10 coolest spies from TV shows who could give James Bond a run for his money

Coolest spies from TV shows | Images via Prime Video, Just Watch, Netflix and Hulu
Coolest spies from TV shows | Images via Prime Video, Just Watch, Netflix and Hulu

Over the years, television has presented us with many spies as clever and exciting as James Bond. They have placed us amid wild, dangerous, and exciting adventures. Even though James Bond is known for his special gadgets and ways with people, TV spies regularly introduce new ideas, such as touching emotions, being part of groups, or sharp thinking.

There are several ways to be composed and witty under pressure, including wearing a tux and making jokes. They all contribute something new to the espionage genre by fusing humor, action, and purpose. This collection shows 10 guest stars brave enough to compete with 007 and, in some ways, upstage him.

**Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.**


Here is the list of the 10 coolest spies from TV shows who could give James Bond a run for his money:

10. George Smiley (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)

George Smiley | Image via Prime Video
George Smiley | Image via Prime Video

Gary Oldman played George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. On the TV show, he is portrayed as a clever and thoughtful figure. Smiley doesn’t engage in big-screen action like James Bond, but depends on his cleverness to reveal ongoing betrayals.

Smiley faces Bill Haydon quietly, as though the situation weren't really important, when he confronts him. Smiley listens carefully as Haydon shares his story, allowing his composed expression to convey his inner feelings. It demonstrates the method used by Smiley to uncover the truth without fighting, proving his skill as an unarmed spy.


9. Sydney Bristow (Alias)

Sydney Bristow | Image via Just Watch
Sydney Bristow | Image via Just Watch

Jennifer Garner played Sydney Bristow in Alias. In this show, she is a likable CIA double agent who is strong and competent. Episode Phase One shows Sydney leaving little time to retrieve a vital device on a plane as it flies. As soon as her role is revealed, she steps into a life-or-death battle, opens the plane’s hatch, clings on as everything in its cabin decompresses, and completes what she was assigned to do.

Here, we see that Sydney has great physical skills, good instincts, and a determined nature like James Bond, which help her manage challenges that would be hard for anyone in her field.


8. Jack Bauer (24)

Jack Bauer | Image via Hotstar
Jack Bauer | Image via Hotstar

Jack Bauer is the main character in 24. He is an unshakable agent at the Counter Terrorist Unit who always fights to protect America. Viewers have seen Jack Bauer take decisive steps to remove President Charles Logan in Season 5. He abducts the President from his home, uses the evidence against him to contradict the government’s claims, and has him arrested.

Jack puts his life in danger to assist someone, while many others risk all to do what is right. Instead of James Bond’s cool actions, Bauer deals with issues head-on, showing he’s eager to challenge the highest ranks for his country’s good.


7. Sterling Archer (Archer)

Sterling Archer | Image via Hulu
Sterling Archer | Image via Hulu

In Archer, Sterling Archer is a clever yet not very traditional spy. Viewers have seen Sterling work in the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS). In episode Mole Hunt, Archer thinks someone on the team is a spy and launches into a messy investigation. He achieves surprising results by adopting unconventional techniques, such as maximizing the agency's resources and creating major distractions.

Although Archer lacks James Bond's level of composure, he demonstrates that he can effectively manage any difficult circumstance. Archer brings a new viewpoint to the spy story by combining comedy and espionage, illustrating that a tux is not required for professional success.


6. Nikita (La Femme Nikita)

Nikita in La Femme Nikita | Image via Apple TV
Nikita in La Femme Nikita | Image via Apple TV

In La Femme Nikita, Peta Wilson portrays Nikita, who is falsely accused and transforms from a scared and duped young woman into a capable member of the inner security force of the world. She is compelled to join the agency by the government after being accused and then found guilty of a crime she didn’t commit.

We notice Nikita's resilience and ability to change as she handles her first mission, making decisions and staying true to what is right in a world with many shades of gray morally. Nikita is unique from James Bond because she prefers to rely on her feelings and commitment to remaining human throughout her secret work. Since her struggles are shown, she matches Bond as a tough adversary.


5. Michael Westen (Burn Notice)

Michael Westen | Image via Hulu
Michael Westen | Image via Hulu

In Burn Notice, Jeffrey Donovan plays Michael Westen, a former CIA agent. Following a violent incident, Michael finds himself alone in Miami. Since he lacks the needed resources, he applies everything he has learned to assist others and discover the reason he lost his job. At one point, Michael poses as an arms dealer and assembles a set of fake explosives to outwit his adversaries.

He can handle challenging situations without the support of an organization. It is all due to his improvisational skills and in-depth knowledge of spycraft. Michael's resourcefulness and moral code distinguish him from James Bond, who works with state assistance. Thus, his role-play character reveals that a spy's real power is found in their flexibility and beliefs.


4. Illya Kuryakin & Napoleon Solo (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.)

Illya Kuryakin & Napoleon Solo | Image via Apple TV
Illya Kuryakin & Napoleon Solo | Image via Apple TV

In The Man from U.N.C.L.E., the characters of Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin were played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, respectively. The characters are top members of the U.N.C.L.E., a global intelligence agency. Their cooperation, which spans East and West and operates throughout the tumultuous Cold War era, demonstrates solidarity in the face of global difference.

The duo goes undercover at a fortified location in the "The Quadripartite Affair" episode to stop a villain’s plot. Since Kuryakin is multilingual and Solo is dashing, they can easily act calmly during all kinds of meetings, even risky ones. The ease with which they collaborate and deal with various issues demonstrates their unique espionage abilities. Kuryakin and Solo are a team that works closely together and respects one another, which is different from James Bond, who usually works alone. This demonstrates that two partners may get the same results as a great solo agent.


3. Sarah Walker (Chuck)

Yvonne Strahovski plays Sarah Walker | Image via Prime Video
Yvonne Strahovski plays Sarah Walker | Image via Prime Video

Yvonne Strahovski plays Sarah Walker in the TV show Chuck. The character is the head of the CIA, tasked with watching over Chuck Bartowski, an ordinary person who holds huge amounts of government information. In the episode Chuck Versus the Helicopter, Sarah shows what she is capable of when she and Chuck are in a fight, and Sarah helps them survive. She quickly takes care of dangers, so Chuck stays safe and their cover stays in place.

Balancing her job and her emotions makes Sarah a more interesting person. Regina is a tough spy because of her commitment, flexibility, and strong emotional understanding. James Bond usually keeps his relationships separate from his missions, but Sarah’s empathy makes her a person we can still relate to.


2. Helen Webb (Black Doves)

Helen Webb in Black Doves | Image via Netflix
Helen Webb in Black Doves | Image via Netflix

In Black Doves, Keira Knightley portrays Helen Webb. She is a spy who strives to keep her secret job hidden from her family. Viewers see how things spiral out of control when Helen is interviewed for a new position and discloses her past to the interviewers, making her a target. Her spy skills are showcased in how she manages stress and navigates challenging situations.

In contrast to James Bond, who frequently uses technology and confrontations, Helen's strength lies in her emotional intelligence and finesse. She is a strong character in the espionage field because of her two lives as a mother and a spy.


1. Maxwell Smart & Agent 99 (Get Smart)

Maxwell Smart & Agent 99 in Get Smart | Image via Apple TV
Maxwell Smart & Agent 99 in Get Smart | Image via Apple TV

Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) and Agent 99, the espionage duo from the popular television series Get Smart, are known for their unconventional methods and sense of humor. The tone of their partnership is established from their first meeting when 99's ability contrasts with Max's incompetence. The two frequently finish missions effectively despite Max's awkwardness, fusing humor with successful espionage.

Max's mistakes are frequently made up for by Agent 99's cunning and resourcefulness, showcasing her qualities as a top agent. They demonstrate that humor and cooperation can be just as successful as any high-tech device by providing a humorous approach to espionage.


We may conclude that television spies have shown that there are more ways to aid the world than what James Bond does. Every character provided us with something: intelligence, loyalty, courage, a sense of humor, or sensitivity. George Smiley and Sarah Walker, with their various skills, handled dangerous jobs in intelligent, inventive, and humane ways.

They showed that a spy character does not always have to be brave or cool, but can still shine in the end. They both stood out from the crowd. We were interested not just in how they performed, but also in the thoughts and ideas that drove their actions. Sometimes, television spies surpassed James Bond as they redefined what a great spy is.

Edited by Sezal Srivastava