Although there are many different spy movies (James Bond, the Bourne Trilogy, Mission Impossible), there aren’t that many spy TV shows. Coming up with interesting plots around spies and secret agents is pretty tough, especially if you’ve got to keep an intelligent and perceptive audience entertained.
Thankfully there have been some cracking spy thriller TV series in the last 10 to 15 years, so here are some of your favourites. Have we missed any?
1) Burn Notice
Heading into its 7th season, Burn Notice stars Jeffrey Donovan as a former spy, Michael Weston, that has been disavowed and is working to get back into the game. With the help of his trusted colleauges, Fiona Glenanne, Sam Ax and Jesse Porter, Weston plays the role of a modern-day Robin Hood by helping out various clients in Miami while fending old enemies and tracking down the people that ruined his life. Gabrielle Anwar (Fiona) adds spice to the show as Weston’s bomb-happy ex-girlfriend while Bruce Campbell (Sam) shines in his role providing witty banter and strategical expertise.
2) Chuck
A winner of two Primetime Emmy’s, Chuck remains one of the hottest shows on television. Zachery Levi is Chuck, a computer geek that finds himself a wanted man after gaining knowledge of all of the US government’s darkest spy secrets. The secrets are downloaded to his brain after he receives an embedded e-mail from a former friend that works for the Central Intelligence Agency. Formerly stuck in a dead-end job, Chuck now finds himself in the line of fire as a top recruit for the CIA and NSA. The two CIA agents are assigned to help Chuck add an interesting dynamic to the situation as they help Chuck complete the mission while also making sure he keeps his second life a secret to the people he is closest to.
3) Spooks
This multi-award winning show just concluded its 10th and final season. It was a spy drama like no other, featuring tales about the British Secret Service. The show was known for pushing the limits of television with its unique style that included changing its main characters numerous times after having them die in violent display. The series drew several big name stars to be a part of its cast, including Peter Firth, Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen and Lara Pulver. The final episode of the show aired Oct. 23, 2011.
4) Alias
Alias stars the stunning Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, a young, college student that gets lured into the world of undercover ops by a secret agency within the CIA, known as SD-6. After SD-6 has her boyfriend killed for getting too close, Bristow discovers that SD-6 is a rogue international organization with an evil leader. She decides to become a double agent and take down the organization she once worked for. She battle traitors, terrorists and assassins while working to protect her friends by keeping her second life a secret.
5) The State Within
Nominated for a pair of Golden Globes, this show was a politically-charged thriller that ran for six episodes on BBC. Sir Mark Brydon, played by Jason Isaacs, is the British Prime Minister to Washington and works in a world of turmoil. Brydon deals with several personal demons while also attempting to prevent a war and uncover a conspiracy that threatens the governments of the Western Hemisphere. The show also featured Ben Daniels, as an MI6 agent, and Sharon Gless, as the US Secretary of Defense Lynne Warner.
6) Bugs
A four-series show, that ran from 1995-98, Bugs brought viewers into the world of four tech guys turned crime fighters. Ed, Alex, Beckett and Ros are a team of specialists that use their technical skills to help a government organization take down criminal factions. With plenty of explosions and fireworks, this series blended the aspects of an action thriller and a spy drama with a sci-fi twist.
7) 24
One of the most popular spy shows of all time, 24 followed the drama that was the life of Counter-Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer, played by Keifer Sutherland. Each episode chronicled a day in the life of Bauer as he attempted to foil numerous terrorist plots by any means necessary. A typical show involved several plot twists and turns before inevitably ending up with Bauer facing the dilemma of turning on his own morals in order to be the hero. At eight seasons and 192 episodes, 24 was the longest-running spy drama in television history and won numerous awards. It has since spawned a movie, that is currently in production.
Image courtesy of IMDB.com
About the author: This is a guest article by Dan Harrison, an avid fan and collector of spy gadgets and covert spy cameras. Some of the gadgets in his collection include some very bond-esque spy cameras hidden in watches!
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On Thursday, February 2nd HBO Documentary Films presents The Union. The Union takes an unprecedented look at the creative life of Elton John and his remarkable collaborative album with his early-career idol, Leon Russell. The Union is produced by award-winning music producer T Bone Burnett and directed by Cameron Crowe. Never before filmed in his composing process, John is captured by Crowe in this candid portrait of one of the world’s most treasured artists and performers. Begun in Nov. 2009, The Union chronicles the entire writing and recording process of the heralded album John recorded with Russell. Check your local listings for more information.
