When we think of the best shows on television, we have come to think of the series that air on premium cable, basic cable, and streaming services. Yes, there are always a few stand out network shows (and they certainly attract the most viewers), but for the most part, the critical darlings are showcased on the networks that are allowed to push the limits and often carry the TV-MA rating.
Think about this: the last time a network television show won an Emmy for best original drama was for 24 - in 2006! Since then, we have seen Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and Homeland win that award. All of these shows are on either basic cable or premium channels. The networks have fared better in comedy, largely thanks to Modern Family, though the reigning best comedy is HBO's Veep.
More and more cable networks are trying to take advantage of their ability to push the limits and create compelling original dramas and comedies. FX has hit gold with series like American Horror Story, American Crime Story, and The Americans. AMC has a strong library of award-winning shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead, and Better Call Saul. We all know what HBO and Showtime have to offer.
But you may be surprised to know that the USA Network has been delivering compelling and entertaining original series, and winning awards, for nearly two decades. They have been doing it longer than both FX and AMC, the cable networks deemed to be almost at the same level as the premium channels. In fact they had a pretty long run as the most viewed cable network.
So, like lists we have done recently for other popular networks, we felt that the cable network that has been going strong for so long, deserved a list of its own. So kick back, relax, and check out The 20 Best USA Original TV Shows, Ranked!
20. Touching Evil
In 2004, the USA Network remade the British series Touching Evil for a US audience. The series starred Jeffrey Donovan (known for another USA original, Burn Notice) and Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel). While it was a critical hit, it unfortunately did not catch on with audiences, leading USA to cancel it after only one season.
Despite only lasting twelve episodes, Touching Evil was an early critical success for USA, even if they felt it did not garner enough viewers. The series followed Detective David Creegan (Donovan), who was recently reinstated after a year-long psychological absence from the force, following a gunshot wound to the head. Along with Detective Susan Branca (Farmiga), Detective Creegan must track down the worst criminal offenders, all while dealing with the loss of his inhibitions as a result of his head injury.
Touching Evil was an early take on more complex police procedurals that utilized the cable format appropriately, perhaps pushing the limits of storytelling further than another network.
19. Fairly Legal
If there are any genres that the USA Network seems to feel most comfortable with, they are legal dramas and comedies. Many more of these legal shows will show up on this list, but until then, let's look at Fairly Legal. Fairly Legal stars Sarah Shahi, who previously guested on Psych, and has gone on to star in Person of Interest. In Fairly Legal, Shahi plays Kate Reed, a lawyer at her late father's firm. Following the passing of her father, Reed decides that she can no longer reconcile her ethical morality with the practice of law, and thus decides to become a mediator.
The series also stars Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica) as Reed's former husband, Justin Patrick, and Virginia Williams as Lauren Reed, Kate's step-mother who is young enough to be her sister. The show places heavy emphasis on the complex relationships in Kate's life, like the on-again, off-again relationship with Patrick, and, more importantly, the evolving levels of trust with her stepmother.
The series aired for two seasons, and overall was a solid addition to the USA Network's library of TV shows.
18. Rush
Despite lasting only one season and garnering only mixed reactions, Rush is a USA original series worth taking a second look at. The series is sort of like Ray Donovan, if Ray was a doctor instead of a fixer. The series stars Tom Ellis (Fox's Lucifer) as Dr. William P. Rush, a hard-partying physician servicing those with lots of money and even more secrets. In fact, the role isn't all that different from Ellis's take on DC's Lucifer.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, Rush is a fast-paced medical drama, featuring a highly flawed doctor. Dr. Rush can be seen as somewhat of a selfish physician, caring little about his clients' circumstances, so long as he is paid up front and in cash-- lots of cash. The eponymous doctor has a nasty drug habit in a manner similar to the more successful House, starring Hugh Laurie. Ultimately, while not an award-winning drama, Rush has its moments, and is definitely worth checking out.
17. Common Law
Common Law was the USA Network's comedic take on the complicated relationship between two homicide detectives. Rather than play the show off as a straight police comedy, like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, USA rather blended both comedic and dramatic elements in Common Law. The short premise is as follows: two LA homicide detectives despise each other, so their commanding officer does the only reasonable thing he can--- he sends them to couples therapy.
The series stars Michael Eealy and Warren Kole as detectives Travis Marks and Wes Mitchell, respectively. Their commanding officer, Mike Sutton, is played by Jack McGee, and it is he who sends the two to couples therapy after their rocky relationship gets out of control. Sonya Walger (Lost) plays Dr. Emma Ryan, the detectives' couples therapist. Common Law was a charming dramedy that focused on the complex daily relationship between partners on the job.
Unfortunately, Common Law only lasted one season, as it failed to catch on with viewers.
16. The 4400
While the USA Network might like to stay in their usual wheel house of legal and medical dramas, occasionally they will try their hand at the science fiction genre, more closely associated with their sister channel, Syfy. One of those attempts at sci-fi was the drama The 4400, which lasted for four successful seasons.
The 4400 featured an ensemble cast, and followed 4400 people who had gone missing at some time or another, as far back as 1946. Towards the beginning of the series, the governments of the world initially believe a large comet will be impacting the planet. When numerous attempts fail to destroy the comet, the world braces for impact. Instead, the incoming object slows down and releases 4400 people in the mountains of Washington-- the same 4400 who had gone missing. Even stranger, not that any of this is usual, none of those who reappeared had aged since the day of their individual disappearances. Many of the 4400 begin displaying various special abilities (just pick an X-Men character, and you'll get the idea), and most of them find it difficult to return to normal life.
The 4400 is definitely a show worth considering if you are a fan of the sci-fi genre, or simply like compelling character-driven stories. For those thinking that the show might be for them, all four seasons are currently available on Netflix.
15. Sirens
The USA Network is not only about dramas. In fact, they have quite a few funny and unique comedies. One of those comedies, Sirens, aired for two seasons, and was developed by actor Dennis Leary. The medical comedy features not doctors, but the EMTs who have devoted their lives to helping others out-- or maybe they're just looking for a paycheck. The series follows three of those EMTs, Johnny Farrell (played by Michael Mosley of Scrubs fame), Hank St. Clare (Played by Kevin Daniels), and Brian Czyk (played by Kevin Bigley).
There series is noted for the humorous interactions between the paramedics and those that need their help, as well as their comedic ribbing, which is often inappropriate and sexual. Sirens was adapted from a British series of the same name and was generally viewed favorably, with its first season receiving a solid 73% on Rotten Tomatoes. Both seasons of Sirens are available to watch on Netflix.
14. Benched
Benched aired for just one season on the USA Network, and unfortunately had a very difficult time attracting an audience. And it is a shame, because it is a well-made comedy that takes a fresh look at a part of the legal system many know little about-- the public defenders office. The series features Eliza Coupe (another Scrubs alumni) as Nina Whitley and Jay Harrington (Better Off Ted) as Nina's colleague, Phil Quinlan. The show does a great job of packing in the laughs, with Nina's attempts at reeling in her anger being a highlight.
The series starts off with Nina being a rising corporate attorney who joins the public defenders office following after she loses her job (she has a bit of a breakdown). Coupe and Harrington's chemistry on screen was largely praised and the series itself was predominantly lauded for its direction and focus. Despite the critical acclaim, the series never caught on, with no episode reaching more than a million viewers.
13. Political Animals
In 2012 the USA Network, along with Greg Berlanti (The Flash), developed the star-studded political drama, Political Animals. The series followed the lives of a former first family (the family of the President) and featured a cast so good it was meant for HBO. The series starred Sigourney Weaver (Alien) as Elaine Barrish, the former First Lady and Governor of Illinois. Joining Weaver was Ellen Burstyn (House of Cards), Carla Gugino (San Andreas), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Civil War), and Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones). Is that not an awesome cast?
The show features political scandals, closed homosexuality in politics, and the stresses that politicians must deal with as they juggle their personal and professional lives. This last point is most explicit in Elaine Barrish's (Weaver) life, as she currently serves as Secretary of State. While not an overwhelming hit for USA, Political Animals did receive Emmy nominations for Best Miniseries, Outstanding Actress (for Weaver), and Outstanding Supporting Actress (for Burstyn), with Burstyn taking home the hardware.
12. In Plain Sight
In Plain Sight, starring Mary McCormack (The West Wing), was one of the longer running shows on the USA Network. Joining McCormack, who played U.S. Marshall Mary Shannon, was Fred Weller (Missing Persons), who played Deputy U.S. Marshall Michael Mann. The series follows Mary, who struggles to navigate her complicated personal life, while at the same time dealing with the demands of a being U.S. Marshall working in New Mexico's witness protection program.
The series was not a runaway success, but it did attract solid viewership for its pilot and largely kept its audience intact through its run. Mary stood out from other characters, and showcased a personality that is far different from what you might expect from a U.S. Marshall. Throughout the series, Shannon deals with commitment issues and a rocky personal life (to put it nicely).
Overall, In Plain Sight was a solid USA original series that kept entertaining for five seasons and over 61 episodes.
11. Necessary Roughness
Necessary Roughness (its title is a play on "unnecessary roughness"-- probably didn't need to point that out) aired for three seasons on USA, and starred Callie Thorne (Homicide: Life on the Street) as Dr. Dani Santino, a therapist who begins treating players on the New York Hawks football team. The series also featured Marc Blucas as Matt Donnally, the team's athletic trainer, and Scott Cohen as the Hawks' "fixer." Mehcad Brooks (Supergirl's Jimmy Olson) plays the New York Hawks' star player and it is his issues that are the catalyst for bringing Dr. Dani Santino into the New York Hawks organization.
The series does a nice job of juggling the personal lives of those that work in sports, while also highlighting the tough personality of Dr. Santino, who, after treating the Hawks' star, begins treating other celebrity clients. Callie Thorne stands out as Dr. Santino, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her work on the series. The series changes its focus a bit in its third season, but regardless, Necessary Roughness was a fun addition to the USA library of shows.
10. Playing House
A charming, family-oriented sitcom known for its witty dialogue, Playing House has so far aired for two seasons and stars Lennon Parham as Maggie Aruso and Jessica St. Clair as Maggie's best friend Emma Crawford.
After Maggie separates from her cheating husband, Emma moves in with her to help raise her newborn baby. The series also features the hilarious Keegan Michael-Key as Mark, a cop and former boyfriend of Emma's. The friendship between Maggie and Emma is an intriguing one, as the audience has to wonder whether they are just watching the genuine friendship between real-life best friends and creators of the show, Parham and St. Clair.
Overall, the series has been a success for USA, with the first season garnering a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the second season holding a 100%. It is no surprise USA renewed the series for a third season.
9. Graceland
Graceland was the USA Network's complex Elvis Presley biopic-- just kidding (long live The King!). In all seriousness, Graceland ran on USA for three seasons and featured an ensemble cast of undercover federal agents, all living under one roof. The series follows agents from the DEA, FBI, and Customs who all live in a lavish California beach house that was recently seized by the government. The series gets its name from the beach house's nickname, "Graceland". The series stars Daniel Sunjata as FBI agent Paul Briggs, Vanessa Ferlito as FBI agent Charlie DeMarco, Manny Montana as FBI agent Johnny Tuturro, Brandon McLaren as ICE agent Dale Jakes, and Serinda Swan as DEA agent Paige Arkin. The group is joined by rookie FBI agent, Mike Warren, who is portrayed by Aaron Tveit (Grease: Live).
The show follows the characters' struggles with their large caseloads and evolving identities-- a product of their continued undercover work. Graceland features more lies than truths and the undercover agents' struggle with trust is a predominant theme. While the show is no longer on the air, you can catch all three seasons on Netflix.
8. Royal Pains
USA's Royal Pains follows a recently unemployed emergency room physician, who moves to the Hamptons and begins life as a concierge doctor to the rich and powerful. The series finished up its eighth and final season just a few weeks ago. For the first several seasons, Royal Pains was a ratings hit for USA, consistently ranking as one of the highest viewed shows on cable. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have seen ratings dwindle, begging the question: did the series stay on the air too long?
Regardless, Royal Pains was one of the USA Network's most beloved shows for several years. Royal Pains features a rather large cast, but the primary focus was on brothers, Hank (played by Mark Feurstein) and Evan Lawson (played by Paulo Costanzo). Hank Lawson becomes the principal doctor of "HankMed" after he is held wrongly responsible for the death of a high-valued patient in the ER. With the help of his brother, Evan (the CFO of HankMed), the two begin catering to the wealthy Hamptons inhabitants. The show places equal emphasis on the medical mystery of the week as on the ever-evolving personal lives of the main characters. The two brothers are joined by Divya Katdare (played by Reshma Shetty), Hank's intuitive and wealthy physician's assistant.
As the seasons moved on, the show added new doctors, love interests, and patients to the cast. Notable recurring characters include, Henry Winkler (Happy Days) as Eddie R. Lawson (Hank and Evan's father) and Tom Cavanagh (The Flash) as Jack O'Malley, a pro golfer and patient of HankMed. If you haven't watched any of Royal Pains, do not worry - the first seven seasons are available on Netflix.
7. Covert Affairs
USA's spy drama, Covert Affairs, was executive produced by Doug Limon (The Bourne Identity) and starred Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) as Annie Walker, a training CIA officer who is thrown into the exciting world of field work. While her skills as a field agent needed to mature as the show progressed, Annie is a highly intelligent agent and is fluent in several languages. Piper Perabo was praised for her performance and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2011.
The series featured a large ensemble cast, including Annie's family members, colleagues at the CIA (and other intelligence agencies), and politicians. Joining Annie Walker was her blind handler, and Special Forces veteran, Auggie Anderson (played by Christopher Gorham).
In typical USA fashion, the series was not a straight spy thriller, but also focused on Annie's personal life, and struggles maintaining her cover from her family. While generally well received-- Covert Affairs has a fresh rating for every season on Rotten Tomatoes-- the series failed to win any major awards and viewership trailed off towards the end of its run. Nonetheless, Covert Affairs is one of the best in USA's library, and definitely worth a look if you are interested in spy dramas, especially those that feature a strong female lead.
6. Burn Notice
We are now hitting the cream of the crop: the true standouts on the USA Network. Burn Notice, another USA spy drama, is generally considered one of the network's most successful series, and was one of the most watched cable series for all of its seven seasons. The show was nominated for several Primetime Emmy awards, a SAG award, and more. The series follows Michael Westen (played by Jeffrey Donovan), a recently "burned" spy, who finds himself in Miami with no money and no clue who betrayed him.
Westen is joined by his ex-girlfriend, former IRA operative Fiona Glenanne (played by Gabrielle Anwar) and former Navy Seal-- and beer-enthusiast-- Sam Axe (played by The Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell). In order to make ends meet, Westen, with the help of his friends, begins taking on freelance work for his mother's friends and others seeking his help. Westen often uses his spy training to come up with MacGyver-like solutions to problems, which he often narrates for the audience. While the overarching theme of the series is Westen's quest to rejoin the intelligence community, each season features new antagonists who ultimately tie into that grander theme.
Burn Notice was a fast-paced, action packed drama that remained thrilling for all sevens seasons it was on the air. It was one of the USA Network's greatest shows and is available to stream on Netflix.
5. White Collar
White Collar was not the most original series, but it was an audience favorite. The show followed a plot stripped right out of Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can. The series starred Matt Bomer (American Horror Story) as Neal Caffrey, an imprisoned con artist who escapes from detention in order to locate his girlfriend. Once being recaptured by frequent pursuer, FBI agent Peter Burke (played by Tim DeKay), he agrees to consult on white collar cases in order to stay out of prison. The series also stars Willie Garson (Sex in the City) as Neal's friend, Mozzie, and Tiffany Thiessen (Saved by the Bell) as Agent Burke's wife, Elizabeth.
The series follows a similar formula to Burn Notice, with "case of the week" stories and creative solutions to problems. Much like Michael Westen, Neal Caffrey has a particular set of skills which he utilizes to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks-- though most of these tasks involve stealing or breaking in somewhere. Neal often goes undercover and, despite seeming to be a constant thorn in Agent Burke's side, the two share a special friendship, which only evolves as the series progresses.
The series highlights Neal's desire to live comfortably, as he enjoys fine wine, expensive art, and lavish suits. His charming personality is always on full display, which he uses to woo the ladies and even secure housing with a wealthy widow (although not by wooing her). The series, which lasted for six seasons, can be streamed in its entirety on Netflix.
4. Suits
Suits, the USA Network's highly-rated legal drama, just recently returned for its sixth season. The show follows lawyers Harvey Specter (played by Gabriel Macht) and Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Adams) as they tackle their clients' most complex cases. Of course, they do it in style, and it would not be surprising if many viewers try to embark on a career in the law to get some of the portrayed excitement and glamour. Like most television shows, Suits is highly exaggerated.
The series' hook is that Mike Ross, Harvey's new associate, is in reality not an attorney. While he is usually the smartest person in the room and has a photographic memory, he never went to law school, was expelled from college, and dabbled in dealing pot and taking the LSATs for paying customers.
A constant theme throughout the show is Mike's attempt to keep his secret from friends and colleagues, as he knows that practicing law without a license is a felony. Harvey learns the truth before even hiring Mike and so, throughout the series, he has equal stake in the keeping the secret. During its current six season run, the show has both moved away and returned to this plot. The series also features Mike and Harvey's personal lives, as well as the other members of the law firm. Suits has a wonderful ensemble cast that includes, Rick Hoffman, as ballet enthusiast Louis Litt, and Sarah Rafferty, as Harvey's loyal and sassy assistant Donna Paulsen.
This character-driven drama is unique, as it is sometimes hard to tell what is going on in the minds of its complex characters. The series' protagonist, Mike Ross, is somebody you want to root for, because he does seem to truly want to help people, but at the same time, many of his actions can be viewed as selfish. The sixth season of Suits is currently airing on USA.
3. Mr. Robot
While the USA Network has had its fare share of success with original programming, it looks like it may have joined other cable networks in the upper echelon with the release of Mr. Robot. The hacker drama looks like it is going to be an awards favorite for as long as it is on the air. After just one season, Mr. Robot has already secured two Golden Globe awards and was recently nominated for six Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor, and Outstanding Writing.
Mr. Robot stars recent Emmy nominee Rami Malek, as the depressed, sociall- awkward, cyber security expert-turned-vigilante hacker, Elliot Alderson. Joining Malek is the recent Golden Globe-winning Christian Slater, as the eponymous Mr. Robot, the leader of a hacking society. The recently premiered second season has built on the first season's overwhelmingly strong reviews and is being universally lauded. As of this writing, the second season has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The first season can be streamed on Hulu and the second season is currently airing on USA.
2. Psych
While Mr. Robot may eventually become the greatest show to ever air on the USA Network, currently it is still in its adolescence and so cannot rank ahead of USA's long running series, Psych. The series starred James Roday as freelance police consultant Shawn Spencer and Dulé Hill (Ballers) as his best friend, Gus Guster (Gus is a nickname, could you imagine?).
The series' premise is that Shawn Spencer is a psychic who uses his "abilities" to consult on a variety of cases for the Santa Barbara Police Department. In reality, Spencer is not a psychic, just someone with incredible observational skills and a photographic memory, which he utilizes to come to conclusions escaping others in the police force. Spencer originally pretends to be psychic when he is arrested as a suspect for calling in tips for crimes that the police feel he could only know about by being a conspirator. To avoid prison, Spencer has to keep up the facade that he is indeed psychic.
Shawn and Gus are joined by lead detective Carlton Lasseter (played by Timothy Omundson) and junior detective Jules O'Hara (played by Maggie Lawson). While Detective Lasseter is constantly annoyed by Shawn and distrustful of his psychic abilities, Detective O'Hara is more fond of him, and the two share a mutual romantic interest throughout the series. The show also features Corbin Bernsen as Shawn's father, Harvey, who appears both in the present and in flashbacks where he often teaches a young Shawn and Gus life lessons. Psych aired 121 episodes over eight seasons, and is easily one of the most successful shows on basic cable, USA or otherwise.
1. Monk
Mr. Robot may be the USA Network's current critical darling, but it has a long way to go before it matches the awards recognition of Monk. The series, was nominated for a whopping eighteen Emmy awards (winning eight) and seven Golden Globes (winning one) during its eight season, 125 episode run. Lead actor Tony Shalhoub (Wings), received universal praise for his role as the title character, Adrian Monk. Shalhoub won three straight Emmy awards for Outstanding Lead Actor and also took home a Golden Globe and two SAG awards for the role. The series finale of Monk was watched by just over nine million viewers, making it the highest rated scripted drama in basic cable television history at the time (obviously The Walking Dead has since shattered this record).
The series follows Monk, a former detective for the San Francisco Police Department, who suffers a mental breakdown following the murder of his wife, Trudy. For a long time, Monk is unable to leave his home, but eventually, with the help of his nurse, he is able to consult on cases for the police. Monk suffers from crippling OCD and has hundreds of phobias which impact his ability to live a carefree life.
Despite his mental health issues, Monk remains a brilliant detective who uses his keen observational skills and intellect to solve seemingly unsolvable cases. The only case that eludes him is the murder of his wife. The series' catchy theme song and portrayal of OCD, as well as Tony Shalhoub's performance make Monk the USA Network's greatest television show.
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Well, there you have it. As you can see, the USA Network has been delivering high quality cable television for longer than many realize. What do you think is best show on USA? Let us know in the comments!