Covert Affairs

Annie Walker is a young CIA officer who gets an unexpected transfer from analyst work into the field, and she assumes it’s because of her talent with languages. Once on assignment she quickly finds that the job is more complex than trading code words and travel itineraries, and that her superiors might have other reasons for putting her out in the world. Auggie Anderson, a sharp but blind intelligence specialist, acts as her handler and confidant, guiding Annie through the tangle of agency politics, surveillance operations and personal risk without giving away the deeper motives swirling around her promotion.

Created by Matt Corman and Chris Ord, Covert Affairs premiered in 2010 and stars Piper Perabo as Annie Walker, with Christopher Gorham, Kari Matchett, Peter Gallagher and Nic Bishop among the principal cast.

Auggie’s role as a blind CIA analyst earned attention for showing a disabled character with technical skill and emotional range, and the series’ mix of workplace drama and globe-trotting missions helped it find a steady audience. Fans often pointed to the show’s travel, wardrobe and lighter tone compared with darker spy dramas as key parts of its appeal.

Critical response was mixed-to-positive, and user ratings reflect steady viewer approval, with a vote average of 6.882 out of 10 from 258 votes. Recurring themes include the tension between loyalty and secrecy, mentorship within a demanding institution, and the moral gray areas of intelligence work, all balanced with personal relationships that complicate missions.

The show didn’t become an awards magnet, yet reviewers and viewers commonly praised the chemistry between Perabo and Gorham, and the cast’s ability to sell both procedural beats and quieter emotional moments. Its longevity and consistent fan base speak to a series that favored character dynamics and accessible espionage over prestige recognition.