How Netflix’s 30-Episode Action Thriller Series Cracked the Code for Book Adaptations
A Novel Becomes a Hit
The Night Agent began with Matthew Quirk’s 2019 novel, introducing Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. In the first season, Peter investigates a mole inside the US government.
The show became a major Netflix hit during a wider revival of spy series that included The Terminal List, Hanna, Citadel, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Its brisk action and escapist tone also brought comparisons to Prime Video’s Reacher. Unlike Reacher, which adapts different books from Lee Child’s ongoing series, The Night Agent had used its literary source by the end of its first season.
Beyond The Original Book
The Night Agent’s second and third seasons created storylines without further source material. Together, they received an 86% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, compared with 75% for season one.
Other television adaptations have also continued beyond their books. The Handmaid’s Tale adapted Margaret Atwood’s novel in its first season, then spent five more seasons developing an original continuation. The article notes that this transition can be difficult for book-based shows, especially when the available literary material runs out.
A Final Season And A Gap
Netflix chose to end The Night Agent after its upcoming fourth season rather than extend it indefinitely. The decision follows two seasons of original storytelling, which could make a longer run more challenging.
Prime Video has Reacher as a popular thriller franchise, while Netflix has no directly comparable replacement ready. Black Doves offers spy drama, but its dark humor and tone are described as closer to Slow Horses. The series’ ending may be prudent, but it leaves Netflix at risk of falling behind Prime Video in fast-paced action thrillers.
Key points
- The Night Agent is based on Matthew Quirk’s 2019 novel.
- Seasons two and three continued with original stories beyond the book.
- The later seasons shared an 86% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, versus 75% for season one.
- Netflix plans to end the series after its fourth season.