Why Watch
"Alan Cumming brings unmatched charm and wit to a sophisticated Manhattan procedural packed with clever psychological twists."
Tone: Charming, Witty Procedural
AI Critic Analysis
Series Deep Dive:
Starring Alan Cumming as former CIA operative Dr. Dylan Reinhart, Instinct brings eccentric flair to standard police procedurals. Partnered with Bojana Novakovic's grounded NYPD detective Lizzie Needham, Reinhart applies behavioral psychology to solve New York City's strangest crimes. While CBS concluded the show after its second season, the series remains an engaging, lighthearted mystery run anchored by charismatic leads and sharp, character-driven storytelling.
Analysis Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 373 days
Season: 2
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Jun 30, 2019 | Stay Gold | |
| E2 | Jul 07, 2019 | Broken Record | |
| E3 | Jul 14, 2019 | Finders Keepers | |
| E4 | Jul 21, 2019 | Big Splash | |
| E5 | Jul 28, 2019 | Ancient History | |
| E6 | Aug 04, 2019 | One-of-a-Kind | |
| E7 | Aug 11, 2019 | After Hours | |
| E8 | Aug 11, 2019 | Go Figure | |
| E9 | Aug 18, 2019 | Manhunt | |
| E10 | Aug 18, 2019 | Trust Issues | |
| E11 | Aug 25, 2019 | Grey Matter |
Series Legacy & Historical Archive
Franchise Status: Concluded Historical Archive
Instinct (2018) remains a definitive pillar of television, having concluded its influential run on CBS. The procedural distinguished itself through Alan Cumming's magnetic portrayal of Dr. Dylan Reinhart, marking a historic milestone as network television's first openly gay lead character in an hour-long drama series.
While its broadcast footprint spanned just two seasons, the production offered an intelligent blend of academic behavioral psychology and crime investigation, anchored by sparkling chemistry alongside co-star Bojana Novakovic. Its progressive narrative framing maintains cultural resonance.
While its broadcast footprint spanned just two seasons, the production offered an intelligent blend of academic behavioral psychology and crime investigation, anchored by sparkling chemistry alongside co-star Bojana Novakovic. Its progressive narrative framing maintains cultural resonance.
Oracle Insights Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 404 days
If you liked Instinct (2018):
Technical Details
- Network: CBS
- Seasons: 2
- Years: 2018 - 2019
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Rating: TV-PG
Frequently Asked Questions
CBS canceled the series in 2019 due to a decline in linear ratings and viewership numbers during its second season. Despite the show's unique premise and lead performance, it failed to maintain the audience size required for a network renewal.
Instinct ran for a total of two seasons, consisting of 24 episodes in its entirety. The first season premiered in March 2018, while the second and final season concluded in August 2019.
There are no credible rumors or official discussions regarding a revival or a third season of the series. Since its cancellation in 2019, the production has remained dormant and the main cast has transitioned to other long-term projects.
No, there are no spin-offs associated with the 2018 television series Instinct. The show focused exclusively on the partnership between Dr. Dylan Reinhart and Detective Lizzie Needham without expanding into a larger franchise.
Yes, the television show is based on the novel Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan. Following the debut of the show, the book was eventually re-released under the title Instinct to align with the series branding.
The series is currently available for streaming on Paramount+ and can also be purchased through various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Fans can revisit all 24 episodes of the procedural drama through these on-demand services.
While the main mystery of the season was resolved, the Season 2 finale left several character dynamics and personal arcs open for future exploration. Because the cancellation was announced late in the season's run, the episode serves as an unintentional series finale.
FAQ Refined:March 2026
Scheduled next refinement: in 103 days