Netflix’s New 6-Part Thriller Hit Explains Does One Thing Better Than Most Spy Shows

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The positive reception to Netflix’s The Asset is great news for fans of spy thrillers, but it also highlights something important for future shows in the genre. Spy dramas have a rich history on television – from classic series like The Equalizer and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. to the comedic Get Smart, these shows were incredibly popular in the 1960s.

The 1960s also brought us The Prisoner, a groundbreaking miniseries that became so popular Christopher Nolan attempted to reboot it as a film several times. In later years, shows like Spy and MacGyver emerged, followed by more recent successes such as 24.

Spy shows have always been diverse, ranging from over-the-top and playful to serious and realistic. Today, you still see that variety – some shows try to portray espionage accurately, while others embrace the silliness and exaggeration of the genre.

The Asset Is Much More Realistic Than The Average Spy Show

But things might be shifting quickly thanks to the popularity of Netflix’s The Asset. This Danish thriller quickly became the most-watched show on Netflix after its release on October 27th, and it was the platform’s biggest hit that week.

As a critic, I’ve seen a lot of foreign-language shows hit big on Netflix, but The Asset feels different. It’s a spy thriller, sure, following agent Tea – played by Clara Dessan – as she goes undercover and gets involved with the girlfriend of a crime boss. But what really struck me is how realistic it is. Unlike a lot of spy shows, this one feels surprisingly down-to-earth and believable.

Similar to the popular series Slow Horses, The Asset steers clear of the over-the-top, unrealistic portrayal of spies often seen on TV. Instead, it focuses on the often tedious and challenging realities of espionage, particularly the day-to-day work of its main character. This grounded approach makes the show’s eventual moments of high drama even more exciting.

Spy stories have recently moved away from the flashy style of James Bond and towards a more realistic and intense tone, similar to the Jason Bourne films. The huge popularity and praise for the 2024 series Black Doves proves this shift has been successful, benefiting earlier spy shows on Netflix.

Slow Horses and The Asset Prove Viewers Want More Grounded Spy Thrillers

Shows like Black Doves, The Asset, and Slow Horses demonstrate a surprising trend in spy stories: audiences are drawn to slower-paced, more realistic portrayals of espionage. Slow Horses, available on Apple TV+, focuses on a team of spies who have fallen from grace and are now assigned to less important tasks due to past mistakes.

While The Asset has a simpler plot than some spy thrillers, it’s still full of surprises. Both this show and others like it understand that audiences want a fast-paced, exciting, and slightly unbelievable story. However, by taking inspiration from a realistic film like The Conversation (from 1974) instead of a more over-the-top movie like Octopussy, these shows cleverly defy expectations and create something even better.

Although The Asset unfolds at a deliberate pace, this actually enhances the viewing experience. The show subverts expectations for a fast-paced, lighthearted spy thriller, and this unexpected approach immediately draws viewers in and makes them more engaged.

It’s ironic that Netflix recently put a lot of effort and money into a show called The Recruit, which had a similar premise, only to cancel it after just two seasons. The show, starring Noah Centineo, was a lighter take on the spy thriller genre, following a new CIA lawyer who gets caught up in a complicated and dangerous plot involving a mysterious woman.

The Asset’s Success Should Shape Future Spy Shows

Credit: Nikolaj Thaning Rentzmann / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

When The Recruit premiered in 2022, it appeared much more likely to succeed than The Asset. With Noah Centineo—known from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before—a compelling story idea, and an exciting trailer, the show had everything needed to become a big hit with a wide audience.

Similar to the 2022 film The Grey Man – a spy thriller starring Ryan Gosling that didn’t succeed despite being directed by the Russo Brothers, known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – the cancellation of The Recruit suggests that audiences aren’t interested in fast-paced, purely entertaining spy stories right now.

Even popular actors like Ryan Gosling and Noah Centineo weren’t enough to draw a large audience for action-spy films like The Grey Man and The Recruit, suggesting audiences aren’t craving more lighthearted, comedic spy thrillers. The less enthusiastic response to the latest season of Slow Horses, which was its most humorous yet, reinforces this idea. What spy stories need now are serious, dramatic tones.

When shows get it right, they can become huge hits, as seen with The Asset. Despite not featuring any big-name stars, this Danish thriller reached the top of Netflix’s charts. It succeeded by delivering a simple, well-told spy story that felt realistic, unlike the over-the-top action and humor often found in older spy films like James Bond from the 1990s.

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2025-11-08 16:59