Whether it’s offering large-scale action intensity or operating more as a tight-knit thriller focusing on suspense over spectacle, the spy genre has been one of the most exciting and enthralling since its popularization with the onset of the James Bond franchise in the early 1960s. While many of its defining highlights over the decades have been in film, the spy stories of the small screen have taken charge since the onset of the 21st century as television has ascended to be a prestigious form of dramatic entertainment.
As such, the spy series of the 2000s offer a scintillating spectacle of the genre at its absolute best, be it in the form of long-running and action-packed thrillers, compelling character-driven dramas, or even animated comedies that lampoon some of the genre’s more unbecoming tropes. The only prerequisite for eligibility is the series needs to have started in the 2000s, meaning cult gems like La Femme Nikita (1997-2001) haven’t been considered.
10
‘The Unit’ (2006–2009)
Created by David Mamet
While it is somewhat marred by its unquestioning and unbridled sense of American patriotism, The Unit still invests enough into its central intrigue to be regarded as one of the most enthralling spy series of its decade. Based on the memoirs of former Delta Force soldier and member of the United States Army’s counterterrorism unit Eric L. Haney—who also serves as a producer on the series—the series follows a covert Special Forces team in their assignments around the world, covering not only the intense nature of their work, but the heavy toll it extracts on their families at home as well.
Beneath the fluff of its presentation that parades its main characters as chest-beating heroes or as wives devoted solely to agonizing over their husbands at all times, what The Unit does extremely well is it acknowledges the pain and turmoil military families endure and illustrates how, when one serves, many more bear the emotional burden of their sacrifice. Granted, a touch more nuance wouldn’t have gone astray, but as an enticing spy series with its heart in the right place, it is difficult to fault the intent of The Unit.
The Unit
- Release Date
-
2006 – 2008
- Network
-
CBS
9
‘Sleeper Cell’ (2005–2006)
Created by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris
One of the most intense and intriguing elements of spy drama is the heart-stopping hysteria of undercover work, secret agents tasked with infiltrating the most dangerous organizations in the world and having to extract information and adhere to a loose set of rules without ever blowing their cover. Running for two seasons through the mid-2000s, Sleeper Cell is an entrancing look at exactly this. It follows Darwyn Al-Sayeed (Michael Ealy) as he is tasked with immersing himself in a terrorist sleeper cell plotting to attack Los Angeles.
Given the lingering anxieties of the time, the series shows an impressive temperament to not vilify Muslim people, nor to reduce the threat of extremist organizations to one-dimensional caricatures. That being said, Sleeper Cell is more effective as a dose of high-octane thrills, an unadulterated and pulsating portrayal of spy mania that uses sharp plotting to build an arresting sense of momentum that, even with some of the series’ other major pitfalls, keeps viewers absorbed.
8
‘The Agency’ (2001–2003)
Created by Michael Frost Beckner
Controversial and piercing in its ruthless endeavor to examine contemporary international affairs with a searing eye for authenticity and, within that, ethics and legality, The Agency was perhaps too authentic upon release to enthrall the anxious audiences of a post-9/11 America, but its quality is easy to appreciate on reflection. Interestingly, the planned pilot episode addressing Al-Qaeda’s intent to carry out an attack on the Western world had to be postponed in the wake of the September 11 attacks, leading to the episode being released later in the season’s run following its premiere on September 27, 2001.
With each episode following CIA operatives conducting operations internationally, the series excels as an unflinching look at the sprawling presence and impact the agency has around the globe. Always interested in exploring the moral line of the characters’ assignments and holding it against the possible repercussions should they fail their missions, The Agency is a gripping and intense spy series that was sadly canceled after just two seasons.
The Agency
- Release Date
-
2001 – 2002
- Network
-
CBS
-
-
Jason O’Mara
Jackson Haisley
-
Gloria Reuben
Joshua Nankin
-
7
‘Burn Notice’ (2007–2013)
Created by Matt Nix
Running with a peculiar though enthralling blend of espionage thrills, roguish flamboyance, and sheer action excess, Burn Notice is one of the more brilliantly bombastic examples of spy storytelling that television has seen. It follows Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), a U.S. Army Special Forces agent who is working for the CIA when he is “burned”, meaning rejected by the agency and rendered unemployable for his perceived recklessness and unreliability. Stranded in Miami with all his assets frozen, Weston get by taking on impossible jobs for desperate people in dire need of his unique skillset.
There is a brisk sharpness to Burn Notice that makes it wickedly addictive. While it is defined by the engrossing marriage of spycraft and criminal intrigue, it also flaunts a wry wit, a certain uncaring irreverence that makes an impression through its attitude and style as much as its narrative. Bolstered by Donovan’s likable portrayal of a vengeful nomad, and the impressive efforts of the supporting cast, Burn Notice is spy television at its most fun and frenetic.
6
‘The Company’ (2007)
Developed by Ken Nolan
Based on Robert Littell’s novel of the same name, The Company is a criminally underrated 2000s spy miniseries that immerses viewers in the duplicity and magnitude of the CIA while addressing the morality of the Cold War from a variety of different perspectives. Utilizing an incredible ensemble cast, it follows the careers of three idealistic young cadets who, despite being recruited as like-minded friends, find their convictions and their beliefs being impacted by their experiences and encounters on their respective assignments.
The series flaunts an ambition that it sometimes isn’t quite able to deliver on. While this did make it susceptible to criticism, it also imbues the story with an unwieldy grandeur that is as intriguing and compelling as it is confounding and complex. Even managing to be evocative and eerie through its enigmatic darkness, The Company is an early testament to the allure of the miniseries format years before it came to be in vogue, as well as a uniquely enticing spider’s web of espionage complexity.
5
‘Chuck’ (2007–2012)
Created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak
Blending spy action with comedy prowess to wonderful effect, Chuck quickly developed a passionate fanbase due to its enjoyable marriage of genres, its litany of lovable characters, and its underrated narrative sharpness. It follows Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), an intelligent though unmotivated slacker whose life changes forever when he inadvertently downloads all the CIA’s and NSA’s secrets into his brain. Recruited by the agencies to help them thwart terrorist plots and assassination attempts, Chuck finds himself being dragged into the world of international espionage, largely against his will.
The series delivers a winning hit of unabashed entertainment. Its comedy is undoubtedly its defining factor, but it doesn’t come at the expense of its spy intrigue, the integrity of its characters, or even its sense of warmth. Given these triumphant qualities, it is unsurprising that fans rallied to save the series when it was on the brink of cancellation at the end of Season 2. It ended up running for five seasons, concluding in rewarding fashion with a two-hour finale that cements the series as one of the most infectious and fun spy series of all time.
Chuck
- Release Date
-
2007 – 2012-00-00
- Network
-
NBC
4
‘Spooks’ (aka ‘MI-5’) (2002–2011)
Created by David Wolstencroft
Hopping across the pond, Spooks (also known in some countries as MI-5) mixes British television’s appetite for grounded intensity and contained grit with a penchant for rapid-paced storytelling and stylistic visuals to be one of the most engulfing spy dramas television has ever seen. Featuring a revolving door of some of Britain’s finest actors, the series follows the assignments and trials of intelligence officers in Section D of MI-5, covering the work they do to thwart threats to national security as well as the internal politics that transpire within Thames House.
Armed with a ruthless eagerness to kill off major characters and a restless intrigue in the shady morality of spycraft and national security, Spooks is a suspenseful and surprising foray into the high-stakes world of espionage. Utilizing its dazzling narrative dare, its ensemble of outstanding actors, and its integral spy drama, the hit British series keeps viewers enthralled and on the edge of their seats throughout the entirety of its 10-season run.
MI-5
- Release Date
-
2003 – 2011-00-00
-
-
Hugh Simon
Malcolm Wynn-Jones
-
Nicola Walker
Ruth Evershed
-
Rupert Penry-Jones
Adam Carter
3
‘Alias’ (2001–2006)
Created by J. J. Abrams
With a high-concept premise and action thrills aplenty, Alias is defining of television spy drama at its most excessive and exciting. Jennifer Garner stars as Sydney Bristow, a young CIA agent assigned to the secretive and covert SD-6 unit. However, when she learns her employers have no actual connection to the U.S. government and are enemies to America, she reaches out to the actual CIA with an offer to work as a double agent, thus setting her mind on destroying SD-6 from within, jeopardizing many of her personal relationships in the process.
Thriving off the back of Garner’s starring performance, Alias uses its elaborate story idea, electrifying action sequences, and its sharp, momentous writing to deliver a spectacle of pure escapism and entertainment. Eye-catching, engulfing, and earnest in its endeavor to provide thrills to excite all lovers of the genre, Alias is a rousing highlight of early 2000s television, one that flaunts a brilliance that transcends the spy genre and defines the medium at large in its era.
Alias
- Release Date
-
2001 – 2005
- Network
-
ABC
2
’24’ (2001–2010)
Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran
Celebrated as one of the most groundbreaking spy dramas of its time, 24 redefines the genre’s possibilities on television with a unique narrative approach that sees each episode unfolding in real time. Consisting of 24 episodes, every season follows a tumultuous day in the life of counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), with each episode covering what transpires over the course of an hour. The series’ eight standard-length seasons have seen Bauer combat everything from assassination attempts to threats of nuclear attacks and even bioterrorism.
The unique approach imbues 24 with a tremendous amount of suspense and urgency, an urgency that is made abundantly clear to viewers every time Bauer is forced to make a brutal decision between duty and humanity. Excelling with its frequent use of cliffhanger endings and intense action sequences, 24 is a masterpiece of spy drama on the small screen.
24
- Release Date
-
2001 – 2009
- Showrunner
-
Robert Cochran
1
‘Archer’ (2009–2023)
Created by Adam Reed
There is a certain peculiarity in the fact that, in a genre renowned for gripping intensity, real-world political stakes, and live-action spectacle, one of spy television’s greatest exploits is Archer, an animated comedy. A vivacious lampooning of archaic tropes the spy genre has a tendency to cling on to from the early Bond movies, Archer follows the titular and troublesome Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) and his dysfunctional colleagues in the International Secret Intelligence Service during the Cold War.
Archer’s brilliance resides in its ability to subvert expectations, blending comical absurdity with deceptively sharp storytelling and moments of profound character depth. With its inventive narrative, razor-sharp satire that all genre fans will appreciate, its distinctive animation style, and even its shifting dynamics as seasons occasionally change up the Cold War setting, Archer has amassed a dedicated cult following, becoming one of the greatest ever spy series in the process as well as a defining title in the wheelhouse of adult animation.