Marvel superstar Zoe Saldaña leads a hardcore team of CIA operatives who take down jihadis in Special Ops: Lioness (2023), a gritty spy series based on a real-life team of badass US Marine Corps women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

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Special Ops: Lioness (2023)

American actor and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Sicario, Yellowstone) ratchets up the tension in this slick, four-series thriller from Paramount+. The all-star cast includes Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman who oversee a female team of spies, infiltrators, and assassins. Special Ops: Lioness isn’t just a new take on the espionage genre, it redefines the essence of intrigue and suspense.

So what should you watch after Special Ops: Lioness? Here are nine more adrenaline-filled series that bring you to the forefront of heart-pounding action. 
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Hanna (2019-2021)

If you haven’t seen Hanna yet, you’re in for a wild ride. The series focuses on an extraordinary young girl raised in the forest as she evades the relentless pursuit of an off-book CIA agent and tries to unearth the truth behind who she is. By Season 3, Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) is in love with Abbas Naziri (Adam Bessa), an activist and one of Pioneer's main targets, but the course of young love does not go smoothly. (Prime Video) 
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Homeland (2011-2020) ‍

Homeland requires no introduction (almost!). Carrie Matheson (Claire Danes) takes us on an unforgettable rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue as she navigates the murky waters of espionage, terrorism, political machinations, and her bipolar disorder. Each episode is a heart-racing dance between loyalty and betrayal. The dynamic cast and intricate plot twists make Homeland an unparalleled ride. (Showtime, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Google Play, YouTube)
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Little Drummer Girl (2018)

Mossad takes a bold step by enlisting a young English actress amid a wave of targeted attacks on prominent Israelis by a Palestinian assassin in this thrilling series based on John le Carré’s novel of the same name. Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer, Black Widow) is exceptional as Charmian ‘Charlie’ Ross, portraying her with a balance of vulnerability, determination, and raw emotion as Charlie is drawn into the dangerous world of espionage. (Apple TV, Sky, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video)

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Citadel (2023) 

Global spy agency Citadel has fallen and its agents' memories are wiped clean but they must fight back against the rise of a powerful syndicate, Manticore. Indian-American actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas takes on the role of secret agent Nadia Sinh, sharing the screen with sizzling Mason Kane (Richard Madden of Bodyguard fame. (Prime Video)

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Covert Affairs (2011-2014) 

Fresh off the farm, Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) must adapt to the challenging life of a CIA operative under the guidance of her handler, Auggie (Christopher Gorham). She soon realizes her recruitment might have to do with her ex-boyfriend than her talent when she is suddenly plucked from the inner sanctum of the Agency and promoted to field operative. (Google Play, Apple TV, Hudu, Prime Video)

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Alias (2001-2006)

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) is a double agent for the CIA working against the malevolent organization known as SD-6. Garner is a tour de force in Alias. She anchors the series with her compelling and multifaceted performance, conveying both physical prowess and nuanced emotions. (Vudu, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Prime Video)

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Berlin Station (2016-2019)

The CIA’s Berlin branch is tasked with sorting out damaging leaks, whistle-blowers, and terrorism while navigating the politics of partnering with German spies (their former WWII enemies) in the war on terror. Berlin Station’s ensemble cast is elevated by its exceptional female stars - Ashley Judd, Michelle Forbes, and Keke Palmer among them - who bring substance to the intricate narrative. (Roku, Apple TV, Prime Video, Sky, Google Play)

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The Avengers (1961-1969) 

Set against the backdrop of swinging '60s London, The Avengers still inspires the espionage genre. Viewers are drawn into a world of witty intrigue centered around the stylish duo of John Steed and his female partners. Keep an eye out for Emma Peel (Diana Rigg) and Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), both later cast as ‘Bond Girls’, whose contributions to The Avengers shaped the series’ success. (Apple TV, Britbox, Google Play, Prime Video)

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The Blacklist (2013-2023)

The Blacklist is a riveting series that centers around the enigmatic relationship between Raymond Reddington (James Spader), a former government agent turned high-profile criminal, and Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), a rookie FBI profiler. Boone proves herself as an exceptional talent and versatile actress with depth and authenticity. (Apple TV, Google Play, Prime Video, Chili)