12 Best Shows Like Killing Eve

As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but rave about my latest obsession: “Killing Eve“, a darkly humorous, adrenaline-pumping spy thriller that follows the twisted dance between British intelligence agent Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and her enigmatic, sociopathic adversary Villanelle (Jodie Comer). This series is a clever, rebellious journey into power dynamics and moral ambiguity. With only four swiftly paced eight-episode seasons, it’s the perfect show to binge-watch in one sitting – if you can manage to tear yourself away from the screen once you’ve been sucked into its decadent world of espionage. The problem? Finding a worthy successor after you’ve exhausted this Emmy Award-winning masterpiece, which somehow found new life on Netflix in 2024.

In the world of streaming entertainment, where repetitive dramas, mediocre reality shows, and excessive CGI content dominate, finding shows that truly satisfy the craving for complex, character-driven series like “Killing Eve” can be a challenge. These shows should offer smart, intense plots with a binge-worthy quality, a touch of dark humor, and possibly elements from spy fiction genres or strong female characters. Extra points if they also feature a captivating romance, secret identities, and intricate double lives.

Nikita

An enticing, fast-paced action series, written by the same team behind the last two seasons of “Picard” and adapting Terry Gilliam’s acclaimed film “12 Monkeys” into the critically-acclaimed time travel series, “Nikita,” represents the fourth adaptation of Luc Besson’s 1990 French film “La Femme Nikita.” This series delves into a universe where juvenile offenders convicted of serious crimes are re-shaped into lethal government assassins.

In the CW’s version of Nikita’s story, they construct a world featuring a covert U.S. government division known as Division. This organization operates under the watch of Oversight, a mysterious agency responsible for carrying out espionage and assassination tasks that the government wants done without leaving any direct traces. Division employs methods to recruit individuals by identifying young, good-looking death row convicts who have endured tough lives and lack support systems. They orchestrate their executions only to secretly train these recruits in a dormitory to become highly skilled spies and assassins, effectively enslaving them.

Division’s training is all-encompassing, covering skills such as computer hacking, weaponry, high-level infiltration and extraction, sophisticated interrogation methods, fluency in numerous languages, and various abilities essential for a dedicated spy. The narrative revolves around Nikita (Maggie Q), a former troubled teenager turned assassin who breaks away from Division and vows to dismantle it by working undercover. Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca), a drug-addicted youth whom Nikita helped recover, assists her in this endeavor. The ensemble cast, featuring stars from “12 Monkeys”, delivers impressive performances, and the creative worldbuilding makes this series centered on women an engaging watch.

Fleabag

The critically acclaimed television series “Fleabag,” created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, served as a platform for her to hone her skills in TV writing. Throughout its broadcast, the show amassed numerous accolades such as six Emmys, two Golden Globes, and two BAFTAs. The series originated from a one-woman play of the same name written and acted by Waller-Bridge in 2013. Primarily, it chronicles the life and love affairs of the protagonist, referred to as “Fleabag” (Waller-Bridge), as she attempts to cope with the loss of her best friend Boo while navigating the complexities of London life and relationships.

Via her numerous witty, self-referential speeches, we come to understand that Fleabag is deeply affected by sorrow, regret, and guilt concerning her friend’s accidental death due to her friend running into traffic after discovering she had been unfaithfully cheated on. This emotional burden is intensified as Boo remains unaware of the truth, but the one he was unfaithful with was none other than Fleabag herself.

As a dedicated viewer, I can’t help but rave about this brilliantly crafted, darkly comedic show that spans only half an hour per episode. The series, praised by critics, revolves around a woman who copes with her past traumas and self-recrimination through biting wit and humor. This captivating production boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including the talented Olivia Colman, Andrew Scott from “Ripley,” and Fiona Shaw, recognized for her role as Carolyn Martens in “Killing Eve.” With only two seasons and a total of 12 episodes, it’s the ideal choice for a satisfying afternoon binge-watching session.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

The Prime Video series, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” originally aired in 2005 and starred Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, was overlooked by too many viewers during its first season. However, in 2024, it will be reimagined with comedic actors Donald Glover from “Community” and Maya Erskine from “PEN15,” who create an electrifying on-screen duo as spies.

This TV show presents a fictional covert agency where its agents, posing as married couples under the names “John Smith” and “Jane Smith,” are sent on mysterious missions. They’re largely unaware of their employer, receiving cryptic and often perilous instructions from an unknown source via a secure messaging system. The main characters, John (played by Glover) and Jane (Erskine), develop a relationship within the context of their work, which eventually evolves into a genuine marriage that faces trials due to mission failures and marital issues.

In the heart of the story, as dialogue and camaraderie seem to falter, events take a chaotic turn, reminiscent of the thrilling twists found in “Killing Eve.” Starring an impressive lineup of beloved actors such as Alexander Skarsgård, Parker Posey, John Turturro, Sarah Paulson, Michaela Coel, and Ron Perlman, this series delivers a pulse-pounding experience that’s truly captivating.

Barry

As a weary Afghanistan war vet turned professional assassin in Cleveland, I stumbled upon Gene Cousineau’s acting class during a routine hit job. Intrigued and yearning for something more meaningful, I decided to swap my deadly life for the stage. Enrolling in the class, I soon realized that ditching my past wasn’t as straightforward as I thought.

A 30-minute blend of comedy and drama series, “Barry,” explores themes of dreams, self-identity, and the influence past choices exert on our lives. The show boasted an impressive Rotten Tomatoes rating and amassed 10 Emmy awards during its four-season span. Despite tackling heavy topics, it managed to preserve its humor throughout, earning acclaim for its cinematography, clever writing, and unique narrative style. Hader’s comedic performance remains strong as always, but his dramatic acting might catch some viewers off guard due to its impactful delivery.

Sweetpea

Sweetpea” Lewis, portrayed by Ella Purnell from “Yellowjackets” and “Fallout,” stars in this dark British comedy-drama. The story revolves around a shy office worker at a newspaper who unexpectedly becomes a potential serial killer legend after realizing that murder helps alleviate stress. As Rhiannon delves deeper into this violent path, she encounters her old school tormentor, Julia (Nicôle Lecky), leading to a chaotic confrontation.

Similar to “Killing Eve,” the main conflict in “Sweetpea” revolves around a complex and unstable protagonist. However, unlike the enigmatic Villanelle from the former series who plays a game of cat and mouse, Rhiannon’s frustration with other people’s nonsense makes her more relatable than one might expect.

The show has been likened to television series such as “Dexter,” “Killing Eve,” and “Yellowjackets,” with viewers commending Purnell’s acting, specifically her talent for making the character Rhiannon feel familiar and even compassionate despite her eerie qualities. The captivating revenge narrative is accentuated by an exceptional female-centric soundtrack, boasting tracks from artists including Spice Girls, Katy Perry, Charli XCX, Ladytron, Billie Eilish, and Labi Siffre, as well as a score by Isobel Waller-Bridge, the sister of “Killing Eve” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who is also known for her work on “Fleabag.

Poker Face

In a more relaxed and conversational style: “Poker Face”, an eccentric and applauded mix of murder mystery, comedy, and drama, presents Natasha Lyonne as a quick-thinking ex-casino waitress who has an uncanny knack for spotting liars. This delightful and effortless series is exactly what we need during these challenging times. The narrative unfolds as Lyonne’s character, Charlie Cale, becomes entangled in a murder mystery when her best friend Natalie (played by Lyonne’s “Orange is the New Black” co-star Dascha Polanco) tragically discovers child sexual abuse material on a client’s computer. This revelation ultimately leads to her untimely demise.

The show “Poker Face” is inspired by the charm of classic cozy mysteries and engaging one-hour TV dramas akin to “The Rockford Files,” “Highway to Heaven,” and “Magnum, P.I.” Notably, Benjamin Bratt consistently appears as the casino security head, but the series also boasts an impressive array of familiar faces in its guest cast. Some of these include Ron Perlman, Adrien Brody, John Ratzenberger, Chloë Sevigny, Judith Light, Tim Meadows, Jameela Jamil, Tim Blake Nelson, Nick Nolte, Luis Guzmán, Tim Russ, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Rhea Perlman, to name just a few.

Kleo

Kleo” – A German-language drama following Kleo Straub (Jella Haase), a past assassin for East Germany’s secret police during the Cold War era, known as the Ministry for State Security or Stasi. Seeking retribution against her former handlers who falsely imprisoned her for two years after the Berlin Wall fell and suffered a heart-wrenching loss, Kleo, who had just discovered she was pregnant with her superior’s child during incarceration, embarks on a personal quest of vengeance.

Similar to the series “Killing Eve,” “Kleo” is a witty blend of dark humor that centers around a character reminiscent of Villanelle. Just as her counterpart in “Killing Eve,” Kleo demonstrates exceptional skills in lethality and mastery of her profession. Similarly, she shares with Villanelle an awareness of her talents and takes pleasure in her work. This vivid, seductive, and thrilling journey through an unusual period in German history provides a captivating escape, skillfully directed by an actor who is pure entertainment to behold.

Orphan Black

Orphan Black” is an exhilarating journey through the realm of science fiction, particularly appealing to viewers who appreciate witty storytelling with a strong emphasis on complex female characters bordering on anti-heroism. The exceptional talent of Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in Marvel’s “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”, shines brightly as she masterfully portrays not just one or two, but an astonishing five primary cloned characters, with a host of additional supporting duplicates making appearances throughout the series.

Born as part of an illegal underground cloning project hidden beneath the city, and brought up by a foster mother, Sarah Manning (played by Maslany), who is both a con artist and punk, discovers her true origin when she sees another version of herself just before the woman leaps in front of a train. This incident sets Sarah on a journey to uncover her real identity, which lies entangled within three powerful entities: one driven by corporate ambition, one fueled by religious fervor, and another obsessed with bioengineering. In an attempt to safeguard herself and her daughter Kira, the only child produced in this experiment that rendered its clones infertile, Sarah encounters a group of identical sisters, each representing a unique exploration of nature versus nurture.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the sheer brilliance of Tatiana Maslany. Her ability to convincingly portray such an array of characters is nothing short of astounding. From Sarah’s authentic East London working-class accent to Rachel’s polished Received Pronunciation British English, she masterfully captures wild Helena’s Ukrainian intonation and Cosima’s Californian Bay Area lilt. Not to mention, Beth’s Canadian inflection, Katja’s German bark, and Alison’s Canadian soccer mom tone. And let’s not forget the various clones she skillfully impersonates, each one unique yet indistinguishable from the original. Truly, her talent never ceases to amaze me!

Good Girls

Similar to shows like “Breaking Bad,” “Weeds,” and “Ozark,” “Good Girls” belongs to the expanding category of series where characters initially dabble in illicit activities, but soon discover that every action pulls them further into a life of crime.

The TV show centers on three moms living in suburban Detroit, who come up with an unconventional plan to tackle their financial woes – they decide to rob the local supermarket where one of them is employed. However, as expected, things don’t unfold smoothly and they find themselves entangled with a criminal organization that was using the store for money laundering. Before long, they find themselves embroiled in a series of crimes more complex than their initial grocery store scheme.

As a fan, I’m excited to share that this series features Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman as the main characters, with Allison Tolman, Jonathan Silverman, and Andrew McCarthy gracing our screens too. It’s not often you come across a show like this one, which gains momentum after its initial season, earning 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes for seasons two and three. The nail-biting crime plot is definitely worth checking out, but what truly keeps me hooked is the incredible chemistry between the trio at the heart of the story.

Dead to Me

Dead to Me” is a captivating, darkly comedic drama series that explores themes of grief, forgiveness, and a powerful friendship that helps bear life’s toughest moments. The story revolves around a woman who unknowingly forms an alliance with the person responsible for her husband’s hit-and-run death.

The story unfolds following the tragic hit-and-run death of her husband. It is here that we meet Jen (Christina Applegate), who is grappling with her grief. In a grief support group, she encounters and forms a friendship with Judy (Linda Cardellini). Their bond deepens rapidly, but it soon becomes apparent that Judy, harboring guilt over the deceased husband, develops an obsession with Jen. As the story progresses, Judy’s hidden secrets will eventually surface.

This series delves deeply into the fragility and intricacies of human emotions, especially concerning heavy topics such as grief, loss, and deception. However, it isn’t limited to exploring feelings; it’s also an edge-of-your-seat, tension-filled crime drama, with moments that are downright funny as well.

The Americans

The Americans” is an unrealistic yet entertaining TV show centered around two Russian spies, Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), who work undercover during the Cold War as a married couple in Virginia. They appear to be an ordinary ’80s family with their two children, Henry (Keidrich Sellati) and Paige (Holly Taylor). However, beneath this facade, they are devoted Soviet citizens and communists, although one of them holds onto these beliefs more fervently than the other.

The TV show received widespread praise throughout its broadcast, collecting four Emmy Awards for exceptional lead acting (by Matthew Rhys), remarkable guest performance (Margo Martindale), and outstanding writing. A significant aspect of the enjoyment comes from the antics that unfold as the Jennings struggle to balance their family dynamics with their intricate spy marriage and espionage work. The plot is undeniably thrilling, yet it’s the dramatic twists and turns, including numerous disguises, that would captivate even the enigmatic Villanelle.

Alias

In a new series penned by J.J. Abrams following his work on “Felicity,” titled “Alias,” is a captivating choice for fans enamored with the well-crafted, highly capable female leads seen in Joss Whedon’s creations, and shares some resemblances to Whedon’s shows like “Dollhouse” and Terry Matalas’ espionage series “Nikita.” The show features Jennifer Garner as CIA double agent Sydney Barstow, who covertly works to dismantle the fictional worldwide black ops organization SD-6.

Following Sydney’s careless disclosure of classified information about SD-6 to her fiancé Danny (Edward Atterton), he was subsequently eliminated by the organization. Subsequently, she learns two significant truths: Firstly, SD-6 is not a CIA black ops unit as she previously thought, but rather an integral part of the sinister global Alliance of the Twelve. Secondly, her father is associated with this organization.

To rectify matters, Sydney joins forces with the CIA, working undercover as a double agent to dismantle SD-6. This situation necessitates her living a challenging triple life. Similar to the series “Fringe,” this government-based story is deeply entrenched in intricate world-building and mythology, incorporating science fiction elements such as a 15th-century philosopher and perilous artifacts linked to an approaching apocalypse.

2025-05-11 15:02