The Night Agent Season 3: Increasing Parallels to Iconic TV Thriller

Warning: Major spoilers for The Night Agent Season 2 ahead!

Comparisons between The Night Agent and the iconic thriller 24 have been prevalent, and with the anticipated third season approaching, those similarities are likely to intensify. Season 2 concluded with a dramatic cliffhanger, revealing that Peter (Gabriel Basso) played a pivotal role in the election of a “puppet President.”As a result, Season 3 will navigate Peter’s infiltration into the world of the nefarious “intelligence broker, ”Monroe (Louis Herthum), as he unravels the extent of his connections to the new Commander-in-Chief.

The Night Agent’s Relationship to 24

The Extensive Plotlines Explored by 24

Running for eight seasons, 24 — including its 2014 revival Live Another Day and the Legacy spinoff — explored numerous intricate plotlines. The show’s fast-paced storytelling often led Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) to confront multiple, simultaneous threats in a single day. In the inaugural season of The Night Agent, Peter and Rose (Luciane Buchanan) worked to thwart an assassination attempt on the President — a scenario that Jack had previously navigated.

Interestingly, President Travers in The Night Agent is portrayed by Kari Matchett, who also had a role as Lisa Miller in Season 6 of 24.

The narrative of The Night Agent’s second season introduces the dangerous K. X.gas, which the antagonists are determined to unleash at the United Nations. This type of nerve gas was a critical plot point in 24 during Season 5, with the UN also being integral to the storyline’s climax. Notably, both series feature protagonists who operate outside legal boundaries, although Peter tends to reserve this approach for desperate situations, contrasting with Jack’s more frequent willingness to break the rules.

Both 24 and The Night Agent thrive on action, with each episode featuring gunfights or chase sequences. While some of these comparisons appear surface-level and could apply to other spy dramas, it’s evident that The Night Agent successfully fills the void for fans of 24.

Evaluating The Night Agent Against 24

The Showdown: Kiefer Sutherland vs. Peter Sutherland

Comparison of Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in 24 and Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland in The Night Agent. — Custom image by Milica Djordjevic

The Night Agent has established itself as one of Netflix’s most captivating series, with positive reviews for both seasons. While engaging, how does it compare to 24? As a series that began airing in 2001, 24‘s portrayal of technology and themes such as torture might feel dated to contemporary audiences. Although some plotlines ventured into the realm of the absurd, the real-time format, visual storytelling, and the stellar performance of Kiefer Sutherland lend 24 an undeniable edge.

Despite occasional inconsistencies, it’s widely regarded as one of television’s finest thrillers. In contrast, The Night Agent lacks the intensity of 24 and doesn’t carry the same immediate sense of urgency. For instance, the nerve gas threat in 24 is central and feels imminent, whereas K. X.only emerges as a significant issue towards the finale of The Night Agent, where its resolution seems comparatively simple. Additionally, Peter’s character represents an early stage of his espionage journey compared to Jack’s seasoned experience — suggesting a connection that feels almost like a spiritual prequel.

Increasing Parallels Between The Night Agent and 24 in Season 3

Peter, Night Action, and the Showdown with the White House

The shocking conclusion of Season 2 of The Night Agent has raised the stakes remarkably. President Hagan (Ward Horton) is now under Monroe’s influence, granting him privileged access to confidential government information. With Hagan serving foul interests, Monroe is set to manipulate national policies, potentially leading to disastrous consequences. This conflict between Peter and government intrigue draws further parallels to 24, particularly recalling Jack’s intense confrontations with President Logan (Gregory Itzin) — often regarded as one of the most compelling story arcs in the original series.

Actor	The Night Agent Season 2 Role
Gabriel Basso	Peter Sutherland
Luciane Buchanan	Rose Larkin
Amanda Warren	Catherine Weaver
Brittany Snow	Alice
Berto Colon	Solomon
Louis Herthum	Jacob Monroe
Marwan Kenzari	Get
Dikran Tulaine	Viktor Bala
Arienne Mandy	Noor
Michael Malarkey	Markus
Keon Alexander	Javad
Navid Negahban	Abbas
Rob Heaps	Tomas Bala

Unlike 24, which cleverly withheld the revelation of Logan’s villainy until late in Season 5, The Night Agent is upfront about Hagan’s corruption. This setup promises an invigorating season ahead for The Night Agent, as Peter will now contend with the nation’s most formidable adversary. As 24 showed, however, such battles can still be triumphed over.

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