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Spooks – I Spy Apocalypse (2003)

The episode begins with the intelligence unit locked down as part of a simulation relating to a hypothetical terrorist attack, monitored by two government representatives. As events unfold, it appears that there really has been an attack and a chemical weapon has been unleashed. The suspense builds as reports reveal a catastrophe taking place outside, and escalates when the leader seems contaminated, and the two Home Office officials attempt to leave, forcing Matthew Macfadyen’s character to choose between firing at them or letting them go and endangering the sterile MI5 environment. Given it’s Spooks, the outcome is expected.

Threads from 1984

The production was inexpensive but one of the most frightening programmes I have viewed due to its harsh realism and bleak government data. Viewed it recently following the initial broadcast; I frequently went to the Sheffield pub featured in the show that highlighted the truth and the glib matter-of-fact official information that aired. Still absolutely terrifying after three and a half decades.

Severance – The We We Are (2022)

The season one finale of Severance has to be right up there as a tense chapter. I spent the entire episode literally perched nervously, exerting with Dylan to hold the switches that allowed the Innies to remain active, while shouting to the Innies to get their truths out there. The final climactic moment – “she is living!” – felt like an explosion.

Industry – White Mischief (2024)

The fifth episode of Industry’s third season made my pulse quicken. I was compelled to halt and rise and leave the room several times due to the immense extent of the reckless self-harm I saw. Rishi Ramdani is in major difficulty in his job and domestic life – overwhelmed by debt to illegal creditors owing to his uncontrollable gaming, taking such risks with a bet on sterling that might cost his firm millions. Inevitably, he starts a gaming binge, consumes excessive substances and alcohol and alternates between success and failure, is severely assaulted. Every time you think the situation cannot deteriorate further, it worsens. Redemption seems possible by the episode’s conclusion but he misses the opening, leading to terrible outcomes during the season’s final episode. Definitely needed a lie-down after that!

Peep Show – Holiday (2007)

Peep Show is not inherently a tense series. However, the Holiday episode features such degrees of awkwardness that it will make you rise throughout the entire episode, riddled with anxiety. The tension escalates as Jeremy and Mark discover needing to deceive regarding the dog they by chance collide with and subsequent attempts to dispose of it. You then spend the rest of the episode wondering if it might be more awful than cremation, and it is possible!

The 2001 The West Wing episode The Two Cathedrals

Nothing I have seen has been as tense as when I first saw the concluding episode of The West Wing’s second season. The show opens with the fallout of the death (in a traffic accident) of the president’s confidential aide and builds to a peak involving a Haitian emergency, and the fallout from the non-disclosure regarding the president’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis, with confirmation of his intention to pursue re-election. Wonderful television. Unequaled.

Bodyguard – episode one (2018)

The beginning of the UK show Bodyguard, featuring the main character on a train with his young son, is personally a top tense installment. He notices a Muslim female entering the restroom and realizes something is amiss. The bomb squad is alerted, enter the train, and attempt to convince the woman to take off her suicide vest. Anxiety builds to an almost unbearable degree, until, finally, the vest is neutralized.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – The Body (2001)

Buffy enters her house to find her mum has passed away due to natural factors, which is the least common kind of passing in this paranormal series. The episode has no background music, a somber mood, and we view the installment through the lens of Buffy’s astonishment upon finding her mother.

The Sopranos – Made in America (2007)

The ultimate sequence of the series finale of the series was extremely nerve-wracking. And for those who saw it during its initial broadcast, you – at the start – didn’t understand the cause. Tony’s adversaries, actual and perceived, were all overcome. This seems similar to the first season’s finale, right? “Remember the little things.” But the mood is bizarrely ominous. Almost Twin Peaks levels of terror. The family sit in a restaurant. Meadow parks. Tony sorrowfully notifies Carmela difficulties are arising with an additional associate collaborating with the authorities. Meadow parks the vehicle. Unfamiliar individuals come into the diner. Stare at Tony(?) Meadow continues to park. Tony plays a track on the music machine. Meadow finds a spot. The door chimes, a person comes in. It cannot be Meadow, she is still parking. Tony looks up. Continue. It ceases. My heart dropped from my mouth around 20 minutes subsequently.

The 2016 The Walking Dead episode The Last Day on Earth

I remained awake to view this installment during the night. It was incredibly tense after the establishment of antagonist Negan finding the group, mercilessly mocking his targets then not knowing who he killed (ended on a cliffhanger). The victim’s POV shot and the muted audio – ugh! {We then had to wait for season seven|We then needed to await season