Entertainment
This Bond-Era Throwback Spy Series Has a New Season 2 Twist
Although updates are steadily arriving, it still feels like we are a long way away from the return of James Bond. Daniel Craig‘s last outing as 007 in No Time to Die debuted in October 2021, and it is unlikely we will see another face take the role for quite some time, seeing as a casting announcement is yet to arrive. We know that Denis Villeneuve will take over the franchise’s new Amazon MGM Studios era, and he won’t officially begin the search for the next Bond until he wraps Dune: Part Three.
Luckily for fans of Britain’s most famous fictional spy, a brand-new spy thriller has just landed on ITV and has caught the eye of some. Betrayal, written by award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Eldridge and directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Julian Jarrold, made its debut this past Sunday, and its many twists and turns have already raised questions about a second season.
Shaun Evans, who portrays MI5 agent John, was asked about a potential Season 2 in a recent interview, with the Vigil star replying, “We set out to make a four-parter which was strong and felt like it had no filler, that it wasn’t hanging around, that it was tight and concise, and that the story was really strong.” He continued, “And then you offer that to the world, and if there’s an appetite for more, then we will get together and discuss whether there’s more story to tell.”
But it seems there was never an intent to turn Betrayal into a recurring series from the start, with Evans adding, “It wasn’t like, ‘This is a brilliant setup for running and running and running’,” he said. “I think you’re on a hiding to nothing if you do that. To me, it feels quite cynical.”
What Is ‘Betrayal’ About?
Not all spy thrillers are the same, but it can be difficult for them to stand out in a packed genre. A synopsis for Betrayal reads, “At the heart of the story is John Hughes, a mid-career MI5 officer navigating a rapidly evolving intelligence landscape while struggling to keep his personal life intact. On a hunch, John meets a British-Iranian man with links to the Stockport gangland who claims he has intelligence about a plot on UK soil.” It continues:
“Before he can share intel, the informant is executed, and John kills the assassin in self-defence. John soon finds himself under internal investigation, facing scrutiny from his superiors, including Simone Grant (Nikki Amuka-Bird), while his partner Claire (Romola Garai) grapples with the secrecy that defines his world.”
For more updates on British television and for the latest James Bond news, make sure to stay tuned to Collider.
- Release Date
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October 8, 2021
- Runtime
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163 Minutes
- Director
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Cary Joji Fukunaga