7 Female-Centric International Espionage Shows Similar to ‘Lioness’

As Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness — which is now called Lioness — is coming to a close on Paramount+ soon, you don’t need to wait until the final episode premieres on December 8 to begin watching other shows in the same genre.

Lioness is a spy thriller series that follows CIA operative Joe (Zoe Saldaña) as she leads the CIA’s ongoing undercover efforts in the war on terror by mobilizing and training female operatives known as “Lionesses.” At the same time, Joe attempts to balance the grueling demands of her profession with her personal life at home.

Naturally, there’s no shortage of riveting action, thrills, and drama to be had throughout both seasons of this title that also features Laysla De Oliveira, Genesis Rodriguez, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Thad Luckinbill, and Michael Kelly in addition to Saldaña. But what other shows bring the intensity like, or have similar themes to, this Paramount+ Original series?

Keep reading to learn more about the seven shows you need to stream now if you’re a fan of Lioness.

1. If you want to see another show led by a female CIA operative, check out Covert Affairs, an action drama that tracks Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) as she suddenly goes from a young trainee to a field operative working under military intelligence officer Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham). With the help of her astounding linguistic talents, Annie learns and grows on the job, all while navigating complex CIA bureaucracy and figuring out who she can truly trust.

   Stream u003cemu003eCovert Affairsu003c/emu003e on peacock

3. Like Lioness, this is a spy thriller that revolves around a talented member of the CIA named Joe. The plots themselves are pretty different, however, as Condor follows the twisting tale of Joe Turner (Max Irons), a low-level and idealistic CIA analyst who happens upon a plan that could destroy the lives of millions of people. When Joe becomes the sole survivor of his office, he’s forced into the center of a deadly conspiracy that he must get to the bottom of before he can be killed too.

   Where to Stream u003cemu003eCondoru003c/emu003e

4. Yet another engrossing spy thriller with a leading lady in the CIA, Showtime’s award-winning series Homeland revolves around Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a bipolar CIA case officer who becomes convinced that retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) has been turned traitor by al-Qaeda after eight years there as a prisoner of war. As a result, Carrie and Nicholas engage in a perilous game of cat and mouse that threatens America’s national security.

   Stream u003cemu003eHomelandu003c/emu003e on hulu

5. Much like Lioness, Quantico revolves around the lives and struggles of the U.S. Intelligence Community. But this ABC thriller drama series doesn’t follow the CIA, instead centering on young FBI recruits at Virginia’s Quantico base, as recruit Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra) becomes the prime suspect in a terrorist attack on New York’s Grand Central Terminal and is arrested for treason. Desperate to prove her innocence, Alex goes on the run, straining her friendships as violent attacks continue to occur on American soil.

   Stream u003cemu003eQuanticou003c/emu003e on Hulu

6. Lastly, we’ve got Alias, a critically acclaimed sci-fi spy thriller series that, like Lioness, follows a strong female lead working with the CIA undercover to protect America while also dealing with family issues. But Alias truly takes family drama to a whole other level as graduate student Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) works as a double agent for the CIA to infiltrate and dismantle the international criminal organization SD-6 —  AKA Alliance of Twelve — from within. Things grow more complicated when Sydney realizes that her father is also involved with SD-6, and she struggles to maintain a triple life in order to protect her various identities, loved ones, and the American people.

   Stream u003cemu003eAliasu003c/emu003e on Disney+

7. Based on characters from author Tom Clancy’s “Ryanverse,” Jack Ryan is a Prime Video Original political action thriller TV series set in modern-day, following the exploits of up-and-coming CIA analyst Jack Ryan (John Krasinski). Jack soon faces challenges and dangers like he has never seen before as he takes on high-stakes field assignments to take down a terrorist plot with the potential for worldwide ruination. There’s not a female at the lead here, alas, but it’s a good one nonetheless.

   Stream u003cemu003eTom Clancy’s Jack Ryanu003c/emu003e on Prime Video

8. SEAL Team is another Paramount+ Original American military-centered series that follows the lives of the Bravo Team, a sub-unit of the most elite Navy SEALs, as they train, plan, and execute treacherous missions for the sake of their country. Led by the exacting Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz), this team must overcome the immense pressure put on themselves and their loved ones in the face of staggering challenges and high stakes both on and off the job.

   Stream u003cemu003eSEAL Teamu003c/emu003e on paramount+