Jack Ryan, James Bond, Charlie's Angels... the greatest secret agents in film and TV history

Jack Ryan - expecting a new series
Jack Ryan - an analyst played by Hollywood's finest
Dominika - Red Sparrow
Dominika - Red Sparrow based on real Soviet activities
James Bond - one of the most successful franchises of all time
James Bond - The new 007
Jason Bourne - the brutally efficient spy
Jason Bourne - packed with action
Harry Tasker - True Lies
Harry Tasker - even his wife goes under cover
Eggsy - The Kingsman
Eggsy - The King's Man
Nathan Muir - Spy Game
Nathan Muir - Brad Pitt at his peak
Austin Powers
Austin Powers - the most unusual spy
Johnny English
Johnny English  - A tribute to Mr Bean
Ethan Hunt - Mission: Impossible
Ethan Hunt - inspiring a long list of wire-suspended actors
Simon Templar - The Saint
Simon Templar - to return to the screen
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels - Another successful franchise
Napoleon Solo - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Napoleon Solo - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Sydney Bristow - Alias
Sydney Bristow - the double agent
Archer
Archer - the timeless agent
Jack Ryan - expecting a new series

According to Deadline, Jack Ryan fans will get two more seasons of the series (probably in 2023) before they discontinue. But they will not stop with the franchise in general, because there's talk of a spinoff coming after.

The first season follows Jack Ryan, a C.I.A analyst, as he is pulled out from the comfort of his desk job and thrust into the field after discovering a string of dubious bank transfers, connected to an Islamist extreme group.

Jack Ryan - an analyst played by Hollywood's finest

Currently working on season three, this thrilling action series will have you on the edge of your seat. In total, five films have been made about Tom Clancy's analyst, with actors such as Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Chris Pine taking the lead.

Dominika - Red Sparrow

A violent and sensual spy thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence, as a Russian spy who has to make contact with a C.I.A. officer in order to discover who the mole is in her organisation. The 2018 film is based on the book of the same name, written by Jason Matthews, who took up writing after completing a 33-year tenure with the C.I.A. So he knew his stuff.

Dominika - Red Sparrow based on real Soviet activities

In fact, the story is all based on actual Soviet spy activities that Matthews became familiar with during his time at the C.I.A. That could be why the characters, places and events all seem so real.

James Bond - one of the most successful franchises of all time

Created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming in a series of books, this spy didn’t make his screen debut until almost a decade later in 1962. Once he did, he started one of the most successful franchises of all time, with an incredible 25 films and the title role being played by seven different actors.

James Bond - The new 007

The world is now waiting with baited breath to see who will be unveiled as number 8, after Daniel Craig made his final appearance as 007 in the recently released 'No Time To Die'. Martinis, beautiful women, incredible cars, exotic locations and Gadgets galore, what’s not to love about the world's most famous spy?

Jason Bourne - the brutally efficient spy

Created by novelist Robert Ludlum, Jason Bourne first appeared in the novel 'The Bourne Identity' in 1980. The novel was adapted into a Hollywood film in 2002, starring Matt Damon as the confused but brutally efficient spy.

Jason Bourne - packed with action

Different from the Bond series as the title Character doesn’t work for his country, he spends most of the film trying to discover his true identity. With five films in total, four starring Matt Damon this exciting and action packed series of films is well worth a watch.

Harry Tasker - True Lies

A 1994 American action comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and the spectacular Jamie Lee Curtis. Leading a double life from his family, computer salesman Harry Tasker, played by Schwarzenegger, must save the world from Terrorists.

Harry Tasker - even his wife goes under cover

But when his identity is revealed, his family become involved in the dangerous world of espionage. Perhaps it is the actor or the story line. Who knows? The lead character, the spy Harry, is simply a joy to watch. It gets even better when his wife turns to going under cover, too.

Eggsy - The Kingsman

Action comedy film starring the always elegant Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Mark Strong. The first film introduces 'Eggsy', a working class young man into the suave and always well-dressed world of the British Spy.

Eggsy - The King's Man

Ultra violent and super stylish, this franchise has three films and one in the making, with another film set to come out in 2023.

Nathan Muir - Spy Game

Spies never looked so good. 2001 action thriller starring Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. An American asset has been arrested and will be executed in 24 hours unless the American government make an agreement with China. Can the asset be saved or will Redford have to put his retirement on hold?

Nathan Muir - Brad Pitt at his peak

Brad Pitt turned down the lead role in 'The Bourne Identity' (2002) in order to star in this film. However, they were all on a tight schedule as Pitt had to finish filming quickly in order to start shooting for 'Ocean's Eleven'. A busy guy.

Austin Powers

Comedy starring Mike Myers. After being cryogenically frozen for thirty years super spy Austin Powers is defrosted in order to catch Dr Evil.

Austin Powers - the most unusual spy

The films poke fun at the outrageous plots, sexual innuendos and the general sophistication and elegance of spies portrayed in film. Three films in total with wonderful cameos and general silliness, perfect for a wet Sunday afternoon. In fact, Tom Cruise made a cameo as Austin Powers himself (he appeared in the opening sequence, filming a remake of the spy film with Spielberg directing).

Johnny English

Spy comedy film series with Rowan Atkinson. Clumsy 'wannabe' spy Johnny English is desperate to be part of the system but isn’t accepted by his peers. When an accident kills all the spies at the agency Johnny English finally gets the chance to be the spy he always wanted to be.

Johnny English - A tribute to Mr Bean

Rowan Atkinson shines in the role and we do get a glimpse of his old Mr Bean days in Johnny English himself. In fact, there's a tribute: the first scene showing Johnny English in his office, Rowan Atkinson is wearing the classic "Mr. Bean" outfit.

Ethan Hunt - Mission: Impossible

Originally a TV series starting in 1966 and running for seven seasons, this enormous franchise now includes a series of films starring Tom Cruise. The first one was made in 1996 and by 2011, the franchise had generated over $4 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest grossing franchises ever.

Ethan Hunt - inspiring a long list of wire-suspended actors

Many are looking forward to the new instalment of this film series and, of course, waiting to see Tom Cruise back in action dangling from a suspended wire. In fact, each of the 'Mission: Impossible' films, features someone suspended on a cable to infiltrate a location. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is scheduled for release in the United States on July 14, 2023.

Simon Templar - The Saint

British spy thriller starring Roger Moore and running for seven years. Moore eventually became co-owner of the show and regularly wore his own clothes for the filming.

Simon Templar - to return to the screen

It was remade in the 70s, starring Ian Ogilvy and since then, two films have been made, with another in the pipeline. Chris Pine is rumoured to be taking over as the lead.

Charlie's Angels

Airing from 1976 until 1981 starring Kate Jackson, Farah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith as the spies who work for Charlie at the Townsend company.

Charlie's Angels - Another successful franchise

Three films have been made about this trio of female spies with the most successful films starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore, who was also a producer.

Napoleon Solo - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The original series ran from 1964-1968 and was unusual in the fact that the duo were from America and Russia - the East and the West working together - what an idea...

Napoleon Solo - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The film was remade for the big screen in 2015 starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer and was directed by Guy Richie. But, unfortunately it was a box office flop and therefore a future sequel is unlikely.

Sydney Bristow - Alias

Created by J.J. Abrahams, this action thriller ran for five seasons. Approached by someone claiming to be with the C.I.A. while at University, Sydney Bristow (played by Jennifer Garner) is recruited as an agent.

Sydney Bristow - the double agent

When her boyfriend is killed by her employers, Sydney becomes a double agent and tries to take down the C.I.A. imposters; while trying to conceal her true job in order to protect her friends and family.

Archer

Animated action comedy following a dysfunctional spy agency, headed by the world's best spy, Sterling Archer. Smooth, elegant and handsome with a slight a drink problem. Influenced heavily by James Bond, Archer is a hilarious series, poking fun at the much loved spy genre.

Archer - the timeless agent

The time period of Archer is pretty much unspecified. Although it relates to Cold War politics, there are still topical references (and technology with each in possession of their own mobiles). Reed said that the time period of Archer is "sort of intentionally ill-defined." Archer is, quite simply, a timeless agent.