TV Shows Like The Agency
If slow-burn espionage thrillers are your jam, you’re in luck with this one. If you’ve finished watching The Agency, or are looking for shows with a similar plotline, tone or theme, we’ve got you covered!
We’ve combed through the archives and picked out out top 10 picks for alternate viewing. Oh, and to keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve also added what similarities these have.
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 The Agency.
Homeland
Similarities – Mystery & Drama
Running for 8 seasons, Homeland had quite the following when it dropped on our screens back in 2011. 9 years later, the show bows out with a decent finale that makes for a satisfying and compelling watch.
The story here revolves around a bipolar CIA operative who becomes convinced that a prisoner of war has been turned by Al-Qaeda.
Believing they’re planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil, this simple premise soon grows and evolves over time as relationships evolve and the true nature of what’s happening comes to the foreground.
The Americans (2013)
Similarities – Drama & Characters
Forget Spiderman; what if your friendly neighbors are actually Soviet spies? That’s the premise of The Americans, a TV series that chronicles the days and nights of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, two KGB agents posing as a married couple in 1980s America.
Critics have called it a gripping and realistic exploration of the moral dilemmas, personal conflicts, and political games that defined the Cold War era. Did you know? Both Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell won the Emmy and Golden Globe awards for their roles.
The Capture
Similarities – Conspiracy & Mystery
BBC drama The Capture is an intriguing drama let down by a cliffhanger ending that (at the time anyway) was uncertain to return for a second season. Well, thankfully BBC have renewed this which makes recommending it a lot easier. The show centers around a big conspiracy that sometimes gets a little too big for the 6 episodes on offer but it just about holds it together until the end.
When a British soldier called Shaun Emery is arrested, CCTV footage shows him assaulting a young woman he met the previous night. Only, Shaun Emery is adamant he didn’t do it. Tenacious young detective DI Rachel Carey then starts to look into his case in more detail, finding a shocking multi-layered conspiracy that challenges everything we know about security and surveillance.
If you don’t mind an open-ending, The Capture is certainly worth checking out.
You can read our thoughts on The Capture in our episode recaps here!
The Day of the Jackal (2024)
Similarities – Espionage & Action
The Day of the Jackal is a high-octane thrill ride, based on the riveting political thriller novel by English author Frederick Forsyth. The show has been reimagined for a modern audience and while that statement can sometimes be a red flag, that’s not the case for this one thankfully!
The show focuses on an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. However, the Jackal soon meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer, who tracks him down in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe.
This is definitely a fun, compelling thrill-ride, and worth sticking with for the long-haul. The second-half is much better than the first too, and there are some genuine nail-biting segments here too.
Counterpart
Similarities – Atmosphere
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 espionage thriller and although only running for 2 seasons, does well to add a slightly different flavour to its parallel worlds idea.
You can read our full season review for Counterpart here!
The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes)
Similarities – Atmosphere
The Bureau is actually the French original series that The Agency is based on, so of course it had to be on this list. The story takes you deep inside the DGSE, France’s intelligence agency, and focuses on the day-to-day lives of its undercover agents.
With meticulous attention to detail, The Bureau explores how operatives juggle their real identities with their fabricated ones, often blurring the line between the two. The show has a realistic edge that sets it apart from more action-heavy spy dramas. For those who appreciate the psychological toll of espionage, this is a must-watch.
Rabbit Hole
Similarities – Atmosphere
Kiefer Sutherland leads this high-octane conspiracy thriller that dives into the world of corporate espionage and information warfare. Combining modern tech paranoia with old-school spy action, Rabbit Hole constantly subverts expectations, delivering twists you’ll never see coming. Although perhaps the biggest twist is that it was cancelled before a second season.
Still, the series critiques the power of surveillance in a digital world, keeping its narrative both timely and thought-provoking. Packed with action, clever writing, and Sutherland’s commanding performance, it’s a fresh take on the genre for fans of fast-paced espionage.
The Recruit
Similarities – Atmosphere
Mixing action and suspense, The Recruit follows Owen Hendricks, a young CIA lawyer who quickly finds himself entangled in life-threatening international operations. The series stands out by showing espionage from a fresh perspective, where a rookie’s inexperience adds both tension and relatability.
Balancing its lighter tone with thrilling missions, the show keeps viewers on edge while injecting moments of levity. It’s perfect for those who want spy drama with a bit of charm and a contemporary feel.
A Spy Among Friends
Similarities – Atmosphere
Set during the Cold War, this historical drama dives into the relationship between two MI6 operatives, one of whom, Kim Philby, was secretly working as a Soviet double agent. The series shines in its exploration of betrayal, trust, and the personal devastation caused by espionage.
Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce deliver powerhouse performances, bringing nuance to a complex tale of divided loyalties. Its slow-burn pacing allows viewers to soak in the intricate layers of deception, making it a gripping character study as much as a spy thriller.
Tehran
Similarities – Espionage & Thriller
Tehran is an intense Israeli series on AppleTV+, centering on Tamar, a Mossad hacker sent undercover in Tehran to disable Iran’s air defenses. When her mission goes awry, she’s forced to navigate a dangerous world of shifting alliances, where every decision could mean life or death.
Tehran excels at blending high-stakes action with deeply personal drama, exploring Tamar’s identity struggles and moral dilemmas. With its tense pacing and exploration of geopolitical conflict, the show offers a gripping window into the complexities of modern espionage.
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished watching The Agency.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!