10 Best Spy Thrillers Like Slow Horses That Redefine Espionage
- Joao Nsita
- 15 hours ago
- 12 min read
Introduction
There is a specific kind of alchemy that happens in a truly great spy thriller. It isn't just about the gadgets, the explosions, or the perfectly tailored suits—though, let's be honest, we don't mind those. It is about the tension. It is about the silence in a room where two people are talking about the weather but are actually negotiating the fate of a nation. It is about the crushing weight of secrets and the realization that the people tasked with saving the world are often just as broken as the world they are trying to save.
Enter Slow Horses. This Apple TV+ juggernaut, based on Mick Herron’s acclaimed novels, has single-handedly revitalized the genre by flipping the script. It trades the glamour of James Bond for the dingy, stained offices of Slough House. It swaps the super-soldier for the disgraced screw-up. It finds humor in bureaucracy and heroism in failure. Trends on TikTok show a massive surge in appreciation for "competence porn" mixed with "grumpy mentor" tropes, with Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb becoming an unlikely style icon for the "chaotic academic" aesthetic. Meanwhile, Pinterest boards are filling up with "British Spy Core"—think trench coats, rain-slicked London streets, and moody lighting.
But what do you watch when you’ve binged every available season of Slow Horses? The wait between seasons can feel agonizing. Fortunately, the landscape of television is rich with espionage dramas that share Slough House’s DNA—shows that prioritize character psychology, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes chess games over mindless action.
In this deep-dive listicle, we are exploring the 10 best spy thrillers that capture the same magic. Whether you crave the cold war tension, the workplace snark, or the heart-pounding suspense, we have found the perfect next mission for you.
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10. Alias (2001-2006)
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took over the world, J.J. Abrams created a spy masterpiece that balanced high-octane action with intricate family drama. Alias stars Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, a grad student who discovers her employer, SD-6, is not a black-ops division of the CIA, but an enemy organization. She becomes a double agent, working for the real CIA to bring them down from the inside.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: While Alias leans more into the "super spy" aesthetic with its wigs and disguises, it shares Slow Horses' obsession with the toll of the job. Sydney isn't just fighting bad guys; she is navigating a minefield of trust issues, particularly with her father, Jack Bristow (played with stoic brilliance by Victor Garber). The relationship between Sydney and Jack mirrors the complex, often thorny mentorships seen in Slough House. It proves that the most dangerous secrets are the ones we keep from the people we love.
Trend Watch: Y2K fashion is back in a big way on TikTok, and Sydney Bristow’s early 2000s disguises—featuring colorful wigs, rimless glasses, and leather pants—are serving major inspiration. The show’s blend of action and emotional vulnerability resonates with a generation craving strong female leads who are allowed to be messy and conflicted.
If you enjoy stories about double lives and hidden identities, you might find similar themes in our audio drama series about secrets unraveling in a small town. Check out The Village Secret here
9. Counterpart (2017-2019)
Imagine a spy thriller written by Kafka. Counterpart stars J.K. Simmons as Howard Silk, a lowly cog in a bureaucratic machine based in Berlin. He discovers that his agency guards a crossing into a parallel dimension—a copy of our world created by a Cold War experiment gone wrong. In that other world, there is another Howard Silk, but he isn't a desk jockey; he's a ruthless top-tier field agent.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: Counterpart is the ultimate "sad spy" show. It strips away the glamour to focus on the existential dread of espionage. Like Slow Horses, it deals heavily with the mundane aspects of intelligence work—the paperwork, the checkpoints, the office politics—but twists them into something terrifying. It asks the question: "What if you could meet the person you might have been?" The show’s grim, grey-scale aesthetic perfectly matches the moody atmosphere of Mick Herron’s world.
Trend Watch: The "Multiverse" concept is huge right now thanks to superhero movies, but Counterpart offers the "Dark Academia" version of it. Pinterest users love the show's stark, brutalist architecture and retro-futuristic technology. It is a show for the thinking viewer, offering a puzzle box of identity and loyalty.
For more mind-bending narratives that challenge your perception of reality, listen to our sci-fi mystery episodes. Listen to Dimension Drift
8. The Terminal List (2022)
Based on Jack Carr’s best-selling novel, The Terminal List stars Chris Pratt as James Reece, a Navy SEAL whose platoon is ambushed during a covert mission. Reece returns home with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. As new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: While The Terminal List is more action-heavy and military-focused than the MI5 drudgery of Slough House, it shares a core theme: the institution will betray you. Both shows feature protagonists who have been chewed up and spit out by the systems they swore to serve. It explores the paranoia of being gaslit by your own government and the lengths one will go to for the truth.
Trend Watch: The "Tactical Gear" aesthetic has seen a resurgence in men's fashion trends online, often dubbed "Gorpcore" or "Warcore," influencing streetwear with utility vests and cargo pants similar to Reece’s gear. The show taps into a raw, visceral desire for justice in an unjust world.
7. Homeland (2011-2020)
Homeland defined the post-9/11 spy thriller. Claire Danes stars as Carrie Mathison, a brilliant but volatile CIA operations officer who suspects that a celebrated American war hero, Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), has been turned by Al-Qaeda.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: Carrie Mathison and Jackson Lamb would hate each other, but they are cut from the same cloth. Both are brilliant operatives who are absolute disasters in their personal lives. Homeland masters the art of the "slow burn" tension. It isn't about constant shootouts; it's about the psychological chess match. It captures the frantic, sleepless energy of intelligence work where being right doesn't matter if no one believes you.
Trend Watch: Mental health awareness in media has become a significant talking point on social platforms. Homeland was one of the first major thrillers to center a protagonist with Bipolar Disorder, sparking conversations about neurodivergence in high-stress professions.
Podcast Promotion: If you love the intensity of psychological thrillers, don't miss our latest audio drama series, The Whispering Walls, available now. Listen to The Whispering Walls
6. The Americans (2013-2018)
Set during the height of the Cold War, The Americans follows Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in suburban Washington D.C., whose neighbor happens to be an FBI agent.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: This is widely considered one of the greatest television shows of all time. Like Slow Horses, it is fundamentally a workplace drama—it just so happens that the "work" involves honey traps, dead drops, and assassinations. It balances the high stakes of espionage with the mundane struggles of marriage and parenting. The show excels at "quiet tension," the kind that sits in your stomach for days. It humanizes the "enemy" in a way that forces the viewer to question the nature of patriotism and loyalty.
Trend Watch: The 80s aesthetic of The Americans—high-waisted jeans, oversized glasses, and muted earth tones—aligns perfectly with current vintage fashion trends on TikTok. Furthermore, the "Wig Game" on this show is legendary, inspiring countless memes and Halloween costumes.
If you are drawn to complex relationship dynamics shrouded in secrecy, our romance-mystery podcast episodes will be right up your alley. Explore our Romance-Mystery Collection
5. The Night Agent (2023)
Peter Sutherland is a low-level FBI agent who works in the basement of the White House, manning a phone that never rings—until the night it does. That call propels him into a fast-moving and dangerous conspiracy that ultimately leads all the way to the Oval Office.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: The Night Agent captures the "underdog" spirit of Slow Horses. Peter isn't a super-spy; he's a guy in a basement who is overlooked and underestimated. The show moves at a breakneck pace but keeps the focus on the corruption rotting the system from the inside. It satisfies that itch for a conspiracy thriller where you don't know who to trust.
Trend Watch: This show was a massive viral hit for Netflix, proving that audiences are hungry for "meat and potatoes" thrillers—solid plots, good acting, and no unnecessary frills. It sparked a wave of "Emergency Phone" skits on social media and renewed interest in political thrillers.
For stories about ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, check out our audio drama Sudden Impact. Listen to Sudden Impact
4. Special Ops: Lioness (2023)
Created by Taylor Sheridan, Special Ops: Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program and follows Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within. Zoe Saldaña plays Joe, the station chief responsible for training, managing, and leading her female undercover operatives.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: This show brings the grit. It focuses heavily on the toll that undercover work takes on the psyche. Like the "slow horses" of Slough House, the women in Lioness are often treated as expendable assets by the powers that be. It highlights the moral grey areas of modern warfare and the personal sacrifices required to keep a nation safe.
Trend Watch: The "Female Rage" and "Military Chic" trends converge here. With heavyweights like Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña, the show has generated buzz for its high-production value and intense performances, often featured in "Best Acting Moments" compilations on YouTube.
If you appreciate strong female leads navigating dangerous worlds, our series Her Silent War explores similar themes. Discover Her Silent War
3. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018-2023)
John Krasinski steps into the shoes of the iconic CIA analyst turned field operative. The series follows Ryan as he uncovers a pattern in terrorist communication that launches him into the center of a dangerous gambit with a new breed of terrorism that threatens destruction on a global scale.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: Jack Ryan is the ultimate "competent man." While Slow Horses focuses on the screw-ups, Jack Ryan gives you the other side of the coin: the analyst who is smarter than everyone else in the room but still has to fight through bureaucracy to get things done. It’s a globe-trotting adventure that still spends plenty of time in briefing rooms and behind desks, grounding the action in intellect.
Trend Watch: The transition of John Krasinski from "Jim Halpert" to "Action Hero" has been a long-running cultural conversation. The show satisfies the "Dad Thriller" genre that has seen a massive resurgence—shows that are sturdy, reliable, and technically proficient.
Looking for a hero who uses his brain as much as his brawn? Our detective mystery podcast episodes feature protagonists who solve crimes through sheer deduction. Listen to Detective Mysteries
2. Andor (2022)
It might seem strange to include a Star Wars show on a list of spy thrillers, but make no mistake: Andor is one of the best espionage stories ever told on screen. It follows Cassian Andor’s journey from cynical thief to rebel hero during the formative years of the Rebellion.
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: Andor strips away the lightsabers and the Force to show the dirty, gritty reality of a rebellion. It is about dead drops, coded messages, double agents, and the crushing oppression of a surveillance state (The Empire). The bureaucracy of the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) is depicted with chilling realism, mirroring the office politics of MI5 in Slow Horses. It shows that revolutions are built by ordinary people doing terrible things for a greater good.
Trend Watch: Andor was praised for its "prestige TV" quality, with many non-Star Wars fans tuning in. The monologue by Stellan Skarsgård's character Luthen Rael about sacrifice went viral on every platform, resonating with audiences feeling political fatigue. It’s a masterclass in writing tension.
If you love the concept of resistance and underground movements, our dystopian audio drama The Last Signal will hook you. Stream The Last Signal
1. The Night Manager (2016)
Based on the novel by John le Carré, The Night Manager stars Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier turned hotel night manager. He is recruited by intelligence operative Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate the inner circle of a lethal arms dealer, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).
Why It Fits the Slow Horses Vibe: This is the pinnacle of British spy drama. It is elegant, tense, and incredibly smart. Like Slow Horses, it is rooted in the British intelligence tradition (le Carré vs. Herron). While Slow Horses is the gritty, unwashed underbelly, The Night Manager is the sleek, high-stakes surface. Viewing them together provides a complete picture of the genre. The cat-and-mouse game between Hiddleston and Laurie is electric, and the cinematography is breathtaking.
Trend Watch: With a second season finally confirmed years later, interest in The Night Manager has skyrocketed again. It represents the "Old Money" aesthetic—villas in Mallorca, linen suits, and champagne—serving as pure escapism mixed with deadly stakes.
Final Recommendation: If you want a story that combines luxury settings with dark secrets, try our audio thriller The Gilded Cage. Listen to The Gilded Cage
Conclusion
The spy thriller genre is in a golden age. We have moved past the invincible superhero spies of the 90s and entered an era of vulnerability, complexity, and realism. Shows like Slow Horses have proven that audiences are smart—they want to see the paperwork, the failures, and the human cost of saving the world.
Whether you choose the Cold War tension of The Americans, the sci-fi grit of Andor, or the sleek danger of The Night Manager, each of these shows offers a unique lens on the world of shadows. They remind us that the most interesting part of a spy story isn't the explosion—it's the person deciding which wire to cut.
So, grab your remote, pour yourself a drink (Jackson Lamb would approve), and settle in. The mission is just beginning.
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10 FAQs About Spy Thrillers
1. Is Slow Horses based on a book? Yes, Slow Horses is based on the Slough House series of novels by British author Mick Herron. The first book was published in 2010.
2. Where can I watch Slow Horses? Slow Horses is an Apple TV+ exclusive. You will need a subscription to the platform to watch all available seasons.
3. Are there any movies like Slow Horses? Absolutely. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (starring Gary Oldman), The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and A Most Wanted Man all share that gritty, realistic tone.
4. Is The Americans based on a true story? It was inspired by the real-life story of the Illegals Program, a network of Russian sleeper agents discovered in the U.S. in 2010, though the show is set in the 1980s.
5. Which show on this list is the most action-packed? The Terminal List and Special Ops: Lioness feature the most kinetic, military-style action sequences.
6. Which show is the most intellectual? Counterpart and The Night Manager require the most attention to detail, dealing with complex themes of identity and international arms dealing.
7. Are these shows suitable for families? Most of these shows are rated TV-MA or R for violence, language, and sexual content. Andor is generally more accessible (TV-14) but still deals with heavy themes.
8. What is the "Slough House" in Slow Horses? Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who have messed up but haven't been fired. They are referred to as "slow horses."
9. Will there be more seasons of The Night Manager? Yes, after a long hiatus, a second season has been confirmed and is in production, with Tom Hiddleston returning.
10. Do I need to watch Star Wars movies to understand Andor? Surprisingly, no. While it enhances the experience, Andor is crafted as a standalone spy drama that explains its own stakes well enough for new viewers.
External Resources
Rotten Tomatoes: Best Spy Thrillers - A comprehensive list of critically acclaimed spy movies and shows.
IMDb: Top Rated Spy TV Series - User-rated list of the best espionage television.
The CIA Official Website - For those interested in the real-world history behind the fiction.
Mick Herron's Author Page - Explore the books that inspired Slow Horses.
Variety: TV News - Keep up to date with renewals and cancellations of your favorite thrillers.
The Spyscape Museum - A website dedicated to real-life spy history and skills.
CrimeReads - Excellent articles and essays on mystery and thriller genres.
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