Divya Meena
‘Mayans M.C.’ is a spin-off of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ that brilliantly fills its predecessor’s shoes as it lives up to the sky-high expectations set by the former show. Set in the same universe, the story picks up a couple of years after the events of ‘Sons of Anarchy.’ The show follows EZ Reyes (J. D. Pardo), a prospect in the Santo Padre charter of the Mayans whose vindictive persona fuels his actions as he sets out for retribution against those who destroyed his family—looking for similar-themed shows. Well, we have put together seven shows to satiate your appetite.
7. Banshee (2013 – 2016)
‘Banshee’ follows Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who slips into the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pennsylvania, to evade his hurtful past. He continues to stride along the criminal path in a bid to ward off the menacing gangsters who he betrayed years earlier. But, as it turns out, he’s not the only one the mob seeks revenge on. His ex-lover, Carrie, who has started afresh, is also on the chopping block along with him. As they both try to make it out alive, they must also keep their new identities undercover.
6. The Punisher (2017 – 2019)
If the core premise of ‘Mayans M.C.,’ packed chock-full of action, violence, vigilante justice, and familial bonds, appeals to you, then you might want to sink your teeth into ‘The Punisher’. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the series follows Frank Castle, who has exacted mortal revenge on those responsible for the deaths of his wife and children. In doing so, he uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than New York’s mob-controlled underworld. He realizes there are more injustices he must correct before another family falls prey to them.
5. Hell on Wheels (2011 – 2016)
‘Hell on Wheels’ is a drama series that is endearingly saturated in the Western genre. While it is set in a different period in history, it encases dark, gritty, and violent storylines akin to ‘Mayans M.C..’ The show follows Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), a former Confederate soldier who sets out to avenge the annihilation of his family. The show touches on corruption, greed, and the perils of power while deploying meticulous attention to detail to depict a precise post-Civil War period.
4. The Shield (2002 – 2008)
‘The Shield’ is yet another gem from ‘Mayans M.C.’ creator, Kurt Sutter, which deserves to be on your radar if you haven’t already devoured it. The series follows Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), an overzealous detective who would stop at nothing to bring criminals to justice. On his journey to fight crime, his willingness to flagrantly disregard the rules takes over him, putting not only his career but also his life on the line. We see the line between the right and wrong blur as the story progresses. ‘The Shield’ earned both the Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awards in 2002, and rightfully so.
3. The Wire (2002 – 2008)
‘The Wire’ presents a realistic interpretation of urban life while underscoring the idea that urban crime is a product of both a socially and politically flawed society. The show centers on the Baltimore police department as they try their best to burn the bridge between the drug kingpins and the law enforcement agencies. The story powerfully addresses many of the complex issues plaguing inner American cities, including drugs, racism, political corruption, and poverty.
2. Better Call Saul (2015 – )
‘Better Call Saul’ subs in both as a spin-off and a prequel to the acclaimed drama ‘Breaking Bad’. While Saul may take the comedic aspect up a notch, the show has all the trademark features of ‘Mayans M.C.,’ including its realism, grit, and a premise that is brimming with crime. The story revolves around the titular small-time lawyer, Saul Goodman, whose huge ambitions peppered with questionable morality lead him to some murky scenarios. The show is highly addictive and retains the bleak yet darkly hilarious feel of its predecessor.
1. Narcos (2015 – 2017)
While ‘Mayans M.C.’ features drug trade, among other things, ‘Narcos’ heavily centers on it. The Netflix original series chronicles the notorious Pablo Escobar’s ascent to power in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The drug kingpin becomes the wealthiest criminal in history, making hundreds of billions of dollars almost entirely out of building the cocaine trade in America.
No sooner had ‘Narcos’ dropped on the streamer than it proved to be a breakthrough success. The series amassed enormous critical acclaim for its historically accurate portrayal outlining the intricate details that lead a small smuggling business to turn into a fully-fledged billion-dollar operation.
Read More: Shows Like Sons of Anarchy
