Michael Fassbender says it is becoming harder to know what to trust online

Michael Fassbender, star of the new season of "The Agency," describes the Paramount+ thriller as a deep dive into the psychological cost of espionage. The series, which follows CIA operatives living under deep-cover identities, explores the isolation and moral compromises that come with maintaining a lie for years.

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What sets it apart is that it leans more into the John le Carré experience - the isolation, the loneliness and the reality of the world.

Fassbender, who plays veteran operative Martian, told the BBC that the show leans into the "John le Carré experience," focusing on the "loneliness and the reality of the world." He noted that while season two includes more action, the core appeal remains the "quiet anxiety and tension" stemming from high stakes and the erosion of a moral compass over decades of service.

"People are fascinated by the kind of people that go into this line of work and what kind of people come out of it at the end," Fassbender said. He contrasted his character's current state with his past idealism, highlighting the sacrifices and moral erosion that define Martian's journey.

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People are fascinated by the kind of people that go into this line of work and what kind of people come out of it at the end.

Co-star Katherine Waterston, who plays CIA operations officer Naomi, believes the series resonates with broader societal questions about trust and truth. "We are in a quagmire, and even when something feels real, you have to be suspicious of it," she stated. The show, based on the French drama "The Bureau," also features Richard Gere as the London station chief.

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We are in a quagmire, and even when something feels real, you have to be suspicious of it.