< p>Do you have a soft spot for spies and even for assassins who move in the shadows? Between dangerous missions, secret identities, and an ambiguous morality, whether they are hitmen (paid killers) or spies serving the government, professionals of danger are often the protagonists of gripping TV series that trace lives lived on the razor’s edge. Distancing themselves from characters like John Wick, portrayed as nearly immortal and indestructible assassins, the small screen has chosen to focus more and more on the double-edged weapon of leading a double life—a tragic and sometimes even comic contrast between the brutality of their work and the desperate need for a normal life, rich in real feelings and even redemption in some cases. If exploring the killer’s or the spy’s mind is a topic that interests you, here are three TV series to catch up on that tell stories of characters who eat danger for breakfast.
Hitman by trade: 3 brilliant dark comedies that balance crime and everyday life
Barry
Available for streaming on HBO Max, Barry perfectly explores the theme of a double life teetering on the brink of collapse. The protagonist, Barry Berkman, played by Bill Hader, is a former American Marine who becomes a cheap, skilled killer. Deeply dissatisfied with his existence, he travels to Los Angeles to complete a job and ends up falling in love with the thrill of the stage, becoming a bona fide stage actor. Widely acclaimed by audiences and critics, Barry has won two Emmy Awards, one of which went to Bill Hader, who besides portraying the lead also co-created the series. In this case the narrative delves into the weight of loneliness and a life that lacks fulfillment, deconstructing the myth of the flawless assassin and focusing on the psychological repercussions. Although adept at his trade, Barry is clumsy in human relationships, and a death-professional like him is unlikely to rewind the tape and start over.
Killing Eve
Adapted from Luke Jennings’ Villanelle stories, Killing Eve centers on the obsession between two women: Eve Polastri, a bored MI5 agent, and the sociopathic assassin Villanelle. Their paths cross and become profoundly toxic and dangerous, as each ends up being obsessed with the other. Spanning four seasons, Killing Eve exploits the thrill and risk that gradually erode both women. While Eve is part of the team that combats crime, she leads a dull life that breeds dissatisfaction; Villanelle is an assassin who treats every kill as a game. Each assignment brings a glamorous life—first-class travel and shopping—that becomes addictive, and she wouldn’t change a thing about her life because, to her, killing is fun. Eve realizes that danger can be addictive too when she is tasked with hunting Villanelle. From that moment, her life changes, takes on new tones, and she rediscovers the thrill of adrenaline, as the prospect of death and proximity to a true killer make her feel alive for the first time in a long while. She pursues Villanelle not only because it’s her job and the right thing to do, but because she is drawn to Villanelle’s dark way of living. The series is available for streaming on Netflix.
Mr Inbetween
Spanning three seasons and available for streaming on Disney+, this dark comedy crime drama tells the story of a paid hitman who tries to balance private life and professional duties. The lead of Mr Inbetween is Ray Shoesmith, a present ex-husband, a loving fiancé, a good father, and a loyal friend, who nevertheless earns his living as a hitman and also works as a debt collector for a criminal enterprise. Ray constantly confronts violence without any glamorous veneer, treating it as if it were a mundane bureaucratic problem to resolve. The danger isn’t part of the job—it becomes part of the job in practice—and the chilling ease with which he can operate in certain circumstances before flashing smiles to those he loves is deeply unsettling. Set on the outskirts of Sydney, the story follows him as he tackles one mission after another in his own way, but as he keeps wandering down the same path, he begins to feel the repercussions in his private life.
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