For fans of The Handmaid’s Tale who’ve been captivated by Elisabeth Moss’s ability to convey raw emotion and fierce resilience, her latest project, The Veil, is a must-watch. This FX-produced spy thriller, which premiered on Hulu on April 30, 2024, and later aired on Channel 4 in the UK starting July 20, 2025, has taken audiences by storm with its high-stakes drama, intricate plot twists, and relentless intensity. Described as a “gold standard” espionage series, The Veil showcases Moss in a bold new role as an MI6 agent navigating a deadly game of truth and lies. With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and fans calling it “an absolute triumph,” this six-episode miniseries delivers the gripping storytelling and emotional depth that Handmaid’s devotees crave. Here’s why The Veil is the thriller you need to binge next.

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A High-Octane Premise That Hooks Instantly

The Veil thrusts viewers into a globe-trotting espionage saga centered on Imogen Salter (Elisabeth Moss), a cunning MI6 agent renowned for her chameleon-like ability to assume new identities. The story kicks off at a chaotic refugee camp on the Syria-Türkiye border, where Imogen is tasked with extracting Adilah El Idrissi (Yumna Marwan), a woman suspected of being a high-ranking ISIS operative plotting a catastrophic attack. Imogen’s mission: uncover Adilah’s true identity and intentions before thousands of lives are lost. As the two women embark on a tense road trip from Istanbul to Paris and London, their relationship evolves into a psychological cat-and-mouse game, with each probing the other’s secrets while grappling with their own.

Created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), The Veil blends classic spy-thriller elements—code names, dead drops, and shootouts—with a deeply human exploration of trust, morality, and identity. The series’ compact six-episode format, with episodes ranging from 38 to 55 minutes, ensures a taut, propulsive narrative that keeps viewers on edge. In its first week, The Veil climbed Netflix’s charts in multiple countries, with fans on X praising its “riveting twists” and “Homeland-esque” vibe. One user enthused, “Elisabeth Moss is fantastic!!! So much behind the veil in this world. Can’t wait for more episodes!”

Elisabeth Moss Shines as a Badass Spy

Elisabeth Moss, an Emmy winner for The Handmaid’s Tale, steps into Imogen Salter with a commanding presence that proves her versatility. Known for portraying emotionally complex characters like Peggy Olson (Mad Men) and June Osborne (The Handmaid’s Tale), Moss takes on a physically and psychologically demanding role here. Imogen is a “can’t stop/won’t stop” MI6 operative who blends into any situation, wielding charm, intelligence, and combat skills with equal finesse. Moss’s preparation was intense—she spent six months perfecting a British accent and mastering stunt choreography, even fracturing a vertebra during a fight scene in Istanbul. Her commitment pays off, with critics calling her “the perfect British spy” and praising her ability to convey “unspoken intensity” through subtle expressions.

However, Moss’s British accent has sparked debate. Some critics, like The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee, found it “distractingly unbelievable,” while others, including fans on X, defended it as “spot on” and urged viewers to focus on her performance. Regardless, Moss’s ability to anchor the series is undeniable. As Variety’s Aramide Tinubu noted, “Moss’s dramatic power remains undiminished,” making Imogen a compelling mix of grit and vulnerability. Her scenes with Yumna Marwan’s Adilah are the heart of the series, their dynamic evoking Killing Eve’s psychological tension without the sexual undertones.

A Stellar Cast and Sharp Writing

Yumna Marwan’s portrayal of Adilah is a standout, matching Moss’s intensity with a nuanced performance that keeps viewers guessing: Is Adilah a terrorist mastermind or a desperate mother trying to reunite with her daughter? Marwan’s ability to make Adilah both enigmatic and empathetic elevates the series, with Roger Ebert’s review calling her “three-dimensional” and “remarkably subtle.” Supporting players add depth: Josh Charles shines as Max Peterson, a brash CIA agent whose clashes with French DGSE operative Malik Amar (Dali Benssalah) provide comic relief, while Thibault de Montalembert and James Purefoy add gravitas as intelligence superiors and a mysterious figure from Imogen’s past.

Steven Knight’s scripts are packed with old-school spycraft and witty dialogue, though some critics note they veer into clichés, like stereotypes about American bravado or French work hours. The series’ strongest moments come in Imogen and Adilah’s conversations, which delve into family, faith, and duty. A standout scene late in the series sees Adilah challenge Imogen’s accusations of terrorism by highlighting Western hypocrisy in global conflicts, a rare moment of geopolitical bite that critics praised as “pointed” but wished was explored further.

Twists, Tension, and Cinematic Flair

The Veil delivers the twists and intensity Handmaid’s Tale fans crave. From a breathless foot chase through a Paris cemetery to a nighttime shootout in the city’s streets, the series balances action with psychological suspense. Directors Damon Thomas and Daina Reid, both veterans of Killing Eve and The Handmaid’s Tale, craft a visually stunning experience, with Istanbul’s bustling markets and Paris’s moody alleys serving as vivid backdrops. The cinematography, paired with a tense soundtrack, amplifies the stakes, making every episode feel like a high-stakes mission.

The plot thrives on its “is she or isn’t she” mystery, keeping viewers guessing about Adilah’s true nature. However, some twists—like a double-switch involving intelligence agencies—have been criticized as “unbelievable” or “brain-dead” by IMDb users, who felt the foreshadowing was heavy-handed. Others argue the series’ strength lies in its character-driven drama, not its plot mechanics. As one fan wrote on X, “The story’s twists and turns are great, but it’s Moss and Marwan bouncing off each other that makes this unmissable.” The series’ pacing, while mostly tight, occasionally stumbles with subplots, like Imogen’s murky backstory involving a creepy mentor (James Purefoy), which TVLine called “unnecessary” in a six-hour runtime.

A Mixed but Compelling Reception

The Veil has polarized critics and audiences, much like The Handmaid’s Tale did in its later seasons. It holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score based on early reviews, with Variety calling it “fascinating” and NPR praising its “subtle performances.” However, some reviews are less kind. The Hollywood Reporter dubbed it “Homeland-lite” with a “fizzling” conclusion, and The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee gave the first episode one star, calling it a “bafflingly bad time-waster.” Audience reactions are more enthusiastic, with fans on IMDb and X lauding its “gripping” start and “unique” premise, though some found the ending “unsatisfying” or “overwrought.” One IMDb reviewer noted, “Episode one was five stars, but by episode six, it’s zero stars—don’t get sucked in.”

The series’ ambition to blend spy thrills with psychological depth doesn’t always land. Critics like IndieWire argue it relies on “outdated tropes” and “poorly teased secrets,” while others, like Rolling Stone, praise Moss and Marwan’s chemistry for keeping it engaging. The show’s attempt to address geopolitical issues, like Western interventionism, is a highlight but often feels muddled, catering to an “American gaze” with stereotypes about international agencies. Still, its compact format and focus on two complex women make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven thrillers.

Why Handmaid’s Tale Fans Will Love It

If you were drawn to The Handmaid’s Tale for Moss’s ability to portray fierce, flawed women navigating oppressive systems, The Veil delivers a similar emotional core. Imogen, like June Osborne, is a survivor haunted by her past, wrestling with moral dilemmas in a high-stakes world. The series’ exploration of identity and trust mirrors Handmaid’s themes of agency and resistance, while its action-packed sequences offer a fresh spin on Moss’s repertoire. The dynamic between Imogen and Adilah also echoes the fraught relationships in Handmaid’s Tale, where alliances are tested by hidden truths.

A Thriller Worth Watching

The Veil isn’t perfect—its ambitious mix of espionage and psychological drama occasionally trips over clichés or convoluted twists. Yet, its stellar cast, led by Moss and Marwan, and its relentless pace make it a binge-worthy ride. For The Handmaid’s Tale fans craving intensity, The Veil delivers in spades, with enough suspense and emotional heft to keep you glued to the screen. As one fan on X put it, “It’s a triumph in acting and storytelling—you feel every ounce of the characters’ emotions.” Whether you’re in it for the twists, the tension, or Moss kicking ass as a spy, The Veil is a thrilling addition to 2025’s TV landscape. Catch it on Hulu, Disney+, or Channel 4, and prepare to be hooked.