Who doesn’t like an action-packed spy-thriller with mystery and likable characters? Even the not-so-likable characters too, who viewers love to hate with their diabolical or world-altering plans! WithNetflix’sThe RecruitstarringNoah Centineostreaming from Dec. 16th, there’s plenty of time to get in the mood for other action-thriller series before it starts!
RELATED:‘The Recruit’: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know So Far About the Noah Centineo Series
FromKilling EvetoAndor, action thrillers can cross multiple genres, countries and even planets! However, they all follow the main character who gets entangled in a web of mystery, action and espionage and must survive the possible fallout. Often with an antagonist who is in a position of power set out to corrupt and destroy the foundations of society, our heroes are often placed in dire situations that don’t only threaten their life but many others!
‘Killing Eve’ (2018-2022)
Written byPhoebe Waller-BridgeofFleabag,Killing Eveis a spy thriller with a bit of dark humor thrown-in. FollowingSandra Ohas Eve, an MI6 undercover agent that is set with the task of investigating an assassin, Villanelle played byJodie Comer.
RELATED:10 Best Shows About Female Anti-Heroes
Eve and Villanelle’s obsession with each other blurs the line between both sides of the law. The writing is brilliant with Villanelle’s charming and complex character. The power-play between them is like a dance which is incredibly engaging to watch! With four seasons and a completed series, there’s no waiting on the cliff-hanging season finale!
‘Bodyguard’ (2018)
Something the British do so well is their crime drama andBodyguardis no exception.Richard Maddenplays Police Sergeant David Budd, an ex-army veteran who now works for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch with London’s Police Service. He is tasked with looking after the Home Secretary, Julia played byKeeley Haweswhen he gets entangled in terrorism and power politics.
This limited series is a tense thriller that keeps building until the very end, leaving the biggest twist to the last minute. The web of people involved in the politics of home security makes this action-packed thriller easily bingable in a night!
‘Andor’ (2022)
AnotherStar Warsseries to be released on Disney+ with high acclaim,Andor’saction and thriller storyline provide a new genre of theStar Wars Universe. Cassius, played byDiego Luna, is a thief that gets entangled in the story of how the Rebel Alliance is formed against the Galactic Empire.
RELATED:Star Wars: The 10 Most Evil Acts Committed By The Empire in ‘Andor’
Andortakes place five years beforethe important events that unfolded inRogue One. It is a slow burn with all the hallmarks of an espionage thriller that delves into the politics of theStar Warsuniverse brilliantly with its uniquely gritty and consequential atmosphere.
‘Reacher’ (2022)
Adapted from the books byLee Child, Jack Reacher played byAlan Ritchsonis an ex-military cop who lives a nomad life in America. Following the first book in the series, Reacher goes to a small town where he is arrested for a local murder that then pushes him into a web of conspiracy and corruption.
Praised for being closer to the book than theTom Cruisefilms,Reacheris a no-fuss sort of show, it gets right into the action and very much like Reacher himself, doesn’t apologize for it. It is fast-paced and has a great cast which adds to the traditional 90s action film feel of the series.
‘Luther’ (2010-2019)
Lutheris a British crime thriller series with five seasons and a movie release set for early 2023. This intense show follows DCI John Luther played byIdris Elba, who struggles with his own volatile nature while trying to keep his personal life and job from falling apart.
This series delves into many different areas of Luther’s life, relationships, job, crime and corruption. What made this popular series stand out from others was his complicated relationship with the psychopathic Alice Morgan played byRuth Wilson. Who not only helps him understand the criminals he’s chasing but also tries to convince Luther they are one and the same.
‘Squid Game’ (2021)
Korean-madeSquid Gamewas released on Netflix with huge popularity domestically and internationally with its mix of action, thrills and mystery! The ensemble cast focuses mainly on Seong Gi-hun played byLee Jung-jae, a down-and-out gambler who accepts a strange invitation to compete in a series of children’s games for money. The intensity raises when they realize that the games will cost them their lives.
RELATED:Netflix: 10 Most Emmy-Awarded Original Shows, Ranked
This series is a little different from other political corruption thrillers, however,Squid Gamehas twists and turns that make both the action from the games to the mystery behind who participates and runs the games a wild and engaging ride from start to finish.
‘The Mosquito Coast’ (2021)
From the book of the same name, this series follows in the footsteps ofHarrison Ford’s1986 film.The Mosquito Coastfollows the Fox family when Allie played byJustin Therouxand his wife Margot played byMelissa Georgepack up their family unexpectedly and flee to Mexico.
This political thriller and adventure have a unique angle to the original film and book, as it keeps the secret of why they are running from the US government for the whole first series. This builds the show’s suspense and lets the viewer’s imagination run wild with possibilities!
‘Burn Notice’ (2007-2013)
With seven seasons and a prequel film,Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, the franchise follows Michael Westen, played byJeffrey Donovanas he tries to find out who issued the burn notice. Throwing him out as a spy and into civilian life with no identity or money Michael has the help of his girlfriend Fiona played byGabrielle Anwarand friend Sam Axe played byBruce Campbell, in earning money as a private investigator to fund his investigation into who burned him.
This popular show had an over-arching espionage mystery and individual stories of his private investigating that engaged its fans for a long time. With well-written characters, including his mom played bySharon Gless, this crime thriller felt homely, charming and fascinating!
‘Prison Break’ (2005-2017)
Prison Breakfollowed Lincoln played byDominic Pursellwhen he is wrongly convicted of murdering the brother of the Vice President of the United States. His only hope is his brother Michael, played byWentworth Millerwho devises an elaborate plan to break his brother out of prison.
This ambitious series had action, corruption and drama as Lincoln and Michaels’s master plan ebbs and flows between success and utter failure. Twists and turns make this a bingeworthy series, and with 4 seasons, a telemovie and another season released just shy of a decade later, there’s lots to discover!
‘Altered Carbon’ (2018-2020)
Adapted from a novelAltered Carbonis a science fiction action series that follows political operative Takeshi Kovacs, played byJoel Kinnaman, who is hired by wealthy Laurens Bancroft, played byJames Purefoy, to investigate his own murder. With no memory of how it happened, he hires Kovacs to uncover the truth.
Altered Carbonis a mind-bending and grittyfuturistic mystery that isn’t for the faint-hearted, as there is a lot of world-building that plays into the entire story. In a world where your consciousness and memories can be implanted into new bodies, the thriller aspect of this series is no one can be trusted.
KEEP READING:10 Incredible Television Series That Are Less Than 5 Seasons Long
