Title: MI-5
Episodes: “Thou Shalt Not Kill”,
“Looking After Our Own”, “Lesser Of Two Evils”
Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes,
David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Megan Dodds, Natasha Little, Esther
Hall, Heather Cave, Hugh Simon, Graeme Mearns, Lisa Faulkner, Shauna Macdonald,
Rory MacGregor, and Nicola Walker
Guest Stars: Lisa Eichhorn, Kevin
McNally, Anthony Head, Hugh Laurie
Writers: David Wolstencroft and
Howard Brenton
Directors: Bharat Nalluri and Rob
Bailey
Executive Producer For A&E: Delia Fine
Executive Producer For The BBC: Gareth
Neame
Executive Producer For Kudos Productions: Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone
Running Time: 44 minutes without
commercials per episode
Media: A&E Television
Original Series (NTSC VHS Screener)
North American Premiere: Tuesday, July
22, 2003, at 10pm (ET)/9pm (CT)
Network: A&E Television
Original Series (Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: TV-14
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
When most people think of secret agents, the signature “MI-6” agent James Bond – 007 comes to mind. However there are other branches of the British Secret Service. “MI-5” is the national security agency for the United Kingdom. They are something akin to the CIA in the United States. Members of section B specialize in counter terrorism and live a life that requires them to lie to their lovers, friends, and families while putting their lives on the line protecting millions of others and no one will ever say thank you. There are no medals or awards and definitely no talk show guest spots or tell-all million dollar book deals. These groups of unsung heroes live in a shadow world of undercover espionage and international intrigue.
A co-production between BBC and A&E Television, the series has the distinction of having real former “MI-5” agents serve an consultants to ensure that while the series is essentially a dramatic thriller not unlike the hit FOX series “24,”that there is a level of realism to the storylines. In the three episodes I screened we see the “MI-5” team take on “Right To Life” terrorists, infiltrating an industrialist’s organization that is trying to start a race war, and taking on anarchists targeting a visit to Britain from the American President Bush. Guest stars include Hugh Laurie (Blackadder III) and Anthony Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer). The series first season centers on the plight of Agent Tom Quinn (Matthew Macfadyen), who attempts to balance his private life while keeping his professional life a secret.
All eight episodes that make up the first season of “MI-5” will begin to air in North America on A&E beginning Tuesday July 22, 2003, at 10pm (ET)/9pm (CT) with an encore presentation of the week’s episode on the following Saturday at 11pm (ET)/10 (CT).
The tone of the series is much more low key than one might expect and while it is interesting, I am not sure whether American audiences who are used to more action oriented programs will take to this show. However the production values are high and the “bull shit” factor, which is basically action that is too extraordinary to suspend disbelief, is kept to a minimum. Also with network series on summer hiatus, this is a great way to get your spy thriller TV series fix. I also think that the scripts are very well written while the acting is on target with the high quality I’ve come to expect from British actors and actresses.
So give “MI-5” a look when the
premiere episode “Thou Shalt Not Kill” debuts on A&E on Tuesday, July
22, 2003, at 10pm (ET)/9pm (MT).
© Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved