12 Action-Packed TV Shows That Jack Ryan Fans Will Love
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The action-packed drama of Jack Ryan proved to be one of 2018's best TV surprises. The Amazon series packed in plenty of twists and jaw-dropping moments in its first season, but none of it would have worked if not for John Krasinski's perfect everyman CIA agent performance. The man who gave the world The Office's Jim Halpert quickly revealed himself to be a capable and swoonworthy action star as Jack moved seamlessly from his desk job to taking on a deadly mission to stop a terrorist organization.
Amazon has, thankfully, ordered a second season of Jack Ryan, but while you wait for it to debut, there's no reason why you can't indulge in these quality shows that will serve up the same level of action that you've come to crave, thanks to Krasinski's brilliant character.
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Homeland
Homeland is Jack Ryan's truest predecessor. For seven seasons, Carrie Mathison's obsessive need to stay in the field as she works to stop terrorists has captivated viewers, thanks in no small part to Claire Danes's riveting performance. When it comes to making the right choices, Carrie tends to fail spectacularly, but this flawed heroine always stays embroiled in the action.
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Bodyguard
The United Kingdom's smash hit Bodyguard begins with an intense showdown on a train and never looks back. Starring Richard Madden, the six-episode first season follows veteran David Budd as he attempts to transition back to civilian life by taking on a job as a bodyguard for a politician he fundamentally disagrees with on every level. Like Jack, he quickly realizes that there's nothing normal about his new job.
Where to watch: Netflix
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24
Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer is like a super jaded Jack Ryan. Each season of 24 sends the cynical Jack on a new mission to save the world in a single day, and thanks to a literal ticking clock, the show's intensity level is off the charts. Sure, some "days" are better than others, but with nine heart-stopping seasons to choose from, this show's counterterrorism agents never slow down for a second.
Where to watch: Hulu
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Luther
While Jack Ryan is a big-picture story that takes viewers around the world, Luther tells its stories on a much smaller scale. Just because Idris Elba's angsty detective focuses on London-based cases, that doesn't mean his job is easier than Jack's. His quest to take down twisted killers is thrilling, heartbreaking, and gives Elba the chance to show his full range of talent.
Where to watch: Netflix
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The Night Manager
International intrigue, spies, and a whole lot of double-crossing — The Night Manager has it all. If you found it a bit too easy to unravel the mystery at the center of Jack Ryan, this show's twisty storytelling is what you've been looking for. Besides, who doesn't want to watch Tom Hiddleston as a former-soldier-turned-undercover-intelligence-agent fighting crime at a scenic hotel?
Where to watch: Amazon
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Killing Eve
BBC America's brilliant cat-and-mouse series Killing Eve is a stylish globetrotting tale of obsession and conspiracies. Anchored by incredible performances from Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, the series follows the beautiful assassin Villanelle, and MI5 security officer Eve, whose first time in the field gives her a taste for a far more adventurous job description.
Where to watch: Hulu
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The Americans
Jack Ryan is one of the good guys, but sometimes it's fun to look at a situation from the "bad guys'" point of view. That's where The Americans comes in. The Jennings family are undercover Russian spies living in the suburbs of America. From the outside, their family appears to be perfect, but the truth is far more complicated and dangerous than any of their neighbors would ever expect.
Where to watch: Amazon
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Alias
Alias is an old-school series that has always been ahead of its time. The storytelling is overall a bit breezier than what you'll find in Jack Ryan, but the J.J. Abrams-created series is teeming with the same kind of puzzle box mysteries that made season one of Krasinski's show so much fun. Just sit back and enjoy the many wigs and missions of the one and only super spy that is Sydney Bristow, and before long you'll find yourself drawn into her twisty world of CIA secrets.
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Burn Notice
One of the best things about Krasinski's Jack is how he's not a no-nonsense soldier type. He does yoga, loves Jeopardy, and is a genuinely nice and intelligent man who is also really good at his job. Burn Notice features a similar protagonist in Michael Westen. Michael is stuck in Miami after being forced to give up his life as a spy. He's now on a mission to find out who blew his cover, but he also takes care of his mom, makes time for his equally deadly friends, and uses his intelligence to solve cases of the week even more than he uses his brawn.
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Strike Back
Two former military men are called to serve once more in Strike Back. This series is extremely action focused, as it sends its characters on deadly missions to stop some of the world's most dangerous people. If you're looking for riveting battle scenes and emotional showdowns on par with what Jack Ryan offers up, then you'll love this underrated gem.
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Sherlock
Steven Moffat's modern-day Sherlock series is by turns a crime-solving romp through London and an emotional juggernaut. No matter how intense the case Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock is solving is, this series never lets its cinematic look and feel slide. This makes the (consulting) detective series one that's a joy to watch.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Quantico
Priyanka Chopra stars in ABC's Quantico, which admittedly has more in common with Grey's Anatomy than Jack Ryan, but the series about a group of FBI agents in training is an absolute delight. It also includes plenty of twists and turns along with its steamy hookups and sweet friendship moments as the new agents bond.
Where to watch: Netflix