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Crossing Jordan

Crossing Jordan

Every body tells a story.

2001–2007Ended6 seasons117 episodes~60 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

Crossing Jordan is an American television crime/drama series that stars Jill Hennessy as Jordan Cavanaugh, M.D., a crime-solving forensic pathologist employed in the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Crossing Jordan?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Crossing Jordan streaming on Peacock, Prime Video and The Roku Channel (free).

Highlights

What stands out about Crossing Jordan?

Crossing Jordan earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Crossing Jordan worth watching?

Crossing Jordan's Midcredits score is the 57th percentile of all shows, from 14K ratings across 2 sources. 75% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

57th percentile

Better received than 57% of shows

50th percentile among Crime49th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)53rd
Approval (how many liked it)60th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

71 /100

53rd percentile of all shows

51st percentile among Crime46th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

75% liked it

60th percentile of all shows

50th percentile among Crime54th percentile among 2000s
75% rated it 7–1025% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

92nd percentile

14K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Crime87th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree Crossing Jordan is a character-focused, lighter-toned forensic procedural that stands apart from CSI and Law & Order — fans see that as its strength, detractors as its weakness.

Fans praised

  • character-driven ensemble with arcs that outshine typical procedurals
  • fresh, distinctive take on the crime genre vs. CSI/Law & Order clones
  • strong cast chemistry led by Jill Hennessy and Miguel Ferrer

Detractors panned

  • implausible premise and medical-examiner conceit stretches belief
  • jordan Cavanaugh written as grating, unlikable lead
  • late seasons lose coherence, especially relationship storylines

What stands out

Acting78

ensemble praised for chemistry, Hennessy and Ferrer standout, occasional stiff comedic delivery

CharactersDivisive72

deep character arcs celebrated but lead's abrasiveness and late-season inconsistencies criticized

Atmosphere70

mixes gritty forensics with lighter, character-driven vibe

Originality68

fresh take on procedural with personal focus, though some call it derivative of CSI/Quincy

Emotional impact68

personal backstories (e.g., mother's murder) create investment, but some find it contrived

Pacing66

mostly brisk episodes, but reenactments feel like shortcuts in later seasons

Plot and story60

storylines mix forensics and personal drama, but sometimes feel rushed or unrealistic

Ending55

series finale unsatisfying to many; character arcs resolve unevenly

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 19 points higher than men.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 10 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 23 points higher than non-US viewers.

Episodes

6 seasons

Season 6 · 2007 · 17 episodes

  • S6E1
    S6E1

    Retribution

    Jan 14, 200742 min
  • S6E2
    S6E2

    Shattered

    Jan 21, 200742 min
  • S6E3
    S6E3

    33 Bullets

    Jan 28, 200742 min
  • S6E4
    S6E4

    Crazy Little Thing Called Love

    Feb 11, 200742 min
  • S6E5
    S6E5

    Mr. Little and Mr. Big

    Feb 18, 200742 min
  • S6E6
    S6E6

    Night of the Living Dead

    Feb 25, 200742 min

Watch experience

What is Crossing Jordan like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and charged — an even-paced watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseContemplativeMelancholic
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcOne continuous story
ToneThe show balances its grim subject matter with affection for its characters and a playful sense of humor, never undermining the emotional stakes.
The rideThe series maintains a steady tension as each case unfolds, with quieter moments of reflection and personal drama woven in.
StructureEpisodes follow a standard investigative structure: case presented, clues uncovered, killer identified.
Episode formatEach episode features a self-contained medical case while threading ongoing personal and relationship arcs across seasons.
Season formatThe series continues the same story and character development across seasons, with each season building on the last.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe show's warmth and character bonds leave a comforting, uplifting feeling, though the underlying tragedy adds a touch of bittersweetness.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% (this title) · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEach episode follows Jordan and her team solving a homicide, tracking the killer through forensic clues — a classic monster-hunt procedural.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% (this title) · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsFamily bondsTruth · 6% of shows
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on solving homicides to deliver justice for the deceased, while Jordan's relationship with her father grounds the personal stakes.
StanceEach case is personal to the victim and the team, and the show observes the process of uncovering truth without a heavy moral agenda.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingBoston morgue and police precinct

Content guide

Is Crossing Jordan okay for kids?

TV-14

Crossing Jordan is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (42/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (27/100) and frightening material at mild (27/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • Germany16
  • Austria12
  • Spain16
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (32 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Crossing Jordan have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Crossing Jordan?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Jill Hennessy
as Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Miguel Ferrer
as Dr. Garret Macy
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ravi Kapoor
as Dr. Mahesh 'Bug' Vijayaraghavensatanaryanamurthy
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Steve Valentine
as Dr. Nigel Townsend
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kathryn Hahn
as Lily Lebowski
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Jerry O'Connell
as Detective Woody Hoyt
Ken Howard
as Max Cavanaugh
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Emy Coligado
as Emmy
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Ivan Sergei
as Dr. Peter Winslow
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Mahershala Ali
as Dr. Trey Sanders
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
newcomer then · star now

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TMDB's suggestions for shows like Crossing Jordan include Harrow (2018), Silent Witness (1996) and Bones (2005).

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