‘THE NIGHT AGENT’ ON NETFLIX

There is so much original programming on streaming services, with Netflix churning out a lion’s share of domestic and foreign TV series and films, that it is easy to overlook what proves to be captivating entertainment.

The spy thriller series “The Night Agent” had its first season run two years ago, and now it’s back with the second season. Better late than never to catch up on the first season with a binge-watch.

Even with a shift in the tone and underlying mission of the second season, “The Night Agent” requires being immersed in the totality of its origin series, so as to have the full flavor of the main characters who return. Fortunately, both seasons can be found on Netflix.

Some may wish to compare “The Night Agent” to Showtime’s long-running espionage thriller “Homeland,” in which Claire Danes’ CIA officer with a bipolar disorder suspects Damian Lewis’ Marine held in captivity for eight years to be connected to a terror plot.

The connection between the two series rests with the broader concept of dangerous cat-and-mouse games that threaten national security along with a heavy dose of political intrigue and domestic terrorism. “The Night Agent” is definitely tuned into an overall conspiratorial theme.

To understand the appeal as well as premise of this political thriller, we must start with knowing that FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), fairly new to the job, becomes what should be at least an unsung hero for saving riders on a Washington, D.C. metro subway from a bombing attack.

Regardless of Peter’s heroics in finding the bomb and getting passengers safely off the train, he’s inexplicably under suspicion and relegated to a desk job in the basement of the White House with the sole responsibility of answering a phone at the Night Action desk.

The phone serves as a line for field agents to call when something goes horribly wrong, which happens rarely. His first call eventually comes from cybersecurity expert Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), getting the number from her aunt and uncle who turnout not to be an ordinary elderly couple.

While Rose was visiting her relatives, a pair of assassins, Dale (Phoenix Raei) and Ellen (Eve Harlow) arrive at their house, and Rose is dispatched to use a phone down the street to call for help on the Night Action line.

Not wanting to leave any loose ends, the ruthlessly mysterious hired killers, apparent foreign actors, realize that they need to track down Rose as the only possible witness to the murder of her relatives.

Finally, Peter’s boring routine of idly waiting for a call has been interrupted as he must spring into action to help Rose, a frantic civilian suddenly embroiled in a plot where she desperately needs protection.

Peter brings her in from the cold, setting up a meeting with his ally in the White House, Diane Farr (Hong Chau), the chief of staff to President Michelle Travers (Kari Matchett), who faces her own share of political intrigue.

Jockeying for position inside the White House leads to its own scheming and deception. Peter ends up answering to two masters. Besides the president’s right-hand in Diane Farr, he’s also answering to Jamie Hawkins (Robert Patrick), deputy director of the FBI.

Complicating matters for Peter’s untested agent are the fact he must navigate the treacherous waters of palace intrigue. His loyalty to the chief of staff creates tension with the FBI’s deputy director, but an interesting dynamic is that it looks like just about everyone has got something to hide.

Peter is gradually pulled into a political conspiracy that points to a foreign mole inside the White House. Worse of all is that Peter is thrown into dangerous situations that require dealing with malevolent actors.

A few episodes into the first season reveals a tangential subplot that involves Vice President Redfield’s (Christopher Shyer) daughter Maddie (Sarah Desjardins), a college student not fond of her father or his career.

The rebellious Maddie may be a target herself, which gets complicated when she ditches her Secret Service detail that consists of exacting agent Chelsea Arrington (Fola Evans-Akingbola) and veteran agent Erik Monks (D.B. Woodside), returning to duty after a near-fatal on-the-job injury.

As the series moves to its conclusion, a wild conspiracy targeting the President puts Peter into another tight spot, but which allows him to prove his worth far beyond manning a nighttime phone.

The second season thrusts Peter into a foreign assignment in Bangkok, where he’s teamed up with seasoned operative Alice (Brittany Snow). Things get deadly when they are on the tail of a rogue agent selling top secret documents.

The mission goes wrong, and Peter goes off the grid, much to the alarm of his hard-nosed stateside handler Catherine Weaver (Amanda Warren). Hiding out in New York and dodging assassins, Peter is soon reunited with Rose.

Season 2 of “The Night Agent” is looking as promising as the origin series. If you enjoy conspiracy-related spy thrillers, this should be the series to check out.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.