The Wire is my all time favorite. Currently watching The Shield and while it’s not bad, it’s more of an edgy Law and Order type cop show.
I don’t think anything truly measures up to The Wire but just wanted to hear about anyone else’s recommendations.
I mean, we got a bit spoiled after The Bureau I’m afraid. But before I saw this, I would have recommended you many of the many John Le Carré novel adaptations, and there’s quite a few: The Night Manager, and maybe also The Little Drummer Girl
(These are movies) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Constant Gardener
There’s quite a bunch more, and many of them are really good. Of course, I also recommend reading his novels, too, as he’s an ex-MI5/MI6 himself, before turning to writing.
And then I’d like to throw in another I consider really great… I’ve also enjoyed the sadly cancelled TV show, a mix between sci-fi and cold-war spying plots Counterpart. It’s two seasons, and it’s a pity that it ends prematurely because it was a really interesting world-building. A lot of very good actors on this one. I’d still recommend a watch even if it ends in a disappointing unfinished cliffhanger.