Michael Fassbender's most-streamed action thriller series dethrones Taylor Sheridan

Let’s be honest – TV spy thrillers have been circling the 'next Bond' title for ages, but now there’s actually something in the running. Michael Fassbender is back in action with The Agency, which is making a fair old noise on streaming and, dare I say, actually earning its sweeping claims as the 'American James Bond'. If you fancy watching a bloke brooding his way through gunfights and romantic complications in equal measure – and let’s face it, who doesn’t – this is probably already queuing up on your watchlist.

Espionage, Exes, and a Whole Lot of London Gloom

So, The Agency stems from creators Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth, which is a bit of pedigree if you know your British drama. The basic setup: Michael Fassbender stars as Martian, a covert CIA agent dragged out of deep cover and chucked back to London – not exactly the Mediterranean. Just as he’s trying to adjust, up pops his old flame with a taste for danger of her own.

Naturally, everything gets messy. Secrets start leaking, loyalties are tested, and there’s a twisty pile-up of violence, high-stakes decision-making, and a romantic subplot that’s more complicated than most people’s tax returns.

Imagine Bond shaken up with a bit of Jason Bourne punchiness, but then someone’s sprinkled a sensible dose of Slow Horses and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy over the top – it’s stylish and brisk, but with plenty of slow-burn, moody spycraft for those who like that sort of thing.

Streaming Numbers That Actually Mean Something

Here’s where it gets a bit daft. The Agency wasn’t just a quiet hit; when it debuted at the back end of last year (via Paramount+ with Showtime), it clocked up a rather ridiculous 5.1 million viewers across streaming and linear platforms. Showtime themselves called it their biggest new series launch, ever.

Season 2 landed earlier this month and, if anything, it’s picking up even more momentum. The series has leapfrogged the likes of Yellowstone and Marshals in the global streaming charts, currently holding the #2 spot just behind the latest Dutton Ranch spin-off. It’s the same story in the US, where it’s stubbornly clinging to second place – only the Yellowstone sequel has the edge at the moment.

Absurdly Good Cast

• Michael Fassbender as Martian (your moody CIA lead who is really just trying – and failing – to keep things together)
• Jeffrey Wright (The Batman)
• Jodie Turner-Smith (Tron: Ares)
• Katherine Waterston (Alien: Covenant)
• Richard Gere (yes, Pretty Woman Richard Gere, which is a bit wild for a modern spy series)

Critics Genuinely Like It Now

First season reaction? A mixed bag, if we’re honest. Even though some outlets (MovieWeb being the cheerleader here) raved about Fassbender’s "haunting, lonely performance" – putting it up there with his roles in Shame and The Killer – the first lot of reviews were all over the shop. Rotten Tomatoes chucked it a middling 61%.

Second season, though? The tide’s absolutely turned. Outlets are throwing around words like "masterclass", and Rotten Tomatoes is giving it a seriously improved 90%. One ScreenRant review even called it:

'Fassbender's role as Martian in The Agency season 2 not only serves as an acting masterclass by one of Hollywood's best dramatic stars, but it is also a lesson in how to build a complex and compelling protagonist.'