Spy Shows Like ‘The Recruit’: 10 Thrilling Recommendations

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Could it be that we’re experiencing a boom in the era of Spy Shows? Quite possibly! Over the past few years, there’s been a surge of shows centered around espionage, and “The Recruit” is one of the standouts. This Netflix series follows Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), a fresh CIA attorney who anticipates routine desk work but finds himself plunged into the treacherous depths of spying instead. The turning point comes when he discovers a letter from a jailed CIA asset, warning that she will reveal the agency’s hidden secrets unless granted freedom.

The series known as “The Recruit” was created by Alexi Hawley, who has a knack for weaving tales about ordinary individuals thrust into unfamiliar situations where they must adapt swiftly. This talented storyteller is also the mind behind “The Rookie.” Remarkably, “The Recruit” seems poised to match the success of its cop drama counterpart. Given that it has only completed two seasons, fans are sure to crave more once they finish watching. Fortunately, there are numerous other shows in a similar genre. Make sure to prioritize these small-screen projects when searching for spy shows comparable to “The Recruit.

10
‘Black Doves’ (2024 – Present)

In the realm of cinema critique, I must confess, few experiences can compare to the sting of job rejection, but for our protagonist, Helen Webb (played brilliantly by Keira Knightley in Black Doves), that pain is swiftly overshadowed. After receiving the customary “We regret to inform you…” email, fortune seems to smile upon her when a recruiter steers her towards an enigmatic figure who offers employment as a covert operative. Before she knows it, she’s weaving a web of deception, wooing and marrying none other than the Secretary of Defense, using their union as a means to unveil the government’s most closely guarded secrets. A tale of cunning and intrigue, indeed!

Loving the New Responsibility

In the movie The Recruit: Black Doves, the main character, much like Owen, isn’t someone who seeks out the thick of the battlefield action. Instead, she finds herself there and grows to enjoy it. However, her decisions eventually lead her superiors to question her loyalty. This British spy thriller is known for its sleek action sequences and powerful acting performances, with Ben Whishaw, who was Q in Daniel Craig’s James Bond films, taking on a role as well.

9
‘Alex Rider’ (2020 – 2024)

Alex Rider, as portrayed in Anthony Horowitz’s series of novels, centers around its namesake character who is secretly enlisted by MI6’s Department of Special Operations while he’s still a teenager. His main mission often involves him posing as an inmate at a correctional facility for the privileged children.

Moving Like a Young James Bond

In both Alex Rider and The Recruit, danger serves as the spark. It’s common for the characters to respond after a captive threatens to reveal classified government information, or when Alex is faced with the prospect of being placed in foster care and having his guardian deported by the Department of Special Operations. From then on, the series unfolds in a similar manner, as the protagonist encounters fresh surprises each day. In terms of storytelling, the Prime Video series sticks closely to the original books, which is beneficial because Anthony Horowitz is such a talented author that the James Bond estate asked him to write a new novel (Forever and a Day).

8
‘Chuck’ (2007 – 2012)

In this story, Chuck is about the character Chuck (played by Zachary Levi), who receives an email from a friend working at the CIA. However, instead of a typical message, the contents somehow implant themselves into his brain. Unaware of it, he now carries the entire CIA/NSA database in his mind. It doesn’t take long before agents start showing up on his doorstep.

A Walking Computer

Chuck Bartowski can be seen as a more fantastical portrayal of the character Owen from The Recruit. An unexpected event leads him to acquire classified data, an occurrence that irreversibly alters his life’s course. Although it may lack real-world authenticity, the series Chuck surpasses its counterpart in terms of humor, warmth, and intricacy. To add, it garnered numerous Emmy awards and consistently drew massive viewership during its broadcast. The Netflix adaptation still has potential to attain such achievements; we’ll keep our fingers crossed and observe the progress.

7
‘The Night Agent’ (2023 – Present)

In “The Night Agent,” Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) begins as a sleepy FBI agent, clocking in during the wee hours for his post as an emergency phone operator stationed deep within the White House’s underground. However, when a tech genius dials his line one fateful night with clues pointing to a grand government conspiracy, Peter’s monotonous routine is suddenly shattered.

Mixing Work and Pleasure

In “The Night Agent,” the storyline features the standard thriller elements and intricate jargon. Unlike other experienced agents, Peter finds himself thrust into immediate action due to unavoidable circumstances. Regardless of the hurdles, he learns as he goes along, much like Owen from “The Recruit.” And regarding romance, both series seem to have their protagonists spending an unusual amount of time playing the part of Juliet when they ought to be concentrating on their work duties instead.

6
‘Treason’ (2022)

In the thrilling series “Treason,” I step into the shoes of Adam Lawrence, a deputy chief at MI6. An unexpected turn of events sees my superior getting poisoned, thrusting me into the role I never sought. However, these aren’t your average office politics. My ex-lover Kara, a cunning SVR operative portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, has orchestrated this entire scheme. Her plan is to extract information from me, and if I refuse, well, let’s just say the consequences aren’t pretty.

To Betray the Country or Not?

In the series “Treason” and “The Recruit”, a similar dynamic unfolds between Kara/Adam and Owen/Max, where the female characters – cunning and manipulative – engage in a dance with their male counterparts, occasionally showing empathy towards them. This power game is captivating to watch, leaving us wondering if these men will one day break free from the grip of their tormentors, adding an element of suspense.

5
‘Condor’ (2018 – 2020)

In the novel “Six Days of the Condor” by James Grady and its movie adaptation, “Three Days of the Condor,” the main character, named Joe Turner, portrayed by Max Irons, is employed by IEP, a covert arm of the CIA. His work life is smooth-sailing until he returns from his lunch break one day to discover that all his colleagues have been brutally murdered. The question remains: who was responsible for this gruesome act and why?

Spy Mystery and Murder Mystery, All Rolled Into One

In a shared fictional universe, Joe and Owen from The Recruit might find themselves taking a break from their offices to discuss their mutual struggles over a cup of tea. Despite their preference for keeping things professional, circumstances would lead them to dodge bullets together instead. Condor is just as gripping as the ’70s film, but be prepared for an unsettling work experience after watching it. Catch it for the suspense!

4
‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

According to John le Carré’s novel titled “The Night Manager,” the story revolves around a character named Jonathan Pine, who works as the night manager at a hotel in Cairo. He becomes entangled with the mistress of a wealthy playboy, but later she gives him confidential data that piques the interest of intelligence services. As a result, he is tasked with penetrating the criminal organization of an arms dealer.

Hiddleston on Fire

The Night Manager made it clear that Tom Hiddleston was perfect for taking over James Bond’s role from Daniel Craig, but nothing has happened since then. We may not see him as Loki anymore, but we sure remember him. Watching The Night Manager is a treat because you see Hiddleston transform from an ordinary hotel manager into some kind of super spy. Thanks to his skills, the character Jonathan Pine seems like a more believable spy than Noah Centineo’s Owen. This show even won two Emmys, so it’s worth giving it a try!

3
‘Covert Affairs’ (2010 – 2014)

The narrative follows Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), a CIA trainee who’s unexpectedly advanced to the role of Field Operative. Delighted by her long-awaited success, she doesn’t realize that her promotion was due to past connections. Will she uncover the agency’s deceit and navigate through it?

Doing One’s Best to Fit In

Annie appears to be more thrilled about her fresh job role compared to Owen from “The Recruit,” but they both frequently navigate similar waters. They encounter double agents, hop on planes repeatedly, and grapple with achieving a satisfactory work-life equilibrium. Both series delve into the challenge of managing personal relationships while performing covert operations. Bravo to both protagonists and those who guide them in their roles!

2
‘The Enemy Within’ (2019)

In “The Enemy Within,” character Erica Shepherd, who serves as the CIA’s Deputy Director of Operations, is compelled to reveal the identities of four agents to a dangerous terrorist following his threats against her family. FBI agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) arrests her for this alleged treason, but when the terrorist attacks once more, he releases her from prison to assist him in apprehending the culprit.

Righting the Wrongs

Position “The Enemy Within” among other promising series that were cut short prematurely. The intrigue never wanes, and both actors deliver exceptional performances. There are hints of “The Recruit” in this show, as both programs revolve around blackmail and the access to crucial information. Erica, despite her experience, displays a similar degree of vulnerability, compelling her to make decisions she later regrets.

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

Following a series of underwhelming films, Amazon Studios has graciously delivered an authentic Jack Ryan tale. Based on Tom Clancy’s fictional character bearing the same name, Jack Ryan portrays the perilous journey of the title CIA analyst as he shifts from desk work to active fieldwork.

As Good as Clancy’s Novels

Jack Ryan shares a similar starting point as The Recruit. At his workstation, the main character observes an unusual pattern of financial transactions, orchestrated by an emerging Islamic extremist named Suleiman. This sets off a series of thrilling events. Notably, John Krasinski and Wendell Pierce deliver compelling performances that convincingly portray their characters as former CIA agents turned actors. It’s clear that Tom Clancy would approve of this adaptation.

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2025-02-05 04:33