The second series of the critically acclaimed drama The Night Manager concluded on BBC One recently, leaving many viewers searching for their next espionage fix. For those craving more high-stakes intrigue, complex characters, and shadowy operations, numerous streaming platforms offer a wealth of exceptional spy-themed content.
Essential Espionage Viewing for Thriller Enthusiasts
Not every spy drama delivers the perfect blend of tension, character depth, and coherent plotting that defines the genre's best offerings. The finest series manage to keep audiences thoroughly engaged while exploring the morally ambiguous world of intelligence operations. Whether the action unfolds on home soil or across international borders, these shows have significantly influenced television espionage storytelling.
24 (2001-2010)
Frequently hailed by critics and audiences alike as one of the greatest spy television series ever created, 24 revolutionized narrative structure with its real-time format. Each season covers exactly twenty-four hours in the life of counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer, portrayed compellingly by Kiefer Sutherland.
The series demonstrates how rapidly global situations can escalate, with Bauer racing against the clock to prevent catastrophic events ranging from presidential assassinations to biological attacks. Bauer represents a distinct departure from traditional spy archetypes, frequently employing aggressive tactics that challenge conventional morality.
Critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers praising the show's relentless pacing and masterful suspense-building. As Caryn James of the New York Times noted via Rotten Tomatoes, the series proves "stylish and gripping" in execution. Tom Shales of the Washington Post similarly highlighted the program's exceptional "tension and density" that distinguishes it from other thrillers.
Availability: All episodes stream exclusively on Disney+.
Spooks (2002-2011)
While American television often focuses on FBI and CIA narratives, this enduring British series provides a compelling homegrown perspective on intelligence work. Taking its title from spy terminology, the drama follows the operations of MI5's Section D from their highly secure headquarters known as The Grid.
The ensemble cast features numerous celebrated British performers, including Matthew Macfadyen as agent Tom Quinn, alongside Peter Firth, Keeley Hawes, Rupert Penry-Jones, and David Oyelowo. The series gained particular notoriety for its willingness to eliminate major characters, creating genuine uncertainty about who might survive each mission.
Availability: Complete series accessible via BBC iPlayer and Now TV.
Slow Horses (2022-Present)
This gritty contemporary British espionage drama explores the misfits and rejects of MI5 who find themselves exiled to Slough House under the supervision of Jackson Lamb, portrayed by Gary Oldman. Assigned mundane administrative tasks as punishment for past failures, these so-called "Slow Horses" repeatedly become entangled in dangerous national security crises.
The series offers a fresh perspective on intelligence work, focusing on characters operating outside the glamorous world of elite agents while still facing extraordinary threats.
Availability: Stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
The Americans (2013-2018)
Set during the final years of the Cold War, this period thriller follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, apparently ordinary suburban Americans who secretly operate as deep-cover KGB agents. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys deliver powerful performances as the couple navigating the complexities of dual identities, marital tensions, and parenting while maintaining their dangerous deception.
The series excels in exploring psychological depth alongside its espionage plotlines, examining themes of loyalty, identity, and the personal costs of clandestine work.
Availability: Stream on Disney+ and Channel 4's 4OD service.
Homeland (2011-2020)
This psychological thriller captivated global audiences with its shocking revelations and complex character dynamics. The narrative centers on brilliant but unstable CIA operative Carrie Mathison, portrayed by Claire Danes, who becomes convinced that Marine Corps veteran Nicholas Brody has been compromised by terrorist elements.
As the series progresses, it expands to encompass high-stakes intelligence operations across multiple international locations. Throughout its eight-season run, Homeland received widespread critical acclaim and earned eight Primetime Emmy Awards.
Availability: Accessible via Disney+ and Channel 4's 4OD platform.
With these exceptional series readily available across major streaming services, fans of The Night Manager have ample opportunity to continue their espionage viewing journey. Each show offers distinct approaches to the spy genre while maintaining the suspenseful storytelling that defines the best thriller television.
