With covert operations, high-stakes missions, and amazingly thrilling characters navigating worlds built on secrecy and deception, spy television has long been an entertaining genre to swim through. While there exist many flashy hits that have dominated the spotlight over the years, there are also others that have been horribly overshadowed, despite offering compelling storytelling, depth, and fascinating tension. Over the course of many years, these overlooked spy shows have only grown more captivating and far more impactful today, despite their lack of audience.

Shows in the spy genre like the 2007 series The Company, which explores decades of CIA operations during the Cold War, and Sleeper Cell, which chooses to focus more on moral complexity rather than spectacle, are somehow two forgotten gems in the realm of spy television. Compiled on this list are shows that may have slipped from memory for many viewers, but have also only grown better with time.

‘Archer’ (2009–2023)

This bold adult animated series is definitely an unconventional approach to the spy genre. Archer follows the narcissistic spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), who works at a dysfunctional private spy agency where Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler), his mother Malory Archer (Jessica Walter), Cheryl Tunt (Judy Greer), and Cyril Figgis (Chris Parnell) turn every operation into a contest of vanity, competence, and personal sabotage.

With an entertaining mesh of absurd humor and espionage, Archer delivers a uniquely toned watch that remains fresh across multiple seasons. It’s a distinct spy show that has only grown more appreciated by its niche fanbase over time. Archer‘s writing is dense enough that it has survived repeat viewing by audiences, and because of its retro-modern visual design that still looks terrific, it stands as an underrated gem that has aged quite nicely over the years.

‘Alias’ (2001–2006)

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Alias offers audiences its merger of genuine emotional strain and costume-change caper energy that is still a blast to watch today. The series centers around Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), who begins as what seems to be a young operative in a black-ops organization, only for her to learn that SD-6 is not a legitimate branch of the CIA at all.

Alias has aged so well over time due to its early seasons being ruthlessly engineered entertainment. From the father-daughter material that still lands, to Garner remaining a star-level center of gravity, and the show’s puzzle-box plotting that now reads less as an overcomplication and more as an early template for serialized genre television on American broadcast networks, Alias wields an enduring appeal. It’s a series whose storytelling laid the groundwork for many modern spy shows, and its mix of action and emotion makes it a defining entry that continues to hold up quite well.

‘Sleeper Cell’ (2005–2006)

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This series may have had a short run, but it’s a sleeper hit that delivers a grounded and intense look at undercover counterterrorism. Sleeper Cell focuses on FBI agent Darwyn Al-Sayeed (Michael Ealy), who is sent undercover into a jihadist sleeper cell led by Farik (Oded Fehr), whose charisma and discipline make the infiltration morally and psychologically unstable from the start.

With its exploration of the complexities of infiltration, Sleeper Cell offers audiences a rather realistic tone. The show’s realism gives it a lot of weight that still resonates with viewers quite well. Sleeper Cell is a powerful and often overlooked spy drama that has aged very nicely due to its avoidance of chest-thumping patriotism, instead favoring a raw and nuanced portrayal of counterterrorism. The series wields a seriousness that is now even more valued today because it refuses to present a cartoon view of terror or counterterror. Sleeper Cell may be largely overlooked due to its short run and its specificity to a particular historical moment, but it is still considered a compellingly grounded take on the spy genre that continues to impress.

‘Covert Affairs’ (2010–2014)

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Covert Affairs is a spy thriller that blends emotional stakes with globe-trotting missions. The spy series follows young CIA agent Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), who is pushed into CIA field work far faster than expected because of her analytic instincts, language skills, and connection to a high-priority target.

Covert Affairs ages so well because it is actually a lot smarter than its packaging suggests. The series may initially begin as a sleek young-agent procedural, but it takes a gradual turn as it dives into a more serialized story about burned assets, confidence games, and the heavy price of Annie’s increasing willingness to improvise outside formal approval. Despite its writing quietly maturing across its run, Covert Affairs remains pretty underappreciated. While the show is mostly forgotten, it does stand as a spy series that hosts a mix of espionage and character-driven storytelling, which allows it to be just as enjoyable as it was over a decade ago.

‘Patriot’ (2015–2018)

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This uniquely offbeat approach to espionage with dark humor has definitely earned itself quite a cult following. Patriot focuses on non-official-cover intelligence officer, John Tavner (Michael Dorman), whose task sounds simple—stop Iranian nuclear funding by getting money from one place to another—but whose execution becomes a flood of false identities, bad improvisations, broken bones, and emotional collapse.

Patriot may not be as old as the other entries on this list, but over the years, since the show’s premiere, it has aged extremely well due to its originality—nothing else moves or sounds like it. From the ritual humiliation and the deadpan folk songs to the corporate camouflage, each small fix tends to often spiral into deeper moral consequences. Unfortunately, due to poor marketing, Patriot has gone mostly unnoticed and has never found its mainstream audience. The series is a uniquely layered and underappreciated espionage good time that has definitely earned its place on this list of finely aged gems.

‘Nikita’ (2010–2013)

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Nikita is an action drama that is perfect for any enthusiast of spy thrillers, as it gifts audiences a reimagined story of a rogue operative seeking revenge. The series centers on the rogue escapee of the secret agency Division, Nikita (Maggie Q), as she wars against the organization.

With a strong female lead and action sequences that give it a lasting appeal, Nikita has aged really well over the years since its release, with its much cleaner and tougher story than its CW branding suggests. The show remains a solid example of character-driven espionage that wields legible action and strong emotional continuity. Nikita may have been filed away by reviewers as an all-early-2010s CW action show under disposable teen TV, leading it to go pretty much forgotten by any mainstream audience, but it still delivers intriguing characters, strong action, and an enduring charm.

‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

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This immersive thriller offers audiences a slow-burn espionage story rooted in psychological tension. The Little Drummer Girl focuses on a young actress, Charlie (Florence Pugh), whose gift for performance makes her irresistible to an Israeli intelligence operation targeting a Palestinian militant network.

The Little Drummer Girl is a finely aged series, thanks to its visually and emotionally rigorous narrative. The show’s control of rhythm and image gives it tactile seductiveness that audiences still appreciate, but its true strength comes from the series’ moral architecture. The Little Drummer Girl has found itself trapped as a forgotten gem because of its rather finite miniseries format, which often disappears in the vast and fast-paced world of streaming. It may not be the most acknowledged series of today, but it definitely stands as a beautifully aged spy thrill ride.

‘The Company’ (2007)

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The Company is an ambitious spy series that is constantly overlooked for the flashier hits in the genre. The TNT series follows three CIA operatives over the course of several years, tracing their careers from post–World War II Europe through the height of the Cold War.

The Company is a genuinely unique watch and remains so even now. It has aged so well over the years due to the easier granted acceptance of ambitious series. In the early 2000s, The Company came across as much too overstuffed to be truly entertaining. Today, even with a very minimal audience, the series is lauded as an underrated gem that offers audiences a historical scope as it delivers espionage elements through a broader lens than what is usually seen within the genre. The Company may not be the most watched spy series out there, but it’s a fantastically ambitious project that has aged quite nicely.

‘Spy’ (2011–2012)

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This British spy drama offers audiences a comedic twist to the espionage genre. The 2011 series, Spy, centers around a failed salesman and struggling father, Tim Elliott (Darren Boyd), who believes he’s applying for a dull office job and instead gets recruited into MI5 training.

With comedy that makes its entirety genuinely charming, Spy delivers a refreshing break from traditional spy shows. The series reimagines the spy world through a lighthearted lens as an unlikely agent navigates absurd missions. Spy ages so well because the series’ comedy is rooted in character rather than mere outrageous parody. It has been largely forgotten since British sitcoms tend to vanish with alarming speed without endless streaming circulation and word-of-mouth worship. Spy is a fantastic counterexample to the idea that spy television has to be serious to be any good, making it an extraordinary watch for modern TV, despite it going mostly unnoticed today.

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Spy

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Release Date

2011 – 2012-00-00

Network

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Sky One

Directors

John Henderson

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Here’s a rundown of Us Weekly‘s top stories making headlines in celebrity news, sports and entertainment on April 22, 2026. Here are key takeaways:

• Vrabel-Russini photos: New photos published by Page Six appear to show New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini kissing at a New York City bar in March 2020. Vrabel, who announced he would miss the third day of the NFL Draft to attend counseling, said in a statement he was committed to being “the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be.”

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• Bachelorette season 22 update: Disney unscripted TV chief Rob Mills told Variety and Deadline the network is taking it “one day at a time” on whether Taylor Frankie Paul‘s shelved Bachelorette season will air. ABC pulled the season in March after footage of a 2023 domestic violence incident involving Paul surfaced, though the Salt Lake City District Attorney’s Office has since declined to press additional charges.

• Summer House relationship drama: Cast member Jesse Solomon said on a podcast he’s unsure whether costars West Wilson and Amanda Batula will last as a couple, adding, “I don’t think he’s ready for a relationship.” The pair confirmed they were dating last month, surprising castmates including Amanda’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke.

Edited by Samantha Benitz. Story produced with AI assistance

Taylor Frankie Paul is making a bold statement about the criticism regarding her social media usage in the aftermath of avoiding charges in a domestic violence incident with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

Paul, whose viral popularity is the reason why she was tapped to star in Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” has left fans shocked by deactivating both her Instagram and TikTok accounts.

After being in the middle of a legal and media firestorm throughout the last few weeks, Taylor Frankie Paul’s luck has turned around for the better. However, despite being active on social media throughout all the drama (and after), it appears that now she is officially taking a step back.

Fans realized on Thursday, April 23, that Paul deactivated her Instagram and TikTok accounts.

A source close to the MomTok founder told PEOPLE that Paul’s decision to deactivate her accounts is not permanent.

“Taylor is taking a breather,” the insider told the outlet. “It’s been a lot the last couple months to consume and [she] will be back shortly to continue sharing her story. She’ll decide when the time is right to return to filming on ‘Secret Lives.’”

When an online user commented that she should focus on healing “off social media,” Paul defended her decision to continue to interact with and create content.

“That sounds like the reasonable answer, however I will be doing the opposite,” she wrote in reply.  “I’ll continue sharing on social media showing how ugly healing truly can be.”

“Making and editing videos is my way of processing just like people like to write into a journal.. this is my way and I choose to share it,” Paul continued. “Saying this with love, most people would need to get off and so understandable, I’m not most.”

Disney Addressed Future Of Paul’s ‘Bachelorette’ Season Airing

In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Disney’s reality television chief, Rob Mills, spoke about the possibility of Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” airing at some point.

“The day all of that stuff happened, really our first sort of concern was really for Taylor and the family and everyone involved in that, it was really more on a human level,” he said.

“Now, we’re sort of taking it a day at a time,” Mills said, after “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star avoided domestic violence charges. “I think her season is a wonderful season, by ‘Bachelor’ standards. If it gets seen, I’m sure people will absolutely enjoy it.”

There have been rumors that if Paul’s “Bachelorette” season doesn’t air on ABC, as it has since its inception, it could possibly stream on Hulu instead. However, neither option has been confirmed.

After The Reality Star Escaped Domestic Violence Charges, Prosecutors Explained Why

The office of Salt Lake City district attorney Sim Gill released a statement confirming that no charges against Paul would be filed, citing a lack of evidence and the statute of limitations as the reasons.

“After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” the statement read, per Deadline.

“The complainant in these cases reported several incidents – some of which occurred more than three years ago,” the statement said. “Any incidents of misdemeanor offenses which are alleged to have occurred more than two years ago are barred by the statute of limitations. Incidents which are alleged to have occurred within the statute of limitations have also been reviewed.”

The DA’s statement continued, “Several incidents that were submitted do not rise to the level of criminal offenses. The remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges where the State must be able to prove such allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Such incidents lack specificity as to when and what actually occurred or corroboration.”

The Door Is Open For Taylor Frankie Paul’s ‘Mormon Wives’ Return

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the “Mormon Wives” production team is letting Paul take the lead on when (and in what capacity) she wants to return to the show.

An inside source close to the reality star also revealed to the outlet that production continues to remain supportive of Paul, and is ready to film with her at her own pace “if and when she is ready.” 

Paul previously shut down claims from PEOPLE that the show would resume production without her, writing in the Instagram comments of the post, “Interesting, that’s not the call I got.”

It’s always a fashion win when your closet matches a celebrity’s. In my case, that win came when Jennifer Lawrence was spotted doing something gloriously normal: grabbing coffee in New York City, wearing a retro T-shirt from a brand I absolutely love.

The Academy Award-winning actress stepped out in a quintessential spring outfit that had photographers snapping and style watchers taking notes. The centerpiece? A retro Beatles tee tucked under a red cardigan, mixing bold primary colors in a way that felt both effortless and completely intentional.

Get the Women’s The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee for $58 at Junk Food Clothing! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The Die, My Love star’s Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee is the kind of piece that makes you do a double-take. Lawrence has always had this knack for looking stylish without trying too hard. She’s not decked out in head-to-toe designer on a coffee run. Instead, she’s wearing a band tee and a cardigan, and somehow it’s the most approachable, put-together thing you’ll see all week.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence Wore Adidas Shoes Shoppers Call ‘Unbelievably Comfortable’

Jennifer Lawrence is the poster child for easy dressing — effortlessly making tees, jeans and even sneakers look polished and cool. Naturally, her latest look didn’t disappoint, especially since she completed the easy-going fit with head-turning Adidas Tokyo tennis shoes. Stepping out in New York City, Lawrence opted for a yellow Beatles T-shirt, Hermès Lindy […]

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Lawrence isn’t the only famous face who’s gravitated toward this exact tee (or brand, for that matter). Sabrina Carpenter wore the same one last winter in an Instagram post, proving the shirt works across seasons and generations. The Junk Food Clothing brand itself has a serious celebrity following, with Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, Emma Roberts, Mindy Kaling, Miles Teller and Keleigh Teller all spotted in the label’s designs. When a brand pulls that kind of range, you know something’s working.

So what makes this particular tee worth the $58 price tag? The details, of course! Junk Food uses a loose-knit, mid-weight tri-blend fabric that feels comfortable right out of the box, no break-in period required. The pigment dye gives it that perfectly washed-out, faded look, like you’ve owned it for years and it just keeps getting better. Little touches like the rib neck binding, ladder stitching at the sleeves and body hem and grinding at the neck, sleeves and hem all contribute to that authentic vintage feel that makes this shirt look like it came from a cool record store in 1972.

One thing to keep in mind before you order: this tee runs small. If you want that fitted, tucked-in look Lawrence was rocking with her cardigan, go with your normal size. If you prefer a more relaxed, regular fit (and honestly, a slightly oversized band tee is never a bad call), size up one from your usual.

The trendy part about this whole retro tee moment is how versatile it actually is. Lawrence paired hers with a red cardigan for a pop of color, but you could just as easily throw a blazer over it for lunch or wear it solo with jeans on a warm Saturday. Band tees have this wonderful ability to make any outfit feel a little more relaxed, a little more personal. They say something about you without saying too much.

And a Beatles shirt? That’s about as classic and universally cool as it gets.

Get the Women’s The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever Original Tee for $58 at Junk Food Clothing! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Related: Jennifer Lawrence’s Cargo Pants Are a Chic Spring Denim Swap

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Jennifer Lawrence just made a strong case for replacing from your usual denim this spring. While out in New York City on April 11, the Oscar winner styled crisp white cargo pants with a navy sweater, suede loafers and a Hermès bag — creating an outfit that felt equal parts polished and effortless. The real […]

Danny Go! star Daniel Coleman is sharing a heartbreaking update on his 14-year-old son Isaac’s ongoing cancer battle.

“Haven’t updated on Isaac’s cancer in a bit and it’s still difficult for me to process and talk about. But the high-level update is that his cancer has continued to spread aggressively and his energy levels have dropped very low,” Daniel, 40, shared via Instagram on Thursday, April 23. “We’re in the midst of a short palliative radiation round right now to slow down the growth of a large mass under his right eye, but we’ve shifted into a comfort-focused approach with him overall.”

Daniel also revealed his son “has a hospice team onboard now to help manage the pain” four months after being diagnosed with stage III mouth cancer.

“We are just doing our best to make each day as enjoyable and restful as possible for him,” he continued. “[My wife] Mindy and I are heartbroken watching him decline, knowing how frustrating and scary this must be for him. But we’re trying to hold it all together & keep soaking up the time we still have with our boy.”

In December 2025, Daniel first announced to his followers that his oldest son had “cancer in his mouth.” (The YouTube star and his wife are also parents to Levi, 10.)

Daniel explained that he knew “this day was coming, as it’s a near certainty with Fanconi anemia.” Isaac was born with the rare genetic disorder in 2011.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Fanconi anemia is a rare inherited condition that keeps your bone marrow from making blood cells and platelets. Those diagnosed may develop cancerous tumors earlier than people who don’t have the condition.

“It’s definitely hitting a little earlier than we hoped and is still just such a shocking thing to hear about your child, even if you’ve braced for it for years,” Daniel shared before the holidays. “The location of the cancer will require some pretty extensive surgery and potential bone work, so we’re not sure yet what recovery will look like. But we’re anxious to get it done fast, so surgery will likely be in the next couple of weeks. … For now, we’re taking it a step at a time and addressing the cancer aggressively.”

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While Daniel has tried his best to keep his followers updated on Isaac’s health via social media, he’s also made it a priority to celebrate the big wins.

Earlier this month, friends showed up to surprise Issac with an out-of-this-world experience. It’s a positive memory that Daniel and his family are holding onto tightly.

“You know you’ve made it in life when your closest friends show up in your backyard on a random Wednesday & surprise your Sith-loving son with a full Star Wars show (that they choreographed & secretly rehearsed multiple times 😭),” he shared via Instagram. “Needless to say, it was a core memory for Isaac and our whole family!! Love you all deeply 🩵.”

UPDATE — 4/23/26, 6:30 p.m. ET: Ancient Aliens star David Wilcock’s family is speaking out about his mental health issues and financial strain following his death at age 53 in an apparent suicide.

“David Wilcock took his own life on April 20, 2026, after a long struggle with depression and overwhelming financial debt,” his family said in a statement released to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, April 23. “His family, and chosen family, hope this loss encourages more focused attention to mental health care access.”

The Wilcock family’s message was publicly released following some skepticism among the UFO YouTuber’s fanbase about suicide as his cause of death.

The family clarified that Wilcock’s status as a New York Times bestselling author and prominent figure in the disclosure community — who argue that world governments are concealing evidence about the existence of aliens — was “only part of the story of a life that, like any other, unfolded through internal struggles, evolving beliefs, and a quest for meaning.”

Related: YouTuber Adam the Woo Dead at 51: Police Called After Friend Discovered Body

YouTuber Adam the Woo has died at age 51. The influencer, real name David Adam Williams, was discovered dead inside his home in Celebration, Florida, on Monday, December 22, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly. TMZ was first to report the news. A concerned friend alerted police after looking through Williams’ bedroom […]

“David lived in a time shaped by the internet, and he himself shaped a segment of it. This powerful medium of communication magnifies both connection and confusion. Ideas travel quickly, expand logarithmically, and reshape thought structures,” his family continued. “In remembering David, it is important to hold more than one truth at once: that some of his work raised concerns about misinformation, and that he was also a person who was on an eternal quest for clarity.”

Their statement went on, “Beyond his public persona, he was a human navigating the same complexities and vulnerabilities that shape all our lives. His passing is a reminder of how important it is to meet one another with open minds and compassion in our hearts. The loss of a life can turn our focus to our shared humanity, whether we agree on life’s unanswered questions or not.”

The Wilcock family mentioned that, although David “considered his audience a community,” there were aspects of his personal life that fans weren’t aware of.

“While he was known as a charismatic and engaging teacher to fans, those who were closest to him knew the depth of his untreated mental health struggles intimately,” they noted. “Many who knew him from afar have speculated that there is a cover-up involving his death, but we can assure you there was no foul play.”

In addition to the family, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office offered a minute-by-minute breakdown of how its officers responded to the incident.

Per the sheriff’s office, the Boulder County Communications Center received an alarming phone call from Wilcock at 10:44 a.m. local time. Wilcock mentioned “health issues and financial concerns” during the emergency call.

Two Boulder County Sheriff’s Office deputies approached a residence at 11:01 a.m., at which time Wilcock told the emergency operator, “I’m sorry to put you through this.”

Wilcock reportedly died at 11:05 a.m.

“No other individuals were found on site,” the law enforcement agency reported at the time, adding that Wilcock was “pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Original story:

Ancient Aliens star David Wilcock died in an apparent suicide following an altercation with Boulder County, Colorado, police. He was 53.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in a press release on Wednesday, April 22, that Wilcock died two days earlier following an altercation with law enforcement near the town of Nederland, Colorado.

Police were dispatched to the scene on Monday, April 20, at around 11:02 a.m. local time after a 911 dispatcher received an emergency call from someone who may have been “experiencing a mental health crisis,” per the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

Wilcock died “within minutes of deputies’ arrival,” the sheriff’s department said in a Wednesday press release.

Officers on site later “searched the residence and surrounding property and did not locate any other individuals,” according to the sheriff’s office. No wider threat to the community was identified.

Us Weekly has reached out to Wilcock’s production company for comment.

Wilcock — a popular paranormal YouTuber and author — alarmed some fans by tweeting on Friday, April 18, that he might cancel a planned live stream due to some “intense stuff” happening in his life.

“I am not yet sure if I am doing a show tomorrow. I’ve had some very intense stuff going on this weekend. Either way, I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you,” he wrote via X. “Always remember that the Creator is within — and we live in a loving universe. I am very grateful to you for all of your love, care and support.”

Hours later, Wilcock assured his followers that he’d “slept miraculously well last night” and planned to push forward with a livestream examining whether President Donald Trump might be “the antichrist” after posting an AI image that seemingly depicted him as Jesus Christ. (Trump later deleted the photo but refused to apologize, insisting that he thought the photo depicted him as a doctor.)

“Are we all in a big psy-op here? Are we going to make it? Is there a schism between POTUS and the Alliance? Why have they posted things implying there is?” Wilcock asked while promoting the show. “Why is he turning on top influencers like Tucker [Carlson], Alex [Jones] and Candace [Owens] and acting so strangely? I want to have an honest discussion about this and not just sugar-coat it. I want to hear your thoughts.”

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Wilcock was a consulting producer and on-air expert on the History Channel’s docuseries Ancient Aliens, which explored controversial theories that extraterrestrials were involved in lost civilizations and other related Ufology topics. Smithsonian criticized Ancient Aliens as “shiny, documentary-format rubbish” while other mainstream publications accused the series of promoting pseudoscience and conspiracy theories.

Aside from his many appearances in UFO documentaries, Wilcock was a key figure in the disclosure movement, which argues that world governments are withholding crucial intelligence proving that earth has been visited by aliens. His books Awakening in the Dream and The Ascension Mysteries were New York Times bestsellers.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

If you’ve ever felt the stress of navigating a busy airport terminal, imagine turning a corner and finding a six-foot-tall llama dressed as a pirate waiting to greet you.

That scene is a regular reality at Portland International Airport, where therapy llamas and alpacas visit about once a month as part of an animal-assisted therapy program that launched in 2023. The animals come from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a nonprofit based in Ridgefield, Washington, and their mission is simple: help travelers relax.

A One-of-a-Kind Welcome From Llamas at Portland International Airport

During each visit, which lasts about 1.5 hours, handlers accompany the animals through the terminal and entrance areas, giving passengers a chance to pet, hug and interact with the gentle creatures. Some visitors opt for a “carrot kiss,” feeding a carrot to one of the animals by hand or mouth. Each animal even comes with a collectible trading card.

The llamas and alpacas — collectively known as camelids — can stand up to about six feet tall and weigh up to roughly 450 pounds. They often arrive dressed in themed costumes, from pirates to cowboys, adding to the whimsy.

Related: Cape May Zoo Welcomes 2 New Capybara Pups Born in April

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Molly Prescott, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY that the program fits the airport’s personality.

“PDX is known for doing things differently, and the llamas and alpacas – with their gentle nature and quirky personalities – have reached icon status in the airport, beloved by all,” Prescott said.

“There’s nothing quite like the delight and surprise you’ll see on people’s faces when they encounter the llamas and alpacas for the first time.”

The Llama Therapy Program Is More Than Just Fun for Travelers

While the visits bring plenty of smiles, the program serves a deeper purpose. Lori Gregory, owner of Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, told USA TODAY that reducing stress and anxiety for travelers is at the heart of every visit.

“The whole purpose of the therapy is to help with anxiety and de-stress, so I’m always watchful,” Gregory said.

She noted that not everyone at the airport is traveling for happy reasons.

“We get quite a few people traveling for not-fun reasons, they’re going to visit their loved one for the last time, or they’re going to a funeral or you know, things that are hard. We always try to watch for those people to give them extra time with the animal and just express our love and care.”

How the Llama Therapy Program at All Started

Gregory’s family was first introduced to llamas through a school program, an experience that changed the course of their lives.

“We decided to join that to learn about these animals and just fell in love,” Gregory told USA TODAY.

Their first llama, Shania — named after Shania Twain — had a sweet personality that inspired the family to pursue therapy work with the animals.

Related: These 2 Giant Pandas Are Starting to Flirt Like Teenagers

Something exciting is unfolding at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. — and it involves two giant pandas who appear to be falling for each other. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 4 years old, have been showing unmistakable signs of a budding romance. While they’re not yet old enough to breed, their zookeepers […]

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The Llama Program Is Home to a Star Named Rojo

Among the nonprofit’s animals, one stands out in particular. Rojo, a llama purchased in 2002, weighs roughly 350 to 400 pounds and has a temperament Gregory describes as gentle, “doglike” and people-friendly.

“And never grew out of that doglike personality and people-friendly personality,” Gregory said.

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Rojo has participated in parades, fairs and public events, drawing strong engagement from crowds and clearly enjoying the attention.

Llamas are one of the oldest domesticated animals, and llama shows are held across the United States, from California to Georgia. But for travelers passing through Portland, the appeal is more personal — a moment of unexpected comfort in the middle of a hectic journey.

The next time you find yourself at PDX, keep an eye out. A llama in a cowboy hat might be just the travel companion you didn’t know you needed.