Apple TV+’s Slow Horses follows a dysfunctional group of British intelligence officers who, as a result of their career-ending mistakes and failures, are housed at MI5’s “dumping ground” department called Slough House.

It’s wonderful to immerse within the Slow Horses and Espionage universe, but for fans looking for more intriguing spy drama, there are several other series like it. The British spy genre is prevalent in the program, which is adored for its slow-moving action and morally gray characters. Thankfully, there are several excellent espionage shows like Slow Horses available that fans can binge that have a similar vibe to the Apple TV+ show.

35. ‘Liaison’ (2023)

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

Apple TV+’s first French-English original series, Liaison tells the story of Gabriel Delage (Vincent Cassel) and Alison Rowdy (Eva Green), two intelligence agents and former lovers, who are put together on a task force to thwart international cyberattacks threatening the world. As they combat external threats, Alison and Gabriel must also learn to confront their past demons and long-buried secrets that could prove to be disastrous for their future as well as that of their mission.

Liaison, like Slow Horses, is also a high-stakes contemporary spy thriller and packs an intense, multilayered plot with political and espionage thriller elements. But the narrative of the French-English series is more character-focused, and leans more towards the passionate and enduring romance between the protagonists, which often feels clichéd. The series earned mixed reviews from the audience but earned praise for the leading performances by Eva Green and Vincent Cassel, which sparked great on-screen chemistry.

34. ‘The Agency’ (2024–)

Created by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth

Led by Michael Fassbender and Jodie Turner-Smith, The Agency follows covert CIA agent Brandon Colby, codename ‘Martian’ (Fassbender), who is ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to his station. When his love interest, Dr. Samia Fatima ‘Sami’ Zahir (Turner-Smith) from his past life reappears, reigniting the romance, Martian finds himself pitting his mission and duties for his nation against his emotions in a dangerous game of international espionage. Richard Gere, Jeffrey Wright, and Katherine Waterston round up the show’s ensemble cast.

A remake of the highly acclaimed French series Le Bureau des Légendes, The Agency matches the tone and pace of its parent show. Still, it stands out with its distinctive storytelling style, intriguing plot lines, and remarkable cinematography, amplified by Fassbender’s solid performance. Like Slow Horses, The Agency revives the spy thriller genre with a contemporary narrative on spycraft, more so by focusing on its psychological and emotional impact on agents.

33. ‘The Night Agent’ (2023–)

Created by Shawn Ryan

A Neftlix spy drama series, The Night Agent follows an FBI agent, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) who is drawn into a massive plot involving a mole at the highest levels of the American government. He embarks on a desperate search for the traitor in order to preserve the country, all the while defending former CEO Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) from the assassins of her aunt and uncle.

Similar to Slow Horses, another book-based television program, The Night Agent captivates viewers with a compelling plot, loads of action, and faithfulness to the original source material. Although the series’ storyline isn’t a genre breakthrough, its execution is amusing, and engaging, and does a good job of keeping viewers glued to their seats.

32. ‘Rabbit Hole’ (2023–)

Created by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Rabbit Hole is a recently released spy thriller series that centers on a corporate spy John Weir (Kiefer Sutherland) who is skilled at deceit and destroying lives. On his final mission, a mystery cabal frames him for murder and turns the tables on him, giving him a taste of his own medicine. As a result, he is forced to play a cat-and-mouse game to free himself.

The appeal of Rabbit Hole is due to a command of key elements, including a snappy narrative, disciplined execution, and a carefully chosen cast led by Sutherland’s captivating and authoritative character. Moreover, the viewers are increasingly confident that Sutherland’s inner Jack Bauer will surface as they delve deeper into this rabbit hole.

31. ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ (2023–)

Created by Taylor Sheridan

Starring A-listers like Zoë Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman, Special Ops: Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program. Also known as Lioness, the series follows a young Marine, Joe McNamara, who is recruited to spearhead the CIA’s war on terror and lead an undercover operation that enlists female operatives known as Lionesses. Featuring dangerous missions and clandestine security operations, Special Ops: Lioness joins the ranks of popular thriller shows like Jack Ryan.

Special Ops: Lioness is a reminder that Taylor Sheridan is equally convincing with crime thrillers as he is with Westerns. Like Slow Horses, Special Ops: Lioness is also a spy thriller, but it digs deeper into the espionage operations, as well as the psychological impacts of the missions on the protagonists. Even though the series has received overall mixed reviews for its story and narrative, its cast performance and cinematography are praiseworthy; Saldaña’s convincing portrayal of Joe in particular.

30. ‘Monsieur Spade’ (2024)

Created by Scott Frank and Tom Fontana

From the Emmy-winning creators of The Queen’s Gambit and Oz, comes this gripping neo-noir thriller based on the popular fictional detective, Sam Spade, created by Dashiell Hammett. Set in 1963, Monsieur Spade follows the titular private detective during his peaceful retirement in the French countryside of Bozouls. But when six nuns of the town are brutally killed, and simultaneously, an old enemy returns, Spade is forced to leave the serenity behind and chase the mystery. Monsieur Spade marks the first television adaptation of Hammett’s fan-favorite character and acts like a sequel to the 1930 novel.

Clive Owen makes a lasting impression with his portrayal of the rugged yet riveting detective, only made better by the show’s cinematography. By reprising the most popular American sleuth of the 20th century, the AMC original serves as a refreshing entry in the genre. A gritty crime thriller at its heart, Monsieur Spade is what Slow Horses would be if it was set in the 1960s.

29. ‘Alex Rider’ (2020–2024)

Created by Guy Burt

The British thriller series narrates the thrilling adventures of the titular protagonist, based on the novel series of the same name by Anthony Horowitz in the second screen adaptation. In Alex Rider, Otto Farrant stars as the London teenager who gets recruited by MI6 to investigate his uncle’s mysterious death involving a controversial corrective academy for the elite.

While Alex Rider is a very contemporary espionage show like Slow Horses, it manages to stay as stylish and slick as classic British spy thrillers. Despite a slow start, the series quickly gained momentum among genre fans and has been praised for its storytelling, pacing, worldbuilding, and character journeys. Focusing on a teen protagonist with a Spider-Man-like backstory, Alex Rider is a coming-of-age show at heart delivered in a thrilling spy adventure narrative. Farrant delivers a very fitting teen agent who discovers skills and tricks he never knew he had, balancing high-stakes missions and super-charged action sequences with sentimental, character-defining moments.

28. ‘The Day of the Jackal’ (2024–)

Created by Ronan Bennett

Eddie Redmayne stars as the highly skilled titular assassin and a master of disguise, in this spy thriller based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel of the same name and a modern reimagination of the eponymous 1973 film. The Day of the Jackal centers on a highly elusive and ruthless assassin, who is only known by his alias, The Jackal. When his latest assignment involving a high-profile politician attracts the attention of the relentless intelligence officer, Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch), it puts them in a thrilling but deadly, globe-trotting cat-and-mouse chase.

With its well-executed actions, intense and audacious missions, and an agent’s persistent pursuit of the reptilian assassin, the series is comparable to shows like Killing Eve, only darker in tone, and is sure to thrill fans of Slow Horses as well. A taut crime drama written into a high-octane and stylish narrative, The Day of the Jackal has been acclaimed for being faithful to the original story and Redmayne’s compelling performance, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

27. ‘Condor’ (2018–2020)

Created by Todd Katzberg, Jason Smilovic, and Ken Robinson

A television adaptation of James Grady’s novel, Six Days of the Condor, and its 1975 film adaptation by Sydney Pollack, Condor follows Joe Turner (Max Irons), a young CIA analyst who joins the agency with the idea of reforming the system from within. After he learns about a secret plan that could kill millions and all his coworkers are massacred, Joe finds his idealism questioned and sets out on a mission to find the culprits and stop an apocalyptic outcome.

Condor bears all the right elements of a well-crafted thriller of the 21st century, like Slow Horses. And yet, the series never aims to be realistic, and simultaneously maintains the nostalgia of fantastical espionage shows like Alias or Nikita. Its slick and sleek settings, characters, and propulsive pace, supported by solid cast performances makes it a highly engaging and entertaining spy thriller series that merits more than what its two seasons can offer.

26. ‘The Ipcress File’ (2022)

Created by James Watkins and John Hodge

Loosely taken from Len Deighton’s eponymous 1962 novel, the television series marks the second screen adaptation of the same, following the Michael Caine-led 1965 film. A Cold War spy thriller, The Ipcress File follows British Army Corporal Harry Palmer, who moonlights as a smuggler between East and West Berlin. When caught for his crime, Harry agrees to work as an undercover spy for the British Intelligence and find a missing nuclear scientist, in exchange for his freedom. Joe Cole stars as Harry Palmer, reprising a role that became Michael Caine’s breakout in 1965.

A gripping thriller about an underdog using only his survival skills and connections to save the day, The Ipcress File’s Harry has a lot in common with Slow Horses’ Slough House team. Set in 1963, the series feels atmospheric and compelling in its narrative with all the quintessential tension and grungy vibe of the Cold War that quickly gets your mind racing with intrigue.

25. ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ (2018–2023)

Created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland

Inspired by the iconic character created by author Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan follows the titular character, played by John Krasinski, as he is drawn into the world of international espionage and counterterrorism as he investigates complex threats and confronts dangerous adversaries.

Jack Ryan combines pulse-pounding action sequences, political intrigue, and character-driven drama, making it a captivating and contemporary take on the espionage genre. In addition, Jack Ryan is well-received by both critics and fans alike for its realistic portrayal of geopolitical tensions and its exploration of the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by intelligence professionals.

24. ‘The Outlaws’ (2021–)

Created by Elgin James and Stephen Merchant

A fantastic show on Prime Video right now, The Outlaws centers on seven strangers from various backgrounds who are compelled to work together in Bristol to finish a Community Payback term. But, they discover a sack full of cash without realizing its true owners are quite dangerous, and their luck changes.

The show is humorous and unexpectedly tense, and it functions as a more upbeat and colorful crime caper than Slow Horses‘ somber tone. The Outlaws also does an excellent job of discussing and subsequently linking various sociopolitical and economic concerns that particular members of minorities face in an engaging way.

23. ‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

Developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa

Homeland is an espionage thriller TV series adapted from the Israeli series Prisoners of War that centers on Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA officer with bipolar, and Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a Marine Corps Scout Sniper. Mathison believes that Brody was “converted” by the enemy and now poses a threat to the nation since he was held captive by Al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war.

Homeland excels as both a riveting thriller and a gripping interpersonal drama thanks to the superb talent on both sides of the camera. Also, the series juggles a variety of mini-dramas and subplots, thankfully none of which prove to be frightening or perplexing due to their pleasant and seamless introduction.

22. ‘Alias’ (2001–2006)

Created by J. J. Abrams

Alias is a spy drama with a bit of science fiction that centers on Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) double agent who poses as a member of the international criminal and espionage group SD-6. Sydney later discovers that SD-6 is a part of the Alliance of 12, an organization that is trying to take over the world.

Even though the plot might seem perplexing at times, Alias charms the audience with its brilliant action sequences, excellent storytelling, and likable characters. The interestingly clever decision to combine espionage and science fiction to create a hybrid that may be accurately referred to as “spy-fi” makes Alias a must-watch show for a genre mashup.

21. ‘The Spy’ (2019)

Created by Gideon Raff

Based on the true story of Eli Cohen, who successfully infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s and gathered crucial intelligence on their military activities and plans, The Spy is a miniseries that offers a gripping and intense look at the life of Cohen, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen in a striking departure from his usual comedic roles.

Cohen’s double existence is explored in The Spy as he juggles his obligations as a family man with his risky covert profession in this dramatic and thrilling drama. Additionally, the performance by Sacha Baron Cohen is astounding, displaying both his acting range and his capacity to capture the nuanced personality of a real-life spy.

20. ’24’ (2001–2010)

Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran

24 is an action drama TV series that follows a counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). Each season uses a real-time narrator to take viewers through 24 straight hours of Bauer’s life. Moreover, each episode contains a number of interconnected narratives, many of which involve Bauer’s contacts in dangerous situations.

24 stands out from other movies in the genre thanks to its tension, complexity, and novel concept. It’s a suspenseful thriller with genuine thrills and a captivating mystery along with an assortment of odd events, unsettling individuals, and ominous shadows. Moreover, Sutherland immediately convinces the audience that this character is real with his succinct and brilliant performance.

19. ‘Tehran’ (2020–)

Created by Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden, and Maor Kohn

Tehran tells the story of the Mossad computer hacker-agent Tamar Rabinyan (Niv Sultan) whose first assignment takes place in the titular city, a hostile and dangerous place where she was born. Tamar goes rogue to Tehran after the Mossad mission fails, rediscovering her Persian heritage and falling in love with a pro-democracy activist.

Tehran departs from preconceived notions about Iran and emphasizes the variety of complex attitudes that the Iranian people have toward their government. The show may be dark at times, but it nonetheless offers plenty of espionage action for those seeking to watch more agents undercover action on TV like Tehran.

18. ‘Treason’ (2022)

Created by Matt Charman

This British spy thriller series comes from Academy Award-nominated Matt Charman of Bridge of Spies fame and explores internal conflicts and politics in espionage like Slow Horses. Treason follows MI6 agent Adam Lawrence, whose life takes a drastic turn when his boss is poisoned and he is made the new head. After a reunion with a Russian spy, Adam begins to question his entire life and career, setting on a quest to find his place in the world of spies while juggling politics, investigation, and his family’s safety.

The spy drama miniseries features Daredevil star Charlie Cox as MI6 agent Adam Lawrence in a compelling performance of a man torn between his good intentions and past failures. Treason is a short and breezy series with only five episodes, but it delivers ample thrills with double-crossing agents and high-stakes espionage operations.

17. ‘Burn Notice’ (2007–2013)

Created by Matt Nix

Burn Notice follows Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan), a highly skilled covert operative who, after being inexplicably “burned” by his own agency, finds himself blacklisted and stranded in Miami. To survive and uncover the truth behind his burn notice, Westen utilizes his exceptional spy skills, aided by a colorful cast of characters.

Burn Notice strikes a unique balance between espionage action, humor, and character-driven drama, making it an engaging and enduring part of the spy genre. Moreover, the show has been well-received for its character development, action sequences, and depiction of the espionage world, making it a series that appeals to fans of both action and espionage thrillers.

16. ‘Chuck’ (2007–2012)

Created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak

Chuck is an action-comedy/spy drama that follows Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) when he receives an encrypted e-mail from a former classmate who is now employed by the CIA. The message causes the CIA and the NSA to give Chuck handlers and use him on top-secret operations because it embeds the sole copy of a software program holding the most important American spy secrets into Chuck’s brain.

Chuck contains the alluring charm of the comedy genre and also the incredibly amusing journey of the spy drama that creates an interesting show where fans get to meet the seamless collaboration of secret operatives and high-tech nerds. Additionally, the cast is equally talented and has great chemistry, upping the quality as well as the comedy aspect of the show.

15. ‘In From the Cold’ (2022)

Created by Adam Glass

From the writer-producer of shows like Criminal Minds and Supernatural comes this spy thriller starring Margarita Levieva as mother and former Russian agent whose life is turned upside down when her past returns to haunt her. In From the Cold follows Anya Petrova/The Whisper, a former Russian spy and assassin who lives a double life in the United States as a recently divorced single mother, Jenny Franklin. While escorting her daughter to a figure skating championship, Jenny’s past gets exposed, forcing her to choose between her family’s safety and returning to her past. In From the Cold is unique in its concept and characterization where Jenny/Anya is not just a Cold War-era secret agent but genetically modified to be a shape-shifting spy. Unlike most spy thrillers, this Netflix original series blends sci-fi and spy action into a quirky yet thrilling narrative.

14. ‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

Directed by Susanne Bier

The Night Manager is a spy drama miniseries that is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carré. The show follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a night manager at a five-star hotel in Cairo and a former British soldier, who is hired by Angela Burr (Olivia Colman), the head of a Foreign Office task team to look into shady operations of the arms dealer, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

The Night Manager‘s riveting immediacy is a result of screenwriter David Farr‘s updating of the script with references to current crises in the Middle East by the time it was released. The intriguing direction of Susanne Bier and the superb ensemble hold the viewer’s attention, especially Hiddleston, while the stunning setting and the attractive cast give it a grimy glamor.

13. ‘The Blacklist’ (2013–2023)

Created by Jon Bokenkamp

The Blacklist revolves around the enigmatic and charismatic criminal mastermind Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader), who voluntarily surrenders to the FBI and offers to help them apprehend some of the most dangerous and elusive criminals in the world. Moreover, there is an exciting and complex cat-and-mouse game between Reddington and the FBI, especially with his designated handler Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone).

The series blends aspects of crime drama with espionage, and viewers look forward to each new episode of The Blacklist because of its sophisticated narrative twists and fascinating characters. Moreover, what sets the show apart is Spader’s magnetic performance as Reddington, a character who is equal parts charming, cunning, and mysterious.

12. ‘Deutschland 83’ (2015)

Created by Anna Winger and Joerg Winger

Deutschland 83 follows a 24-year-old East German native, played by Jonas Nay, who is transferred to West Germany in 1983 as an undercover agent for the HVA, the Stasi’s foreign intelligence service. His actions as a new spy frequently jeopardize his cover and prompt his organization to take drastic steps.

Although the writers of Deutschland 83 have changed the facts, they have successfully recreated the drama of those crucial hours when large numbers of East Berliners passed through Checkpoint Charlie. The program was also able to cover all the essential elements of a classic spy thriller, including tone, intrigue, and drama.

11. ‘A Spy Among Friends’ (2022)

Directed by Nick Murphy

Based on the 2014 spy novel of the same name by Ben Macintyre, A Spy Among Friends is set in England in 1963 and follows a British intelligence officer for SIS, Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) who is devastated to find that Kim Philby (Guy Pearce), his close friend and colleague, has been covertly serving as a double agent for the KGB and had deserted to the Soviet Union.

Smart and razor-sharp, A Spy Among Friends delivers a tale that most North American audiences are likely unfamiliar with in a very British way. Despite its complex storyline and fertile ambiguity, the show doesn’t lose sight of the more fundamental, universal story it conveys about the anguish of betrayal. It also offers outstanding performances from its leading actors.

10. ‘The Game’ (2014–2015)

Created by Toby Whithouse

The Game is a six-part British Cold War spy thriller miniseries set in London in 1972. It relates the story of the covert conflict MI5, played by Tom Hughes, waged while fighting to defend the country from Cold War dangers.

The show shines in the crucial areas that an espionage drama cannot get wrong: ambiance, suspense, and tone. In addition, The Game is a beautifully put-together piece that doesn’t contain a transparent and straightforward plot but one that oozes out hints and dollops of background information for viewers to constantly think about throughout the show.

9. ‘Kleo’ (2022–)

Created by Hanno Hackfort, Richard Kropf, and Bob Konrad

Set in the late 1980s, the German spy thriller comedy is essentially a revenge thriller story about the titular character Kleo Straub (Jella Haase), a former East German Stasi assassin. The story of Kleo begins in 1987 when Straub successfully kills a double agent in West Berlin but is falsely arrested by her agency and imprisoned. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, she sets out to seek revenge on everyone who framed her while Sven Petzold (Dimitrij Schaad), an underappreciated West Berlin police officer, sets out to stop her quest.

Kleo is fast-paced and highly entertaining, with stylized spy action and gripping plotlines. With two seasons and 14 episodes under its belt, the Netflix series has been highly praised for its story, characterization, pace, and Haase’s portrayal of a gritty spy.

8. ‘Killing Eve’ (2018–2022)

Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge

BBC adaptation of Luke Jennings’ novel series, Villanelle, Killing Eve follows the titular MI5 investigator, who is tasked with finding the notorious and elusive assassin, Villanelle/Oksana Astankova. What begins as a mission to take down an international criminal, turns into a complicated and intimate game of obsession, when the hunter and the hunted find themselves strangely drawn to each other. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer star as Eve and Villanelle, respectively, in remarkable performances that won them several awards and accolades.

Killing Eve is colorful and quirky unlike Slow Horses, but it is as thrilling as the Apple TV+ original with ample action, suspense, and drama. The love-hate chemistry between Eve and Villanelle remains the crux of the series. Killing Eve is a quirky, funny, and thrilling series with remarkable character design, styling, music, and action choreography, that is sure to appeal to genre fans.

7. ‘The Old Man’ (2022–)

Created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine

The Old Man follows Academy Award-winner Jeff Bridges as the protagonist, Dan Chase, a former CIA operative who has been living off the grid for 30 years. After an assassin tries to kill him, Chase goes into hiding again, while FBI’s Harold Harper (John Lithgow), who has a complicated past with Chase tries to hunt him down.

The Old Man is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, and like the Apple TV+ series, also focuses on an older protagonist which lends a much-needed gravitas to the spy thriller narrative. It’s gripping, bold, and sharp, like any good spy thriller should be, and is every bit as thrilling as Slow Horses. The first season of The Old Man was highly acclaimed and earned two Primetime Emmy nominations, and the show only continues to impress.

6. ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

The Little Drummer Girl is another renowned spy thriller miniseries based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name. The show follows a promising English actress (Florence Pugh) who is chosen by Mossad to infiltrate an organization that is planning terrorism against Europe after a bomb detonates inside the residence of an Israeli attaché in West Germany.

The charming and competent Pugh masterfully brings to life the one and only le Carré adaptation featuring a female lead. This is complemented by director Park Chan-Wook’s skill at building suspense and his impeccable interpretative work, which makes the show not only a notable adaptation but also one of the best British spy series.

5. ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ (2013–2020)

Created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen

As part of the MCU, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. follows a team of agents working for the secret government organization S.H.I.E.L.D. as they investigate and confront various extraordinary and superhuman threats. The series is notable for its interconnectedness with the larger MCU, with storylines and characters often tying into events from the Marvel films.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. transformed throughout the course of its seven-season run from a procedural to a sophisticated and ambitious story that investigated time travel, parallel universes, and the effects of superhuman talents. Moreover, the show appeals to both Marvel fans and those searching for a gripping and long-running series that delves into the complicated world of espionage and superhuman abilities thanks to its blend of action, science fiction, and drama.

4. ‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Created by Joe Weisberg

The Americans centers on Elizabeth (played by Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), two Soviet KGB spies disguised as a married American couple residing in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. with their children. Following the viewpoints of spies on both sides, it also investigates the tension between the FBI office in Washington and the KGB Rezidentura.

The seamless balance between spy hijinks and a genuine drama about an unconventional marriage and two people reaching a turning point in their relationship is what makes The Americans so intriguing. Moreover, shootouts, chases in cars, disguises, and unusual wigs will delight viewers as the tension builds minute by minute, making it one of the best spy series ever made.

3. ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2024–)

Created by Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover

Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as the titular couple, Mr. & Mrs. Smith follows two strangers who agree to become secret agents for a clandestine organization, pose as a married couple, and undertake espionage missions. Although Mr. & Mrs. Smith is inspired by the 2005 film of the same name, the narrative is vastly different. The Prime Video original uses the lead characters as two strangers paired up to work undercover, while their skills and relationship dynamics are put to a test, focusing on the working chemistry of the couple.

The first season of Mr. & Mrs. Smith earned great accolades for the excellent cast performance, with Erskine and Glover earning Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their acting. Considered one of the best thriller titles on the streamer since its release, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is highly acclaimed for delivering a fast-paced narrative balancing relationship drama with high-stakes spy hijinks.

2. ‘Black Doves’ (2024)

Created by Joe Barton

This British thriller series comes from Joe Barton, best known for creating shows like Giri/Haji and The Lazarus Project. Black Doves tells the story of Helen, an agent from the titular intelligence agency, whose cover gets blown when her lover, Jason (Andrew Koji) is suddenly murdered. To find Jason’s killer and uncover the truth, Helen seeks the help of a fellow spy and old friend, before her alias life is exposed and upended. Keira Knightley stars as Helen and Ben Wishaw as Sam, with their respective performances earning glowing reviews.

Black Doves has been praised for its gripping, noir-style narrative, which is a reminder of classic British espionage stories, packed with plot twists, action, and witty humor, like Slow Horses. Although billed as a thriller, Black Doves successfully blends genres and delivers a unique story of love, friendship, and spy craft that can keep you engaged all the way to the end.

1. ‘Counterpart’ (2017–2019)

Created by Justin Marks

Counterpart is a sci-fi espionage drama that follows Howard Silk (J. K. Simmons), a kind and quiet office worker who has been employed by the Office of Interchange (OI), a United Nations organization with offices in Berlin for 30 years. Silk later learns that his organization guards the checkpoint crossing into a parallel dimension and the only person he can trust is his nearly identical counterpart from this parallel universe.

The show may take a while to get going, but with each episode, it becomes a little more worthwhile. If Philip K. Dick and John Le Carré had a TV series together, that show would be this show. Moreover, with two mesmerizing performances from Simmons and amazing worldbuilding by show creator, Justin Marks, Counterpart is the perfect harmony between sci-fi and espionage thriller that fans cannot skip.

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