Longevity isn’t easy in the television industry, especially for thrillers . And while networks constantly greenlight high-concept pilots in the genre, sustaining that urgency across years is another art form entirely. Only a handful of the best thriller series keep you hooked from start to finish for five seasons or more without overstaying their welcome.

The following shows kept the spark alive from pilot to final episode when others might have played it safe. From Cold War espionage to near-future AI surveillance, these thrillers prove that long-form thrillers can sustain the momentum they originally started with. Who knows, these might even be some of the best thriller shows you probably missed .

The Americans

2013–2018, 6 Seasons

Elizabeth in the car in The Americans

FX’s

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