When The Night Agent first hit Netflix, it had no business being that good. It wasn’t breaking new ground in the spy-thriller game, but it nailed the essentials—high-stakes action, likable leads, and a story that pulled you in and didn’t let go. Season 1 was a runaway success, so of course, expectations for season 2 were high.
And while it’s still a solid watch, let’s be real—this season didn’t hit like the first one.
This time around, Peter (Gabriel Basso) is officially a Night Agent, meaning he’s out of that basement and actually in the field. His first mission in Bangkok goes completely sideways, leaving him on the run with no one to trust except Rose (Luciane Buchanan). What follows is a tangled mess of political maneuvering, intelligence leaks, and rogue agents, with plenty of shootouts and secret meetings along the way.
The season introduces a ton of new faces. Catherine Weaver (Amanda Warren) steps in as Peter’s tough-as-nails handler, and Sami (Marwan Kenzari) brings some real presence as a former soldier caught up in the chaos. Then there’s Noor (Arienne Mandi), an Iranian embassy employee trying to save her family, who honestly has some of the best scenes of the season. The international scope of the plot adds some weight, giving Peter and Rose a mission that feels bigger than just a government cover-up.
For all its moving parts, this season struggles to find the why should I care factor. Season 1 was tight—it had one central mystery, and everything revolved around Peter and Rose fighting to stay alive long enough to unravel it. This time, the story sprawls in too many directions. There are so many subplots, and while some are engaging (Noor’s in particular), others just feel like distractions.
Another thing—where was the tension? Season 1 had that constant oh, they’re really in trouble energy. Here, even when things go wrong, it never quite feels like Peter is in as much danger. And the villains? Forgettable. Diane Farr (Hong Chau) was such a force in season 1 because she was personal—her betrayal hit. This season? It’s a revolving door of bad guys, none of whom really land.
And then there’s the Peter and Rose issue. Their dynamic was one of the best parts of season 1, and yet here, they barely share meaningful screen time. Their relationship feels… forced? Unnecessary? If they weren’t going to do anything with it, why even bring her back?
This season isn’t bad—it’s still a solid spy thriller with some great action and a handful of standout performances. But compared to season 1, it just doesn’t hit the same. Too many plotlines, weaker villains, and a lack of urgency keep it from reaching its full potential.
If season 3 wants to bounce back, they need to strip it down. One strong villain, a story with real stakes, and characters who actually feel like they’re in danger. Until then, The Night Agent will stay in the “decent but could be better” category.