Goodbye ‘Lioness,’ Bingeworthy 96-Episode Spy Thriller Becomes One of the Biggest Shows on Streaming

With Lioness wrapping up its explosive third season, another spy thriller has resurfaced on streaming to become one of the biggest series in the current rankings. Running for eight seasons from 2011 to 2020, the series presented a gripping portrait of the intelligence community and the personal sacrifices made in the name of national security.

New action thrillers are some of the most popular picks on today’s streaming landscape, but sometimes, viewers look back on previous icons and binge some true gems. And this one is well worth a binge revival.

An American Soldier Falls Under Suspicion After Returning From War

The political thriller Homeland follows Carrie Mathison ( Claire Danes), a legendary CIA agent whose talents are often undermined by her struggles with bipolar disorder. Mathison’s latest intelligence subject is American soldier Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), who has been released after being held in captivity in Iraq, and whom Mathison suspects of having been turned by Al-Qaeda. It’s only the start of a long road alongside her aide and mentor Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin), who also becomes embroiled in conspiracy after conspiracy during the global war on terror.

Based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War, Homeland premiered on October 2, 2011, on Showtime. The series delivered 96 episodes of non-stop action and political intrigue before reaching its conclusion in 2020. From the beginning, it received positive reviews, with some outlets naming it one of the best shows of the year after Season 1 wrapped. Season 1 still boasts 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the overall critics’ and audience scores for all seasons sit at 85%.

The series was also recognized with several awards in the TV categories of major organizations. Both Claire Danes and Damian Lewis received accolades for their performances, while the series won Best Drama Series at the Golden Globes in 2012 and 2013. The latest update to the charts shows that Homeland has found a second life on streaming. The Showtime original has climbed the Apple TV VOD store rankings and now sits at No. 2. It ranks behind only the highly popular mystery From, but sits above classics like Supernatural and Twin Peaks.

Before ‘Lioness’ & ‘The Terminal List,’ There Was ‘Homeland’

While the genre is now dominated by series like Lioness and The Terminal List, Homeland pioneered a more character-driven approach to espionage, anchored by Claire Danes’ powerful performance. What started as a very human drama about betrayal (and romance) evolved into a complex and more ambitious storyline about Mathison taking on different missions as a covert operative.

Although the production values of the series mentioned above are higher, Homeland laid the groundwork for action thrillers that draw inspiration from real-world events and real threats.

At the center of the series was Danes’ Carrie Mathison – a brilliantly designed character who was effective in her work yet possessed the vulnerability necessary to connect with viewers. Mathison was flawed, yes, but her humanity made her compelling. Spy thrillers are often led by cold-blooded agents whose emotions are simply not relevant, but Mathison defies that convention by showing her vulnerability within a larger system that often operates beyond her control.