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For Lioness, TV superproducer Taylor Sheridan teamed up Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña for an action spy thriller—and it's not at all surprising that the show's a hit. Saldaña stars as Joe McNamara, a CIA senior case officer in charge of a program that deals almost exclusively in recruiting women as undercover operatives. Having just completed season three, the show is on track for a renewal...if the producers can lock down Saldaña and company. While we eagerly await word, enjoy these other thrillers with distinctive takes on crime and spycraft. Some with men!
Black Doves (2024– )
Keira Knightley stars as Helen Webb in this genre-bender, wife of the Secretary of State for Defense of the UK—and also a secret spy in the employ of the Black Doves mercenary spy organization of the title. She learns from her handler (Sarah Lancashire) that her lover has been killed, thus potentially blowing her cover, but luckily, she has a hitman bestie (Ben Whislaw) to help her out. It's all deliberately pulpy, with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness that lightens the tone. A second season is coming later in 2026. Stream Black Doves on Netflix.
The Day of the Jackal (2024– )
With an entirely cinematic scope, this new adaptation of the Frederick Forsyth novel is buoyed by rather brilliant casting: Eddie Redmayne plays the Jackal, a cold and steely international assassin pursued by MI6 operative Bianca Pullman—she's played by Lashana Lynch, putting her experience as the new 007 in No Time to Die to good use. I'm not sure there's anything here we haven't seen in countless other spy thrillers (including, of course, the 1973 and 1997 film adaptations), but the performances and production values are top-notch, with each episode playing out like a tense mini-movie. It's been renewed for a second season. Stream The Day of the Jackal on Peacock.
Marshals (2026– )
Lioness is a rare Taylor Sheridan show that's not particularly related to Yellowstone, but fear not...Marshals takes us back out west and into the soothing arms of the Dutton family. Luke Grimes reprises his role as Kayce Dutton, former Livestock Agent turned...you guessed it...U.S. Marshal, protecting Montana from all manner of criminals and rustlers. The case-of-the-week format has more in common with police procedurals than with espionage drama, but the action-heavy vibe is similar. Stream Marshals on Paramount+.
Homeland (2011–2020)
The focus shifts a bit after Homeland's first few seasons, but the series begins with CIA case officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) coming to suspect that decorated Marine Corps scout sniper Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), recently rescued from an al-Qaeda compound, has been turned and is planning a terrorist attack on the United States. Having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her superiors don't give Mathison's suspicions much credence, kicking off a cat-and-mouse/is-he-or-isn't he? game between the two in the background of one of TV's most lauded spy dramas. Both leads won Emmys for their performances, and the series took the Outstanding Drama prize in its first year. Stream Homeland on Hulu and Netflix.
Quantico (2015–2018)
Priyanka Chopra stars as Alex Parrish, who graduates from the titular FBI Academy only to find herself the prime suspect in a terrorist attack on Grand Central Terminal in NYC. The show initially splits its time between Alex's quest to prove her innocence while on the run and her training days at the academy. The second season has her working for the FBI as an undercover CIA recruit (got that?) under mysterious circumstances, while the third finds her trying to bring down an international arms dealer and save a fellow agent. Stream Quantico on Hulu.
The Little Drummer Girl (2018)
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Decision to Leave, No Other Choice) directs this series, based, like Night Manager, on a John le Carré novel, bringing an undeniably sexy period style into the mix. Florence Pugh is Charlie, a young actress recruited by Mossad spymaster Martin Kurtz (Michael Shannon) to infiltrate a group of Palestinian terrorists, even as she's being manipulated by an Israeli intelligence officer (Alexander Skarsgård). Crucially, like the book, the show offers nuanced characters on multiple sides of the conflict, dealing more with individuals as pawns of state politicians. Buy The Little Drummer Girl from Prime Video.
The Night Manager (2016– )
Another from John le Carré, the wellspring of many modern spy sagas, so it's probably no surprise that The Night Manager (from a 1993 novel) was successful—though it certainly doesn't hurt to have a cast led by Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman. Hiddleston is Jonathan Pine, working the night shift at a luxury hotel in Switzerland when he encounters an unexpected guest: arms dealer Richard Roper (Laurie). Former Army veteran Pine had previous dealings with Roper in Cairo, and the reluctant night manager is persuaded by Foreign Office head Angela Burr (Colman) to infiltrate the criminal's organization. The first season sees Pine as a regular guy who gets involved in espionage out of near-happenstance, while the second season finds him more seasoned. A third is on the way. Stream The Night Manager on Prime Video.
The Night Agent (2023– )
An action drama that plays a bit like a spy thriller, The Night Agent stars Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent who works overnights in the basement of the White House watching a phone that never, ever rings. Until...it does. Peter gets a call from Rose Larkin, a cybersecurity expert whose aunt and uncle were just killed and, unbeknownst to her, were also government operatives. Rescuing Rose puts Peter deep inside a web of conspiracy and official corruption. (This is why I never answer the phone.) Stream The Night Agent on Netflix.
SEAL Team (2017–2024)
David Boreanaz is Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (a title, apparently) Jason Hayes, leader of a Navy SEAL team. There's plenty of military and undercover action of the type that you'd expect, but the show begins in the wake of the unexpected death of a team member, setting the stage for the show's unexpected emphasis on the aftermath of action, and the toll taken by service and loss on lives and families. Stream SEAL Team on Paramount+ and Netflix.
Dark Hearts (2023– )
See, initially, during the 2016 Mosul Offensive, this strikingly realistic (at least, it feels that way) series drops us into the middle of an elite French special forces unit on the ground in Iraq, even though France has no official presence in the conflict. They're tasked with exfiltrating the child of a prominent IS leader, one who's offering assistance and cooperation only if the French are able to hold up their end of the bargain. For the women and men involved, it's an extremely complicated (downright messy, frankly) situation with impossible choices made by people who may or may not be making things worse. The vibe is very Hurt Locker. Stream Dark Hearts on The Roku Channel.
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