Grade: B
“London Spy,” a five part miniseries from the BBC starring Ben Whishaw and Alex Holcroft, is an odd, disturbing spin on the traditional spy genre. Set in gloomy London (no surprises here), the first episode introduces us to Whishaw’s Danny, a gay, rumpled, thirty-something partying his way through life.
It’s on the morning after a party, when Danny is stumbling home, that he meets the mysterious Alex. Played brilliantly by relative newcomer Edward Holcroft, Alex is a boy-genius investment banker and by far the series’ most interesting character. Holcroft’s deep voice, tactiturn demeanor and awkward interactions call to mind Benedict Cumberbatch’s Alan Turing, which I’m guessing is by design.
Their love story, though it moves quickly through the first thirty minutes, is surprisingly magnetic. Filled with the long pauses, unsure propositions and general awkwardness of first love, Holcroft and Whishaw’s chemistry is the show’s saving grace.
Despite the early romantic themes, a deep sense of foreboding penetrates the narrative; from Alex’s secretive past to a van that seems to be following the couple on their outings, something is always not quite right.
I went in blind and had no idea what twist was in store, and when Alex disappeared, I assumed he would turn up in a few days revealed as the “London spy.” So when Danny discovers his body, very much dead and tucked into a chest in the attic, I was almost as shocked as Whishaw’s character.
Herein lies my major issue with the series. While Whishaw’s portrayal of Danny is just fine, it’s not his character that I’m interested in. I don’t particularly want to spend the next four episodes following Danny as he investigates Alex’s past. I’d much rather watch the opposite unfold.
While I understand that the show is based on revealing Alex’s secret life and involvement with MI-6, which we couldn’t do if he survived the first hour, I can’t help but wish that we had a more likable character to spend the rest of the series with. Nevertheless, the first hour is enticing enough that I’m completely hooked.
Although a slow-moving thriller about gay spies may not sound like anyone’s cup of tea, I encourage fans of the spy genre to give it a shot.
Disturbing and seductive, “London Spy” is unlike any show I’ve ever seen. While it’s not without its flaws, the series is boosted by solid performances, top-notch cinematography, sizzling chemistry and an incredible supporting cast (including Charlotte Rampling and Jim Broadbent). I have no idea where it’s going, and I can’t wait to find out.
