So, Netflix’s The Recruit is dead in the water after just two seasons—kinda like getting halfway through a pizza and realizing the delivery guy’s not coming back. But don’t let that leave a sour taste in your mouth! If you’re mourning the loss of Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo) and his wild ride through the CIA, trust us, you’re not alone.
Anyway, before you wallow in disappointment, here’s a silver lining: there are plenty of other spy-filled, action-packed shows to dive into. Whether you’re itching for more espionage drama, quick-witted banter, or just that rush of ‘who can you trust?’—there’s something to keep your eyes glued to the screen. From seasoned agents who are pros at dodging bullets to rookies who barely know how to load a gun, these shows have you covered.
So, here’s a list of 10 TV series that’ll keep the spy vibes rolling even after The Recruit’s final curtain call.
10. Citadel
If you loved Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo) stumbling through the CIA like a deer in headlights, Citadel is the next best thing. The show follows Richard Madden as Kane, a former global spy with a lost memory (because who doesn’t love a good memory wipe?). Along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Nadia, they’re tasked with stopping a rising terrorist organization, all while dealing with their own secrets and betrayals.
It’s like The Recruit, but with seasoned pros—and trust us, the action is top-tier. Plus, it’s one hell of a ride that’ll keep your heart racing.
You can stream Citadel on Amazon Prime Video.
9. The Equalizer (2021-)
Queen Latifah takes the reigns in this reboot of a classic action franchise, but this time, she’s trading her CIA badge for a vigilante side hustle. As Robyn McCall, she helps people in need—often taking on enemies from her CIA past. Sound familiar? The Recruit’s Owen Hendricks may be a rookie, but Robyn is a seasoned pro, dealing with much more than government politics.
Still, both shows revolve around characters learning they can’t walk away from a world they thought they’d left behind.
The Equalizer is streaming on Paramount+.
8. The Rookie (2018–)
From the mind behind The Recruit, The Rookie follows John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), a 40-something guy who decides it’s never too late to become a cop. The fish-out-of-water concept mirrors Owen’s own journey, but with less espionage and more police drama. The charm in both series? The leads.
Fillion’s charismatic presence makes him just as easy to root for as Centineo’s Owen. If you’re after something lighter but still engaging, The Rookie is a great pick.
The Rookie is available on Hulu.
7. The Terminal List
The Terminal List, created by David DiGilio, dives deep into the world of betrayal, as Chris Pratt’s James Reece sets out for revenge after his Navy SEAL team is wiped out. Unlike Owen, Reece doesn’t pull punches—he’s all about getting even. While the tone is grittier and darker than The Recruit, the core element remains the same: an individual discovering that the people they trust are hiding secrets that could change everything. Reece might be a one-man wrecking ball, but his hunt for justice mirrors Owen’s struggle for truth.
Stream The Terminal List on Amazon Prime Video.
6. Patriot
Now here’s the underdog of the spy world that doesn’t get enough credit—Patriot. If you like your espionage served with a splash of absurdity and just a pinch of guitar strumming, then this Amazon series is the dark horse you didn’t know you were waiting for.
Created by Steven Conrad, Patriot stars Michael Dorman as John Tavner, a reluctant intelligence operative who’s tasked with a mission that involves funding a foreign ally’s political campaign.
It sounds easy, right? Well, hold onto your hat, because what follows is a comedy of errors so unpredictable, it could make your head spin faster than a CIA briefing. It’s unpredictable, often hilarious, and, at times, absurd—yet somehow, it pulls you in with its weird blend of violence and folk tunes. The humor might be drier than The Recruit’s wit, but trust us, it’s worth a watch.
Patriot is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
5. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
Jack Ryan is the epitome of the unassuming CIA analyst who gets thrown into the deep end of global intrigue. Played by John Krasinski, Ryan’s journey from analyst to action hero echoes Owen’s own struggles in The Recruit, though Jack’s a bit more… polished.
His path is full of moral dilemmas, covert ops, and high-stakes situations. If you loved Owen’s transition into espionage, you’ll appreciate Ryan’s growth as a CIA operative navigating a world of geopolitical chess.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Slow Horses (2022-)
Sometimes, the spies who mess up the most turn out to be the ones you remember. Will Smith’s Slow Horses takes disgraced MI5 agents, tosses them into a literal ‘slough house’, and forces them to clean up the mess they created.
It’s a grittier, more grounded take on espionage, but the characters are far from traditional heroes. Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb is a standout, and the humor laced with complex spy narratives will remind you of Owen’s fish-out-of-water journey.
Slow Horses is streaming on Apple TV+.
3. 24
If you’re seeking pure, relentless action like The Recruit, Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran’s 24 is your go-to. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is a counter-terrorism agent who races against the clock to stop national security threats.
The format—real-time action over 24 hours—keeps the tension taut and unyielding, just like The Recruit’s sense of urgency. While Jack may be more of a no-nonsense, stone-cold killer compared to Owen’s bumbling rookie, they share the same dedication to protecting their country from the shadows.
24 can be streamed on Hulu.
2. Reacher
Alan Ritchson’s portrayal of Jack Reacher is all brute force and intellect—he’s a former military policeman who’s hell-bent on righting wrongs in small-town America. Unlike Owen, Reacher’s a powerhouse, but both share an uncanny ability to uncover a conspiracy in places where the powerful hide their secrets.
Reacher’s blend of action, grit, and intelligence mirrors the complexity you found in The Recruit, just with a much larger dose of physicality.
Created by Nick Santora, Reacher is available on Amazon Prime Video.
1. The Americans
If you think The Recruit had its fair share of tense moments and mind-bending trust issues, then buckle up, because The Americans will take you on a ride through espionage and emotional chaos that’ll leave you questioning who’s really pulling the strings. Created by Joseph Weisberg, this FX series digs deep into the world of covert operations, where family life and national security are tangled up tighter than a knot in a shoelace.
Where The Recruit offers a lighter, more playful take on espionage, The Americans takes you through the emotional ringer, showcasing how wearing a mask for too long can leave you losing touch with who you really are. It’s not all high-speed chases and exploding buildings—The Americans go deeper, pulling at the very fabric of family, loyalty, and deception.
The Americans is streaming on Hulu.
So, there you have it—a handful of spy thrillers to sink your teeth into while you mourn the cancellation of The Recruit after its second season. Maybe they’ll even make you forget about Owen Hendricks for a while.
But, if you’re still missing The Recruit, don’t fret! You can always hit rewind and rewatch the whole thing again. It’s streaming on Netflix, so go ahead and dive back in.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
