Saagar Kote
Created by Neil Forsyth, ‘Legends‘ is based on true events and explores a high-stakes chapter from the early 1990s. Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise struggles to contain the surge of illegal drug smuggling across the borders of Britain. To combat this, a highly confidential and unconventional operation is launched, involving a specialized team of customs employees. This team, which includes Guy (Tom Burke) and others, is made up of ordinary civilians rather than seasoned intelligence officers. They are given deep-cover identities termed “Legends” and undergo fundamental training before being tasked with infiltrating the country’s most perilous drug syndicates.
As they delve into the world of crime and deception, they face extraordinary challenges that push them to the limit in unprecedented ways. The British crime thriller series chronicles their thrilling investigations and the extraordinary measures taken to dismantle dangerous gangs against greater odds. You may enjoy this list of engaging shows similar to ‘Legends’ that tell stories of courage, secrecy, infiltration, deceit, and more.
12. Special Ops (2020-2025)
Hotstar’s ‘Special Ops’ or ‘Special OPS’ follows Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon), an officer in the Research and Analysis Wing, who identifies recurring patterns across multiple terrorist attacks and concludes that a single mastermind is responsible. Determined to uncover the truth, he assembles a team of five agents stationed around the world. As the investigation progresses, Himmat and his unit face challenges beyond their imagination, with the clock ticking. The Indian Hindi-language action thriller series is a Neeraj Pandey creation that focuses on intelligence operations, coordinated missions, and teamwork in deadly scenarios. These themes and the show’s visual tension complement the world of ‘Legends.’
11. Fauda (2015-)
Created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff, ‘Fauda’ explores the complex and perilous world of counter-terrorism through the eyes of Doron Kavillio (Lior Raz). A former veteran commander of a specialized undercover unit, Doron is pulled from retirement when he discovers that Taufiq Hammed (Hisham Sulliman), a high-profile Hamas operative he thought he had eliminated, is actually alive. Returning to his old life, he reassembles his team to hunt down the operative and eliminate the threat, regardless of the personal cost. The narrative provides a dual perspective on the conflict, shedding light on the motivations and domestic lives of players on both sides. Like ‘Legends,’ the Israeli action thriller series explores the psychological cost of deep-cover assignments and the blurring of lines between duty and identity in high-stakes environments.
10. The Shadow Line (2011)
‘The Shadow Line’ is about Detective Inspector Jonah Gabriel (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who returns to duty after surviving a gunshot wound. Soon, he becomes involved in the investigation into the murder of drug lord Harvey Wratten. At the same time, Joseph Bede (Christopher Eccleston), a former associate of the deceased criminal, begins pursuing answers through his own methods. As both investigations progress, the worlds of law enforcement and organized crime increasingly overlap. The search for the truth gradually blurs the divide between the two sides, while deeper secrets and moral conflicts begin to emerge around those involved. Hugo Blick is the creator of the BBC British drama series that captures the spirit of ‘Legends’ through its focus on the actions of those investigating shadowy entities in unpredictable situations.
9. Line of Duty (2012-)
BBC’s ‘Line of Duty’ is a British drama series that revolves around Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), a former firearms officer whose career changes after a counterterrorism operation mistakenly results in the death of an unarmed civilian. Refusing to support a cover-up surrounding the failed raid, Arnott is transferred to AC-12, a unit responsible for investigating corruption within the police force. There, he partners with Detective Constable Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), an accomplished undercover investigator, to examine a series of cases involving suspected corrupt officers. As investigations continue, the unit uncovers broader connections between police corruption and organized crime. The Jed Mercurio creation is spiritually related to ‘Legends’ in that it digs deep into the intrigues of law enforcement from the perspectives of insiders dealing with conflicting moral values.
8. Informer (2018)
‘Informer’ is a BBC show that centers on Raza Shar (Nabhaan Rizwan), a British-Pakistani man whose life changes after an encounter with counterterrorism officers Gabe Waters (Paddy Considine) and Holly Morten (Bel Powley). Under pressure, Raza agrees to become an informer for the authorities, forming an uneasy partnership with the officers. As his involvement deepens, Raza is drawn into increasingly dangerous situations connected to national security investigations. At the same time, he struggles to balance the secrecy of his role with his personal life and his family’s expectations, while navigating the risks of his new identity as an informant. Created by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, the British drama series is a nuanced exploration of double identities and unexpected transformations of civilians who become assets for the political system, much like ‘Legends.’
7. Cocaine Coast (2018)
‘Cocaine Coast’ or ‘Fariña’ is a Spanish crime drama series created by Bambú Producciones, based on the book of the same name by Nacho Carretero. Set in 1980s Galicia, following the fishing crisis and the aftermath of Franco’s dictatorship, it explores the relationship between economic hardship and smuggling in coastal communities. The narrative chronicles the actions of Sito Miñanco (Javier Rey), a fisherman known for his speedboat skills, who becomes involved in a tobacco smuggling operation. During a trip to Panama, Sito establishes connections with traffickers seeking to move cocaine. His actions make the region a major hub for the drug trade, leading to greater danger for everyone involved. Akin to ‘Legends,’ the show portrays the secrets and deceptions of the drug world and presents nuanced perspectives of those behind such operations.
6. ZeroZeroZero (2019-2020)
‘ZeroZeroZero’ traces the movement of a major cocaine shipment traveling from Mexico to Italy, connecting criminal organizations across several countries. The operation involves Mexican traffickers Enrique Leyra (Víctor Huggo Martín) and Jacinto Leyra (Flavio Medina), supported by Manuel Quinteras (Harold Torres). The complexity of the mission arises due to the fact that the shipment involves Mexican cartels, Italian mafia, and an American shipping family.
As internal power struggles within the mafia erupt, the shipment is diverted to Morocco, sparking a global crisis for everyone involved. What follows is an unpredictable situation that could turn catastrophic. Created by Stefano Sollima, Leonardo Fasoli, and Mauricio Katz, the Italian crime drama series is based on Roberto Saviano’s eponymous book. It shares similarities with ‘Legged’ in that it narrates a highly layered mystery involving multiple players in the drug trade, with secrets of their own and hidden motives.
5. The Bureau (2015-2020)
Created by Éric Rochant, ‘The Bureau’ or ‘Le Bureau des Légendes’ delves into the Bureau of Legends, a division responsible for managing deep-cover agents assigned to long-term operations in regions tied to French interests. The narrative follows intelligence officer Guillaume Debailly (Mathieu Kassovitz) as he returns to Paris after spending six years undercover. He struggles to reconnect with his daughter, his former wife, his colleagues, and his former identity while adjusting to life outside his covert role. Complications arise when Nadia El Mansour (Zineb Triki), the woman he was involved with during a past mission, unexpectedly appears in Paris. The French espionage thriller series, through its visually engaging depiction of the lives of undercover operatives and the secrets they hold, is connected to ‘Legends.’
4. The Night Manager (2016-)
Based on John le Carré’s eponymous novel, BBC’s ‘The Night Manager’ is the tale of Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former British soldier working as the night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo. After connecting with a woman linked to information about illegal international arms dealings involving businessman Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), Pine is drawn into a dangerous chain of events. British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) recruits him to infiltrate Roper’s inner circle and gather information on his operations. As Pine moves deeper into the assignment, he becomes involved in a world with rules he cannot yet comprehend. David Farr is the creator of the British spy thriller series, which complements ‘Legends’ due to its depiction of the act of infiltration into a criminal entity, the sacrifices that follow, and the cost of leading a secret life.
3. The Asset (2025-)
‘The Asset’ or ‘Legenden’ is a Netflix Danish crime drama series directed by Samanou Acheche Sahlstrøm and Kasper Barfoed. It deals with the trials of Tea Lind (Clara Dessau), a troubled police cadet recruited by the intelligence service to work undercover within a dangerous criminal network. Assuming the identity of a jeweler, she approaches Ashley (Maria Cordsen), the girlfriend of crime boss Miran (Afshin Firouzi), to gain access to his organization. As Tea grows closer to Ashley and witnesses the harsh reality of Miran’s influence, she begins to question her loyalties and the consequences of her role in the criminal world. Tea’s journey and the various hurdles she faces while working under a secret identity are comparable to the efforts of the customs agents in ‘Legends.’
2. Undercover (2019-2022)
Inspired by real events, Netflix’s ‘Undercover’ follows a joint operation between Belgian and Dutch authorities targeting one of the world’s largest drug trafficking networks. At the center of the investigation is Ferry Bouman (Frank Lammers), a drug kingpin who spends much of his time at a campsite near the Dutch border. To gain access to his operation, undercover agents Bob Lemmens (Tom Waes) and Kim De Rooij (Anna Drijver) pose as a couple living at the same campground.
Their mission is to integrate themselves into Ferry’s circle and gather evidence against his criminal network. As the operation progresses, the agents encounter unforeseen complications that may ruin their mission. Created by Bart Uytdenhouwen, Nico Moolenaar, and Piet Matthys, the Belgian-Dutch crime drama series is an engaging tale. The show is spiritually connected to ‘Legends’ through its navigation of the layers of secrecy that run in a drug empire and the people who risk everything to bring it down.
1. Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web (2026-)
Netflix’s ‘Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web‘ takes place in and around Mumbai’s international airport and centers on Superintendent Arjun Meena (Emraan Hashmi), an upright customs officer who is brought back from suspension to spearhead a specialized unit targeting a global smuggling ring. This task force, established by Assistant Commissioner Prakash Kumar (Anurag Sinha), is composed of officers who were previously marginalized by their superiors for their integrity. While working to disrupt illegal trade, the unit faces formidable challenges, including systemic political interference and corruption. The illicit smuggling empire of Bada Choudhary (Sharad Kelkar) keeps continuing its operations, even as Arjun and his team do their best to stop it.
The stakes rise as lethal attacks follow, and a dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues between the smugglers and Arjun’s team. Created by Neeraj Pandey, the Indian Hindi-language crime thriller series closely reflects the essence of ‘Legends’ through its focus on the role that customs officers play in maintaining national security. Both shows feature characters running into trouble with criminal organizations while also dealing with the costs of clandestine identities and missions on a larger scale.
Read More: Where is Legends (2026) Filmed?
