Provocative and transfixing mystery-drama lead by all-star cast including BAFTA-winner Ben Whishaw, Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent and legendary actress Charlotte Rampling
New York – December 9, 2015 – BBC AMERICA’s new original co-production, London Spy, begins with a chance romance between two people from two very different walks of life—one from the high-powered ranks of investment banking and the other from a world of clubbing and youthful excess. But their love story quickly unravels when the reclusive banker disappears under suspicious circumstances, exposing his real identity as a spy and forcing his lover down a dark path to reveal the truth. The stirring five-part mystery, from acclaimed best-selling author Tom Rob Smith (Child 44), stars BAFTA-winner Ben Whishaw (Spectre) in a career-defining performance as Danny, an innocent, young romantic drawn into a dangerous world of espionage. He is joined by Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent (Iris), Emmy nominee Charlotte Rampling (Broadchurch) and newcomer Edward Holcroft (Wolf Hall). London Spy premieres Thursday, January 21, 10:00pm ET.
London Spy opens with Danny (Whishaw) after a heavy night on the party scene. It’s dawn and he’s feeling lonely – standing on Lambeth Bridge, asking the London skyline if life gets any easier. London answers him with a chance encounter, an early morning runner who stops to ask if he’s OK, introducing himself as Alex. An unusual connection forms between these men who are polar opposites in many ways. Danny – extroverted, self-indulgent and adrift, falls for the anti-social, enigmatic and brilliant Alex (Edward Holcroft). But just as they realize they’re perfect for each other, Alex is found dead under circumstances that Danny is sure have been staged. And so begins Danny’s descent into the dangerous world of global espionage – a world for which he’s hopelessly ill equipped. Out of his depth, Danny seeks help from his friend and wise mentor, Scottie (Jim Broadbent). They embark on a journey where no one is who they seem, including the formidable Frances (Charlotte Rampling), a mysterious yet omnipresent figure from Alex’s life.
If Danny can prove that the Alex he knew was the real Alex, then he can prove to himself that intimacy does not necessarily end in despair. But ultimately, Danny must decide whether he’s prepared to fight for the truth, knowing he’ll be risking his life in the process.
London Spy is written and created by Tom Rob Smith. The miniseries is directed by Jakob Verbruggen (The Fall). The producer is Guy Heeley, and executive producers are Tom Rob Smith, Juliette Howell, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title Television, Polly Hill, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Hilary Salmon, Head of Drama, England, for BBC Two. London Spy is a Working Title Television co-production with BBC AMERICA and BBC Two, and is distributed by NBCUniversal and BBC Worldwide.
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CAST & PRODUCTION CREDITS
Danny Ben Whishaw (Spectre, The Hour)
Alex Edward Holcroft (Wolf Hall, Kingsman: The Secret Service)
Scottie Jim Broadbent (Iris, Longford)
Frances Charlotte Rampling (45 Years, Broadchurch)
Creator/Writer/ Tom Rob Smith (Child 44)
Executive Producer
Director Jakob Verbruggen (The Fall, The Bridge)
Executive Producer Tim Bevan (Bridget Jones’s Baby, The Theory of Everything)
Executive Producer Eric Fellner (Les Misérables, Frost/Nixon)
Executive Producer Juliette Howell (Yonderland, Moonshot)
Executive Producer Liza Chasin (Everest, Les Misérables)
Executive Producer Polly Hill (The Honourable Woman, The Missing)
Producer Guy Heeley (The Iron Lady, My Week with Marilyn)
SYNOPSES
PART ONE
A chance romance between Alex, a seemingly reclusive investment banker, and Danny, a gregarious young man working his way through dead-end jobs (and the London party circuit) promises happiness for both. But tragedy strikes when Alex is found dead under suspicious circumstances, exposing his real identity as a code genius from the headquarters of MI6 (the Secret Intelligence Service). The sudden turn of events (and the suspect nature from which they came about) forces Danny to pursue the dangerous truth behind his lover’s death. Part one premieres Thursday, January 21, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
PART TWO
After Danny’s accused by the papers of being involved in the death of his lover, Alex, he’s invited to meet Alex’s parents…parents that Alex had told him were dead. Danny starts to realize that he knew almost nothing about his lover’s true identity and catches a glimpse of just how deep the conspiracy around his death might run. By the time Danny returns to London, his life is in terrible danger. Part two premieres Thursday, January 28, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
PART THREE
In a brutal interrogation, the police accuse Danny of being responsible for Alex’s death. Confronted with incriminating evidence, he understands that he’s being framed. In the depths of despair, the only person who can help him is Scottie. Using Scottie’s extensive political connections, they plunge into a Westminster world of power that threatens to swallow both of them. Part three premieres Thursday, February 4, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
PART FOUR
Danny’s confronted with a side of his lover’s life that seems to undermine the foundation of their relationship. As he contemplates giving up, he realizes a vital clue that he’s overlooked. But the consequences of continuing for justice are more terrible than he could possibly have imagined. Part four premieres Thursday, February 11, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
PART FIVE
Danny finally discovers the shocking truth about what really happened to his lover Alex, and what really took place that night in the attic where he died. Part five premieres Thursday, February 18, 10:00pm ET on BBC AMERICA.
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