“A spy series with heart”: The Agency is the “record-breaking” espionage drama giving Slow Horses competition

Slow Horses fans, pay attention! Another brilliant spy thriller has entered the game and it goes by the name of The Agency. The Paramount+ drama, which broke streaming records with its first series last year and has just started filming its second, is what we’d call a spy series with heart - and it’s giving Slow Horses some serious competition.

Produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, the gripping espionage drama stars Michael Fassbender as CIA agent Martian who has an exceptional track record as one of the agency's most reliable operatives - until he finds himself caught between his duties and a matter of the heart. When it aired on Showtime in the US last November, it became the most streamed new series in the history of the network, with UK audiences quickly falling for its charm - and the brilliant Michael Fassbender, of course.

While we await the arrival of series 2 on our screens, here's everything you need to know about The Agency, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Agency about?

Based on the French series Le Bureau des Légendes, the first 10-part series introduced us to Brandon Colby, AKA Martian (played by Michael Fassbender), a CIA agent who spent years undercover in Sudan, before being called back to HQ in London. When the past love, Samia Zahir (played by Jodie Turner-Smith), who he left behind reappeared, romance was reignited – and his career, his real identity and his mission were pitted against his heart.

Breaking protocol, he decided to contact Samia again – aware of the risk of her being an undercover agent. At the same time, Martian’s return to London raised suspicion, and a another agent, Coyote (Alex Reznik), was captured by the KGB in Minsk, Belarus, raising the possibility of other field agents being exposed. Cue the start of a pretty major crisis.

What will happen in The Agency series 2?

If you haven’t seen the first series may want to skip over the next bit as we’re about to give away some spoilers. At the end of series 1, we saw Martian successful facilitate the return of Coyote, who had been held for ransom in Minsk, and become a hero to his colleagues.

However, MI6 agent James Richardson (Hugh Bonneville) also compromised him. In return for his life, Richardson demanded he served as a double agent for MI6 within the CIA, and Martian had no choice but to agree. This means series 2 is likely to be very interesting indeed as he navigates his dual role.

Sadly, plot details for series 2 are being kept firmly under wraps, but given that Martian is now a double agent for the UK's Secret Intelligence Service – a deal he agreed to in order to save his life and that of his love interest Samia – we're looking forward to seeing how his relationship with Henry Ogletree (Jeffrey Wright), CIA London Deputy Station Chief and Martian’s mentor, plays out.

Wright recently shared his thoughts about the relationship with The Hollywood Reporter: "Over the course of the first season, there’s this relationship, this bond between the two of them that’s been established," he says. "There’s a mutual respect and there’s this reciprocal need and trust, but you begin to see a bit of doubt creep in from Henry’s perspective,” says Wright. "As we go on, we’ll begin to explore whether that crack widens and what is revealed inside should be fun."

Addressing the plot of series 2, Michael Fassbender added: "Everything that’s introduced in the first season just tightens now. I’m glad that the audience responded to the first season because it is a bit of a slow burn and you’re sort of introduced to these characters and each of their different stories, and then things start ramping up. It doesn’t let up right from the first episode of season two. It ratchets through the 10 episodes."

Who will star in The Agency series 2?

Paramount+ hasn’t yet shared a cast list for series 2, but going by the fact they’ve already spoken about series 2, we’d imagine Michael Fassbender will be back as Martian, along with Jeffrey Wright as Henry Ogletree. We’d also expect Jodie Turner-Smith to return as Samia Zahir, and we hope to some more series 1 regulars, including:

• Richard Gere as Bosko
• Katherine Waterston as Naomi
• Harriet Sansom Harris as Dr Rachel Blake
• John Magaro as Owen
• Andrew Brooke as Grandpa
• India Fowler as Poppy
• Saura Lightfoot-Leon as Danny
• Hugh Bonneville as James Richardson
• Reza Brojerdi as Reza
• Alex Reznik as Coyote

Is The Agency any good?

Yes – as we mentioned, when it aired in the US, it became the most streamed new Showtime series in the history of the network. It was a hit with UK audiences, too, but as Michael Fassbender suggested, it’s a bit of a slow burn, so you do need to persevere through the first couple of episodes before it gets really good. By the killer final episode), you’ll be well and truly hooked.

How can I watch The Agency series 2?

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Paramount+ is yet to share a release date for The Agency series 2, but given that filming is currently underway, we'd expect it to arrive at some point in late 2025 or early 2026. As soon as we have a confirmed release date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up on the first series on Paramount+.