10 Best Spy Shows Like ‘The Recruit’

Are we living in the Silver Age of Spy Shows? Probably! We’ve witnessed an influx of espionage-related shows in the 2020s, and The Recruit is one of the best there is. The Netflix series follows Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), a newly hired CIA attorney who looks forward to ordinary desk service only to be thrown into the murky waters of spycraft. It all happens after he comes across a letter from an imprisoned CIA asset, threatening to expose the agency’s dirty secrets unless she is freed.

The show is the brainchild of Alexi Hawley, who has a gift for telling stories about ordinary people forced to learn the ropes quickly. He is the person behind The Rookie, and The Recruit appears to be on track to be as successful as the cop drama. Since the spy adventure show only has two seasons, viewers will find themselves desiring more once they are done. Thankfully, there are several other shows just like it. Prioritize the following small-screen projects when looking for spy shows similar to The Recruit.

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‘Black Doves’ (2024 – Present)

Nothing hurts more than getting rejected for a job, but for Black Doves’ protagonist, Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a new opportunity presents itself shortly after the dreaded “We are sorry to inform you…” message. When a recruiter rejects her for the translator job she applied for, he directs her to a mysterious woman who employs her as a spy. Within no time, she seduces and marries the Secretary of Defense, using him to get all the government’s secrets.

Loving the New Responsibility

Like The Recruit, Black Doves has a central character who never asks to be on the action-packed end of the battlefield. She found herself there and now she enjoys it. And just as is the case with Owen, it reaches a point when Helen’s choices cause her superiors to start losing faith in her. Independently, the British spy thriller thrives on stylish action and strong performances, and it also stars Ben Whishaw, who played Q in Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies.

9

‘Alex Rider’ (2020 – 2024)

Based on Anthony Horowitz’s novel series of the same name, Alex Rider follows the titular character, who is recruited by MI6’s Department of Special Operations, while still a teenager. His primary task involves infiltrating a corrective institution for the wayward offspring of the wealthy.

Moving Like a Young James Bond

In both Alex Rider and The Recruit, threats act as the ignition. Often feels the need to act after the prisoner threatens to expose government secrets and Alex springs into action when the Department of Special Operations threatens to dump him into foster care and deport his guardian. From there on, the shows follow pretty much the same pattern, with the protagonist being met with new twists every day. Narrative-wise, the Prime Video series never strays too far from the books, which is a good thing because Anthony Horowitz is such a good author that the James Bond estate trusted him to write a new book (Forever and a Day).

8

‘Chuck’ (2007 – 2012)

Chuck concerns the titular computer wizard (played by Zachary Levi), who opens an email from a buddy working for the CIA, only for the message’s contents to embed themselves in his brain. Unbeknownst to him, he now has the entire CIA/NSA database in his head, and it doesn’t take long for agents to come knocking.

A Walking Computer

Chuck Bartowski is more of an unrealistic version of The Recruit’s Owen. He accidentally accesses sensitive information, a development that changes his life forever. Despite not being grounded in realism, Chuck is the better show of the two. It has the jokes, the warmth, and a greater level of detail. On top of that, it won multiple Emmys and remained a ratings juggernaut throughout its run. The Netflix series still has time to reach these heights, so we’ll wait and see.

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‘The Night Agent’ (2023 – Present)

Nothing initially happens in The Night Agent. Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is just a bored FBI agent who works the graveyard shift in the White House’s basement as an emergency line phone operator. But when a tech guru calls the line one night with information hinting at a major government conspiracy, his life changes forever.

Mixing Work and Pleasure

The Night Agent has all the genre’s requisite twists and fancy terms. Peter is vastly inexperienced, something his handler can’t help but keep pointing out on the show. Unlike other agents who underwent serious field training, he is thrown right into action due to circumstances beyond his control. Despite the challenges, he learns on the job and gets by, just like The Recruit’s Owen. And, what’s love got to do with it? In both shows, our heroes arguably spend an excessive amount of time playing Romeo when they should be focusing on their jobs.

6

‘Treason’ (2022)

Daredevil’s Charlie Cox stars in Treason as MI6 deputy chief, Adam Lawrence, who must ascend to the throne after his boss gets poisoned. But these aren’t just ordinary happenings. His ex-lover Kara (Olga Kurylenko), a former SVR operative, has engineered the whole thing, and she intends to use Adam for information, or else…

To Betray the Country or Not?

The “Femme Fatale vs Vulnerable Man” dynamic that plays out between Kara and Adam in Treason is the kind we see between Owen and Max in The Recruit. The malicious women in each show have fun manipulating the male protagonist, while occasionally sympathizing with them, and it’s fun watching it all play out. Will the two men ever free themselves from the claws of their tormentors? Therein lies the intrigue.

5

‘Condor’ (2018 – 2020)

Based on the novel Six Days of the Condor by James Grady and Three Days of the Condor (arguably the best spy movie of the ‘70s), Condor stars Max Irons as Joe Turner. A few minutes into the show, Joe is revealed to be working for IEP, a front company of the CIA. His work is going well until he shows up one day from a lunch break to find all his coworkers murdered. Who did it, and why?

Spy Mystery and Murder Mystery, All Rolled Into One

If Joe and The Recruit’s Owen existed in the same fictional world, they could easily step out of their offices (probably a good idea) to share a cup of tea over their similar predicaments. Both just want to be at their desks, but fate soon has them dodging bullets across the streets. Condor is as good as the ‘70s film, but it’ll leave you paranoid at work. Watch it for the thrills.

4

‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

Based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name, The Night Manager follows Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), the night manager of a hotel in Cairo who becomes involved with the mistress of a wealthy playboy only for her to hand him sensitive information that catches the attention of intelligence agencies. Consequently, Jonathan is ordered to infiltrate the organization of an arms dealer.

Hiddleston on Fire

The Night Manager convinced everyone that Tom Hiddleston was the best person to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, but nothing has materialized ever since. He is still Loki, but we aren’t frowning. We will always have this show. Watching him morph from an ordinary hotel manager to some form of super spy is mesmerizing. Thanks to Hiddleston’s talents, Jonathan Pine feels like a more natural spy/asset than Noah Centineo’s Owen. The show won two Emmys, so don’t be afraid to press the play button.

3

‘Covert Affairs’ (2010 – 2014)

Covert Affairs is the story of Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), a young CIA trainee who is suddenly promoted to the position of Field Operative. She is thrilled, thinking her hard work has finally paid off, unaware that she has been selected because of a past relationship. Will she learn about the agency’s treachery, and how will she handle it?

Doing One’s Best to Fit In

Annie might be more excited about her new job description than The Recruit’s Owen, but both characters often find themselves having to sail the same waters. They meet double agents, jump onto planes every single time, and struggle to have a proper work-life balance. In both shows, we also get to see how difficult it is to juggle personal relationships and spy work. Kudos to both protagonists and to the people who serve as their mentors.

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‘The Enemy Within’ (2019)

In The Enemy Within, Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter), the CIA Deputy Director of Operations, is forced to disclose the names of four agents to a terrorist after he threatens her family. FBI agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) nabs her for betraying her country, but when the terrorist strikes again, he brings her out of prison to help him capture the man.

Righting the Wrongs

Tuck The Enemy Within among promising shows that were canceled too soon. The suspense never ends, and both actors remain in top form. We spot traces of The Recruit here as both shows are driven by blackmail and access to a specific kind of information. Erica might be more experienced, but she exhibits the same level of vulnerability, forcing her to make regrettable choices.

1

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

After a string of unimpressive movies, Amazon Studios finally blessed us with a proper Jack Ryan story. Based on Tom Clancy’s fictional character of the same name, Jack Ryan traces the dangerous journey of the titular CIA analyst after he transitions from desk work to fieldwork.

As Good as Clancy’s Novels

Jack Ryan begins pretty much the same way The Recruit does. From his desk, the protagonist spots a string of dubious bank transfers, all initiated by a rising Islamic extremist named Suleiman. From there, many more adventures follow. The performances are stronger here, with John Krasinski and Wendell Pierce all looking like they were CIA agents before becoming actors. Clancy would have been proud.

10 ‘Black Doves’ (2024 – Present)

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Cast

Loving the New Responsibility

9 ‘Alex Rider’ (2020 – 2024)

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Alex Rider

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Moving Like a Young James Bond

8 ‘Chuck’ (2007 – 2012)

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A Walking Computer

7 ‘The Night Agent’ (2023 – Present)

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Mixing Work and Pleasure

6 ‘Treason’ (2022)

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To Betray the Country or Not?

5 ‘Condor’ (2018 – 2020)

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Spy Mystery and Murder Mystery, All Rolled Into One

4 ‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

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Hiddleston on Fire

3 ‘Covert Affairs’ (2010 – 2014)

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Covert Affairs

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Doing One’s Best to Fit In

2 ‘The Enemy Within’ (2019)

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The Enemy Within

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Righting the Wrongs

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

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As Good as Clancy’s Novels

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10

‘Black Doves’ (2024 – Present)

9

‘Alex Rider’ (2020 – 2024)

8

‘Chuck’ (2007 – 2012)

7

‘The Night Agent’ (2023 – Present)

6

‘Treason’ (2022)

5

‘Condor’ (2018 – 2020)

4

‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

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‘Covert Affairs’ (2010 – 2014)

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‘The Enemy Within’ (2019)

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