Introduction
If you are a fan of Jack Ryan, the action-packed spy thriller series based on Tom Clancy’s novels, you might be looking for some similar shows to watch. Whether you enjoy the political intrigue, the suspenseful missions, or the charismatic characters, there are plenty of other shows that can satisfy your appetite for espionage and adventure. Here are 10 best similar tv shows to jack ryan, in no particular order.
Special Ops: Lioness
Special Ops: Lioness is a new series that premiered on Paramount+ in 2021. It follows Cruz Manuelos, a Force Recon Marine who is recruited by the CIA to join a covert program called Lioness. The program trains and deploys female operatives to infiltrate and neutralize high-value targets around the world. Cruz has to balance her loyalty to her team, her personal life, and her sense of duty, while facing dangerous enemies and moral dilemmas. The show is created by Taylor Sheridan, who also created Yellowstone and 1883, and stars Zoe Saldaña as Joe, the CIA officer in charge of the Lioness program. ¹
Homeland
Homeland is a critically acclaimed series that ran for eight seasons on Showtime, from 2011 to 2020. It stars Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, a bipolar CIA analyst who becomes obsessed with uncovering a conspiracy involving a prisoner of war named Nicholas Brody, played by Damian Lewis. Brody is a Marine Corps Scout Sniper who was held captive by al-Qaeda for eight years, and is suspected of being turned by the enemy. The show explores the complex relationship between Carrie and Brody, as well as the political and personal ramifications of their actions. The show also features Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson, Carrie’s mentor and friend, and Rupert Friend as Peter Quinn, a CIA operative and Carrie’s love interest. ²
Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor is a political drama that aired for three seasons, first on ABC and then on Netflix, from 2016 to 2019. It stars Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, a low-level Cabinet member who becomes the President of the United States after a devastating attack on the Capitol kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession. Kirkman has to deal with his inexperience as a leader, as well as the threats and challenges that face his country and his family. The show also features Natascha McElhone as Alex Kirkman, Tom’s wife and a lawyer, Adan Canto as Aaron Shore, Tom’s chief of staff, and Maggie Q as Hannah Wells, an FBI agent who investigates the attack.
The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a spy thriller series based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk. It premiered on Netflix in 2022, and stars Alan Ritchson as Peter Sutherland, a low-level FBI agent who works in the basement of the White House, manning a phone that never rings. One night, the phone rings, and Peter is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office. He has to work with Max Meladze, a former CIA asset who is in prison, and Oscar Finlay, a police captain and chief detective, to stop a nefarious plot and expose a traitor. The show also features Laura Haddock as Max, Malcolm Goodwin as Oscar, and Hong Chau as Diane Farr, the White House chief of staff.
The Americans
The Americans is a period drama that aired for six seasons on FX, from 2013 to 2018. It follows the lives of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, played by Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, two Soviet KGB spies who pose as a married couple living in suburban Washington, D.C., during the Cold War. The show depicts their covert operations, their complicated relationship, and their interactions with their American-born children, Paige and Henry, who are unaware of their parents’ true identities. The show also features Noah Emmerich as Stan Beeman, an FBI agent who lives next door to the Jennings, and is tasked with hunting down Soviet spies.
The Recruit
The Recruit is an action drama series based on the 2003 film of the same name, starring Al Pacino and Colin Farrell. It premiered on Netflix in 2021, and stars Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks, a newly hired CIA lawyer who becomes involved in a massive international conflict with dangerous parties after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency. Owen has to negotiate with the asset, who is his former girlfriend, and find out who is behind the conspiracy, while risking his life and his career. The show also stars Laura Haddock as Max, the asset, Aarti Mann as Violet, Owen’s co-worker, and Colton Dunn as Lester, another co-worker.
24
24 is an iconic action drama series that ran for nine seasons on Fox, from 2001 to 2014. It stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a former CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) agent who is constantly involved in preventing terrorist attacks and saving the world. The show is famous for its real-time format, in which each season covers 24 consecutive hours in Jack’s life, with each episode corresponding to one hour. The show features multiple interrelated plots, cliffhanger endings, and twists and turns. The show also features various co-stars, such as Elisha Cuthbert as Kim Bauer, Jack’s daughter, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe O’Brian, Jack’s loyal friend and colleague, and Dennis Haysbert as David Palmer, the President of the United States. ⁷
Bodyguard
Bodyguard is a British political thriller series created by Jed Mercurio, who also created Line of Duty. It aired for one season on BBC One in 2018, and is available on Netflix. It stars Richard Madden as David Budd, a war veteran and police sergeant who is assigned to protect Julia Montague, played by Keeley Hawes, the ambitious and controversial Home Secretary. David is conflicted over his duty and his personal beliefs, as he disagrees with Julia’s politics and suspects that she is involved in a conspiracy. The show also features Sophie Rundle as Vicky Budd, David’s estranged wife, Gina McKee as Anne Sampson, the head of the Metropolitan Police, and Paul Ready as Rob MacDonald, Julia’s special advisor. ⁸
Reacher
Reacher is an action crime series based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, and stars Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a former military policeman who travels across the country, taking on dangerous missions and investigations. The first season is based on Killing Floor, the first novel in the series, in which Reacher visits a small town in Georgia, where he is arrested for a murder he did not commit. He teams up with Oscar Finlay, a police captain, and Roscoe Conklin, a local banker, to uncover a conspiracy involving counterfeit money and corrupt officials. The show also features Malcolm Goodwin as Oscar, Willa Fitzgerald as Roscoe, and Bruce McGill as Mayor Teale.
The Diplomat
The Diplomat is a spy drama series that aired for one season on ABC in 2015. It stars Hannah Ware as Emma Wilson, a British diplomat who works at the UK embassy in Washington, D.C. She is secretly a CIA operative, who uses her diplomatic cover to carry out covert operations and gather intelligence. She has to balance her loyalty to her country, her love for her husband, and her attraction to her CIA handler. The show also features Stuart Townsend as John Stone, Emma’s handler, Chris Johnson as Alex Wilson, Emma’s husband, and James Naughton as Jonathan Wilson, Emma’s father and the British ambassador.
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Conclusion
These are 10 of the best TV shows that are similar to Jack Ryan, in terms of genre, theme, and quality. They all feature compelling stories, complex characters, and thrilling action, that will keep you hooked and entertained. Whether you prefer political dramas, spy thrillers, or crime mysteries, there is something for everyone on this list. If you are looking for more shows to watch, you can also check out some of the other works by the creators and actors of these shows, such as Yellowstone, Line of Duty, The West Wing, and The Wire.
FAQs
- Q: What is Jack Ryan about?
- A: Jack Ryan is a spy thriller series based on Tom Clancy’s novels, starring John Krasinski as Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst who gets involved in various global conflicts and threats.
- Q: How many seasons of Jack Ryan are there?
- A: There are three seasons of Jack Ryan, with a fourth one in development.
- Q: Which Jack Ryan season is the best?
- A: This is a matter of personal preference, but some critics and fans have praised the first season for its realism, suspense, and character development.
- Q: Are the Jack Ryan books and movies connected to the TV series?
- A: No, the TV series is a separate adaptation of the books, and does not follow the continuity of the movies.
- Q: Who are some of the other actors who have played Jack Ryan?
- A: Jack Ryan has been portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine in various movies..
