《爱国者》的主角是一位美国情报人员，为阻止伊朗研发核武器，他不得不伪装成一家工业管道公司的雇员，进行一项卧底任务。创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)、无能的政府机构以及管道公司繁杂的日常工作都是他需要克服的困难。这位名叫约翰·塔纳(John Tovner)的情报人员由《嗜血破晓》(Daybreakers)男星迈克尔·多曼(Michael Dorman)饰演；《迷失》(Lost)男星特瑞·欧奎恩(Terry O’Quinn)饰演他担任国务院情报主管的父亲；《曼哈顿计划》主演迈克尔·哲努斯(Michael Chernus)饰演他的弟弟，一位年轻的国会议员。《天气预报员》(The Weather Man)编剧史蒂芬·康拉德(Steven Conrad)将担任本剧的导演和编剧。
John must make a choice at the train platform - be free from his obligations and adversaries by letting Agathe take the money or pursue her, at great risk to himself, in an effort to protect his brother, father, and country. Meanwhile, his father presents a perilous way out of it all: find and assassinate Cantar Walley in Paris.