Fans of Netflix‘s hit action thriller The Night Agent have been buzzing with questions about whether the show will expand into a larger franchise with spinoff series. With Season 3 arriving on February 19, creator Shawn Ryan is finally addressing the speculation head-on and giving straight answers about what’s really happening behind the scenes.
The political thriller became a massive hit when it debuted in March 2023, pulling in 98.2 million views for its first season and landing on Netflix’s list of most popular English-language series of all time . That level of success naturally led to questions about whether the streamer would try to build a franchise around the property, similar to what they’ve done with other hit shows. But according to Ryan, the rumors have gotten ahead of reality.
Shawn Ryan Sets the Record Straight on Spinoff Speculation
In a recent interview with Deadline, Ryan directly addressed the persistent chatter about potential The Night Agent spinoffs. He acknowledged that “there’s been chatter” about expanding the show’s universe, but he made it clear that none of those rumors reflect actual active development .
“There was never any casting thing or anything, that was never happening,” Ryan stated flatly, shutting down speculation that had spread online last summer about Netflix exploring casting options for a potential offshoot .
The creator revealed that the closest the series has come to a spinoff was some informal conversations after Season 2.
“There was an idea that we bandied about after Season 2. It wasn’t fully fleshed out. It wasn’t officially pitched or anything. There were some conversations but nothing came to that,” Ryan explained .
Right now, Ryan’s focus is elsewhere. “There’s nothing active. My focus is on Season 4 and getting that picked up. If and when that happens, maybe I’ll investigate” the possibility of expanding the franchise .
Why Netflix Isn’t Rushing to Expand The Night Agent Universe
Given the show’s massive popularity, some might wonder why Netflix isn’t immediately capitalizing on its success with multiple spinoffs. Ryan actually praised the streamer’s approach, noting that they don’t automatically order expansions just because something is popular.
“I really admire what Netflix does. They don’t just say, Oh, something is successful, let’s just rush into a spinoff of some kind. They really care about the creative, they want to know that there’s a reason why a show should exist beyond the mothership. And that’s the challenge,” Ryan said .
This approach reflects a broader industry shift away from automatically building franchises around every hit property. Instead, Netflix appears willing to let The Night Agent exist on its own terms while focusing on making the original series as strong as possible.
Creator’s Priority: Protecting the Legacy of The Night Agent
For Ryan, who received an Emmy nomination for creating FX’s The Shield, the priority is making sure The Night Agent has a satisfying complete run rather than immediately expanding into multiple shows.
“I want to make sure that I steward this show in the best possible way. I’ve always been proud about the way that The Shield started and ended, and that that exists in a form that still means something to people 20 some years later, and I want to make sure that The Night Agent feels like it has a proper beginning, middle and end in a way that can stand the test of time. That’s my hope. So spinoff, sure, maybe one day,” Ryan shared .
This focus on quality and longevity rather than rapid expansion suggests that fans can expect the show to maintain its standards rather than being diluted across multiple productions. Ryan’s track record with The Shield, which remains highly regarded more than two decades after it ended, gives weight to his commitment to protecting The Night Agent‘s legacy.
What About Season 4? Renewal Buzz Continues
While Ryan is waiting for an official Season 4 renewal, there are positive signs that the show’s future is bright. The California Film Commission has listed a production incentive for what appears to be another season of the show, suggesting that plans are moving forward even before an official announcement .
Season 3 arrives on Netflix on February 19, with all 10 episodes dropping globally . The new season picks up after the events of Season 2, with Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) tracking a Treasury agent who killed his boss and fled to Istanbul with sensitive government intelligence . The chase pulls him into a dark money network and puts him on a collision course with both assassins and a persistent journalist.
The cast for Season 3 includes returning faces like Fola Evans-Akingbola, Louis Herthum, Ward Horton, and Albert Jones, along with newcomers David Lyons and Jennifer Morrison . Morrison joins as First Lady Jenny Hagan, while Lyons plays Adam, a new partner whose trustworthiness remains questionable .
The Show’s Remarkable Success Story
The Night Agent debuted in March 2023 and quickly became one of Netflix’s biggest hits. Its first season ranks as the 10th most-watched English-language season in Netflix history, a remarkable achievement for a freshman series . The show’s second season continued the momentum, debuting at number one on Netflix’s Top 10 with 13.9 million views in its first four days .
The series, adapted from Matthew Quirk’s 2019 novel, follows low-level FBI agent Peter Sutherland, who works in the basement of the White House monitoring a phone that never rings—until it does, throwing him into a massive conspiracy reaching the highest levels of government .
Season 2 saw Peter dealing with the fallout from stopping a CIA mole’s plans to attack Manhattan, while Season 3 promises even higher stakes with a new global conspiracy . The show’s ability to renew its storyline each season while maintaining tension has kept audiences engaged throughout its run.
What Ryan Is Working on Instead
While spinoff discussions remain on hold, Ryan isn’t idle. Under his overall deal with Netflix, which began in 2024 after he left Sony Television Studios, he’s developing other projects . He’s not ready to discuss them publicly yet, but he clarified that they don’t include an adaptation of Quirk’s new thriller novel The Method.
“That was sent to us, it’s a great book, and I hope it turns into something. Matthew and I have become very friendly, but I didn’t have the bandwidth at that point to do that justice, so I’m glad he found another developer, and I hope it does great,” Ryan explained .
Ryan also addressed why he didn’t write any episodes for Season 3, despite writing or co-writing multiple episodes in the first two seasons. The reason comes down to supporting his writing team and managing his time effectively.
“There are a couple answers. One is just time management. Two, I will just tell you honestly, I care a lot about my writing staff. I asked for a big writing staff because the writers on my show, they produce their episodes, and if I take an episode that’s taking the episode away from somebody on staff,” Ryan told Deadline in a separate interview .
He emphasized that on The Night Agent, every writer goes to set and produces their episodes, something he believes saves money and develops future showrunners. “The Night Agent comes in on budget. We’re not filming two extra weeks of shooting because production got screwed up, problems are solved in their infancy rather than late in the process,” he added .
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What Fans Can Expect Going Forward
For now, the message from Shawn Ryan is clear: don’t expect any The Night Agent spinoff announcements anytime soon. The priority remains making the original series as strong as possible and securing its future with a Season 4 renewal.
Ryan’s comments suggest that if a spinoff does eventually happen, it will only come together if there’s a compelling creative reason for it to exist, not just because the show is popular. “I’m always working on new ideas. If the right idea comes up for a Night Agent spinoff, I’ll pitch it, and we’ll see if Sony and Netflix are interested in it,” he said .
This approach should reassure fans who worry about franchises being diluted by too many spinoffs too quickly. Instead, Ryan is taking the long view, focused on building a series that will be remembered and respected for years to come, much like The Shield remains a benchmark for quality television two decades after it ended.
All episodes of The Night Agent Season 3 premiere February 19 on Netflix globally. Whether you’re in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or India, you’ll be able to stream the new season starting that day. The show streams on Netflix in all regions worldwide.
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