Media like James Bond and Mission Impossible deliver a sleek, action-packed adventure in the spy genre. However, what many would consider the best spy material does things differently. Instead, more thought-provoking spy-fare focuses on the process and tradecraft. Films like Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, and A Most Wanted Man are better examples of spy media filled with depth. Being a fan of that material myself made The Agency a thoroughly entertaining and thoughtful piece of spy entertainment.
The story follows a covert CIA operative codenamed Martian (Michael Fassbender) who is forced to abandon undercover life after an operation gone wrong. This calls on him to return to London station (the CIA’s London branch), where a new life of espionage awaits. This includes the return of a past love, Dr. Samia “Sami” Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), his teenage daughter Poppy (India Fowler) showing up at his door, and dealing with a new international mission. This, in turn, forces Martian to balance love with a life of spycraft, much to the chagrin of his superiors (Richard Gere, Jeffrey Wright). Will Martian succeed in his mission both in and out of the field? That’s the penultimate question of season one.
To clarify, The Agency is a slower and methodical spy series. For some viewers, this could be an immediate turn-off. It’s a show that focuses on the plot and the ethical and moral quandaries these agents face. Such ideas are profound and challenge the audience, which proves a rewarding process. Simultaneously, that does not mean The Agency lacks action and genuine fun. Throughout the series, while sporadic, the action itself is unrelenting and brutal when it appears. In some cases, that process of the job enhances the action, with the stakes feeling real, increasing the tension. I will note that the piece would fall apart without Michael Fassbender’s lead performance.
Fassbender’s name had been thrown around to play James Bond for a while. Multiple factors contribute to why he may not be right for the part (age, etc.), but Martian is a perfect counterbalance. Fassbender is undoubtedly capable of delivering action and spy intelligence. However, what stands out in the role is Martain’s meticulousness in his profession. Similarly to his role in 2023’s The Killer, Fassbender plays someone who is a perfectionist. He’s good at what he does and sometimes lets his arrogance and confidence get in the way. Yet Fassbender has such a compelling on-screen presence that it’s hard to ignore. The same could be said for the entirety of the supporting cast.
Besides Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright, the series includes an impressive supporting ensemble. This includes actors John Magaro, Katherine Waterston, and Hugh Bonneville, who fit seamlessly in the piece. Granted, some could argue that these actors are saddled with archetypal spy jargon. It’s hard to argue that point, as they regularly spew espionage babble that is sometimes hard to follow. I bring this up to say that for some, this could be one of the deterrents from viewing the series. The plot is so dense that it would be easy to become lost unless you are laser-focused in your viewing.
It’s hard to say if I could accurately describe Martian’s case in the serious. It involves corruption, governmental politics, and all expected tropes alike. While it becomes easier to decipher as it goes, it takes incredible patience. Understandably, it might not be enough when the series adds subplots and particular character motivations that aren’t as interesting. One of which involves an agent (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) in training, which is overly cliched. Her entire character arc can be easily deciphered, with viewers predicting specific character beats. It’s significantly a dip in quality compared to our core cast’s tense and exciting discussions. But that’s not the only subplot that deters the story.
A core story beat involves Turner-Smith and Fassbender’s “doomed lover“ relationship. This is the closest the series gets to being akin to a James Bond film. They’re two characters deeply intertwined with each other and care for one another. Yet simultaneously, they can be equated as doomed lovers. Viewers know that this love they share is never meant to last, no matter the passion behind it. It’s undeniably engaging but less interesting than the more political and moral questions about the job the series raises. It adds an air of convolution to the story it didn’t need.
Those qualms aside, The Agency maintains one element that makes it “must-see“ television.
You can never guess what could happen from one moment to the next. No matter the archetypal dialogue, the cast helps add a surprising layer of intrigue. Like any spy content, the show is shrouded in an air of mystery. Who can we trust? Who’s playing who? Are the good guys really the good and the bad really the bad? It’s a thought process that lingers long after the credits roll on episode ten. That is especially true with a finale cliffhanger that will leave viewers begging for more.
The Agency is certainly not going to be a series for everyone. It doesn’t want to unfurl its surprises all at once, instead with a focus on ratcheting up the tension. The performances are top-notch, selling some more cliched and melodramatic moments. Its focus on the plot helps make its few violent action sequences pack a proper punch. Those willing to follow The Agency should enjoy its rich political commentary. It asks crucial questions mixed with brutal action. At the same time, it knows how to exist as pulpy and fun television. When we reach the end of season 1, with an exciting cliffhanger, the series left me craving more.
The Agency Season 1 is now streaming on Paramount+.
Learn more about the show, including how to watch, on the Paramount+ website for the title.
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