When the first season of The Night Agent dropped in 2023, it felt like a masterclass in the “dad thriller”—a high-octane, unpretentious spy drama that knew exactly what it was. By the time the credits rolled on Season 2, fans were left wondering if the show could maintain that lean, mean energy without becoming a caricature of itself.
The answer arrived on February 19, 2026. The Night Agent Season 3 has officially landed on Netflix, and the consensus is nearly unanimous: this isn’t just a return to form; it’s the series’ strongest outing yet. At the center of this whirlwind is Gabriel Basso, whose portrayal of Peter Sutherland has evolved from a desk-bound agent into a visceral, morally complex force of nature.
The Plot: From Night Action to Global Conspiracy
Season 3 picks up with Peter Sutherland operating at a much higher frequency. If Season 1 was about answering the call and Season 2 was about joining the program, Season 3 is about the cost of staying in.
The season kicks off with a literal bang: the mid-air destruction of Pima 12, a private aircraft carrying high-level treasury officials. While the world looks toward international terrorists, Peter—diverted from his much-needed rest after the events of Season 2—is dispatched to Istanbul. His mission? Track down Jay Batra (played by a standout Suraj Sharma), a young financial analyst accused of killing his boss and fleeing with nuclear-level financial intelligence.
As Peter navigates the spice bazaars of Istanbul and the rainy streets of Washington D.C., he realizes Batra isn’t a traitor—he’s a whistleblower. This leads Peter into an alliance with Isabel De Leon (Genesis Rodriguez), a fierce investigative reporter. Together, they uncover Walcott Capital, a shadow bank that isn’t just funding terrorism, but acting as the financial back-channel for the highest levels of the U.S. government—specifically the President and First Lady.
Gabriel Basso: The “Everyman” Action Hero
The success of The Night Agent rests almost entirely on Gabriel Basso’s shoulders. In a world of superhuman John Wicks and polished James Bonds, Basso brings a refreshingly “lumpy” reality to Peter Sutherland.
A More Vulnerable Peter
In Season 3, we see a shift in Basso’s performance. The show introduces a childhood flashback involving a promise Peter made to his mother to always “do the right thing, even if it’s hard.” This moral anchor makes his choices in the field feel heavier.
Basso requested that his character “get his ass kicked” more this season. He wanted to show the physical and psychological toll of the work. There is a brutal subway fight in the latter half of the season where Peter is nearly beaten to death by a larger operative. He doesn’t win through a fancy spinning kick; he wins through grit, desperation, and a well-placed nail gun.
The Evolution of Character
Basso has mastered the “brooding but decent” archetype. This season, he moves away from being a puppet of the administration. After the tragic death of his mentor and handler, Catherine Weaver (Amanda Warren), Peter is forced to grow up. He is no longer looking for permission; he is looking for the truth. This independence allows Basso to play Peter with a new level of swagger—one earned through scars and betrayal.
New Faces and Shocking Twists
While Basso anchors the show, the ensemble cast in Season 3 is the most refined to date.
The Departure of Rose Larkin
One of the most discussed aspects of Season 3 is the absence of Luciane Buchanan’s Rose Larkin. While many fans missed the romantic chemistry, critics have noted that her absence allowed the show to focus more on the “Night Action” operations. It removed the “damsel in distress” trope and allowed Peter to operate as a lone wolf, making the introduction of Isabel De Leon feel fresh rather than redundant.
Critical and Audience Reception
As of late February 2026, The Night Agent Season 3 holds a rare 100% Critic Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics are praising it as “the best installment yet,” citing the tighter narrative and the removal of the “lunkheaded” plot points that occasionally bogged down Season 2. Audience scores are also seeing a significant bounce-back, currently sitting at 85%, a massive improvement over the divisive 39% seen in the previous year.
The Verdict: Why You Should Binge Season 3
As of late February 2026, The Night Agent Season 3 holds a rare 100% Critic Score on Rotten Tomatoes.What makes The Night Agent so addictive is its optimism. In a world of cynical prestige TV, Peter Sutherland is a man who still believes in the system—even when the system doesn’t believe in him.
Season 3 successfully transitions the show from a “hit of the moment” into a sustainable franchise. It tackles themes of corporate greed, political corruption, and the importance of journalism (through Isabel’s character) without ever feeling like it’s lecturing the audience.
Why Basso is the Key
Gabriel Basso’s refusal to become a “celebrity” in real life—living a low-key life in South Carolina and focusing on hobbies like boxing and motorcycling—translates to his performance. There is an authenticity to his physicality that you can’t fake. He looks like a guy who actually knows how to handle a firearm and, more importantly, looks like a guy who knows how it feels to be hit.
What’s Next: Season 4 and Beyond
With the massive success of Season 3, Shawn Ryan has already confirmed that a writers’ room for Season 4 is underway.
The next chapter is rumored to take place in Los Angeles. Ryan teased that “there’s a world in the LA region that exists at a much bigger level than New York,” and no, it’s not Hollywood. Fans are already speculating that the focus might shift toward the military-industrial complex or the tech titans of the West Coast.
Final Thoughts
The Night Agent Season 3 is a triumph of meat-and-potatoes storytelling. It’s lean, it’s fast, and it features a career-best performance from Gabriel Basso. Whether you’re watching from a rainy flat in London or a sunny porch in California, the appeal is universal: we all want to believe that when the phone rings at 3:00 AM, there’s a Peter Sutherland on the other end ready to save the day.
