Critic Reviews

There are more than enough carefully planned connections and well-calculated twists to inspire security in this tantalizing tale. Instinctively, two J.K. Simmons has always sounded better than one, just like one million Oprahs is one million times better than one. But “Counterpart” is more than a trending topic. It feels like a series that’s here to stay.

Counterpart blooms and grows as an absorbing sci-fi/spy thriller with elemental questions about how identities can be forged and changed by environments and circumstances.

Counterpart has grown beyond its premise and is still one of the best shows on television, even if we don't get the Howards in the same room together.

Counterpart, the compelling new Starz drama that's mostly an old-school espionage thriller with a little bit of sci-fi tossed in and, we shall see, maybe an existential exploration of identity, is a hodgepodge of interesting ideas that drag you forward into the confusing narrative, with one central and undeniable hook: J.K. Simmons.

Through six episodes, Mr. Marks doesn’t do anything especially interesting with that premise, but luckily for him and us, Mr. Simmons, an Oscar winner in 2015 for “Whiplash,” does. ... In Counterpart, Mr. Simmons works so subtly, and seemingly effortlessly, that you always know which Howard you’re watching, but you’re never aware of how you know.

A smartly constructed and atmospheric spy thriller.

Simmons, as you might expect, is equally convincing as each Howard Silk, but he's only getting revved up for the many twists and turns taken in this 10-episode thrill ride. ... Still, no matter how convoluted things get, you keep coming back to the two Howards, and, because of Simmons, you want to.

The series really belongs to Simmons, so much so that unfortunately when the story leaves his behind things can get a little too slow. The layers that he gives both of the Howards is impressive, but the empathy and affection one feels for our Howard that is being played, seemingly, as a pawn is enormous.

Excellent, intriguing and occasionally action-packed.

It’s a slower burn than you might expect, but it also grows a little more rewarding with every episode. It’s one to keep an eye on.