Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever finished watching Homeland and felt that unique emptiness that comes when an exceptional series ends? That mix of satisfaction and longing for more high-stakes political intrigue, complex characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense? You’re not alone. Homeland captivated audiences worldwide with its intricate plots, morally ambiguous characters, and exploration of national security issues. Fortunately, the television landscape offers several other outstanding TV shows like Homeland that can fill that void and provide similar thrills and thought-provoking content.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 12 remarkable TV shows that share Homeland’s DNA of suspense, espionage, political intrigue, and complex character development. Whether you were drawn to Carrie Mathison’s brilliant but troubled mind, the cat-and-mouse intelligence games, or the nuanced portrayal of global politics, these recommendations will give you something new to obsess over. Each series brings its unique flavor to the espionage genre while maintaining that addictive quality that kept you glued to Homeland for eight seasons.
What Made Homeland Special
Before diving into our recommendations for TV shows like Homeland, let’s briefly examine what made this series so compelling. Homeland centered on CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), whose exceptional intelligence was matched only by her bipolar disorder, creating a fascinating and unpredictable protagonist. The series masterfully balanced personal drama with high-stakes national security threats, offering a nuanced look at the war on terror, intelligence operations, and the personal cost of serving one’s country.
What truly set Homeland apart was its willingness to explore moral ambiguity, with characters operating in gray areas rather than clear-cut heroism or villainy. The show’s realistic portrayal of intelligence work, psychological depth, and constantly evolving geopolitical scenarios created an immersive experience that felt both entertaining and authentic.
Now, let’s explore twelve outstanding TV shows like Homeland that capture similar elements of suspense, intrigue, and complexity.
1. The Americans
The Americans stands as perhaps the closest spiritual successor to Homeland in terms of quality and thematic depth. Set during the Cold War in the 1980s, this critically acclaimed series follows two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the Washington D.C. suburbs. Philip and Elizabeth Jennings maintain their cover while raising two children who are completely unaware of their parents’ true identities.
Created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg, The Americans premiered in 2013 and ran for six seasons on FX. The series stars Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings and Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings, with Noah Emmerich playing their FBI agent neighbor. The show’s runtime typically spanned 45-50 minutes per episode, allowing for deep character development and complex plotting across its 75 episodes.
The Americans received overwhelming critical acclaim throughout its run, maintaining a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and scoring 92 on Metacritic. It won numerous awards, including four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama. While exact viewership numbers varied, the show maintained a devoted audience and is widely considered one of the best television dramas of the 2010s.
Like Homeland, The Americans excels in portraying the psychological toll of espionage work. Both shows feature protagonists leading double lives and navigating moral complexities. The Americans shares Homeland’s interest in the personal cost of national security work, though it approaches these themes from the perspective of enemy agents rather than American intelligence officers. Both series masterfully blend domestic drama with high-stakes espionage, creating tension between professional duties and personal relationships.
You can stream The Americans on Hulu in the United States, while international viewers can find it on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and local streaming services depending on region.
You should watch The Americans if you appreciated Homeland’s nuanced character development and moral complexity. The show offers perhaps the most psychologically rich portrayal of spies on television, examining how living under constant deception affects a person’s identity and relationships. The period setting provides fascinating historical context, and the slow-burning tension creates a viewing experience that rewards patience with devastating emotional payoffs.
2. 24
For adrenaline junkies who loved Homeland’s high-octane terrorism plots, 24 delivers unparalleled tension with its revolutionary real-time format. Each 24-episode season covers a single day in the life of Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) agent Jack Bauer as he races against the clock to prevent assassination attempts, terrorist attacks, and various threats to national security.
Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 24 premiered in 2001 and ultimately ran for nine seasons, with Kiefer Sutherland delivering an iconic performance as Jack Bauer. The supporting cast included talented actors like Mary Lynn Rajskub, Dennis Haysbert, and Carlos Bernard. Each episode unfolds in real time, covering one hour of a 24-hour day, with the show’s signature ticking clock and split-screen visuals creating immense tension.
24 was a commercial and critical phenomenon during its original run on Fox, particularly at its peak during seasons 2-5. The show won 20 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, and attracted millions of viewers weekly. At its height, 24 averaged 13.8 million viewers, making it one of television’s most-watched dramas.
While Homeland adopted a more nuanced approach to counterterrorism, both shows share DNA in their exploration of terrorism threats on American soil. Jack Bauer and Carrie Mathison represent different approaches to intelligence work—Bauer’s methods often skirt constitutional boundaries, while Mathison’s approaches typically involve psychological manipulation and intelligence gathering. Both series examine the cost of keeping America safe and the moral compromises involved in counterterrorism.
24 is available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in most regions, with additional options including Amazon Prime Video and local streaming platforms depending on your location.
You should watch 24 if you enjoyed Homeland’s tension and counterterrorism focus but wouldn’t mind a more action-oriented approach. The real-time format creates unmatched suspense, and Jack Bauer ranks among television’s most compelling protagonists. While not as psychologically complex as Homeland, 24 compensates with propulsive plotting and groundbreaking visual storytelling that influenced countless shows that followed.
3. Killing Eve
For viewers who were captivated by Homeland’s complex female protagonist and cat-and-mouse espionage games, Killing Eve offers a fresh, darkly comedic take on the spy genre. This critically acclaimed series centers on the obsessive relationship between Eve Polastri, an intelligence officer, and Villanelle, a psychopathic international assassin.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge developed the series based on Luke Jennings’ Villanelle novels, with Sandra Oh starring as Eve Polastri and Jodie Comer delivering a breakout performance as Villanelle. The series premiered in 2018 on BBC America and ran for four seasons, with different showrunners helming each season, including Emerald Fennell and Suzanne Heathcote. Episodes typically ran 40-45 minutes.
Killing Eve achieved both critical acclaim and impressive viewership, particularly for a cable series. The show maintained strong ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (especially for its first two seasons) and won numerous awards, including Emmy Awards for both Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. The series developed a passionate fanbase and significant cultural impact, particularly for Villanelle’s distinctive fashion choices.
Both Killing Eve and Homeland feature complicated female protagonists who become obsessed with their targets. The psychological depth of both shows extends to their examination of obsession, though Killing Eve adds dark humor and sexual tension absent from Homeland’s more straightforward approach. Both series blur lines between personal and professional, though Killing Eve pushes this dynamic to more extreme places with its central cat-and-mouse relationship.
You can watch Killing Eve on Hulu in the United States, while BBC iPlayer hosts the series in the UK. Various other streaming platforms offer the show internationally, including AMC+ and local services depending on region.
You should watch Killing Eve if you appreciated Homeland’s psychological complexity but would enjoy something with more style, dark humor, and female-centered storytelling. The series offers exceptional performances, particularly from Jodie Comer, whose portrayal of Villanelle ranks among television’s most compelling characters. The show’s blend of tense espionage with darkly comedic moments creates a unique viewing experience that stands apart from more traditional spy dramas.
4. Fauda
Fauda provides an intense, on-the-ground perspective of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that shares Homeland’s interest in Middle Eastern politics and counterterrorism operations. The series follows Doron, a former Israeli Defense Forces soldier who comes out of retirement to hunt down a Palestinian militant he thought he had killed.
Created by Lior Raz (who also stars as Doron) and Avi Issacharoff, Fauda premiered in 2015 and has produced four seasons to date on Israeli network YES and Netflix internationally. The predominantly Hebrew and Arabic-language series features a cast including Lior Raz, Hisham Suliman, Shadi Mar’i, and Laëtitia Eïdo. Episodes typically run 35-45 minutes.
While viewership numbers aren’t widely published, Fauda has become one of Netflix’s most successful non-English-language series globally. The show has maintained exceptionally high ratings on review aggregator sites, with Rotten Tomatoes scores consistently in the 90s. It has won numerous Israeli Television Academy Awards and developed a significant international following.
Like Homeland, Fauda explores the complexity of counterterrorism operations and the psychological toll they take on operatives. Both shows refuse simple moral binaries, presenting multiple perspectives on conflicts. Notably, Homeland’s early seasons drew inspiration from the Israeli series Prisoners of War (from Homeland creator Gideon Raff), giving these shows shared DNA in their approach to Middle Eastern conflicts and intelligence operations.
Fauda is available exclusively on Netflix in most international territories.
You should watch Fauda if you were intrigued by Homeland’s Middle Eastern storylines and desire an even more intense, ground-level view of counterterrorism operations. The series offers exceptional authenticity, with many cast and crew members having served in special forces units. The show’s willingness to humanize characters on all sides of the conflict creates a morally complex narrative that avoids simple answers while delivering visceral action sequences and tense undercover operations.
5. The Night Manager
For viewers who appreciated Homeland’s sleek production values and international espionage elements, The Night Manager offers a gorgeously filmed adaptation of John le Carré’s spy novel. This limited series follows Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier working as a night manager at a luxury hotel, who is recruited by intelligence officers to infiltrate the inner circle of dangerous arms dealer Richard Roper.
Directed by Susanne Bier and adapted by David Farr, The Night Manager premiered in 2016 as a co-production between BBC and AMC. The six-episode limited series features an all-star cast including Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper, and Olivia Colman as intelligence officer Angela Burr. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes.
The Night Manager was both a critical darling and ratings success, drawing over 6 million viewers for its BBC broadcasts. The series won multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globes, including acting awards for Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman. Its 91% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects the widespread critical acclaim it received for its performances, direction, and adaptation.
Like Homeland, The Night Manager explores the psychological strain of maintaining a cover identity and the moral compromises involved in intelligence work. Both series feature protagonists who become deeply embedded with their targets, creating tension between their mission and their developing relationships. The Night Manager shares Homeland’s glossy production values and international scope, though condensed into a taut limited series format rather than a multi-season narrative.
You can watch The Night Manager on Amazon Prime Video in most regions, with additional availability on AMC+ in the United States and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
You should watch The Night Manager if you enjoyed Homeland’s international intrigue and psychological complexity but prefer a contained story with a definitive ending. The series offers exceptional performances, particularly from Hugh Laurie as the charming but dangerous arms dealer. The gorgeous international locations and cinematic production values make this one of the most visually stunning entries in the modern spy genre, while the cat-and-mouse game between Pine and Roper creates sustained tension across its six episodes.
6. Bodyguard
Bodyguard delivers the intense political tension and conspiracy elements that made Homeland compelling, with a distinctly British perspective. This thriller follows Police Sergeant David Budd, a war veteran assigned to protect controversial Home Secretary Julia Montague, despite his personal opposition to her politics and policies.
Created by Jed Mercurio (known for Line of Duty), Bodyguard premiered in 2018 on BBC One in the UK before becoming an international hit on Netflix. The six-episode series stars Richard Madden as David Budd and Keeley Hawes as Julia Montague. Episodes range from 58-75 minutes, providing ample time for character development and complex plotting.
Bodyguard was a ratings phenomenon in the UK, becoming the BBC’s most-watched drama series of the decade with over 10 million viewers for its finale. The series received universal acclaim, earning a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Richard Madden. Its combination of political intrigue and personal drama captivated audiences worldwide.
Like Homeland, Bodyguard examines the intersection of politics, terrorism, and personal trauma. Both series feature protagonists suffering from PTSD related to war experiences, creating tension between their professional duties and psychological struggles. Both shows explore political conspiracies and the murky relationship between government, intelligence services, and law enforcement, though Bodyguard offers a more condensed, high-intensity viewing experience compared to Homeland’s multi-season arcs.
Bodyguard is available on Netflix globally outside the UK, where it can be found on BBC iPlayer.
You should watch Bodyguard if you appreciated Homeland’s political intrigue and psychological depth but prefer a more condensed, intensely paced narrative. The series opens with one of television’s most heart-stopping sequences and maintains that tension throughout its six episodes. Richard Madden’s performance as the troubled protection officer navigating personal demons while uncovering political conspiracies provides an emotional anchor for the series’ breakneck plotting and unexpected twists.
7. The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes)
The Bureau stands as perhaps the most realistic portrayal of intelligence work in contemporary television, sharing Homeland’s interest in the human cost of espionage but with a distinctly European perspective. This French series follows the DGSE (France’s equivalent to the CIA) and centers on Guillaume Debailly, codename Malotru, an undercover agent returning to headquarters after six years in Damascus.
Created by Éric Rochant, The Bureau premiered in 2015 on Canal+ in France and ran for five acclaimed seasons. Mathieu Kassovitz stars as Guillaume Debailly, leading an ensemble cast that includes Sara Giraudeau, Florence Loiret Caille, and Jonathan Zaccaï. Episodes typically run 52 minutes, creating room for methodical storytelling and character development.
While specific viewership numbers aren’t widely published, The Bureau has been hailed by critics as one of the finest spy dramas ever produced. The series maintains exceptional ratings on review aggregator sites, with scores consistently above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. It has won numerous awards in France and developed a devoted international following among espionage aficionados.
The Bureau shares Homeland’s focus on the personal sacrifices and identity crises of intelligence officers. Both shows examine how the boundaries between cover identities and real lives blur dangerously for undercover agents. The Bureau offers perhaps an even more granular look at intelligence tradecraft than Homeland, with meticulous attention to the procedures, technology, and bureaucracy of modern espionage operations.
You can watch The Bureau on AMC+ and Sundance Now in the United States, while various international platforms carry the series depending on region, including Amazon Prime Video in some territories.
You should watch The Bureau if you valued Homeland’s authenticity and psychological complexity but would appreciate an even more realistic approach to intelligence operations. The series avoids Hollywood conventions in favor of methodical storytelling that emphasizes the mundane aspects of espionage alongside its dangers. The international scope, with storylines spanning the Middle East, Russia, and Europe, provides a global perspective on intelligence operations that complements Homeland’s primarily American viewpoint.
8. Berlin Station
Berlin Station captures the gritty world of international espionage with a focus on internal CIA politics similar to Homeland. This underrated series follows Daniel Miller, a CIA officer who transfers to the Berlin station to uncover the source of a leak providing information to a whistleblower named Thomas Shaw.
Created by Olen Steinhauer, Berlin Station premiered in 2016 on EPIX (now MGM+) and ran for three seasons. The series stars Richard Armitage as Daniel Miller, with a strong supporting cast including Richard Jenkins, Michelle Forbes, and Rhys Ifans. Episodes typically run 60 minutes, allowing for complex plotting and character development.
While Berlin Station never achieved the mainstream popularity of Homeland, it maintained a dedicated audience and positive critical reception, with particular praise for its authentic portrayal of modern espionage and strong performances. The show tackled relevant geopolitical issues including terrorism, Russian interference, and European politics.
Like Homeland, Berlin Station explores internal tensions within the CIA and the ethical dilemmas faced by intelligence officers. Both shows examine the post-9/11 intelligence landscape with a critical eye, questioning the methods and moral compromises involved. Berlin Station shares Homeland’s interest in the psychological toll of espionage work and the blurry lines between allies and enemies in modern intelligence operations.
Berlin Station is available on MGM+ in the United States, with various international platforms carrying the series depending on region, including Amazon Prime Video in some territories.
You should watch Berlin Station if you enjoyed Homeland’s focus on internal CIA politics and modern intelligence challenges. The series offers exceptional production values with on-location filming in Berlin, creating an authentic European atmosphere. The show’s willingness to explore morally ambiguous characters and complex geopolitical scenarios provides a nuanced view of modern espionage that builds on themes explored in Homeland while offering its own distinct perspective.
9. Counterpart
For viewers who appreciated Homeland’s complex plotting and espionage elements but wouldn’t mind a science fiction twist, Counterpart offers a fascinating blend of spy thriller and parallel world narrative. This critically acclaimed series stars J.K. Simmons as Howard Silk, a low-level UN employee who discovers that his organization actually guards a crossing point to a parallel dimension created by East German scientists during the Cold War.
Created by Justin Marks, Counterpart premiered in 2017 on Starz and ran for two seasons. J.K. Simmons delivers a tour-de-force dual performance as both versions of Howard Silk, supported by a cast including Olivia Williams, Harry Lloyd, and Nazanin Boniadi. Episodes typically run 50-60 minutes, providing ample time for the show’s intricate narrative to unfold.
Counterpart received outstanding critical acclaim, maintaining a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season. Critics particularly praised J.K. Simmons’ performance and the show’s intelligent scripting. While viewership numbers remained modest, the series developed a passionate fanbase and is considered an underappreciated gem of recent television.
While Counterpart adds a science fiction element absent from Homeland, both shows share an interest in espionage tradecraft, doubles, and hidden identities. The parallel world concept allows Counterpart to explore questions of identity and choice that resonate with Homeland’s examination of loyalty and betrayal. Both series feature complex plotting that rewards attentive viewing, though Counterpart adds philosophical dimensions through its exploration of how different circumstances shape identical people.
Counterpart is available on Amazon Prime Video in most regions, with additional availability on Starz platforms in the United States.
You should watch Counterpart if you valued Homeland’s intelligence and complexity but wouldn’t mind adding a speculative dimension. J.K. Simmons delivers one of television’s finest performances, making the two Howards distinctly different through subtle acting choices. The Cold War aesthetic and espionage elements will feel familiar to Homeland fans, while the parallel world concept adds fascinating layers to the typical spy narrative. Despite its premature cancellation after two seasons, Counterpart tells a complete and satisfying story.
10. Jack Ryan
Jack Ryan modernizes Tom Clancy’s iconic character for the streaming era, sharing Homeland’s focus on global terrorism and intelligence operations. The series follows CIA analyst Jack Ryan as he transitions from a desk job to fieldwork after discovering suspicious banking transactions that lead him into dangerous international conspiracies.
Developed by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland, Jack Ryan premiered in 2018 on Amazon Prime Video and has produced four seasons to date. John Krasinski stars as the titular character, with Wendell Pierce playing his boss James Greer. The supporting cast rotates based on each season’s unique storyline. Episodes typically run 40-60 minutes.
Jack Ryan has become one of Amazon Prime Video’s most successful original series, though specific viewership figures aren’t regularly published. The show has received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for its action sequences and production values. Jack Ryan maintains high audience scores on review aggregator sites despite more mixed critical reception than some entries on this list.
Like Homeland, Jack Ryan explores contemporary geopolitical threats and the intelligence community’s efforts to counter them. Both shows feature protagonists who spot patterns others miss and frequently find themselves in conflict with intelligence bureaucracy. However, Jack Ryan adopts a more traditional heroic narrative compared to Homeland’s morally ambiguous approach, offering clearer distinctions between good and evil.
Jack Ryan is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video worldwide.
You should watch Jack Ryan if you enjoyed Homeland’s global scope and counterterrorism focus but prefer a more straightforward, action-oriented approach. The series offers exceptional production values with impressive international locations and set pieces rivaling feature films. John Krasinski brings an everyman quality to the role that differs from Homeland’s psychologically complex protagonist, creating a more accessible entry point into the world of intelligence operations. Each season tells a complete story, making it easy to jump in at any point.
11. Condor
Condor updates the classic spy thriller Three Days of the Condor for contemporary audiences, sharing Homeland’s paranoia and exploration of intelligence agency corruption. The series follows Joe Turner, a CIA analyst who specializes in algorithm development, as he becomes the target of a deadly conspiracy after his entire office is assassinated.
Developed by Todd Katzberg, Jason Smilovic, and Ken Robinson, Condor premiered in 2018 on Audience Network before moving to Epix (now MGM+) for its second season. Max Irons stars as Joe Turner, with William Hurt, Leem Lubany, and Brendan Fraser in supporting roles. Episodes typically run 60 minutes.
While viewership numbers aren’t widely published due to its original home on the niche Audience Network, Condor received positive reviews from critics, particularly for its tense plotting and performances. The show maintains a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has developed a devoted following among spy thriller enthusiasts.
Like Homeland, Condor examines the potential for corruption within intelligence agencies and the dangers faced by individuals who uncover inconvenient truths. Both shows feature protagonists who must determine who to trust in environments where loyalty is constantly shifting. Condor shares Homeland’s interest in the ethical questions surrounding intelligence work, particularly regarding surveillance technology and its potential for misuse.
Condor is available on MGM+ in the United States, with various international platforms carrying the series depending on region, including StarzPlay in some territories.
You should watch Condor if you appreciated Homeland’s paranoid atmosphere and examination of intelligence agency misconduct. The series offers a compelling update to a classic spy narrative, with contemporary concerns about surveillance and technology integrated into its conspiracy plot. The show’s fast-paced narrative and constant tension create an engaging viewing experience that, like early Homeland, keeps you guessing about who can be trusted and what agenda various characters might be pursuing.
12. Sleeper Cell
Sleeper Cell provides perhaps the most direct thematic parallel to early Homeland, focusing on an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates a terrorist cell planning an attack on American soil. This underrated series explores the complex motivations driving extremism while delivering intense counterterrorism drama.
Created by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris, Sleeper Cell premiered in 2005 on Showtime and ran for two seasons. Michael Ealy stars as Darwyn Al-Sayeed, an undercover FBI agent and practicing Muslim, with Oded Fehr delivering a nuanced performance as terrorist leader Faris al-Farik. Episodes typically run 55 minutes.
Sleeper Cell received strong critical acclaim during its original run, with particular praise for its nuanced portrayal of Islam and terrorism. The series was nominated for several Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. While viewership numbers were modest by premium cable standards, the show has maintained a reputation for quality and complexity among terrorism-focused dramas.
Like early seasons of Homeland, Sleeper Cell explores the world of undercover operations within terrorist organizations. Both shows examine the psychological toll of maintaining a cover identity and the moral compromises required in counterterrorism work. Sleeper Cell predates Homeland but shares its interest in the complex motivations driving terrorism and the diverse backgrounds of those drawn to extremist causes.
Sleeper Cell is available on Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime add-on in the United States, with various international platforms carrying the series depending on region.
You should watch Sleeper Cell if you were particularly drawn to Homeland’s early seasons focusing on terrorism and undercover operations. The series offers exceptional character development for both its protagonist and antagonists, avoiding stereotypical portrayals in favor of complex individuals with varied motivations. Despite predating Homeland by several years, many of Sleeper Cell’s themes regarding radicalization and counterterrorism remain relevant today, making it worth revisiting for fans of sophisticated espionage dramas.
Comparison Table: TV Shows Like Homeland
| Series | Focus | Similar Elements to Homeland | Unique Elements | Seasons | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Americans | Soviet spies in 1980s America | Character depth, moral ambiguity | Historical setting, family focus | 6 | Hulu, Disney+ |
| 24 | Counterterrorism in real-time | Terrorism focus, high stakes | Real-time format, action-oriented | 9 | Hulu, Disney+ |
| Killing Eve | Intelligence officer vs. assassin | Female lead, psychological focus | Dark humor, obsessive relationship | 4 | Hulu, BBC iPlayer |
| Fauda | Israeli-Palestinian conflict | Middle East focus, undercover ops | Multiple perspectives, authenticity | 4 | Netflix |
| The Night Manager | Infiltration of arms dealer’s network | Undercover work, international scope | Limited series, literary adaptation | 1 | Amazon, AMC+ |
| Bodyguard | Protection officer uncovering conspiracy | Political intrigue, PTSD themes | Condensed format, British focus | 1 | Netflix, BBC iPlayer |
| The Bureau | French intelligence operations | Realistic tradecraft, identity themes | European perspective, methodical pace | 5 | AMC+, Sundance Now |
| Berlin Station | CIA operations in Germany | Internal CIA politics, moral complexity | European setting, whistleblower themes | 3 | MGM+, Amazon |
| Counterpart | Spy thriller with parallel dimensions | Espionage elements, complex plotting | Sci-fi concept, philosophical themes | 2 | Amazon, Starz |
| Jack Ryan | CIA analyst facing global threats | Terrorism focus, international scope | Action-oriented, traditional heroism | 4 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Condor | Analyst uncovering CIA conspiracy | Agency corruption, paranoia | Technology focus, conspiracy thriller | 2 | MGM+, StarzPlay |
| Sleeper Cell | FBI agent infiltrating terrorist group | Terrorism focus, undercover work | Religious dimension, diverse portrayals | 2 | Showtime, Paramount+ |
Conclusion
The television landscape offers many compelling alternatives for viewers seeking TV shows like Homeland. From The Americans’ deep character work to 24’s adrenaline-fueled counterterrorism, these twelve series provide various entry points into the world of espionage, intelligence operations, and political intrigue. Each brings something unique while maintaining the core elements that made Homeland such a captivating viewing experience.
Whether you prefer the methodical realism of The Bureau, the parallel world complexity of Counterpart, or the condensed intensity of Bodyguard, there’s something on this list for every fan of sophisticated spy dramas. Many of these series approach similar themes from different cultural perspectives, offering fresh insights into intelligence operations beyond Homeland’s primarily American viewpoint.
As the streaming era continues to produce high-quality content, the tradition of complex espionage narratives pioneered by shows like Homeland lives on through these worthy successors. So before your next binge-watching session, consider giving one of these outstanding series a try—your fix of intelligence intrigue, moral complexity, and edge-of-your-seat suspense awaits.
FAQ Section: TV Shows Like Homeland
Are any of these shows direct spin-offs of Homeland?
No, none of these shows are direct spin-offs of Homeland. Each series represents an independent production with its own characters and storylines. However, Homeland itself was adapted from the Israeli series “Prisoners of War” (Hatufim) by Gideon Raff, who also served as an executive producer on Homeland.
Which of these shows is most similar to early seasons of Homeland that focused on Nicholas Brody?
Sleeper Cell most closely resembles early Homeland seasons that focused on the Nicholas Brody storyline, as it centers on undercover operations within terrorist cells and explores questions of loyalty, identity, and radicalization. The Americans also shares similarities in its exploration of double agents leading dual lives.
Are any of these shows still producing new episodes?
As of 2025, Fauda and Jack Ryan are the only series on this list that haven’t definitively ended. Fauda has completed four seasons with the possibility of more, while Jack Ryan concluded its run with season 4 in 2023. The other series have all concluded their runs, though some, like The Night Manager, have discussed potential follow-up seasons.
Which show on this list has received the most critical acclaim?
The Americans generally receives the highest critical acclaim among these selections, frequently appearing on “best television of the decade” lists and maintaining exceptional review scores throughout its six-season run. The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes) also receives extraordinary critical praise, particularly in Europe.
Do I need to understand politics to enjoy these shows?
While a basic understanding of geopolitics might enhance your viewing experience, all these shows are designed to be accessible to general audiences. Most provide sufficient context for their political backgrounds, focusing primarily on character development and suspense rather than requiring detailed political knowledge.
Which show has the strongest female characters similar to Carrie Mathison?
Killing Eve offers the strongest parallel to Homeland’s complex female protagonist, with both Eve Polastri and Villanelle representing multifaceted women in intelligence work. The Bureau and The Americans also feature compelling female characters in espionage roles, though none match Carrie Mathison’s specific combination of brilliance and bipolar disorder.
Are any of these shows appropriate for family viewing?
Most of these shows contain mature content including violence, strong language, and sexual situations, similar to Homeland. Jack Ryan tends to be the most accessible for broader audiences, while shows like The Americans and Killing Eve feature more explicit content. All are primarily aimed at adult viewers rather than family audiences.
Which show is the easiest to binge-watch in a short time?
The Night Manager and Bodyguard, both limited series with six episodes each, can be completed in the shortest time. Their condensed storytelling creates highly bingeable viewing experiences that can be finished in a weekend while still delivering complete narrative arcs.
