# The best spy TV series of all time

From Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to The Americans: the espionage series critics and fans rank highest (Collider, 24/7 Wall St., FilmAffinity).

- 102 votes · 12 items
- Mar 25, 2025 · the_vinylhead
- https://even.best/en/l/2016/the-best-spy-tv-series-of-all-time

## Top 12

1. **The Night Manager (2016–)** (10 · ▲10 ▼0) — Tom Hiddleston infiltrates an arms dealer's circle.
2. **Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)** (8 · ▲9 ▼1) — Alec Guinness as George Smiley hunting the mole.
3. **Burn Notice (2007–2013)** (8 · ▲9 ▼1) — A blacklisted spy stuck in Miami.
4. **The Bureau (2015–2020)** (7 · ▲10 ▼3) — France's DGSE and its undercover agents.
5. **Spooks (2002–2011)** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — MI5 and its willingness to kill main characters.
6. **24 (2001–2010)** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Jack Bauer, in real time.
7. **Alias (2001–2006)** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — Jennifer Garner's double agent and her wigs.
8. **The Americans (2013–2018)** (6 · ▲8 ▼2) — Soviet sleeper agents in Reagan-era suburbia; the greatest spy series.
9. **Slow Horses (2022–)** (6 · ▲7 ▼1) — Gary Oldman's misfit spies at Slough House.
10. **Smiley's People (1982)** (6 · ▲7 ▼1) — Guinness' Smiley returns for one last case.
11. **Homeland (2011–2020)** (6 · ▲6 ▼0) — Claire Danes and a returned prisoner of war.
12. **Killing Eve (2018–2022)** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — An MI6 officer and an assassin obsessed with each other.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.