Homeland (2011 — 2020)

Homeland (2011–2020) is an American espionage thriller television series that premiered on October 2, 2011. Developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, it is based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War created by Gideon Raff, who also serves as an executive producer. The show aired on cable channel Showtime and was produced by Fox 21 Television Studios. In a unique twist, the first episode was available online more than two weeks before its television broadcast. Viewers had to complete game tasks to gain access. The final, eighth season premiered on February 9, 2020 and the finale aired on April 26, 2020.

Season 1 (2011). CIA operations officer, Carrie Mathison, conducts an unauthorized mission in Iraq and is subsequently reassigned to the Counterterrorism Center in Langley, Virginia. During this time, U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody, who had previously been declared missing since 2003, is found at a terrorist compound owned by Abu Nazir. While Brody is celebrated as a hero, Carrie begins to suspect his intentions may be to carry out a terrorist attack against the United States.

Season 2 (2012). Following her disgraceful expulsion from the CIA, Carrie is assigned to a mission in Beirut for intelligence gathering. Meanwhile, Brody continues to gain the attention of Vice President Walden as a potential running mate and remains under the direction of Abu Nazir.

Season 3 (2013). Following the CIA bombing at the end of season 2, Nicholas Brody finds himself a fugitive, accused of delivering and activating the bomb, despite his and Carrie’s vehement denials. As a result, Saul Berenson steps up as Acting Director of the CIA and devises an elaborate scheme to secure Major General Majid Javadi’s cooperation in shaping US policy towards Iran.

Season 4 (2014). Carrie serves as CIA station chief in Kabul, Afghanistan before moving to Islamabad, Pakistan. During her tenure, she supervises a failed drone strike at the suspected hideout of terrorist leader Haissam Haqqani. This prompts tensions within the CIA and incites the highly unstable Haqqani. In an effort to locate him, Carrie enlists the help of a young asset. Unfortunately, a disillusioned American provides damaging information to the Pakistani authorities, resulting in catastrophic consequences.

Season 5 (2015). Taking place two years after the previous season, Season 5 follows Carrie’s departure from the CIA and her new role at the Düring Foundation, a philanthropic organization in Berlin. Despite her change of career, Carrie must team up with her former colleagues to prevent a terror attack on Berlin and uncover a CIA mole. This season tackles a number of real-world issues, such as ISIS, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad, the Charlie Hebdo shooting, Edward Snowden, and the European migrant crisis.

Season 6 (2017). After a few months, Carrie has returned to the United States and is residing in Brooklyn, New York. She has taken up a new job at a foundation that offers assistance to American Muslims. The season centers around the historic moment of electing the first female president, taking place between election day and inauguration day.

Season 7 (2018). Carrie has resigned from her position at the White House and is now residing with her sister Maggie. She boldly confronts the Keane administration in order to secure the freedom of 200 members of the intelligence community who were detained during President Keane’s previous term.

Season 8 (2020). In the midst of newly inaugurated President Ralph Warner’s term, National Security Advisor Saul Berenson is tasked with negotiating peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Despite Carrie Mathison’s ongoing struggle to recover from her traumatic imprisonment in Russia, Saul believes that bringing her to Afghanistan is crucial due to her expertise and familiarity with the region.