Unveiling the Top 50 Ultimate Spy TV Shows of All Time

Identifying the most exceptional espionage programs and streaming series to compose a list of top spy shows requires an enigmatic process. FX's The Americans, set during the Cold War, has a 96% rating on the Tomatometer, and each season is Certified Fresh, making it one of the most significant shows in this era of Television, addressing not only espionage but also marriage, parenting and historical revisionism. This spy thriller comes complete with catchy theme songs, but should it occupy a ranking higher than the timeless CBS classic, Mission: Impossible?

Where should Starz's futuristic program, Counterpart, which airs on December 9th, feature on the list of outstanding spy shows? The inaugural season earned a rare perfect score of 100% on the Tomatometer, indicating the high quality of the show. In Counterpart, J.K. Simmons portrays both a mild-mannered government official and his trigger-happy mirror-world duplicate, who hunt dangerous spies who hop through different realities.

Adaptations of John le Carré's espionage stories have also aired on TV. The Night Manager, featuring one of Britain's top Toms, and The Little Drummer Girl, both broadcasted on AMC, are both Certified Fresh at 90% on the Tomatometer.

Espionage tales can also be humorous, as evidenced by Mel Brooks' and Buck Henry's beloved Get Smart, which aired on NBC and CBS in the 1960s, and the critically lauded, long-running animated FX sitcom Archer, which has a Tomatometer score of 93%.

We didn't base our selection exclusively on the Tomatometer score.

We also factored in the number of seasons, the season scores, review counts, and certification status. To rank some classic series without enough reviews to evaluate a Tomatometer score, we referred to other reputable media lists of top spy series. Lastly, our editorial judgement resolved any ties and weighted titles based on their cultural significance.

Scan Rotten Tomatoes' list of the best spy shows ever before it disappears in three...two...just kidding. Like the FBI's most wanted list, we will keep this guide updated as additional information becomes available.

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