Top 10 Best Spy TV Shows
Maybe it's the gadgets, the double-crosses, the encrypted phone calls at midnight, or just the quiet satisfaction of watching someone defuse a bomb with a paperclip and a prayer. Whatever pulls you in, spy shows aren't just about espionage. They're puzzles, layered with lies, secrets, and characters who rarely say what they mean but always mean what they don't say.You've seen the agents who live one life by day, another by night, and maybe a third they don't even talk about. You've watched missions spiral out of control, trust evaporate in real time, and villains who aren't always the ones holding the gun. Some shows go for sleek and stylish. Others drag you through the dirt and leave you wondering who the real enemy is. A few even toss in laughs just to keep you guessing.
Now it's your turn to weigh in. Scroll through the list, think about which shows had you glued to the screen, and vote for the ones that deserve top billing.

Some would find it surprising, but the story is great, and so is the acting. In action shows, it's common for acting quality to decline as explosions and gunfights increase, but both hold great rank in Chuck.
I love this show and can't get enough of it! The character development is great as well, especially with John Casey, who's my favorite character.
It's just addicting. If you start watching it on Netflix, be prepared for a binge. You'll be there for all 90+ episodes, and then you'll want to start over again.
It's not just a spy show with kick-ass stunts, but it's also a comedy with goofy characters and a wonderful love story. Great show!

Number 1 on any list, no question about it! Best show ever!
We become part of the play. Very realistic.
Jack Bauer! That's why! No other reasons.

Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't stop at one episode... just had to keep watching. Best I've seen on TV in years.
The best drama I have ever seen, especially the roles of Brody and Carrie.
This show needs to be in the top 5! One of the best!

The most realistic spy series I have ever seen. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you to all the people who entertained us.
Technically a captured/escaped soldier, but she's very spy-like.
It should be a crime that this isn't higher on the list. Incredible realistic spycraft and an amazing plot.

Hubby and I binged for the past four months on this series. Hands down, the best spy series ever!
Love it! Two more shows to go, then done with all. I will miss it!
Sydney Bristow was the ultimate agent. And Victor Garber was her dad.
The best spy show ever. Chuck Finley is the best. And Fiona, Jesse, Michael, and Mike's mom - the best cast ever. And who can forget Barry?
This show had me locked in and kept me wanting more. The best series ever - you have to watch it from the beginning. It always has a plot within a plot. This is what super spies do. Totally entertaining. I love this show.
The show was truly amazing, and I enjoyed it for a long time. The missions, stories, and characters were all intriguing, and the story was very action-packed.
One of the best shows ever, in my book.
Top-of-the-line spy series. Follows the exploits of the UK's MI6, equivalent to the US's CIA.
Don't get used to any of the cast members. They tend to die off without advance notice.
A superb British spy thriller show also known as MI-5 in the U.S. Never afraid of going dark or killing off popular characters, the show was a definite success over its 10-year run and certainly deserves a spot on the list!
Sorry, my previous comments were that La Femme Nikita was a brilliant US adaptation of a movie. The series was excellent.
The follow-up series, Nikita with Susie Q, was okay in the beginning but became so scripted that you could read them the script. Nikita was a nice try, but La Femme Nikita was just brilliant and finished when it should have instead of being dragged out by ratings.
Spooks is in the same category. No happy endings, just get on with the job.
Far more than a cult favorite, Nikita prefigured many elements that would dominate post-9/11 programming.
Alongside The X-Files, the show relied on ongoing story arcs, darker tones, and personal conflicts to emphasize the repercussions of individual choices, both moral and professional.
Far and away the funniest spy ever. I'm going to say this without the cone of silence: Get Smart is the best!
The Newcomers

A mini-series, but well-developed, perfectly paced, and watching Tom Hiddleston channel his inner Bond is a treat.
I wish they hadn't rushed the last season and ended it well. Otherwise, this show is dope.
Best ever action spy thriller with human emotions, love, and passion. Number 1.
Best action series ever on TV. 24 comes a close second. Maggie Q was the perfect Nikita, and all the supporting cast were also brilliant.
Best show I've ever watched. It has a bit of everything: drama, romance, mystery! I would recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting TV show to get stuck into!
Season 4 was just epic! That season hooked me. Best spy show ever.
Such a shame it got canceled. From season two, it got so good!



Please renew this show. Awesome characters and perfect plot. Would love to see more of it.
Please renew this show. Awesome characters and perfect plot.
Covert Affairs doesn't glorify it but shows what it is. It's a rotten job, but someone has to do it.
A brilliant but very short spy series from 1997.
Superb spy show that inspired Chuck.

One of the best shows. But after Red John was captured, the writers didn't have anything left to tell.