# 10 Shows Like 'Lioness' You Should Watch Next
If you've finished binge-watching "Lioness," the Paramount+ spy thriller starring Zoe Saldana, you're probably hungry for more high-stakes espionage and undercover operations. The show's blend of female-led action, complex character development, and tense plotting has left viewers wanting the next adrenaline rush.
The good news: television offers plenty of alternatives that capture similar energy. Here are ten shows worth adding to your watchlist, each offering distinctive approaches to crime and spycraft.
"The Americans" remains the gold standard for undercover spy narratives. FX's critically acclaimed series follows two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple during the Cold War. The emotional depth rivals any drama on television, and the tension between personal relationships and dangerous missions echoes what makes "Lioness" compelling. If you haven't seen it, the show's six seasons reward patient viewers with some of television's most carefully constructed storytelling.
For something more contemporary, "The Bureau" (Le Bureau des Légendes) delivers French intelligence drama with genuine procedural elements. The show balances personal stakes with geopolitical complexity in ways that feel authentic to actual espionage work.
"Slow Horses," the Apple TV+ series starring Gary Oldman, offers British spy craft with dark humor. The show focuses on MI5 agents relegated to a dumping ground office, but the writing proves sharp and unpredictable. Each season introduces fresh cases while developing character arcs that matter.
"Killing Eve" captures the psychological cat-and-mouse dynamic between hunter and prey. BBC America's series features a brilliant female protagonist in Eve Polastri pursuing a charismatic assassin, Villanelle. The show's stylish direction and character complexity appeal to viewers who loved "Lioness's" focus on female operatives.
"The Americans," "Slow Horses," "Killing Eve," and "The Bureau" share "Lioness's" commitment to character development alongside plot momentum. They prove that spy thrillers don't require constant explosions to maintain engagement.
For crime-focused alternatives with similar tension, "Mindhunter" (Netflix) explores the birth of criminal profiling at the FBI. "Homeland" remains relevant despite its divisive final seasons, offering political intrigue and undercover operations that parallel undercover work in "Lioness."
"Bodyguard" (BBC) delivers a limited-series format with British political thriller sensibility. "The Diplomat" (Netflix) presents contemporary political espionage through a female ambassador navigating international crises. "Severance" takes a speculative approach to workplace mystery and hidden identities.
These shows share core elements with "Lioness": morally complex protagonists, high-stakes scenarios, strong ensemble casts, and willingness to prioritize character moments alongside action sequences. Whether you seek Cold War nostalgia, contemporary spy work, or psychological thrillers, this collection offers substantial viewing time and genuine quality.
Start with "The Americans" or "Slow Horses" if you want immediate satisfaction. Both respect your intelligence and deliver consistently excellent writing across multiple seasons.