Nikita (TV series)#Ratings

{{More plot|1=section|2=plot summary—seasons three and four are missing|date=January 2014}}

The series focuses on Nikita Mears, a woman who escaped from a secret U.S. government-funded organization known as Division, and after spending three years in hiding, is back to bring Division down. Division, created and supervised by an organization called Oversight, is responsible for black operations including espionage, sabotage, and assassination. Under the leadership of its first director and founding member, Percival "Percy" Rose, Division has gone rogue and performs under-the-table murder-for-hire. To protect himself, Percy has created a series of 'black boxes', hard drives containing every job Division has ever done, as leverage to prevent Oversight from removing him and/or ending Division. Percy's black boxes are hidden in secret locations around the world, under the protection of Guardians, high-ranking Division agents.

Division fills its ranks primarily by recruiting young people with troubled backgrounds, often directly from prison. Division fakes the recruits' deaths, erases all evidence of their past lives, and molds them into efficient spies and assassins. The recruits generally do not have the freedom to leave the agency. Recruits may be "cancelled" (killed) if their progress is deemed unsatisfactory, and to this end, Division implants the recruits with tracking devices and kill chips.

Nikita was recruited by Division when she was a deeply troubled teenager, on death row. Division rescued her, faked her death, and told her she was getting a second chance to start a new life and serve her country. Throughout her grueling training, Nikita never lost her humanity. Once she graduated from recruit to field agent, she broke Division rules by falling in love with a civilian, to whom she became engaged and planned to run away. When Division found out and assassinated Nikita's fiancé, Nikita went rogue. She makes it her mission to bring down Division, as a way to avenge her fiancé and atone for the sins she committed as a Division agent. Percy orders Michael, the Division operative who trained Nikita, to deal with her.

On the outside, Nikita trains a young woman named Alex, who as a child was saved by Nikita during a mission that killed Alex's father years ago. Nikita has Alex become a recruit inside Division, working as a mole to gain intelligence. Throughout season one, Nikita works to disrupt Division's operations, with the support of Alex's intelligence from the inside. Nikita also encounters Gogol, a Russian security department operative and established enemy of Division. Nikita slowly brings other allies to her side, including Michael when he realizes the true extent of Percy's corruption as well as his own feelings for Nikita. At the end of the season, Nikita manages to foil Percy's plan to take over the CIA and gain its top-secret funding. However, she is forced to go on the run with Michael. At the same time, Nikita loses Alex when Alex discovers that Nikita killed her father on the Division mission years ago. When Alex is exposed as Nikita's mole and finds herself at the mercy of Division and Oversight, Amanda offers Alex a deal: help Division stop Nikita, and Division will help Alex bring down the man who ordered the hit on her father.

In season two, Nikita and Michael focus and press their efforts against Oversight, seeking to destroy the group, which will also cripple Division at the same time. Division has changed, with Percy being locked up for his actions in season one, and Amanda taking control of the organization, with Oversight supervising her. Alex has set her sights on Sergei Semak, her father's right-hand man and also the one responsible for ordering his death, who has taken over Zetrov, her father's company and controller of Gogol. Nikita and Michael manage to expose and/or kill most of Oversight, with the help of Seymour Birkhoff, a former Division head technician, who left the organization after Percy was imprisoned. While trying to bring down Oversight, Nikita and Michael hunt down the remaining black boxes, finally destroying all but one. The final black box has fallen into the hands of Gogol's leader, Ari Tasarov, who is later revealed to be Amanda's lover and exposes her as a traitor. With the help of the last of the Guardians, Percy escapes his prison and manages to overthrow Amanda's control of Division, sending Ari and her into hiding, along with the last black box. Percy also manages to kill all members of Oversight and puts a plan into place to use plutonium to gain membership of an unknown group of powerful people. Having no other choice, Nikita and Michael decide to take the situation to the president, with the help of Ryan, who has been helping Nikita on her mission since season one. Alex reconciles with Nikita, after having finally brought down Semak and restored her father's company. While her allies attempt to stop Percy's most trusted man, Roan, from using the plutonium to blow up Washington, DC, Nikita and Michael infiltrate Division, managing to expose Percy's corruption and evil deeds, ending his leadership over the organization. Percy is killed by Nikita after trying to escape, and Roan is killed by Alex before he could set off the plutonium. The vice president assigns Ryan as the new director of Division and gives Nikita the task of hunting down Amanda and the last of Division's agents who have gone rogue.

{{Main|List of Nikita characters{{!}}List of Nikita characters}}

Characters are listed in order of title credit and by appearance on the show.

|-

|Tiffany Hines

|Jaden

| {{CMain|Main}}

|colspan="3" {{N/A|}}

|-

|Melinda Clarke

|Helen "Amanda" Collins

|colspan="4" {{CMain|Main}}

|-

|Xander Berkeley

|Percival "Percy" Rose

|colspan="2" {{CMain|Main}}

|colspan="2" {{N/A|}}

|-

|Dillon Casey

|Sean Pierce

| {{N/A|}}

|colspan="2" {{CMain|Main}}

| {{N/A|}}

|-

|Noah Bean

|Ryan Fletcher

|style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="2" {{CRecurring}}

|colspan="2" {{CMain|Main}}

|-

|Devon Sawa

|Owen Elliot / Sam Matthews

|style="background: #ffdddd" colspan="2" {{CRecurring|Recurring}}

|colspan="2" {{CMain|Main}}

|}

File:Nikita2013Cast.jpg

The series borrows many characters, or at least their names, from the 1997 television series La Femme Nikita, which was also based on the French film La Femme Nikita. Maggie Q portrays Nikita, the protagonist and a former spy and assassin who has gone rogue and now plans to bring down Division. Q also performs her own stunts. Shane West plays Michael, a Division operative who trained Nikita. He sees Division and its recruits as a kind of family to him, the complete opposite of Amanda, portrayed by Melinda Clarke, Division's psychologist, interrogator, and a master manipulator. Seymour Birkhoff, Division's computer genius and head technician, is portrayed by Aaron Stanford. The head of Division is Percy, played by Xander Berkeley.

In the season one finale, the audience is introduced to a Senator Madeline Pierce, played by Alberta Watson, who also played the part of Madeline in the former La Femme Nikita television series (Madeline was that series' counterpart to Amanda). Lyndsy Fonseca portrays Alexandra "Alex" Udinov, a former sex slave and drug addict who was arrested after a robbery and later became Division's newest recruit. She is also a mole whom Nikita is using to destroy Division from the inside. Other recruits include Jaden (Tiffany Hines) and Thom (Ashton Holmes) but their characters are later killed off by Nathan (Thad Luckinbill) and Alex respectively. Dillon Casey portrays the role of Sean Pierce, a former Navy SEAL sent to Division directly from Oversight. Noah Bean portrays Ryan Fletcher, an agent in the CIA, but later takes over Division. Some other notable recurring characters include Ari Tasarov (Peter Outerbridge), Sergei Semak (Peter J. Lucas), Roan (Rob Stewart), and Nathan Colville (Thad Luckinbill).

• Maggie Q as Nikita Mears: The show's central protagonist and titular character, Nikita is a spy and assassin who has vowed to destroy the secret agency that trained her: Division. She is the mentor and close confidant of Alex, and she is a former protege of Amanda. She gains close ties with majority of the people she works with, such as Michael - who eventually becomes her love interest - Seymour Birkhoff, Owen Elliot and Ryan Fletcher.
• Shane West as Michael Bishop: An ex-Division agent who fell in love with Nikita and joined forces with her to destroy his former employers.
• Lyndsy Fonseca as Alexandra "Alex" Udinov: The young woman Nikita rescued the night Division killed her family. She trained to destroy Division, and she also seeks revenge against Division for the massacre of her family. She is Amanda's former protege and Nikita's very close friend.
• Aaron Stanford as Seymour Birkhoff/Lionel Peller: A computer genius, hacker, and nonconformist. Former employee of Division until he sided with Nikita in order to bring order to the underworld of black ops and corrupted crimes.
• Ashton Holmes as Thom: A Division assassin who was recruited before Alex.
• Tiffany Hines as Jaden: A Division assassin who was recruited before Alex.
• Melinda Clarke as Helen "Amanda" Collins: The show's main antagonist in the third and fourth season, Amanda is a master manipulator, interrogator, and psychologist. She is also a former head of Division as well as an enemy and former mentor of Nikita and Alex.
• Xander Berkeley as Percival "Percy" Rose: The show's main antagonist in the first and second season, Percy is the former head of Division who involves his government access with black market crimes and assassination of powerful people around the world.
• Dillon Casey as Sean Pierce: A former Navy SEAL hired to keep an eye on Division and the activities that take place.
• Devon Sawa as Owen Elliot/Sam Matthews: A former Division cleaner and Guardian who turns against the company.
• Noah Bean as Ryan Fletcher: A former CIA agent and analyst who is a close ally of Nikita. He was appointed the new head of Division in season three to clean up the company's history.

• Rob Stewart as Roan (seasons 1–2): Cleaner of Division and Percy's right-hand man.
• Peter Outerbridge as Ari Tasarov (seasons 1–3): Former head of GOGOL, a Russian Division counterpart, and Amanda's former love interest.
• Thad Luckinbill as Nathan Colville (season 1): Alex's neighbor and love interest following her graduation from Division.
• Alberta Watson as Madeline Pierce (guest star season 1; recurring season 2): A U.S. Senator, former member of Oversight and mother of Sean Pierce. Watson had previously played a similar character, also named Madeline, in the 1997 TV series.
• Lyndie Greenwood as Sonya (seasons 2–4): The head technician of Division since Birkhoff's leave and former subordinate of Amanda.
• Helena Mattsson as Cassandra Ovechkin (season 2): Former GOGOL agent and mother of Michael's son, Max.
• Peter J. Lucas as Sergei Semak (season 2): The CEO of Zetrov and head of GOGOL.
• Cameron Daddo as Charles Grayson (season 2): The former president of the United States.
• Michelle Nolden as Kathleen Spencer (seasons 2–4): The vice president of the United States, later succeeded Charles Grayson as president.
• David S. Lee as Phillip Jones (season 2 & 4; guest season 3): Former CFO of MDK Industries and a high-ranked member of the Invisible Hand.
• Sarah Allen as Anne (season 3): Former Division agent and Amanda's subordinate.
• Richard T. Jones as Evan Danforth (season 3): Former commander in the U.S. Navy and Special Advisor to President Kathleen Spencer.

{{Main|List of Nikita episodes{{!}}List of Nikita episodes}}

{{:List of Nikita episodes}}

{{Quote box |quote="It's a dark fairytale. This girl [Nikita] is taken from one life, her identity is erased, she's put in another life and she's transformed. It's like Alice in Wonderland. She's told, 'Eat this, drink that, steal this, kill that,' and she's not told why. And, she begins to find her own identity through that. It's just a great story." |source=—Craig Silverstein, executive producer{{cite web |url=https://www.collider.com/2010/08/30/executive-producer-craig-silverstein-interview-nikita/ |title=Executive Producer Craig Silverstein Interview NIKITA |work=Collider |date=August 30, 2010 |first=Christina |last=Radish |access-date=August 30, 2010}}

|width=215px |align=right |salign =right |qalign=left}}

The CW had long been interested in an action-adventure series centered on a strong female character.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/05/upfronts-the-cw-declares-itself-the-cool-place-to-be-.html |title=Upfronts: The CW declares itself 'the cool place to be' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 20, 2010 |first=Matea |last=Gold}} On January 27, 2010, the CW ordered a pilot episode of Nikita.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/cw-orders-la-femme-nikita-53015 |title=The CW orders 'La Femme Nikita' remake |work=The Hollywood Reporter - The Live Feed |date=January 27, 2010 |first=James |last=Hibberd |access-date=December 4, 2010}} The 2010 television series is more closely tied to Luc Besson's 1990 French film Nikita than the 1997 television series, La Femme Nikita.{{Cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/07/comiccon-2010-nikita-debut-and-maggie-q-says-dudes-are-gonna-love-it.html |title=COMIC-CON 2010: 'Nikita' debuts and Maggie Q says 'Dudes are gonna love it!' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 24, 2010 |first=Jevon |last=Phillips |access-date=July 25, 2010}} However, the series does borrow many characters, or at least character names, from the previous television series.

During the 2010 Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles on July 29, 2010, executive producer Craig Silverstein said he was approached by Warner Bros. who owned the rights. Silverstein said, "My first thought was I love Nikita. My second thought was, 'it's been done.' Could it be done fresh? Could we have a take where you didn't know where this story would end?"{{cite web |url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/110/1109275p1.html |title=Nikita is Coming to Kick Ass |work=IGN |publisher=News Corporation |date=July 29, 2010 |first=Eric |last=Goldman |access-date=July 30, 2010}} As a result, two major changes were made, one of which was the decision to have the story take place after Nikita has escaped. Maggie Q stated, "No one's told her story after the fact. No one knows where she is going."{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Nikita-Reboot-Work-1020945.aspx |title=Why A Nikita Reboot Can Work |work=TV Guide |date=July 25, 2010 |first=Denise |last=Martin |access-date=July 26, 2010}} In addition, a new character, Alex, is introduced who has an unexpected backstory.{{cite web |url=http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b192806_nikita_tvs_hottest_new_star_maggie_q.html |title=Nikita: TV's Hottest New Star, Maggie Q, Is Gonna Knock You Out...No, Really, Beware! |work=E! Online |date=July 29, 2010 |first=Kristin |last=Dos Santos |access-date=July 30, 2010}} The series is a mix of a weekly missions and counter-missions, along with a story arc running through the first season that explores Nikita's relationships with Alex and Michael.

While presenting its 2010–11 season schedule on May 21, 2010, the CW officially confirmed the pick-up of the series and announced its intention to air Nikita after The Vampire Diaries on Thursday nights.{{Cite magazine |title=Breaking: The CW's new fall schedule |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/05/20/the-cws-new-fall-schedule/ |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=May 20, 2010 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=May 20, 2010}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/cw-picks-nikita-hellcats-life-53671 |title=CW picks up 'Nikita,' 'Hellcats,' 'Life,' 'OTH' |work=The Hollywood Reporter - The Live Feed |date=May 18, 2010 |first=James |last=Hibberd |access-date=December 4, 2010}} In October 2010, Entertainment Weekly announced that the series would receive some tweaking to attract more of a female audience, including a new character and potential love interest for Nikita. However, the network promised the core of the show would remain the same.Michael Ausiello [http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/nikita-getting-a-slight-tweak/ Exclusive: 'Nikita' getting a slight 'tweak'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017062542/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/10/12/nikita-getting-a-slight-tweak/ |date=October 17, 2010 }} Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved: October 20, 2010. Later that month, the show was picked up for a full season, which would total 22 episodes.{{Cite magazine |title=Breaking: The CW orders full seasons of 'One Tree Hill,' 'Nikita,' and 'Hellcats |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/10/22/cw-full-season-one-tree-hill-nikita-hellcats/ |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=October 22, 2010 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 22, 2010}}{{Cite news |title=CW Gives Full Season Pick Ups To 'Nikita,' 'Hellcats' & 'One Tree Hill' |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/22/cw-gives-full-season-pick-ups-to-nikita-hellcats-one-tree-hill/69294 |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=October 22, 2010 |publisher=TV by the Numbers |access-date=October 22, 2010 |archive-date=October 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026213300/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/22/cw-gives-full-season-pick-ups-to-nikita-hellcats-one-tree-hill/69294 |url-status=dead }} The CW admitted it took gambles this year but said they were "thrilled that [it] paid off for us".{{Cite news |title=The CW picks up 'Nikita', 'Hellcats{{'-}} |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118026194.html |last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=October 22, 2010 |work=Variety|access-date=October 22, 2010}}

On May 17, 2011 Nikita was renewed for a second season by the CW in the 2011–12 fall season.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/the-cw-renews-nikita-one-tree-hill-axes-hellcats |title=Breaking: The CW Renews "Nikita", "One Tree Hill", Axes "Hellcats" |last=Masters |first=Megan |date=May 17, 2011 |work=TV Line |access-date=May 17, 2011}} It was later announced that they would move the show to Friday nights at 8:00 p.m., pairing it with Supernatural, beginning Fall 2011.{{cite web |title=CW: Nikita to Fridays, Sarah Michelle Gellar's Ringer on Tuesdays |url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/116/1166493p1.html |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=May 19, 2011 |publisher=IGN TV |access-date=May 19, 2011}}{{cite web |title=The CW's Fall Schedule: Sarah Michelle Gellar Back on Tuesdays, Nikita Makes Move |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/fall-tv-preview-cw-schedule/ |last=Mitovich |first=Matt |date=May 19, 2011 |publisher=IGN TV |access-date=May 19, 2011}} The second season premiered on Friday, September 23, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/20/the-cw-network-announces-fall-2011-premiere-dates/96084/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622233245/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/20/the-cw-network-announces-fall-2011-premiere-dates/96084/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |title=The CW Network Announces Fall 2011 Premiere Dates |last=Seidman |first=Robert |date=June 20, 2011 |publisher=TV by the Numbers |access-date=July 14, 2011}}

On May 11, 2012, the CW renewed the series for a full third season.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/11/nikita-renewed-for-a-3rd-season/133670 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513214502/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/11/nikita-renewed-for-a-3rd-season/133670/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |title=Updated: 'Nikita' Renewed for a 3rd Season; 'Hart of Dixie' for a Second |publisher=TV by the Numbers |first=Robert |last=Seidman |date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2012}}

On May 9, 2013, the CW renewed the series for a shortened fourth and final season.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/cws-carrie-diaries-nikita-renewed-494426/ |title=CW's 'The Carrie Diaries' & 'Nikita' Renewed |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/09/nikita-and-the-carrie-diaries-renewed-by-the-cw/181841 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606181804/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/09/nikita-and-the-carrie-diaries-renewed-by-the-cw/181841/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |title='Nikita' Renewed For A Short (Final?) 4th Season & 'The Carrie Diaries' Renewed For 2nd Season |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |publisher=TV by the Numbers |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2013}} The final season consisted of just six episodes and was produced to complete the storyline and make it more desirable for a Netflix audience.{{cite news |first=Merrill |last=Barr |title=Nikita's Final Season Isn't About Fan Service, It's About Netflix |work=Forbes |date=November 18, 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillbarr/2013/11/18/the-final-season-of-nikita-isnt-about-fan-service-its-about-netflix/ |access-date=January 22, 2014}}

File:MaggieQSmileSDCCJuly10.jpg

In February 2010, Maggie Q was cast as Nikita.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61I14O20100219 |title=Maggie Q to star as CW's "Nikita" remake |work=Reuters |date=February 19, 2010 |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |access-date=May 30, 2010}} Executive producer Silverstein said casting Q was a simple and quick process, because they wanted someone who was beautiful, and could fight, and who you could believe holding a gun at the same time, and she was perfect. Later that month, Shane West was cast as Michael.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P1JO20100226 |title=Three "ER" alumni cast in pilots |work=Reuters |date=February 26, 2010 |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |access-date=May 30, 2010}} In March, Lyndsy Fonseca was given the role of Alex.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/several-pilots-expand-casts-21520 |title=Several pilots expand casts |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 10, 2010 |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |access-date=December 4, 2010}} Silverstein commented the casting of Fonseca, saying she came in at the last moment but was cast because they liked her intensity. Later that month, Tiffany Hines was cast as Jaden{{Cite news |title=Development Update:Monday, March 22 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/03/22/development-update-monday-march-22-35015/8582/ |date=March 22, 2010 |work=The Futon Critic |access-date=April 14, 2010}} and Xander Berkeley was added to the cast as Percy.{{Cite news |title=Development Update:Monday, March 15 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/03/15/development-update-monday-march-15-34933/8573/ |date=March 15, 2010 |work=The Futon Critic |access-date=April 14, 2010}} In October 2010, Noah Bean gained a recurring role as Ryan Fletcher, a CIA case officer and analyst.{{Cite news |title=Development Update: Wednesday, October 20 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/10/20/development-update-wednesday-october-20-352110/8934/ |date=October 20, 2010 |work=The Futon Critic |access-date=April 14, 2010}}

Casting for the second season started in July 2011 when Dillon Casey was cast as Sean Pierce, a former U.S. Navy Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU, formerly Seal Team Six) officer contracted to monitor Amanda's work at Division and recover the stolen black boxes.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2011/07/nikita-season-2-casting-news-dillon-casey-to-take-down-mikita/ |title=Nikita Season 2 Casting News: Dillon Casey to Take Down Mikita? |publisher=TV Fanatic |date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2012}} Casey was later promoted as a series regular.{{Cite news |title=TVLine Items: Nikita Newbie Promoted, CSI: NY Collars House Alum, OLTL Scoop and More! |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/09/tvline-items-nikita-casey-promoted-csi-ny-weston/ |date=September 29, 2011 |last=Ausiello |first=Austin |work=TV Line |access-date=August 18, 2011}}

After being recurring cast members for two seasons, Noah Bean and Devon Sawa were made series regulars for the third season.{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2012/05/16/nikita-noah-bean-season-3-promotion |title=Nikita Promotes Noah Bean to Series Regular in Season 3 |last=Masters |first=megan |work=TV Line |date=May 16, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2012/07/11/nikita-devon-sawa-series-regular |title=Nikita Promotes Devon Sawa to Series Regular — Season 3 |last=Masters |first=Megan |work=TV Line |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=July 14, 2012}}

Although the show is set in and around New Jersey, Nikita is primarily filmed in Canada—specifically, in Toronto and elsewhere in Ontario. Much of the show is filmed on location, but studio shooting is also used for sets such as 'Division' and the penthouse. Many landmark locations used on the show, such as the White House, are actually doubles meant to represent various places in North America.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1592154/locations |title="Nikita" (2010) - Filming locations |work=IMDb |access-date=February 22, 2013}} The series officially wrapped production on October 1, 2013.

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 85% over the series four seasons. The first seasons critics' consensus reads: "Building on Maggie Q's strong central performance, Nikita is a strong spy thriller that's sleek and action-packed (if a little heavy with backstory)."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/nikita |title=Nikita - Rotten Tomatoes |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=August 11, 2020}} Metacritic gave it a score of 69/100 based on 30 critics reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/nikita/ |title=Nikita - TV Show Reviews - Metacritic|website=Metacritic |access-date=August 11, 2020}} Comparisons were made to Joss Whedon's Dollhouse and the ABC spy drama Alias.{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2010-09-09-nikita09_ST_N.htm |title='Nikita' star Maggie Q brings killer looks to killer role |publisher=usatoday |date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |first=Robert |last=Bianco}}{{cite news |first=Paige |last=Wiser |url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/wiser/2683844,CST-FTR-paige08.article |title=Newfound grrrl power flexes muscles this fall |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913060059/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/wiser/2683844,CST-FTR-paige08.article |archive-date=September 13, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/nikita-review-the-best-show-youre-not-watching-while-you-burn-calories.php |publisher=Pajiba |title=The Best Show You're Not Watching While You Burn Calories |date=February 22, 2011 |access-date=April 10, 2013}} Critics had praise for Maggie Q in the lead role,{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-09/entertainment/24976430_1_peta-wilson-vampire-diaries-gossip-girl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234701/http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-09/entertainment/24976430_1_peta-wilson-vampire-diaries-gossip-girl |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 30, 2013 |title=The CW resurrects 'Nikita' for another generation |publisher=Philadelphia Daily News |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/nikita/nikita-review-38008.aspx |title=Maggie Q is Fit to Kill |publisher=Buddytv |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2013}} the look of the show, solid action sequences,{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-romero/four-reasons-you-should-watch-nikita_b_1184763.html |title=Four Reasons You Should Watch Nikita |publisher=Huffingtonpost |date=May 1, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |first=Mary |last=Romero}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/130750-nikita/ |title='Nikita': Spies Like Them |magazine=PopMatters |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2013}} the chemistry between the cast especially between the two leads Q and West, and an intriguing twist at the end, but noted that the dialogue needed some humor.

The pilot episode drew 3.57 million viewers on its initial broadcast.{{cite web |last=Gorman |first=Bill |title=TV Ratings Thursday: NFL Kickoff Soars; Vampire Diaries Falls; Nikita Equals Supernatural |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/10/tv-ratings-thursday-nfl-kickoff-soars-vampire-diaries-falls-nikita-equals-supernatural/62737/ |work=TV By the Numbers |access-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-date=September 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913023347/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/10/tv-ratings-thursday-nfl-kickoff-soars-vampire-diaries-falls-nikita-equals-supernatural/62737 |url-status=dead }} The CW broadcast an encore of the pilot the following day, which drew approximately 2.6 million viewers.{{Cite news |title= TV Ratings: "Stand Up to Cancer" Draws 10.6{{nbsp}}Million on Broadcast; Rerun of CW's "Hellcats" Wins 8pm With 18-49 |publisher= TV by the Numbers |url= http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/11/tv-ratings-stand-up-to-cancer-averages-10-6-million-on-broadcast-nets-rerun-of-cws-hellcats-wins-8pm-hour-with-18-49/62923 |date= September 11, 2010 |last= Seidman |first= Robert |access-date= September 11, 2010 |archive-date= September 13, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913214509/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/09/11/tv-ratings-stand-up-to-cancer-averages-10-6-million-on-broadcast-nets-rerun-of-cws-hellcats-wins-8pm-hour-with-18-49/62923 |url-status= dead }} The finale was seen by 1.94 million viewers.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/13/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-big-bang-community-rules-mentalist-office-vampire-diariesadjusted-up-bones-adjusted-down/92465/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516103735/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/13/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-big-bang-community-rules-mentalist-office-vampire-diariesadjusted-up-bones-adjusted-down/92465/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |title=Thursday Final Ratings: "American Idol", "Big Bang", "Community", "Rules", "Mentalist", "Office", "Vampire Diaries" Adjusted Up; "Bones" Adjusted Down |work=TV by the Numbers |last=Gorman |first=Bill |date=May 13, 2011 |access-date=May 14, 2011}} The first season averaged 2.40 million viewers and a 0.9 18–49 rating in live + same day DVR viewing per episode.{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604160109/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |title=2010-11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages |last=Gorman |first=Bill |date=June 1, 2011 |work=TV by the Numbers |access-date=June 1, 2011}} Season 2 averaged a 0.5 18-49 rating using Nielsen Live + Same Day DVR data.{{cite web |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/nikita-ratings-2011-2012/ |title=Nikita: Ratings for the 2011-2012 TV Season |work=TV Series Finale |date=May 23, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2012}}

The following is a table for the seasonal rankings, based on average total estimated viewers per episode, of Nikita on the CW. "Rank" refers to how Nikita rated compared to the other television series that aired during prime time hours.

In the UK, the show was the most watched show for Sky Living every week that its autumn episodes aired.{{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10/? |title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes (See relevant weeks and choose Sky Living) |work=BARB.co.uk |publisher=Broadcasters' Audience Research Board |access-date=February 21, 2011}} When it returned from hiatus in the summer in a new Wednesday 9:00 PM slot, it finished fourth in the week. However, it was able to increase again in the following weeks.

In the Netherlands the series premiered with solid ratings, the first episode drew an audience of 640,000 viewers. The second episode was broadcast right after the first episode and drew 757,000 viewers, it had a market share of 10.3%. With these numbers Nikita was the 4th most watched channel of the evening.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediacourant.nl/?p=120250 |title=Veronica scoort met Nikita op nieuwjaarsdag |work=Mediacourant |date=January 2, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2012}}

In France the series premiered with high ratings in its 11:20 p.m. timeslot, the first episode drew an audience of 2.4 million viewers. The show obtained an audience share of 22.6% of France's population which is an extremely high rating despite its timeslot.{{cite web |url=http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18609905.html |title=Meredith Grey et "Nikita" dominent la soirée |date=January 5, 2012 |publisher=allocine |access-date=January 9, 2012}}

In Bulgaria the series averaged 663,000 viewers and was placed at number 12 in the ratings for July.[http://www.ekrana.info/balgariya-gleda-btv-a-ne-olimpiada-po-bnt-tv-reyting.html], July ratings.

The series earned numerous award nominations from awards shows and entertainment organizations such as the American Society of Cinematographers, the People's Choice Awards, the Teen Choice Awards and the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

File:LyndsyFonescaMaggieQCraigSilversteinSDCCJuly10.jpg, Maggie Q, and Craig Silverstein at San Diego Comic-Con, July 2010]]

The show was promoted through pop-culture conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/comic-con-nikita/105483/ |title=Comic-Con: NIKITA |publisher=Collider.com |date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=July 14, 2012}} from 2010 to 2013.

In the United States, the show aired on the CW. In December 2020, it was also released to the network's streaming platform, CW Seed, accessible to U.S. audiences.{{Cite web |last1=Key |first1=Kim |title=CW Seed Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/cw-seed |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=PCMag |date=July 30, 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web|title=CW Seed Bulks Up - More Than 300 Additional Hours of Programming to Be Rolled Out Through the Remainder of The Year |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/09/01/cw-seed-bulks-up-more-than-300-additional-hours-of-programming-to-be-rolled-out-through-the-remainder-of-the-year-372205/20200901cw01/ |website=The Futon Critic |date=September 1, 2020 |access-date=March 21, 2021}}

Sky Living secured the rights to air Nikita in the United Kingdom as the centerpiece of the channel's autumn schedule. Living's head of acquisitions Amy Barham said "Nikita is the hottest, most action-packed drama of the season with an amazingly strong female lead that we know will excite and engage Living's audiences this autumn. We're thrilled to be able to bring it exclusively to the channel. Chase will follow in 2011, providing a new favorite show for all of our procedural fans."{{cite web |url=http://m.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a250814/living-picks-up-nikita-chase-for-uk.html |title=Living picks up 'Nikita', 'Chase' for UK |last=Wightman |first=Catriona |date=July 26, 2010 |work=Digital Spy |access-date=August 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331031330/http://m.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a250814/living-picks-up-nikita-chase-for-uk.html |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In Australia, the show aired on Fox8. In New Zealand, Nikita was shown on TV2 at 10:30 pm on Thursdays. In Canada, it aired on CTV Two and started airing the same day as in the U.S.

In Greece and Cyprus, Nikita aired on Star and ANT1, respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.star.gr/tv/en/Pages/Series.aspx?artId=42&artTitle=nikita |title=NIKITA |publisher=Star Channel |date=July 4, 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704203429/http://www.star.gr/tv/en/Pages/Series.aspx?artId=42&artTitle=nikita |archive-date=July 4, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ant1iwo.com/webtv/show-page/?show=37581 |title=ANT1 internet world | ΝΙΚΙΤΑ |publisher=ANT1 Cyprus |date=March 15, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316065559/http://www.ant1iwo.com/webtv/show-page/?show=37581 |archive-date=March 16, 2015}}

Home releases of the series are distributed through Warner Bros. Home Video.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

A 3D action game based on the TV series titled Nikita Spy Training was released on iOS and Android. It featured sneaking, shooting, and getting in and out of drivable vehicles in the style of open world top-down open world games. The game has since been removed from both marketplaces.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nikita-spy-training/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Unity Connect|website=metacritic.com|access-date=January 23, 2019}}

In February 2020, it was announced that a Nikita reboot series was in the early stages of development.{{cite web|url=https://thegww.com/exclusive-nikita-reboot-in-early-stages-of-development-continuing-series-possible/|title=Exclusive: Nikita Reboot in Early Stages of Development; CW Series Continuation Possible|website=The GWW|last=Kaya|first=Emre|date=February 14, 2020}}

• Point of No Return (film)

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title}}

{{Nikita}}

{{The CW programming}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2010 American television series debuts

Category:2010s American crime drama television series

Category:2013 American television series endings

Category:American action television series

Category:American thriller television series

Category:The CW television dramas

Category:Television franchises

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:American spy television series

Category:American martial arts television series

Category:Serial drama television series

Category:Live action television shows based on films

Category:Television shows filmed in Toronto

Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios

Category:Television series by Wonderland Sound and Vision

Category:Television shows set in New Jersey

Category:Television shows set in Ontario

Category:Television shows set in Toronto

Category:Television shows based on works by Luc Besson

Category:American television series reboots