Which Are the Largest Current Shared Universes in Primetime TV?
If you’re a TV fan, there is plenty to watch right now. And if you’re a fan of crossovers — even minor ones with a character or for an episode — you’re also in luck. Primetime television has been filled with shared universes, especially in recent years.
If you’re into procedurals (like the NCISes or Dick Wolf‘s extended universe), zombies (The Walking Dead universe), or superheroes (the Arrowverse), you’re covered. In fact, crossovers aren’t necessarily beholden to a network: Chicago P.D.‘s (NBC) Tracy Spiridakos went over to FBI (CBS).
See Also 7 Dream TV Show Crossovers We'd Love to See
So scroll down as we examine the shared universes currently part of primetime television. (Notes: We’re not including any shows in development, which rules out Walking Dead spinoffs that have just been announced.)
Grey's Anatomy
Number of shows: 3
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present), Station 19 (2018-present), Private Practice (2007-2013)
FBI
Number of shows: 3
FBI (2018-present), FBI: Most Wanted (2020-present), FBI: International (2021-present)
The Walking Dead Universe
Number of shows: 3
The Walking Dead (2010-present), Fear the Walking Dead (2015-present), The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020-2021)
One Chicago
Number of shows: 4
Chicago Fire (2012-present), Chicago P.D. (2014-present), Chicago Med (2015-present), Chicago Justice (2017)
NCIS
Number of shows: 5
NCIS (2003-present), NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-present), NCIS: Hawai’i (2021-present) NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021), JAG (1995-2005)
Law & Order
Number of shows: 7
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present), Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021-present), Law & Order (1990-2010, 2022-present), Law & Order: True Crime (2017), Law & Order: LA (2010-2011), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005-2006)
Arrowverse
Number of shows: 8
The Flash (2014-present), DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (2016-present), Batwoman (2019-present), DC’s Stargirl (2020-present), Superman & Lois (2021-present), Supergirl (2015-2021), Black Lightning (2018-2021), Arrow (2012-2020)
(Note: Yes, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” brought in a few more shows, like Lucifer and Smallville, to the mix, but we’re not including cameos.)
CBS Procedurals
Number of shows: 9
NCIS (2003-present), NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-present), Magnum P.I. (2018-present), NCIS: Hawai’i (2021-present), MacGyver (2016-2021), NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021), Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020), Scorpion (2014-2018), JAG (1995-2005)
Dick Wolf
Number of shows: 18
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present), Chicago Fire (2012-present), Chicago P.D. (2014-present), Chicago Med (2015-present), FBI (2018-present), FBI: Most Wanted (2020-present), Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021-present), FBI: International (2021-present), Law & Order (1990-2010, 2022-present), Law & Order: True Crime (2017), Chicago Justice (2017), In Plain Sight (2008-2012), Law & Order: LA (2010-2011), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011), Conviction (2006), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005-2006), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1999), New York Undercover (1994-1999)
