Here Are the Best Intense Thrillers and Espionage Shows to Watch if You Love ‘Fauda’

Since its debut, the Israeli action thriller series ‘Fauda‘ has captivated international audiences with its depiction of undercover counter-terrorism operations and the complex human toll of geopolitical conflict.

Created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, the show stands out for its relentless pacing, moral ambiguity, and grounded tactical realism. Viewers seeking similar adrenaline-fueled narratives, espionage tradecraft, and politically charged stakes have a wealth of exceptional television to explore across global streaming platforms. Here is a curated selection of fifteen outstanding shows that share the intensity, dramatic depth, and suspenseful tone of ‘Fauda’.

‘Tehran’ (2020– )

This Israeli spy thriller follows Tamar Rabinyan, a Mossad computer hacker-agent infiltrating Iran’s capital under a false identity. Her mission is to disable an Iranian nuclear reactor to enable an airstrike by the Israeli Air Force. When the operation goes awry, Tamar is forced into hiding and must navigate a perilous web of local allies and state intelligence officers. The series delivers high-stakes cat-and-mouse tension while exploring the internal politics and civilian realities of modern Tehran. Like ‘Fauda’, ‘Tehran’ balances authentic tactical realism with intense psychological suspense.

‘The Bureau’ (2015–2020)

Known natively as ‘Le Bureau des Légendes’, this acclaimed French series provides a realistic look inside the DGSE, France’s external security agency. The plot centers on intelligence officer Guillaume Debailly, who struggles to disconnect from his undercover persona after returning from a six-year mission in Damascus. As Debailly becomes entangled in dangerous geopolitical games, the agency faces operational crises across the Middle East and North Africa. The narrative emphasizes methodical intelligence tradecraft, political bureaucracy, and the psychological weight borne by deep-cover agents.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

Developed from the Israeli series ‘Prisoners of War’, this American political thriller focuses on CIA operations officer Carrie Mathison. Mathison suspects that a rescued American prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and poses an imminent threat to national security. Across eight seasons, the storyline expands across the globe, tackling counter-terrorism, foreign diplomacy, and intelligence asset recruitment. The series mirrors ‘Fauda’ in its complex examination of how modern warfare impacts the personal lives of operatives on the front lines.

‘The Spy’ (2019)

This limited biographical drama depicts the real-life story of Eli Cohen, a prominent Mossad agent operating in Syria during the 1960s. Embedded under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet, Cohen successfully infiltrates high-ranking political and military circles in Damascus. As his undercover identity deepens, Cohen faces increasing isolation and the constant risk of discovery by Syrian counter-intelligence. The miniseries offers a tense, historically grounded look at espionage and the immense personal sacrifices required in deep-cover missions.

‘Caliphate’ (2020)

This Swedish thriller series weaves together multiple interconnected storylines centered around an impending Islamic State terrorist attack in Sweden. In Raqqa, a disillusioned Swedish woman attempts to escape the caliphate while secretly feeding critical intelligence to a Swedish security officer. Meanwhile in Stockholm, a radicalized assistant teacher targets vulnerable high school students for recruitment. The show delivers a grounded, fast-paced examination of religious radicalization, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism prevention. Its uncompromising realism and urgent pacing make it a natural companion piece to ‘Fauda’.

‘Prisoners of War’ (2010–2012)

Known as ‘Hatufim’ in Israel, this acclaimed drama serves as the direct inspiration for the American hit series ‘Homeland’. The story chronicles the return of two Israeli soldiers held captive in Lebanon for seventeen years following a high-profile prisoner exchange. As the men struggle to reintegrate into their families and society, military investigators uncover glaring discrepancies in their debriefings. The series prioritizes psychological trauma, espionage mysteries, and the societal consequences of protracted military conflicts.

‘No Man’s Land’ (2020– )

Set against the backdrop of the Syrian civil war, this international thriller follows a French man named Antoine searching for his presumed-dead sister. His quest leads him into the heart of the conflict, where he crosses paths with Kurdish female fighters opposing ISIS forces. The narrative incorporates multiple perspectives, including foreign jihadists, covert British operatives, and regional fighters. The production features gritty combat realism, complex regional politics, and intense personal drama amidst chaotic combat zones.

‘Our Boys’ (2019)

Created by Hagai Levi, Joseph Cedar, and Tawfik Abu-Wael, this miniseries dramatizes the tragic events of summer 2014 in Israel. Following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, an internal security investigator tracks down the perpetrators of a retaliatory killing. The narrative explores the parallel grief of Israeli and Palestinian families as regional tensions escalate toward open conflict. Much like ‘Fauda’, the show presents an unflinching examination of cyclical violence and operational counter-investigations.

‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ (2018–2023)

This action thriller follows CIA financial analyst Jack Ryan as he is thrust from a desk job into dangerous field assignments. After discovering suspicious bank transfers linked to an emerging terrorist leader, Ryan becomes deeply involved in global counter-terror operations. Subsequent seasons follow international intelligence operations across South America, Russia, and Europe. The series delivers high-budget tactical engagements, weapon authenticity, and intricate cross-border covert operations.

‘Bodyguard’ (2018)

This British political thriller stars Richard Madden as David Budd, an Afghanistan war veteran serving as a Specialist Protection Officer in London. Budd is assigned to protect an ambitious Home Secretary whose foreign policy platform aligns with the very conflict that traumatized him. As terrorist conspiracies and political assassinations unfold, Budd must navigate institutional corruption and personal instability. The show features intense, real-time tactical set pieces and political intrigue that will resonate with fans of ‘Fauda’.

‘Strike Back’ (2010–2020)

Based on the novel by former SAS soldier Chris Ryan, this military action series focuses on Section 20, a covert branch of British military intelligence. The unit deploys on high-risk, black-ops missions across the globe to neutralize international terrorist networks and rogue military factions. The narrative combines detailed weapon tactics, close-quarters combat sequences, and urgent counter-terrorism operations. Fans of the relentless pacing and combat realism in ‘Fauda’ will appreciate the show’s focus on special operations field work.

‘The Looming Tower’ (2018)

Based on Lawrence Wright’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, this miniseries charts the rising threat of al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden in the late 1990s. The storyline focuses on the contentious rivalry between the FBI’s I-49 squad in New York and the CIA’s Alec Station in Washington. This lack of intelligence sharing ultimately hinders efforts to prevent catastrophic terrorist plots on American soil. The series provides a meticulous, historically detailed exploration of counter-terrorism investigations and bureaucratic conflict.

‘Hit & Run’ (2021)

Created by ‘Fauda’ creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, this international mystery thriller stars Raz as tour guide Segev Azulai. When Segev’s American wife is killed in a hit-and-run in Tel Aviv, he suspects her death was an orchestrated assassination rather than an accident. His personal investigation takes him from Israel to New York City, uncovering hidden intelligence connections and dangerous state secrets. The show delivers the signature kinetic action, visceral fight choreography, and relentless momentum that characterize Raz’s work.

‘Condor’ (2018–2020)

Inspired by the classic film ‘Three Days of the Condor’, this thriller follows young CIA analyst Joe Turner after his entire office is assassinated. As the sole survivor, Turner goes on the run while attempting to uncover a vast conspiracy within the American intelligence apparatus. The series explores modern surveillance capabilities, biological warfare threats, and the moral boundaries of national defense. It balances suspenseful fugitive pursuits with sharp geopolitical commentary and tactical operational maneuvers.

‘The Night Manager’ (2016– )

Based on the novel by John le Carré, this espionage miniseries follows Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier working as a luxury hotel night manager. Pine is recruited by a British intelligence operative to infiltrate the inner circle of a ruthless international arms dealer named Richard Roper. To earn Roper’s trust, Pine must adopt an illicit criminal persona while managing shifting loyalties and deadly internal betrayals. The series blends high-stakes undercover tension, international tradecraft, and geopolitical drama in exotic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern locales.

Please share your favorite political thrillers and recommendations for other fans in the comments.