User Reviews

There's absolutely no denying this is another example of a wonderfully made British drama production. It is beautifully filmed. The acting marvelous. The directing and editing probably won awards. The subject not one that could even have been tackled a generation ago.

But ...

But, although my wife and I were mesmerized by the first three episodes and absolutely enthralled by the production and couldn't wait for the next one, during the fourth episode I started to get one of those "oh-oh" feelings that the whole plot was just going off the rails. It just felt like the writer wasn't too sure where to do with the whole thing and how to resolve what he started and just making it up minute to minute.

During the final episode that fear was confirmed as the two of us just sat there in silence enduring what we were now committed to watching as we'd made it through the first part of the series. At the end of the episode, I just turned it off in disbelief and my wife summed it up with something like, "what a waste of time that was." So much potential with what started out so promisingly but it all spiraled its way downhill in a painful fizzle for the final 45 minutes. So disappointed. In some ways, the final episode reminded me of bad science fiction it was so silly.

Look, IF you've started watching it and wonder what is happening, by all means finish it. However, if you are reading these reviews prior to seeing episode 1 then both of us would suggest you don't waste your time as you will find yourself let down when it reaches the end.

London Spy is about a guy who meets another guy, fell in love and decided that this is the person he can spend rest of his life with. Until the other person ends up murdered. After his dreams being shattered, he found out that there was a lot which he did not know about his boyfriend, who happens to be a spy. Also, he has to clear his name as a suspect. He refused the stories being fed to him and took it upon himself to fight the unknown resisting forces to find the truth about how the man he loved so much ended up dead.

I love to watch Ben Whishaw on screen. I can watch anything he is in. In this five-part series, he played the part of an innocent lover of a spy with amazing finesse. On top of that, you'll get to see Charlotte Rampling's mysterious portrayal of a mother who just lost her son. Also, special mention should be given to Jim Broadbent for playing a Man Friday to the lead character.

The series follows Ben while he tries to find out who killed his lover and why. He is so unsure of what is going on but he is sure of one thing, Alex (his lover, played by Edward Holcroft) loved him more than anything. This gives him the courage to tackle anything which comes between him and finding the truth. One thing which I had a problem with was his amazing abilities to fill the holes in the stories. Many times it feels like he would come up with a connection between things on his own just like that.

Nevertheless, the series is an amazing watch. It has a lot of twists and turns but mostly what I loved were intense conversations between crucial characters.

London SPY is an exceptionally well-filmed thriller centering on the protagonist Danny Holt (Ben Whishaw) and his quest to find out precisely who his lover Alex/ Alistair (Edward Holcroft) actually is, and whether Alex has actually been murdered or not.

That quest takes Danny into a dark and frequently confusing netherworld in which nothing is quite as it seems and truth is indistinguishable from falsehood. Although clearly an innocent party, Danny's ignorance of Alex/ Alistair's past lands him in trouble; he is suspected of having committed murder, even though we are well aware that he is an innocent party - a young, rootless man searching for stability in an often hostile world.

Jakob Verbruggen's six-part thriller unfolds slowly, with the camera focused tightly on the protagonists' facial expressions as they act and react to a variety of different situations. This makes for a claustrophobic atmosphere; we feel as imprisoned as the characters within webs of deceit that are rendered even more confusing by a willful dedication towards perpetuating falsehoods. When Danny visits Alistair/ Alex's parents (Charlotte Rampling, Nicholas Chagrin), he is told a tissue of lies; and subsequently warned off further inquiries by a professional hitperson (Clarke Peters). Needless to say Danny continues his quest for the truth, but ends up becoming more deeply enmeshed within the webs.

Laurie Rose's cinematography is especially effective; his camera swirls around the characters, emphasizing their lack of certainty; and frequently indulges in long tracking shots as the characters move down long corridors or through gardens. This stylistic device is ironic; a tracking shot implies forward movement, almost as if a plot-complication might be resolved in the process. In London SPY, however, the tracking shots lead to nothing, and thereby emphasizing the absence of truth that dominates the plot.

This series might be described as moody, almost reflective in tone, concentrating as much on the characters' emotions as the plot. We share with Danny a desire to unravel the plot, but at the same time realize how easy it is to be bamboozled, especially when there are so many people wanting to create smokescreens, whether verbal or physical. The center of London has seldom seemed so sinister, with the Thameside lights in the background contrasting with the nighttime shadows in which Danny spends much of his time.

London SPY requires our attention, but rewards us for our efforts. Definitely worth staying with.

I honestly have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this. I didn't have the highest expectations because the spy genre isn't my favorite, I think it can be corny, predictable, and forced. This show is exactly the opposite of that. I do think you have to be patient with it. There a subtleness that can be mistaken for something else if you don't look at the big picture. It's really beautifully acted and shot. It provided thrill, suspense, a little humor, without being contrived. It is truly a gem. The chemistry between Danny and Alex is wonderful and very engaging in the sense that you relate with both of them so much. You want to know about Alex, the way Danny does, because there's something intriguing about his stoic but awkward nature. You sympathize with Danny, the feeling of being lost is not foreign to many of us. I watched the first episode a couple days ago and I have not been able to get it off my mind.

An initial warning: there are explicit scenes of male nudity and overt gay sex interaction in the first chapter which may be shocking or disturbing to certain people. I have found them necessary to the plot and by any means with a pornographic intention as someone has suggested here. If you feel strongly against these scenes, perhaps you should skip them, but I would still advise to see the show. It would be a pity to miss such an extraordinary miniseries on behalf of some minutes of physical love between the male characters.

***

There are many ways of setting the table for a spy story. This does it in a quite unusual, anti-Guy Ritchie, anti-Mission Impossible way.

You enter London Spy not through a frenzied mosaic of espionage clues, not through a crazy car/plane/chopper persecution set in a fancy city, not through a climactic adrenaline first scene before the title sequence.

Instead, you will be guided by a "slow motion narrative" through a deeply intimate and loving gay relationship between two strangers. The enigma is rather in the brief emotional hints than in object clues until, in the last couple of minutes in the first episode, the knot is revealed and by then you are already convinced that you are watching something really different and impressive.

The cast and all the actors are simply perfect.

Ben Whishaw brings us a one-man festival in himself, what a talented actor and what a wonderful composition! I had never seen Edward Holcroft before but I have to say he makes a perfect Alex here, as tense and hermetic as vulnerable at the same time.

Plus a great, unreadable Jim Broadbent who disturbs and intrigues you from the first scene. And Charlotte Rampling with her habitual show of performative prowess and depth.

As a bonus, it upturns several stereotypes. First, the matter of homosexuality in a spy context. Second, the fact that such homosexuality is male, and presented as a stylized, highly intimate love story. Then, the kind of intelligence at work in the deductive unveiling of the truth, which is not the usual "cold, analytic, razor-blade precise wit" in the espionage movies. Instead, we see a man equipped with traditionally female cognitive resources: emotional intelligence, insight, keen observation, intuition... This came to me as a surprise. (Kudos to Ben Whishaw)

The show is running on the air as I write this, but so far it is an alluring, impressive series whose end, I hope, will not disappoint and live up to the wonderful expectations set up in the first episodes.

A late comment, but I actually did watch this series when it was new, and obsessively, repeating episodes multiple times - at first. Now I'm coming back to it and rewatching it on Netflix streaming. I thought it was going to have lost its magic but no, for all its flaws it's still compulsively watchable.

Many of the things said here that are contradictory are also true. The writing is pretentious and overwrought, but it's also a haunting and entrancing story. Yes, it's utterly absurd the things that happen, but some of the most basic emotions out of which the story is built - the loneliness and need, the romantic affair - are very real and memorable. Perhaps the relationship between Danny and Scottie is a gay old man-young man cliché, but it's still touching and real. The gay spy theme runs up into dangerous clichés too, but still is highly original. And after all, despite the negative stereotypes some have pointed to, this is a spy story where the gayness is not just a weapon or a liability but simply central, a given, and in that regard, Whishaw as an out gay actor can be proud to have played such a marvelous role in it. Above and beyond any specifics of the story there is simply the fact of Danny as a complex, attractive character, basically a mess, and yet utterly sexy and sweet, the kind of gay young man an old dear like Scottie would be happy to love and protect.

Edward Holcorft I'm uncomfortable about. The actor seems so stiff and affected. But that also fits the character of Alex perfectly well: the flaw is in the conception of Alex by the minds behind the series. Jim Broadbent is a consummate pro. But obviously it's Ben Whishaw who makes it all worthwhile and he's touching, real, and as the boyish gay young man, utterly adorable. My excessive fascination with the character of Danny that Ben plays is what kept me coming back over and over, but it was outmatched by my pleasure in Whishaw's authentic and appealing performance, which is one of the best I've seen him in, and he's always good. He's one of the best actors of his generation, some even think the best. There are more mercurial and astonishing ones like Tom Hardy. None so cuddly as Ben though. Sorry I didn't see him as Hamlet.

Then Charlotte Rampling comes along and though it's one of her "standard" roles there's nothing standard about her, she's terrifyingly off-putting, in top form. The second, post-Alex phase investigating Alex is very good. In it, everything in the first phase is undercut and mystified, and this is good, through it seems more programmatic and more far-fetched than the first. It's the last phase where things go down the rabbit hole into sheer nonsense. And you cease to be invested in the story as you were early on. Perhaps you knew this was going to happen. But you liked the overwrought-ness, the camp, so much you accepted anything, and the acting and settings and cinematography were so classy, it was okay. Then it's just bonkers, and it's all more or less thrown away.

Everything is totally stylized. Some of the editing I find annoying, like the jump cuts and paralleled lines of dialogue in the gay love sequence. It all becomes cloying, too-too. And yet, and yet, guilty pleasure though it may be, it's compulsively watchable. I do not know about the other work of the much talked about Tom Rob Smith. I know director Jakob Verbruggen has done other good things. But in "London Spy," the story eventually deteriorates into the preposterous so you don't care about it. Yet it's made its impression, for the excessive but compelling craftsmanship and the magical acting of Ben Whishaw. For all its flaws this weaves a magic spell and leaves a special memory.

The title of this fantastic series, "London Spy", may be just a little misleading. If you are looking for a well written, edge of your seat, spy story, you've found it here. "London Spy" is an atmospheric, very stylistic, story of the human condition and spies. However, the international intrigue angle of this series is secondary to, but tightly woven through, a love story between Danny and Alex. They meet briefly, by chance, when Alex is on his early morning jog and Danny is at the end of a long night of partying. It is a metaphor for the opposite ends of life, and the world, from which they will come together. Their awkward relationship is a departure from their entrenched and established lives up to that point. Danny is a party boy at the end of a misspent youth and Alex is an overachiever at the end of a youthful, self-imposed, isolation. Together, they find solace in their unlikely love for one another.

I won't talk about the plot here and give away the well written suspense devices but I will say that something happens between Alex and Danny that calls into question Alex's true identity, his intentions, and his sincerity. Things become inexplicable and unpredictable. And for reasons unknown, everyone; Danny's best friend, Alex's mother, the police, everyone, seems invested in convincing Danny that Alex, and their relationship, is a fraud. Danny finds a coded thumb drive among Alex's belongings that seems to hold answers to something; possibly everything. But he does not have the code and therefore can't read it. What ensues from here is a labyrinthine journey through the world of hidden powers, unlikely loyalties, and Danny's questionable past.

These five episodes are brilliantly written, filmed, and the performances are off the charts amazing. Ben Wishaw is just quite frankly one of the most talented and interesting actors working today. He is in every scene. And as brilliant as his construction of a character is, his ability to step aside and "listen" through a scene demonstrates a talent that is truly unique. Charlotte Rampling, with saddest and most seductive eyes in film, is still statuesque and formidable, and gives one of the best performances of her long and storied career. Her voice lilts with soothing assurance as her words cut you off at the knees. Jim Broadbent? Nuf said. Riccardo Scarmarcio, as a heartless male escort, is as alluring as he is repellent. His one scene in episode 4 is hypnotic. Samantha Spiro as a London police detective shows American actresses how to be powerful and threatening without adopting superficial mannish affectations. She is fierce and effective. You do not want to be interrogated by this woman. Mark Gatiss as a record producer, drug provider, orgy organizer, out of Danny's past is as skeevy as they come. He does not have one redeeming quality and he plays it without a micron of shame. Who ever plays a villain this well?

This screenplay by Tom Rob Smith is well written and the cast and director Jakob Verbruggen, pull it all together into a compelling and riveting story. How this story line is parsed out, clues rationed, and then knitted together at the end is fantastic. The cinematography is just manic in the best possible way. The camera swirls around the actors like a shark around a swimmer, pans from mouth to mouth in a conversation literally carrying the dialogue across open space from character to character, pulls in so tight that at times the only image on the screen is the contour of a cheekbone or a speaking mouth. The necktie scene in the opening of episode 2 is powerful because of how beautifully it's filmed.

I have only one complaint . The fifth episode goes a little weak, and has "The End" written all over it. As in, no season 2. This mini series does cater to a fairly narrow audience I guess. There is nothing vulgar or obscene about it but it does contain and imply some rather exotic sexual practices "enjoyed" by both straight and gay people alike. But in this case, by gay people. That may be a bridge too far for some but the quality of this work and the story line of this project more than justifies it. And it never seems out of balance or exploitative. See, again here, I don't want to give away why. You just have to see it for yourself and trust. It is well worth the journey.

The first three episodes display great acting and a couple of scenes with really poignant dialogue and great (BBC) production values but in episode 4 the script just falls apart; as good as the first three episodes are , the fourth , because of the script, is inferior in equal measure. I was really disappointed and reviewed title without watching the last episode which I will do but I KNOW it can't regain its earlier footing. As others have noted , the script becomes adolescent and not because of the character's relationships but because of the ill conceived details of the plot. The Six Stars I give it are for the acting not the series overall.

I had very high hope for the show since there are few good gay TV shows. However, I am extremely disappointed. The story line is confusing; the dialogues are just pretentious. I feel like all the actors are acting to have a strong presence, but the flow is just not natural. They deliver the lines, but the lines do not make sense for the moment. The plot is unpredictable. Usually you can have some clue, but not the case here. I have not finished watching all the episodes; and I am deciding whether I should continue watching.

The show deserves only five stars. One more because I sincerely wish there are more well produced gay shows.

The main reason for me to watch this was the name Ben Whishaw. I was expecting great quality and interesting plot, but instead I get quality of the plot out of this world. For a pretty long time I did not find really the highest quality of... well, everything in the movie or TV series. There were few and only a few. London Spy proves that making GREAT TV series is still possible. Love, sex, drugs, money, MI6 and few other typical parts of a spy story here is made of the highest standard. I did not thought that making another spy story is possible or rather is possible to make one that still grabs you so you can't stop watching it. Ben Whishaw as always was great, but not exactly. He, somehow showed yet another great side of he's talent. He just showed me that He is the real deal star, he was brilliant. I can honestly say that we did not have seen yet what a great actor he is. Seeing Him in London Spy I can honestly say He's on the top of His game and yet He will still surprise us. Great cast Jim Broadbent looks like He really was working for MI6. Great actor! Edward Holcroft plays an agent working who knows for who, plays with such a reality I would love to meet guy like him but I would be scared of Him too. Superb story line, superb casting, I can't wait for the next Monday to see the new episode.

I don't like to give synopsis i like to simply give my opinion and thoughts of said show

I heard all of the critical acclaim this show is receiving and decided to give it a go oh my god am I glad. I am speechless but not wordless. It is so unique and well crafted and executed that it's simply beautiful to watch unfold. I read the premise and plot but it was not what expected at all. I've only watched the four episodes but I have never been more sure of a hit than this show will be. A huge twist comes at the end of the fourth episode that's a real game changer and literally floored me. I'm still reeling over the ending. i feel like i unwrapped a gift. what an intriguing gem. A stunning masterpiece! I must warn you there is explicit nudity in the pilot but it is completely necessary in setting up the story. I was hooked within the first 20 minutes and watched the next three episodes immediately after since i was late to the party. The acting is flawless as is the casting. This is a must watch and a "I can't wait till next episode" show factor.It has some of the tropes of spy thrillers for ex; being watched and being completely powerless but the initial or central? relationship makes it is so raw and unique it adds such mystery and a love story to this spy thriiler that it deserves to be seen. This show is simply perfect!!!!!!

This is quite intense and a bit slow to build all the pieces together, but what a great ending!

As a gay person who consumed a lot of Japanese yaoi (pseudo-gay manga and anime with some soft to hard sex scenes) and mystery narratives, I was shocked when I watched this BBC short series for the first time. The whole plot is like that of a typical Japanese yaoi or mystery story: it is very much driven by the emotions and the perspective of the protagonist who tries to figure out what his (deceased?) boyfriend Alex was hiding or who tried to kill (?) him. Even the very disturbing encounter with Alex mother is so well staged and told that it took my breath away. The dimly mysterious atmosphere and the constant 'not- knowing' of Danny AND the viewer is very exiting and leaves one wanting to know all the secrets hid behind a curtain of lies.

If you like layered movies or TV shows, much like 'tinker, tailor, etc', this might, no SHOULD be for you. There's no explosions to grip you, you have far more to mull over........beautiful script, acting and dialogue. Pick your moment when to watch this, try a chilled time when you'll concentrate, it wont do you wrong. There are some types of series/movies that belong in certain countries and no other country could do this type of series, in my opinion. I'm not slighting America by saying this as i believe it's the truth......watch this before American producers buy the rights and mangle it up and instead of a 5 or 6 episode series, it'll become 20. I'm not having a go at America it's just we do things different and i love the series like The Sopranos, 6 ft under, west wing etc or films like the Godfather etc......I'm just saying this might be deemed a tad slow.....but look into it, watch it and it'll be like reading a book, a good visual book x

I agree with many other reviewers that the first three episodes are great but it starts to fragment during the fourth episode and then the fifth is just plain idiotic. The final scene was just too much and totally unbelievable. It's as if someone else took over the reins and the writing ... which I have seen happen before. All the actors were great but Ben Whishaw just dominates the piece and his acting is phenomenal ....so natural and effortless.

Lots of style, little substance. They became so focused on camera angles they forgot about pace. It was tolerable in the first episode where it contributed to the love story, but after that it became annoying.

This is a difficult drama to review as a whole, for me I'd split it up into three parts, a pretty good start, a fantastic middle (core) and a somewhat disappointing conclusion. The story itself is pretty different and intriguing, it is wonderfully deep, with so many threads all needing tying up. The performances are top notch, and as a production it's what you'd except from the BBC, it's slick and beautifully made.

I've been a huge fan of Ben Whishaw since The Booze Cruise, he is such a talented guy, and he shines through here as you'd expect. No surprises that he was BAFTA nominated for this, he is incredible. They did a fantastic job with the supporting cast too, Jim Broadbent and Charlotte Rampling are superb too, both bring really different elements to the production, Broadbent takes you on an emotional journey, whereas Rampling adds a touch of villainy.

I'll need to re-watch, as some of the conclusion I didn't understand, maybe it'll make more sense upon a second viewing. The conclusion felt like it had been lifted from a different show.

All in all though it's a fantastic production, full of suspense, mystery and intrigue. The BBC follows up 'The Game,' in some style, long may this calibre of drama continue.

8/10.