By rights The Agency on Paramount+ should not have a second season. That opening salvo in 2024 was a densely plotted and often ponderous piece of contemporary espionage that lacked momentum. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, best known for writing Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow, might have laid solid foundations in that first season, but too often The Agency had no sense of urgency. Despite a solid cast in Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, and Richard Gere that renewal always felt like a long shot, until now.
What Season 2 does quickly is dispel any concerns around pacing, carrying on where its predecessor left off, but doing so with purpose. There is an urgency from the off that taps into agency paranoia and overlaps a multitude of interlinking sub-plots without breaking sweat. Michael Fassbender remains the linchpin of this series, conveying the emotional ambiguity of Martian, while others walk on eggshells around him.
For audiences, it suddenly becomes apparent how essential Season 1 was in developing a shorthand for these characters. Without having to decipher every nuance and pregnant pause, storytelling in The Agency becomes second nature, and as a result, this espionage thriller gets its mojo back. There is a depth that was lacking before, an emotional resonance which is undeniable, and stakes worth investing in. What that amounts to is a second season which only highlights the shortcomings of its predecessor.
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The tangled web of intrigue deepens and enemies come out of the woodwork disguised as allies. Martian struggles to reconcile his personal life with professional commitments, and friendships are fractured in the line of duty. More than anything, The Agency Season 2 feels like a cohesive spy thriller that matters, rather than endless episodes of character building held together by a protracted plot.
That conflict between the personal and professional moves beyond Martian broadening the scope of this melodrama, adding spice to a season that delivers without it. Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright might not do much more, but their contribution comes through gravitas rather than gung-ho interventions. Elsewhere, John Magaro’s Owen, and Saura Lightfoot-Leon’s Danny get an expanded playing field to explore, while other supporting players are also elevated.
The globe-trotting elements still play a major part in this show, but this time they are not just a distraction from ponderous plot points. They do what they should have done last time round, supporting this story through ambience. Hinting at the cultural undertones that inform these events as they unfold, giving weigh to character decisions and making audiences care. All these elements amount to a second season that will restore faith in The Agency for audiences who had their misgivings. Not only is Season 2 an improvement, it is on par with MobLand also on Paramount+, and might just give that show a run for its money.
The Agency Season 2 premieres Sunday June 21 on Paramount+