The Crystal Ship.' Vince Gilligan originally planned to kill Jesse Pinkman in season

Description: Boardwalk Empire shares Banshee's period criminal underworld setting and focus on political corruption intertwined with organized crime. Both shows feature lavish production design that immerses viewers in their respective time periods, and explore themes of power, ambition, and the American dream through criminal enterprises.

Fact: The show's Atlantic City boardwalk set was the largest ever built for television. Steve Buscemi's casting as Nucky Thompson was controversial due to age differences. The real Nucky Johnson inspired the main character.

Description: Like Banshee, Sons of Anarchy features a tight-knit community with its own rules, violent power struggles, and complex antiheroes. Both shows explore themes of loyalty, family (both blood and chosen), and the consequences of violence. The outlaw biker gang setting provides a similar sense of lawlessness to Banshee's small-town criminal underworld.

Fact: Kurt Sutter created the show as a modern retelling of Hamlet. The show's original title was Forever Sam Crow. Charlie Hunnam turned down roles in 50 Shades of Grey and Green Arrow to stay with the series.

Description: Justified shares Banshee's rural crime drama setting and features a charismatic lawman with a complicated past. Both shows blend crime procedural elements with ongoing personal storylines and feature sharp, witty dialogue. The exploration of local criminal networks and corrupt power structures mirrors Banshee's themes.

Fact: Based on Elmore Leonard's short story Fire in the Hole. Timothy Olyphant's performance was praised by Leonard himself. The show popularized the phrase 'We dug coal together' among fans.

Description: Ray Donovan shares Banshee's themes of a violent protagonist with a troubled past trying to balance criminal and family life. Both shows feature fixer protagonists who use violence and intimidation to solve problems while dealing with their own personal demons. The exploration of family dysfunction and buried secrets is central to both series.

Fact: Liev Schreiber based his performance on a real-life Hollywood fixer. The show was originally developed as a feature film. Jon Voight won a Golden Globe for his role as Mickey Donovan.

Description: Peaky Blinders shares Banshee's stylish violence, period criminal underworld setting, and focus on a charismatic antihero leading a criminal organization. Both shows feature intricate family dynamics within their criminal enterprises and explore themes of power, loyalty, and reinvention. The visual style of both shows is similarly cinematic and atmospheric.

Fact: The Shelby family was inspired by a real 19th century Birmingham gang. Cillian Murphy initially turned down the role of Thomas Shelby. The distinctive haircuts were historically accurate for the time period.

Description: Animal Kingdom shares Banshee's focus on criminal families and the dynamics of loyalty and betrayal. Both shows feature high-stakes heists, violent confrontations, and complex power struggles within their respective criminal organizations. The Southern California setting provides a similar sun-drenched but dangerous atmosphere to Banshee's rural Pennsylvania.

Fact: Based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name. Ellen Barkin's performance as Smurf earned critical acclaim. The show features real locations from Southern California's surf culture.

Description: Warrior shares similarities with Banshee in its intense action sequences, morally complex characters, and a gritty, violent underworld setting. Both shows feature protagonists with mysterious pasts who navigate dangerous environments while trying to maintain their own code of ethics. The fight choreography in Warrior is reminiscent of Banshee's brutal and visceral combat scenes.

Fact: Warrior is based on an original concept by Bruce Lee. The show was developed by Jonathan Tropper, who also worked on Banshee. It's set in the late 19th century San Francisco Chinatown tong wars.