Television series

Danger Mouse

Name: Danger Mouse
Genre: Action, Adventure, Espionage
Released: 2015
Cast: Alexander Armstrong, Kevin Eldon, Dave Lamb, Stephen Fry, Shauna MacDonald

Other titles called Danger Mouse: the 1981 series (ITV1).

Spy action

A slick reboot of the cult British spy comedy, reimagined for modern kids with a white-eye-patched mouse and his anxious hamster sidekick thwarting absurd villains. It's gadget-fuelled silliness with real wit, voiced brilliantly by Armstrong and Eldon. For anyone who grew up on this stuff, or families after something genuinely clever and funny.

TVMaze rating

3.5

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy the old-school pleasure of a dashing hero, a bickering sidekick and a spy spoof delivered deadpan with a perfectly straight face.

Skip it if the format is a cheerful, broad kids' cartoon with a familiar formula, so if you want slow-burning drama or sharp grown-up satire you will find it thin and repetitive.

What it asks of you: Episodes run about twelve minutes, so the commitment is light and the pace is brisk, cheerful and rarely pauses for breath.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Secret Squirrel Show1965

The DNA ancestor of Danger Mouse: a spy hamster (yes, really) and his sidekick Morocco Mole stopping cartoonish baddies with ridiculous gadgets. Pure joy and perfect precedent.

But The animation is deliberately primitive and the jokes operate on pure silliness; some will find it dated.

Inspector Gadget1983

A bumbling detective with endless attachable gizmos, incompetent in the best way. The spirit of absurd espionage comedy that Danger Mouse inherits—slapstick, puns, and gadgets as the real star.

But Gadget is the lead so there's less character depth; episodes feel samey if watched back-to-back.

Recess1997

School-based ensemble spy capers with the same tone: kids taking themselves seriously as globe-trotting operatives. Smart, warm, genuinely funny without condescending to the audience.

But It's American 90s animation; the aesthetic won't appeal to everyone and pacing varies.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Danger Mouse

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Spy Game2001

Both understand that spy stories work because they balance genuine stakes with the pleasure of the form itself—gadgets, misdirection, elaborate plans. Danger Mouse does it with hamsters; Spy Game does it with real agents. Same engine.

Brad Pitt as young CIA operative being debriefed, told via flashbacks to his partner (Robert Redford). Sleek action, genuine wit, real emotional stakes. A spy thriller that understands genre convention and plays with it rather than mocking it.

But It's serious enough to demand your attention; there's no winking at the camera. Some will find the non-linear structure annoying.

Puffin Rock2015

Gentle Irish-inflected adventures with whimsy, excellent voice work by Chris O'Dowd, and real character warmth. Shows how to make children's television that feels properly made.

But The pace is slower and it's deliberately quieter; some will find it low-energy after Danger Mouse.

Archer2009

Spy comedy for adults with the same energy—ridiculous missions, terrible team dynamics, gadgets, voice acting that makes every line sing. If you loved Danger Mouse and want the spicy version.

But It's genuinely adult (sex, violence, substance abuse); absolutely not for kids and very much not what you signed up for.

The Venture Bros.2003

Adult cartoon that deconstructs spy shows and adventure series with incredible wit, layered plotting, and genuine affection for the genre. If Danger Mouse made you love this kind of storytelling, here's the deep dive.

But Very much adult content, very plot-heavy, and it requires commitment to a large serialized cast over many seasons.

Johnny Test2005

Over-the-top action adventures with terrible puns, gadgetry, and siblings as a functioning team despite chaos. Similar anarchic energy and willingness to be silly without apology.

But It's deliberately garish and often feels like it's trying too hard; the humour lands unevenly.

Bananaman1983

British comic-strip superhero turned cartoon. Affectionate parody of spy and superhero tropes with ridiculous plots, decent voice work, and pure silly charm. Spiritual cousin to Danger Mouse's sensibility.

But The animation is rough and some gags depend on dated reference points; it feels very much of its era.

What We Do in the Shadows2014

Both are ensemble comedies where the joy comes from watching a mismatched group fail upwards. Armstrong and Eldon's Danger Mouse and Penfold dynamic is exactly this: capable and terrified working together. What We Do perfects that chemistry.

Mockumentary about four incompetent vampires sharing a flat in Wellington. Perfectly observed character comedy, brilliant ensemble work, constant invention. It's hilarious without ever leaning on cruelty or cheap laughs.

But The humour is dry and character-driven rather than plot-driven; if you want constant action, this will feel slow.

The Amazing Maurice2022

Both make animals with speaking voices feel real and present rather than cute. Both understand that the best comedy comes from character first, jokes second. Penfold's anxiety, Maurice's cynicism—these aren't for laughs, they're what make the funny bits funnier.

Animated adaptation of Pratchett's novel: a con-artist cat, a clever rat, and a stupid kid moving through a fantasy city running a scam. Sharp dialogue, beautiful animation, real heart. Comedy that earns its sentiment.

But It's a Discworld adaptation so it's dense with wordplay and reference; some jokes require a bit of literary nous to land.