From 'Tehran' to 'Slow Horses', 5 series to fill the 'The Sympathizer' void
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Park Chan-wook, the renowned South Korean filmmaker, has once again demonstrated his exceptional talent with his latest series, 'The Sympathizer,' for HBO.
Amid Apple TV+ dabbling in period/historical genres with 'Franklin' and 'Palm Royale' this spring, the HBO series has emerged as the clear winner.
'The Sympathizer' is an adaptation of the 2015 novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen. It blends serious themes such as war and politics with dark humor in its seven engaging and thought-provoking episodes.
The Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. starrer concluded its run on Sunday, May 26, 2024, leaving us wanting for more. While there's no official announcement for 'The Sympathizer' being renewed for another season, here are five similar shows you can watch to fill the void:
1. 'Tehran' on Apple TV+
'Tehran' is an Israeli spy thriller television series that made immediate buzz upon its release on Apple TV+ in 2020, followed by another season in 2022.
At the International Emmy Awards 2021, 'Tehran' bagged the award for best drama series, becoming the first-ever Israeli series to win this award.
The plot revolves around a young Jewish woman working as a Mossad agent who embarks on her first mission as a computer hacker in her hometown of Tehran where she has to disable a nuclear reactor.
The Apple TV+ series is rated 7.6/10 on IMDb and has gathered an 85% average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. 'The Americans' on FX
Similar to 'The Sympathizer', Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys starrer is a great addition to the period spy drama. Created by Joe Weisberg for FX, the first season of the series aired in 2013 and wrapped up its run with a sixth season airing in 2018.
Set during the Cold War era in the 1980s, 'The Americans' follows two Soviet KGB officers who pose as an American married couple.
The series explores the conflicts between the KGB spies and the FBI office while showcasing the perspectives of agents on both sides.
3. 'Generation Kill' on HBO
If you're already a fan of 'The Sympathizer,' HBO's 'Generation Kill' is a must-watch. Also comprising seven parts, this mini-series, based on a book, immerses viewers in a war-torn setting.
Author Evan Wright chronicled his experience as a war correspondent with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq in his 2004 book 'Generation Kill'.
Drawing inspiration from the book, the series is set during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 starring Lee Tergesen as embedded reporter Evan Wright.
The HBO series boasts a stellar rating of 8.5/10 on IMDb.
4. 'Slow Horses' on Apple TV+
'Slow Horses' is based on Mick Herron's 'Slough House' series of novels. Streaming on Apple TV+, 'Slow Horses' is a British spy thriller that revolves around a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their miserable boss as they take on thrilling missions to defend England.
If you have loved 'The Sympathizer' for its dark humor, 'Slow Horses' is the right fit for you. Three seasons are currently streaming on Apple TV+ with the fourth and fifth seasons in the pipeline.
5. 'Patriot' on Prime Video
The success of 'The Sympathizer' lies in its subtle commentary on politics and the aftermath of the war with the right pinch of black comedy. Good, watchable series in this genre are pretty rare.
'Patriot', available on Prime Video, stands out as an engaging watch. It is a political-spy, black comedy drama with two seasons.
It features Michael Dorman as John Tavner, an intelligence officer who takes the cover as an industrial engineer to prevent Iran from going nuclear.