This 5-Part Spy Thriller Quietly Makes the Case for a Revival by Returning to Streaming

Published Aug 30, 2026, 3:41 PM EDT Jeffrey is a freelance features writer at Collider. He is an MPA-accredited entertainment journalist and a Tomatometer-approved critic based in the LA area. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio, TV, & Film and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. Over a decade ago, the USA Network made a terrible mistake with one of its best spy thriller shows. In the lead-up to what became the Covert Affairs series finale, the show's lead, CIA agent Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), faces a difficult choice, but viewers never got an answer about what would happen next. Now that audiences are revisiting this underrated series on streaming, it's time for the powers that be to give Covert Affairs a proper revival and put many of the show's most pressing questions to bed. What Happens in the Series Finale of 'Covert Affairs'? In the Covert Affairs Season 5 finale, "Gold Soundz," which ultimately became the series finale, Annie’s boyfriend, Nic Bishop (Ryan McQuaid), proposes marriage at the same time that she's invited to join Joan Campbell's (Kari Matchett) CIA task force. In the episode's final moments, torn between the two choices, Annie's vague response, "Got it," implies she may have made a decision. Covert Affairs co-creator and EP Matt Corman left things more open-ended for viewers when speaking to TVLine about the finale. When the conversation turned to Annie's decision, Corman explained, "She’s considering whether to stay in the agency. She’s considering what to do about her heart, if anything. So she’s got a lot to think about.” Unfortunately, the show's cancelation in January 2015, a month after the episode aired, meant viewers never got to find out what would happen next. Annie and Auggie's Relationship Has Unfinished Business on 'Covert Affairs' Throughout Covert Affairs, Annie's handler, August "Auggie" Anderson (Christopher Gorham), clearly had feelings for her, which he eventually revealed midway through the show's run. Their initial attempt at romance didn't work out due to their respective positions at the CIA. Later, Annie started a new relationship with Nic Bishop in Season 5, while Auggie eventually got back together with his ex-girlfriend, Russian hacker Natasha Petrovna (Liane Balaban). From the very first episode, Covert Affairs appeared to be building toward an endgame romance for Auggie and Annie, and it always seemed as if there was unfinished business between them. Corman even teased that there was still hope for viewers who were invested in the couple, telling TVLine, "Right now, they're definitely on different trajectories. But it would be wrong to say that they've transcended the power of that relationship." By all accounts, Season 5's conclusion likely wasn't meant to end any chance of Auggie and Annie rekindling their romance. Why a 'Covert Affairs' Revival Has To Happen Image via USA Network Now that Covert Affairs is experiencing a resurgence on streaming, interest in reviving the series to give it a proper ending might be reignited. While Annie's initial reaction in the closing minutes of Season 5 doesn't hint at her making one choice over another, it would make the most sense for her to reject Nic's proposal and further her career by joining Joan's task force. Since over 10 years have passed, a Covert Affairs revival would have to pick up many years later, with the characters at different points in their lives, rather than proceeding from where the original series left off. The good news is that Covert Affairs' creators and cast are on board for a potential revival, as Gorham informed Soaps.com last December. Gorham has actually been pushing for a revival of the show for years, but as he explained, "There’s been no takers from the studios." The actor added, "I know [creators] Matt [Corman] and Chris [Ord] would be up for it, and I think Piper would be up for it. And I don’t know why it hasn't happened." For now, the best thing fans can do is revisit the series on the Apple TV Store in the hope that USA Network and NBCUniversal will deliver the Covert Affairs revival that everyone's been waiting for.