Welcome, fellow spy TV show junkies! If your pulse races faster than a drone strike at the thought of clandestine ops, secret dossiers, and hero-antiheroes juggling patriotism and personal demons, then this list is one you’re goin go want to save.
Here we present our absolute favourite top ’10 Spy TV Shows You Must Watch’.
Pinksoop has you covered with cast intel, wild plot twists, and cheeky commentary to help you decide what to watch next. This is our preferred order of watch; however, your mission is to decide which show calls to you first.
Let’s dive into the shadows, shall we?
1
Homeland
Main Cast: Claire Danes (Carrie Mathison), Damian Lewis (Nicholas “Nick” Brody), Mandy Patinkin (Saul Berenson), Morena Baccarin (Jessica Brody).
Synopsis: CIA agent Carrie Mathison, brilliant but bipolar, is convinced that returning war hero Nick Brody has been turned into a sleeper agent by al-Qaeda. It’s a psychological game of cat-and-mouse across war zones, betrayals, and Carrie’s unravelling reality. The series is a roller-coaster of psychological chess, ambiguous loyalties, and the tragedy of a brilliant woman dancing on the razor’s edge of her own mind.
Seasons: 8 (2011-2020)
Why we love it : As far as our top spy TV shows go, this one is at the top. It is obsessively thrilling, emotionally devastating, and Carrie Mathison is both a mess and our hero. Homeland sets the gold standard for spy drama, despite the fact you will have mixed emotions throughout and wonder why you even started watching this in the first place lol.
2
Jack Ryan
Main Cast: John Krasinski as Jack Ryan, with Wendell Pierce, Abbie Cornish and Michael Peña.
Synopsis: Financial-savvy CIA analyst Jack Ryan uncovers suspicious money flows tied to terrorism, and suddenly his desk-pushing days are over. He finds himself parachuting into international crises: thwarting Middle East terror attacks, exposing Russian conspiracies, and negotiating loyalty in the field.
Seasons: 4 (2018-2023)
Why Pinksoop loves it: Geeky meets global stakes. Jack Ryan is your every-guy playing hero. Intel chic and explosive action wrapped in a pinstripe shirt. Despite its humble beginnings, the show develops into a fully-fledged CIA drama that will have you hooked and wanting more. This is a spy TV show you should definitely have on your watch list.
Spin-off Film: Amazon Studios decided to end the series with season 4 however, thought it would be a good idea to make a film instead of expanding the show. It is currently in production at the moment and there is no official news as to when we can expect it on our screens. We will keep you updated.
3
Strike Back
Main Cast Across Seasons:
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Series 1 (Origins): Richard Armitage as SAS Sergeant John Porter, with Andrew Lincoln, Hugh Collinson, Jodhi May, and Shelley Conn.
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Series 2–5 (“Scott & Stonebridge Era”): Sullivan Stapleton as Damian Scott (Delta Force) and Philip Winchester as Michael Stonebridge (SBS), alongside Michelle Lukes, Amanda Mealing, Eva Birthistle, Rhashan Stone, Rhona Mitra, Charles Dance, and Robson Green.
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Series 6–8 (Reboot/Reformation): Daniel MacPherson (Sergeant Samuel Wyatt), Warren Brown (Sgt. “Mac” McAllister), Roxanne McKee (Capt. Natalie Reynolds—one season only), Alin Sumarwata (Lance Corporal Gracie Novin), Nina Sosanya (Col. Adeena Donovan), and Jamie Bamber (Col. Alexander Coltrane), with new additions including Varada Sethu, Yasemin Allen, Ivana Milicevic, Maxim Baldry, and Goran Bogdan.
Synopsis: Strike Back is a globe-trotting, pulse-pounding action-drama that reinvents itself like a chameleon. It kicks off with SAS hero John Porter dragging himself back into the field for Section 20 (Series 1). Then, in a show-stopping twist, Scott and Stonebridge (cheeky American swagger meets stiff-upper-lip British discipline) take over as the heart and soul of the next four seasons. Series 2–5 forming one of TV’s most unforgettable buddy-action duos. Finally, the series fires the reset button and reboots for Series 6 through 8 with an entirely new team led by Wyatt, Mac, and Novin, introducing fresh leadership, fresh faces, and fresh firepower, just in time to keep the violence elite and the drama relentless.
Seasons: 8 (2010-2020)
Why Pinksoop loves it: If you want to get fully invested in a TV series for a while, then this is the spy thriller for you. It is one of those spy TV shows that has you constantly on the edge of your seat.
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Season 1: Gritty and compact, a solid launch—but let’s be real, it’s just the appetiser.
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Seasons 2–5 (Scott & Stonebridge Era): Iconic bromance, relentless action, and memorable one-liners. You’ll get completely invested in these two.
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Seasons 6–8 (Reboot): New team, new vibe. Still explosive, still visually bold but, does have that combat humour we as used to by now.
4
The Terminal List
Main Cast: Chris Pratt as James Reece, with Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu, Jeanne Tripplehorn.
Synopsis: Navy SEAL Lt. Commander James Reece returns from a deadly ambush with fractured memories – and a mission. As he uncovers layers of deceit, he’s forced into violent self-preservation and vengeance against unseen enemies who shattered his platoon and targeted his family.
Seasons: currently 2 (2022-)
Why Pinksoop loves it: Gritty revenge meets high-concept thriller. Pratt goes full-on angsty avenger, and we’re all here for it. He suits playing roles like this.
Spin-off series: The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is currently streaming on Prime Video. In this gripping prequel, we see Navy SEAL Ben Edwards fall from brotherhood to “Dark Wolf” as the CIA pulls him deeper into a shadow war.
5
Killing Eve
Main Cast: Sandra Oh as Eve, Jodie Comer as Villanelle, with Fiona Shaw and Kim Bodnia.
Synopsis: Killing Eve isn’t just another spy thriller. It’s a cat-and-mouse obsession draped in couture and chaos. Sandra Oh plays Eve Polastri, a bored MI5 officer whose curiosity about female assassins ignites a dangerous fixation on Villanelle (Jodie Comer), a stylish, unpredictable killer who treats murder like performance art. What begins as a professional pursuit quickly unravels into a twisted bond, equal parts deadly and magnetic, where the line between hunter and hunted disappears.
Seasons: 4 (2018-2022)
Why Pinksoop loves it: Witty, stylish, queer-coded chaos. It’s femme fatale deluxe with wardrobe envy and twisted chemistry to boot. There’s not really any other spy TV shows out there quite like this one.
6
The Americans
Main Cast: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, Holly Taylor, and Keidrich Sellati.
Synopsis: Cold War KGB spies Elizabeth and Philip pose as all-American suburban parents while waging covert war from within. Tensions: marital, ideological, and emotional rise as loyalties are tested against teenage kids, FBI neighbours, and a homeland they might come to love.
Seasons: 6 (2013-2018)
Why Pinksoop loves it: It’s like Cold War meets domestic drama in your living room. The Americans works because it’s not just spies, it’s a marriage under fire. Elizabeth and Philip juggling parenting, loyalty, and deception makes the espionage feel lived-in, relatable, and heartbreakingly human. A must-watch spy TV show for any secret intelligence aficionado.
7
Spooks
Main Cast: David Oyelowo (Adam Carter), Matthew Macfadyen (Tom Quinn), Keeley Hawes.
Synopsis: Spooks pulls viewers inside MI5’s secretive Section D, where officers juggle counter-terrorism missions, political fallout, and the personal toll of living undercover. Across 10 seasons, the series evolves with shifting teams, shocking betrayals, and sudden losses that keep the danger real. It’s a tense, unglamorous portrait of modern espionage, where survival is never guaranteed.
Seasons: 10 (2002-2011)
Why Pinksoop loves it: British accents + moral dilemmas = espionage elegance. Spooks is a stylistic masterclass with soul and the ultimate British spy TV show. Not only that, it conveys the emotional toll behind every mission. Agents carry guilt, grief, and secrecy like a weight on their shoulders, and that vulnerability makes their victories and losses feel real.
8
24
Main Cast: Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, with a supporting ensemble including Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones, and more.
Synopsis: Each season of 24 follows counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer as he races against the clock to stop threats ranging from political assassinations to nuclear attacks. Told in real time, the show unfolds hour by hour, with every twist raising the stakes. It’s an intense mix of action, politics, and moral compromise, anchored by Bauer’s relentless drive to protect lives at any cost.
Seasons: 8 (2001-2010)
Why Pinksoop loves it: It’s a real-time action binge. Every season takes place over 24 hours as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer battles threats to the U.S. (and sometimes his sanity). 24 isn’t just a countdown thriller, it’s about one man making impossible choices under unbearable pressure. Jack Bauer’s exhaustion, moral compromises, and humanity under fire keep you invested episode after episode.
9
The Night Manager
Main Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman and Elizabeth Debicki.
Synopsis: Ex-soldier turned hotel night manager Jonathan Pine is recruited to infiltrate the circle of clandestine arms dealer Richard Roper. Subtly deadly games of trust and betrayal unfold against glittering backdrops, from Cairo to passcode-heavy hideaways.
Seasons: 3 (2016-2025)
Why Pinksoop loves it: Luxe locations, snarky wit, and espionage that reads like a champagne-fueled fever dream. Jonathan Pine’s moral struggle, seduction, and fear make the luxury and glamour of international espionage feel alive. Every choice feels risky, and every glance matters.
10
Reacher
Main Cast: Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, with Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald.
Synopsis: When ex–military police investigator Jack Reacher drifts into small-town Georgia, he’s framed for murder and forced to clear his name. What follows is a gritty unravelling of corruption, conspiracies, and bone-crunching justice. Built on Reacher’s sharp mind and unstoppable force, the series blends mystery with raw, physical storytelling.
Seasons: currently 4 (2022-)
Why Pinksoop loves it: Massive fists, minimal dialogue, maximum badassery. Reacher is your lean and mean vigilante, doing justice with style and a mean right hook.
There you go, Pinksoop pals, this is our definitive list of spy-tastic shows that cuddle your conspiracy paranoia and light your firefight fantasies. Whether you want brains (Homeland), bullets (Strike Back), or bitchy brilliance (Killing Eve), your next binge is calling.
So, snag a remote, secure your snacks, and get lost in spies and secrets that never sleep.
Signed, sealed, Pinksooped 💅
