Essential spy series available for streaming this fall

As genre enthusiasts, we’re not seeking a protagonist in the mold of John Wick who relies on firepower to escape difficult situations. Instead, we crave the intricacies of the secret world, the moral ambiguity, and the complex choices. What we desire is a puzzle box akin to the style of John le Carré, something that isn't always found in books, films, and TV shows centered around spies and their craft. Fortunately, there are exceptional outliers, like the seven titles listed below, sourced from various streaming platforms, that should definitely pique the interest of anyone who enjoys spy and spy-related series.

If you're enthusiastic about spy tales and thrillers involving espionage, and you're on the hunt for fresh streaming options, here's a compilation of series to begin with. We'll begin with a standout gem from Netflix.

Kleo is a captivating and highly addictive spy series in German, likely to enthrall viewers who appreciate shows like Killing Eve and The Americans. This Cold War-era espionage thriller introduces us to the eponymous protagonist, an East German spy who has recently served a two-year prison sentence. Her sudden release coincides with the fall of the Berlin Wall, propelling her into a relentless quest for revenge. Her journey takes her from Berlin to underground electro clubs, and even the Atacama Desert in Chile.

"The Americans": The United States is still viewed as the so-called "Main Enemy" by Russia, which means that this next series probably strikes the closest chord among all the spy dramas in this lineup. "The Americans" is a fictionalized portrayal of the enduring espionage strategies employed by both contemporary Russia and the former Soviet empire. According to the official show description.

Continuing our journey, Apple's streaming platform, Apple TV+, offers two compelling spy series that I wholeheartedly recommend: "Tehran" and "Slow Horses."

Slow Horses, featuring an impressive ensemble cast led by Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas, is an adaptation of Mick Herron's spy novels. Herron's work has positioned him as a worthy successor to the late master of the genre, John le Carré. The name "Slow Horses" is derived from "Slough House," the fictional MI5 division where misfits and underachievers are assigned to serve out their remaining time in the agency. Slough House might as well be located on a different continent compared to MI5's prestigious Regent's Park headquarters. Within Slough House, operatives like River Cartwright operate under the leadership of Jackson Lamb, who is known for being brash, uncouth, and constantly gassy, but surprisingly brilliant.

While you await the return of "Slow Horses," be sure to explore "Tehran," an Israeli drama that appears to draw inspiration from current events and is available on Apple's streaming platform. The series is created by Moshe Zonder, the head writer behind the excellent thriller "Fauda" on Netflix. Tehran centers around Mossad hacker/spy Tamar Rabinyan, who is inserted deep into Iran's capital city, as the show's title implies. Her mission is to infiltrate and neutralize the defenses of an Iranian nuclear reactor that the Israelis intend to target. Needless to say, things don't go as planned, and they continue to spiral out of control. Tamar must rely on her improvisational skills to achieve her mission objectives and stay alive.