Netflix has done it again. The world’s top streaming service has delivered another top-tier TV show – The Night Agent – that has taken the world by storm.
Based on Matthew Quirk’s book of the same name, the politically charged spy thriller has skyrocketed to the top of Netflix’s TV chart since its release on March 23. The Night Agent‘s 168.7 million hours watched, making it the second most-streamed Netflix series of 2023 to date. In brief: The Night Agent is Netflix’s new TV show baby. Not surprising, The Night Agent season 2 is also on the way. And yes, you can expect it to make it onto our list of the best Netflix shows soon.
If you’ve completed the 10-episode series, you’re definitely looking for similar genres to fill the void in your streaming calendar. Lucky for you, TechRadar’s entertainment experts have your back. Below are seven spy-based action shows you can watch on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus, and more. You can thank us later for posting the hard yards.
Here, then, are seven TV shows similar to Netflix’s The Night Agent.
treason
Where to watch: Netflix
This spy thriller miniseries, starring Marvel actors Charlie Cox (Daredevil: Born Again) and Olga Kurylenko (Black Widow), is a criminally underrated Netflix series that will keep you guessing until its final episode.
treason tells the story of MI6 Deputy Chief Adam Lawrence (Cox), who is appointed as the agency’s new leader when the previous MI6 head, Sir Martin Angelis (Ciaran Hinds), is nearly fatally poisoned by Russian spy Kara Yusova (Kurylenko) ). Secrets about Lawrence’s past – including his ties to Yusova – soon come to light, forcing Lawrence to flee with his family. Start an exciting game of cat and mouse as shocking revelations and betrayals put the lives of Lawrence, his wife Maddy (Oona Chaplin), his children and Yusova in grave danger.
Matt Charman’s latest TV offering takes itself a little too seriously, and the ending is a little anticlimactic. Still, great performances treason‘s cast, its frantic and suspenseful plot and captivating twists and turns provide enough style and substance to make it worth checking out. Before you watch, read our exclusive chat with Charman and Cox about how Netflix’s Treason asks: What if 007 puts his family before the country?
Available to stream worldwide on Netflix.
Archer
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and Hulu
Looking for some more comedy from your spy thriller series? Attempt Archerthe popular adult animated spy sitcom that is one of the most consistently brilliant shows out there.
The series follows Sterling Archer (Jon H. Benjamin), a narcissistic and womanizing secret agent who works for the dysfunctional International Secret Intelligence Service. Joining Archer in the spy game are his snarky mother and former bureau chief Malory (Jessica Archer), openly gay bomb specialist Ray Gillette (Adam Reed), and professional field agent Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler).
With its brilliant parody of the espionage genre, anachronistic Cold War-esque setting, wonderfully distinctive characters and amusingly coarse sensibilities, it’s no wonder Archer is regarded as one of the best animated series of recent years. With 13 seasons of 8 to 13 episodes each – all of which are around 20 minutes long – you can binge Archer in one weekend. Don’t blame us if you end up doing that, mind you.
All 13 seasons are available to stream on Disney Plus and Hulu in the US and on Netflix in the UK. The first 10 seasons can also be streamed on Prime Video on UK shores. Finally, the first 12 seasons can be seen on Netflix in Australia.
Native country
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus
Few spy-based shows have been as popular as Native country was in the 2010s – and rightly so. The political thriller starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis was a titan of the espionage genre upon its initial release, with captivating leads, a thrilling upside-down story that instantly hooked viewers, and a thematic exploration of the War on Terror . It was truly a series that tapped into the political landscape and public consciousness like no other.
What is it about? Carrie Mathison (Danes), a bipolar CIA operations officer, is transferred to the CIA Counter Terrorism Center after conducting an unauthorized mission in Iraq. In her new role, Mathison’s world collides with that of Nicholas Brody (Lewis), a U.S. Navy sergeant who is rescued from an al-Qaeda compound eight years after going missing and hailed upon his return to the U.S. war hero. However, it isn’t long before Mathison begins to believe that Brody poses a serious threat to the US — an assumption that Native country‘s eight season long story in motion. Put it on your watchlist ASAP.
Available on Hulu and Disney Plus in the US, Netflix in the UK, and Disney Plus and 9Now in Australia.
The night manager
Where to watch: Prime video
Is there an author who has had more influence on the espionage genre than John le Carré? James Bond creator Ian Fleming, yes, but there aren’t many others who can claim to have had such an impact on this storytelling class as the British-Irish novelist.
Given the popularity of Le Carré’s extensive works, it is not surprising that many of his books have been adapted to the big and small screens. One of the more recent live-action TV adaptations of its back catalog is The night managera six-part series based on le Carré’s book of the same name, which garnered critical acclaim upon release (initially on BBC One in the UK and AMC in the US).
The Night Manager tells the story of Jonathan Pine (Loki actor Tom Hiddleston), an ex-British soldier and the titular night manager who has retreated to the world he left behind. Ordered by Angela Burr (Olivia Colman), leader of the State Department task force, to infiltrate the inner circle of illegal arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), Pine soon finds himself in over his head in an international political chess match in which no one is who they seem.
A taut, suspenseful miniseries complete with towering performances from Hiddleston, Laurie, Colman, Tom Hollander (Major Lance Corcoran) and Elizabeth Debicki (Jemima Marshall)? Yes please. One that will soon make it to our list of the best Prime Video shows.
The Night Manager can be seen worldwide on Prime Video.
Slow horses
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Apple’s streaming service has been steadily pushing to make itself relevant with plenty of high-quality TV offerings. And with a veritable plethora of prestigious shows (read our best Apple TV Plus shows for more) receiving critical acclaim, it succeeded.
One of the highest performing and fan favorite TV series is Slow horses, a London-based spy thriller packed with witty and sarcastic humour, compelling characters and espionage-based action. Iconic actor Gary Oldman is easily the best part of the show, but there’s a lot more to love about this somewhat underrated spy series.
For the uninitiated: Slow horses Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, the slovenly and rude head of Slough House – aka the purgatory-style MI5 division where rejected personnel (known as Slow Horses, hence the title of the show) are sent. However, much to the chagrin of MI5 Deputy General Diana Taverner (Kirstin Scott Thomas), Lamb and the rest of the supposedly clumsy Slow Horses squad regularly (and unintentionally) get involved in stopping plots threatening the UK.
Seasons 1 and 2 of Slow Horses are available worldwide on Apple TV Plus.
Rabbit hole
Where to watch: Paramount plus
Like it The Night Agent, Rabbit hole is a relative newcomer to the spy thriller genre. A Paramount Plus exclusive – one that could make it to our top Paramount Plus shows – it shines 24 alumnus Keifer Sutherland as John Weir, a corporate spy framed for murder by a mysterious group of individuals. Somewhat expected, Weir goes on the run as he tries to clear his name.
Rabbit holeThe first two episodes of ‘s didn’t debut on Paramount’s streaming service until March 26, so it’s hard to say if it will run out before the Season 1 finale arrives. Critics have suggested that this might be the case Rabbit hole already turns itself inside out with its elaborately convoluted story. Others, however, believe that Sutherland’s welcome return to the spy world will give the series plenty of traction and keep audiences captivated through its 10-episode initial run. This is one to check out if you are an avid Sutherland fan, a diehard 24 enthusiast, or even just a casual viewer looking for something new to watch.
Rabbit Hole is available on Paramount Plus in the UK, Australia and the US.
Andor
Where to watch: Disney Plus
In our Andor review, we named it the best Star Wars show to debut on Disney Plus, and there’s a very good reason for that. Yes, The Mandalorian is up there, but Andor is unlike anything else we’ve seen in Lucasfilm’s storied sci-fi franchise – not least because it’s a spy thriller set in the confines of the Star Wars universe.
The series created by Tony Gilroy is set five years earlier Star Wars: Villain One. It charts the rise of the Rebel Alliance through the eyes of thief-turned-spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), who finds purpose in helping the burgeoning rebellion fight against the Galactic Empire. Events in the show’s first season took place in the first of the aforementioned five years. The second season in development will take place between years two and five, in a 12-episode episode that will lead directly into Villain OneShakespearean tragedy-inspired plot.
Given its placement in the Star Wars universe, Andor will all kinds of wow Star Wars fans. However, its multi-genre streak – sci-fi, action-adventure, spy thriller, and political drama – makes it a compelling and highly entertaining watch for any viewer. Star Wars and thriller fans will enjoy the compelling story, morally complex characters, and grand set pieces.
Andor Season 1 is streaming worldwide on Disney Plus.