| Series 1 | |
 | |
| Network | BBC |
| Run | 13 May 2002 – 17 June 2002 |
| Episodes # | 6 |
| Series: | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10. |
Series 1 was the first series of Spooks which ran on BBC one from the 13th of May 2002 to the 17th of June 2002 for a total of six episodes.
Storyline[]
The six episodes of the BAFTA Award-winning Series 1 tackle a variety of tough issues, including religious fanaticism, racism, governmental cover-ups and, naturally enough, the lingering shadow of Irish terrorism.
Throughout, the show strikes a fine balance between a James Bondian techno-obsession with spy gadgets and more character-based action, with crisp writing and pacey direction that ratchets up the tension a notch further with every episode. The final cliffhanger is an unforgettable TV moment, and one that leaves viewers agog for Series 2.
Cast[]
- Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Quinn
- Keeley Hawes as Zoe Reynolds
- David Oyelowo as Danny Hunter
- Peter Firth as Harry Pearce
- Hugh Simon as Malcolm Wynn-Jones
- Rory MacGregor as Colin Wells (introduced ep 2)
- Jenny Agutter as Tessa Phillips
- Lisa Faulkner as Helen Flynn (first two episodes)
- Graeme Mearns as Jed Kelley
- Esther Hall as Ellie Simm
Episodes[]
- Thou Shalt Not Kill
- Looking After Our Own
- One Last Dance
- Traitor's Gate
- The Rose Bed Memoirs
- The Lesser of Two Evils
Program history[]
Starring Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Jenny Agutter and Peter Firth, the initial series of six one-hour episodes premiered in the spring of 2002.
The series was a critical and popular success, averaging 7.5 million viewers over its six episodes due to its combination of glossy high production values with fast-paced action/adventure and spy intrigue storylines.
The show quickly gained an unexpected edge with the violent killing of character Helen Flynn (Lisa Faulkner) in the second episode which drew the most number of complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Commission in 2002. During an undercover operation Helen and Tom were captured by race riot instigator Robert Osborne (played by Kevin McNally), who tortured Helen with a deep fryer in an attempt to make her superior Tom reveal classified information.
He refused and she was killed. This provoked an angry reaction from many viewers who jammed BBC phone switchboards with complaints, despite the show airing after the 9 PM watershed. Nevertheless the death of Faulkner's character set the precedent that in Spooks anyone can die at any time.
Reception[]
The series was a critical and popular success, averaging 7.5 million viewers over its six episodes, due to its combination of glossy high production values with fast-paced action/adventure and spy intrigue storylines.
The second episode gained notoriety for the violent killing of character Helen Flynn (Lisa Faulkner), which drew the largest number of complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Commission in 2002. During an undercover operation Helen and Tom were captured by race riot instigator Robert Osborne, played by Kevin McNally, who tortured Helen with a deep fryer in an attempt to make Tom reveal classified information. He refused and she was killed. This provoked an angry reaction from many viewers who jammed BBC phone switchboards with complaints, despite the show airing after the 9 pm watershed.
Gallery[]
