The Night Agent is a series you might have missed. This conspiracy thriller wove a complex story of betrayal in 2023, and in 2025 repeated its success with a fresh cast. Now, Agent Peter Sutherland has struck a Faustian bargain, which not only introduces a Moriarty-like complication but also enables the narrative to do what it does best: evolve and maintain viewer engagement, even when deviating from what previously worked.
When we last saw Agent Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), he had advanced from his basement phone-answering position to leading covert missions worldwide. However, this new role soon puts him on the trail of Jacob Monroe, known as The Broker (Louis Herthum). Following the thwarting of a sinister plot at the UN, he separated from his partner and love interest of two seasons, Rose, understanding that her safety depended on their distance.
My main criticism of Season 2 was its near-identical replication of Season 1’s formula, though it’s understandable why it played it safe — Season 1 ranks among Netflix’s top 10 most-watched series ever. However, Season 2’s final scenes offered promise, with Sutherland discovering he owed Monroe a debt. Now beholden to him, Sutherland finds himself in a precarious position.
Season 3 also introduces a new administration: President Richard Hagen (Ward Horton) and his wife Jenny (Jennifer Morrison), who generate their own intricate web of secrets that others must carefully unravel. Yet the standout element of Season 3 is the plotline centered on two characters known simply as the Father (Stephen Moyer) and the Son (Callum Vinson). They appear to embody the perfect single-parent household: the Father educates the Son at home, and the Son explores the world through adventures with his dad. In reality, however, the Father works as one of Monroe’s assassins, a truth he must conceal from his son to protect their family’s actual history.
The Night Agent has reached that stage in a series’ life where the protagonist is no longer the most compelling figure. Fortunately, the show recognizes this. This season, Peter is surrounded by a steady flow of fascinating characters who are defined in just a few lines. Saturday Night Live veteran Michaela Watkins particularly shines as a particular type of banker, portrayed with a balance of cynicism and indifference.
If there’s one thing that Night Agent Season 3 demonstrates, it’s that the franchise has staying power. It’s Netflix’s answer to Reacher or James Bond — a versatile hero who can be inserted into various scenarios and conspiracies while remaining compelling. Whether teamed with Brittany Snow, Hong Chau, or this season’s Genesis Rodriguez, Peter Sutherland consistently delivers, whether the task is a top-secret espionage mission or simply producing an entertaining season of television.