CIA agent Martian (Michael Fassbender) is forced to work as a double agent for MI6 to save Samia Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), now trapped as a political prisoner in Sudan. A hunt for the mole soon begins at London Station, while Martian works on several other undercover operations at once.
Streaming on: Paramount+
Episodes viewed: 10 of 10
The life of a spy is fraught with constant danger. Or at least, that’s what the likes of James Bond want you to think. The truth is somewhat more grounded. There’s danger, yes, but paperwork and endless meetings also abound. Season 1 of The Agency skewed a little too close to that tedium, resulting in a slow-burn series that took quite some time to pick up.
After Brandon Colby — codename ‘Martian’ (Michael Fassbender) — was blackmailed in the Season 1 finale, Season 2 picks up with stronger momentum, running with that double-agent twist at double speed. This newfound tension immediately ups the ante and, as such, our interest, too. In addition to Martian’s internal struggle, which soon brings him into (secret) conflict with various colleagues, three more storylines vie for our attention: juggling Samia’s (Jodie Turner-Smith) imprisonment, Owen’s (John Magaro) undercover operation and Danny’s (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) intelligence-gathering work in Iran.
Wright, Fassbender and Katherine Waterston each stand out in an already starry ensemble.
A lesser show might struggle under the weight of all this, but like Le Bureau Des Légendes), the French series that The Agency is based on, Season 2 is adept at multitasking. Jumping between each storyline in rapid bursts helps pick up the pace while overcoming the disconnect that hampered the two main arcs in Season 1. For viewers who stuck through that, it goes without saying that the show’s high-profile cast remain just as impressive as the production values at hand. Some actors are inevitably under-used, especially Turner-Smith, but Wright, Fassbender and Katherine Waterston each stand out in an already starry ensemble.
The Agency remains a little sluggish at times, especially in comparison to rival spy shows available to watch elsewhere. However, Season 2 drops all at once this time around, better encouraging viewers to stick around and see what comes next. And stick around you should, because there’s real potential here for this to be the rare remake that might one day match the original.
The Agency returns for a much stronger second season that improves on many of the show’s previous shortcomings, even if its slow-burn approach might not be for everyone.
