10 More Shows To Invade Your Screens
Secret Invasion is the latest espionage series straight out of Marvel Studios. Unlike the comic book’s Avenger-level threat, Secret Invasion is much closer to a grounded spy drama.
If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for similar picks, we’ve got you covered! To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have as well.
Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Secret Invasion.
Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Similarities – MCU & Thriller Elements
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. dropped on our screens just after the events of The Avengers. Following the battle for New York, a changed world now knows that aliens exist – and a whole army of superheroes live among us.
In response to this, Phil Coulson assembles an elite covert team to find and deal with any and all threats whenever they’re found.
With a world rapidly becoming more ruthless than before, these Agents of SH.I.E.L.D. embark on a series of exciting and dangerous missions.
Tying in nicely to the events within the MCU, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is arguably the closest you’ll come to finding a similar show to Secret Invasion, at least when it comes to the moments outside the anomaly and working within the show’s universe.
Fringe (Season 2 onwards)
Similarities – Paranoia & Thriller Aspects
Fringe feels like a modern day X-Files, taking what made that show so great and adding a scientific edge to proceedings. The later seasons are absolutely fantastic and add some really shocking twists to the fold too, breathing new life into this show.
Specifically, we’re looking at season 2 and beyond for Fringe, which does change the complexity of the series and works to add in elements of Secret Invasion’s tone and mystery.
Fronting these various cases is F.B.I. agent called Olivia Dunham, who’s forced to work with an institutionalized scientist named Walter Bishop. Together with Walter’s estranged son Peter, they start to uncover various strange phenomena. These episodic cases are mixed in with a larger conspiracy that engulfs the series.
Fringe expertly blends these two narrative arcs together and tops it off with an excellent dynamic between the characters, growing and evolving over time to produce a really gripping sci-fi series.
You can read our thoughts on Fringe in our full season review here!
Counterpart
The interesting thing with Counterpart is just how normalized its sci-fi elements are. Here, we’re dealing with parallel worlds, and in particular one that’s accessible via a pathway guarded by government authorities.
At the centre of this lies Howard Silk who inadvertently winds up entangled in a big cover up and face to face with his doppelganger from a parallel reality.
Trouble is brewing though, leading Howard and his double to trade places and grapple with a plot line involving powerful forces intent on disrupting the natural flow of both worlds.
This is a smartly written thriller and although only running for 2 seasons, does well to add a paranoia-inducing and mysterious flavour to its parallel worlds idea.
You can read our thoughts on Counterpart in our full season reviews here!
Travelers
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Themes
At first glance you’d be forgiven for writing off Travelers as another generic sci-fi show. After all, a collection of people coming together to try to stop the world from total annihilation is hardly the most original of ideas.
Where Travelers stands out though, is the unique way it manages to weave its unique premise through a well written plot and believable, complex characters.
The story takes place 100’s of years from now, as surviving humans discover how to send their consciousness back through time into people of the 21st century. Desperate to change the fateful path of humanity, Travelers combines mystery, action and tension to great effect.
The show does well to conclude its three season run too with an epic finale that does just about enough to conclude this tale on a high. However, it also leaves the door open for a possible reboot further down the line.
You can read our thoughts on Travelers in our full season reviews here!
Spooks
Similarities – Tension, Paranoia & High Stakes
Spooks, also known as “MI-5” in the US, is a British drama that follows the work of British intelligence officers working for MI-5, the UK’s domestic intelligence organization. The show revels in its high-stakes storylines involving national security threats, boasting a realistic depiction of the challenging ethical decisions faced by intelligence officers, and willingness to kill off main characters unexpectedly.
Spooks shares many of the key characteristics of espionage spy dramas like Secret Invasion, including undercover operations, surveillance, and a focus on the tension between personal relationships and professional duties. Spooks also does an exceptional job exploring the moral grey area inherent in intelligence work.
Invasion (ABC)
Similarities – Plot & Themes
Invasion is an American science fiction television series that aired on ABC from 2005 to 2006 before being cancelled. The show takes place in the aftermath of a hurricane in a small town in Florida, where a series of strange occurrences begin to take place, hinting at a potential alien invasion. The series focuses on the experiences of the local sheriff, his family, and other townspeople as they try to understand what is happening and how to respond.
While Invasion is primarily a science fiction series, it certainly shares some similarities with Secret Invasion. Those aforementioned ideas of conspiracy, secrecy, and paranoia, as well as an “us versus them” dynamic are all synonymous here too.
Agent Carter
Similarities – Strong Female Characters, Marvel
Set just after the events of Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter is one of the better live-action Marvel forays. The story here sees the war at an end and everyone mourning their losses. At the center of this is Agent Penny Carter who’s similarly reeling after losing Steve Rodgers.
Consumed by her own emotion, Penny’s problems are compounded when billionaire Howard Stark is accused of treason, leading him to secretly employ Carter in order to clear his name. With the help of Stark’s butler, Carter sets off on a dangerous journey full of controversy, danger and high octane thrills.
Despite only running for two seasons, Agent Carter is a really well polished production and certainly worth checking out if you’re a fan of Secret Invasion.
Homeland
Similarities – Espionage, Action
Homeland follows the story of a CIA officer, Carrie Mathison, who becomes convinced that Nicholas Brody, a U.S. Marine Sergeant rescued after being held captive by terrorists, has been turned and poses a threat to national security. The show revels in its suspenseful tone and thriller vibes, with plenty of espionage, terrorism, and national security issues. Not only that, but the show also explores Carrie’s personal struggles with mental illness.
Both shows involve intelligence officers working to uncover and stop terrorist threats, emphasizing the psychological toll this line of work can have on its agents.
Designated Survivor: 60 Days
Similarities – Action, rookie protagonists
A hidden gem that few may know about, Designated Survivor: 60 Days is a South Korean adaptation of the American series “Designated Survivor”, following Park Mu-jin, a low-level government minister, who suddenly becomes the acting president after a terrorist attack kills all high-ranking officials.
As a result, Park has 60 days to uncover the truth behind the attack and stabilize the country. Unlike the original, 60 Days’ tight-knit plot and bottled 16 episodes makes for a singular story rather than an open-ended venture, while the acting across the board is outstanding.
Both shows tackle global threats through the eyes of grounded law enforcement, and 60 Days is absolutely dripping in nail-biting tension too. When it comes to minimalist scenes involving characters talking in war rooms and plotting strategies, this one’s a must-watch.
You can read our full season review for Designated Survivor: 60 Days here!
Orphan Black
Similarities – Tone & Mystery
Smartly written and incredibly moreish, Orphan Black is a fascinating mystery box drama. The story centers on a street-wise chameleon known as Sarah. After witnessing a woman’s suicide, she assumes the stranger’s identity – who just so happens to look identical to her.
Believing she can make some easy money and clear out the girl’s savings, Sarah is thrust head-first into a crazy mystery as she slowly discovers the shocking truth. With an assassin on the loose, seemingly hunting her down, this cat and mouse game opens up in the best possible way.
Across the five seasons there’s some great drama and lots of action. This one’s a must-watch, especially for fans of Secret Invasion
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished with Secret Invasion on Disney+.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!