What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNikita
Craig Silverstein · Series · 2010
If you loved Nikita, start with La Femme Nikita (Joel Surnow, 1997) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Nikita across media.
You crave the high-stakes tension of a lone operative fighting to dismantle the very corrupt systems that created them.
Start with the source
The source
La Femme Nikita
Joel Surnow · Series · 1997
Books on the same thread
Shibumi
Trevanian · Book · 1983
Shares 2 threads with Nikita: Revenge, Action Thriller.
Like Nikita, Nicholai Hel is a highly trained assassin caught in a deadly dance with a shadowy organization, making this an essential read for fans of corporate conspiracies.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium Trilogy)
Stieg Larsson · Book · 2010
Shares a thread with Nikita: redemption.
If the battle against institutional corruption in Nikita resonated with you, you will find the same grit and relentless pursuit of justice in this gripping tale of conspiracy.
"A" is for Alibi
Sue Grafton · Book · 2005
Explores: Wrongful Conviction, Exoneration, Female Detective.
Nikki Fife shares the determined, self-reliant spirit of Nikita as she works to clear her name, proving that fighting back against a wrongful system is a universal obsession.
Jack Reacher
Lee Child, Andrew Child · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Nikita: Action Thriller.
Jack Reacher embodies the same lethal competence and transient, justice-seeking lifestyle as Nikita, offering a satisfying look at a protagonist who thrives while operating outside the law.
Films on the same thread
Shooter
Antoine Fuqua · Film · 2007
Shares 2 threads with Nikita: Government Conspiracy, Conspiracy Thriller.
Bob Lee Swagger faces a government betrayal similar to Nikita’s struggle with Division, delivering the same high-octane blend of military skill and vengeance against a corrupt establishment.
Haywire
Steven Soderbergh · Film · 2011
Shares a thread with Nikita: Betrayal.
This film captures the visceral, black-ops intensity of Nikita, focusing on a betrayed female operative who turns her specialized training against those who discarded her to the shadows.
Atomic Blonde
David Leitch · Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Nikita: Betrayal, Spy Thriller, Action Thriller.
The moral ambiguity and high-stakes espionage found in Nikita are front and center here, as an agent navigates a treacherous landscape of betrayal and hidden, shifting loyalties.
Ninja Assassin
James McTeigue · Film · 2009
Shares 2 threads with Nikita: Revenge, Redemption.
Raizo’s quest to break free from his secret society mirrors Nikita’s own fight against Division, highlighting the painful, action-packed path toward redemption for a former elite killer.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
If Nikita hit, 1619 shares the thread.
The Rest Is Classified
Podcast
Explores: Cold War, Intelligence agencies, Covert operations.
For those fascinated by the authentic tradecraft and intelligence agency dynamics that underpin the world of Nikita, this podcast offers a deep dive into real-world covert operations.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Nikita related to the 1997 series La Femme Nikita?
Both Nikita and the 1997 series La Femme Nikita share the same core premise of a woman trained as an assassin by a secret agency. The 2010 version by Craig Silverstein serves as a modern reimagining of the original concept rather than a direct continuation of the earlier show.
Should I watch La Femme Nikita before starting Nikita?
You do not need to watch the 1997 series La Femme Nikita to understand the 2010 Nikita. They are separate productions with different creative teams. You can enjoy the 2010 version as a standalone story regarding the protagonist's mission to destroy the secret agency known as Division.
What is the primary goal of the protagonist in Nikita?
The main objective for the character in Nikita is to dismantle Division. This secret U.S. agency is responsible for training her as a spy and assassin. The narrative focuses on her relentless efforts to expose their operations and destroy the organization that turned her into a weapon.
Is Nikita based on a specific source material?
Nikita is a television series created by Craig Silverstein that draws inspiration from the 1997 show La Femme Nikita. It adapts the premise of a rogue operative fighting against the agency that trained her, specifically focusing on her conflict with the clandestine organization identified as Division.