The Agency: Its Spies Play Deadly Game

The Agency

The Agency (Season 1/2025) Series is a contemporary espionage tale from the United States of America. The protagonist of this spy series is a Central Intelligence Agency agent Martian (Michael Fassbender), who still believes in old-school spycraft, in this high-tech. IT age.

It is worth noting that “The Agency” (2025) series is an American adaption of the French “Le Bureau des Légendes” (2015-2020) aka “The Bureau” series. Thankfully, we have seen the original French show so that we can compare the two series.

“The Agency” & Its Spies Play Deadly Game, As They Handle Contemporary Geo-Political Issues

Spoiler Free Review: The Agency (Season 1/2025) Series

Trailer & Synopsis
Trailer (official)
Synopsis

Martian (Michael Fassbender) is a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, real identity, and mission are pitted against his heart—hurling them into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.

The Central Intelligence Agency, abbreviated as CIA and informally called "The Agency". This organization is commonly referred to by the pseudonym "Langley" too. Moreover, it has historically been known as "The Company," which translates to "Compañía" in the Spanish language. This agency functions as a civilian foreign intelligence service for the federal government of the United States, focusing on the collection, processing, and analysis of national security information from across the globe. Its primary methods include human intelligence (HUMINT) and covert operations managed by the Directorate of Operations. The headquarter of the CIA is at the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia.
Key Details
GenreDrama, Spy, Thriller
Original LanguageEnglish (and a few foreign languages dialogues)
SeasonFirst Season | Season (S1) One
EpisodesTen (10) Episodes
Show CreatorsJez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth
WritersMichael Fassbender, John-Henry Butterworth, & Jez Butterworth
DirectorZetna Fuentes
CastMichael Fassbender (Martian), Richard Gere (Bosko), Jeffrey Wright (Henry Ogletree), Katherine Waterston (Naomi), John Magaro (Owen), Saura Lightfoot-Leon (Danny), India Fowler (Poppy), Reza Brojerdi (Reza), Kurt Egyiawan (Osman), etc.
TaglinesLie or die: Secrets have a cost.
NetworkParamount+ with Showtime, Prime Video
Well, broadly speaking there are two kinds of Spies

CIA Case Officers, such as Martian and his CIA colleagues, operate in foreign nations through two primary methods.

The first is known as Official or Diplomatic Cover, wherein the officer collects intelligence while serving as a government representative, such as a Cultural Attaché, and is afforded the protections of Diplomatic Immunity. This approach is colloquially termed the “Diplomatic Cocktail Circuit,” as it often yields limited substantive information.

The second method is Non-Official Cover (NOC), also referred to as “Deep Cover,” where the officer adopts a non-governmental role for extended durations, facing significant risks without the safeguard of immunity, which may include imprisonment, torture, or even death.

Case Officers, previously referred to as Operations Officers, can function as either Inside Officers (Official Cover) or Outside Officers (Non-Official Cover). Informants or Agents report to the Outside Officer, while the Non-Official Cover (NOC) communicates with the Inside Officer.

The Inside Officer serves as a crucial link to the Agency, facilitating the flow of operational information essential for mission success. In situations where the operational environment is too dangerous for face-to-face interactions between case officers and NOCs or other agents within a country, alternative clandestine communication methods are employed, such as electronic means, satellite communication, secret writing, and dead drops. Any necessary personal meetings are conducted outside the country. All of these are standard operational methods for the spies.

Now, let us meet the 5 CIA spies in this show

The following CIA personnel play a vital role at the London Station, where the lead character Martian is currently posted. For the sake of brevity and suspense, we are going to introduce only 5 principal characters. Besides Martian, this spy show also focuses on Danny’s mission, which might unfold in upcoming seasons. Looking at the lives of these two CIA spies, Martian and Danny, it seems that it is almost impossible to lead a normal life. Spying is a deadly and dangerous game. So, there are possible threats to their loved ones.

SpiesDetailsCast
BoskoCIA, Chief of Station, LondonRichard Gere
Henry OgletreeCIA, Deputy Chief of Station, London
His official cover is Mr. White, Foreign Service Support Attaché, specializing in Foreign Policy.
Jeffrey Wright
NaomiCIA, Case Officer,
She operates under Official Cover, Postman to the NOC Case Officer.
Katherine Waterston
MartianCase Officer who operated under Non-Official Cover (NOC) at the CIA, till he was pulled from the field in Sudan, Africa. Now he works in the London office.Michael Fassbender
DannyYoung and fresh NOC Case Officer at the CIA,
She is given a very challenging field assignment.
Saura Lightfoot-Leon
The screenplay is like a complex spy spiderweb

The story primarily revolves around a CIA agent Martian (Michael Fassbender), who is based in the London office, as of now. However, in season one, his globe-trotting spy missions, often take him to distant places in Africa, Russia, Ukraine, etc. And it seems that London has been depicted as the active playground for spies from different nationalities. Each one of them vying to serve and protect the interests of their respective nations. Moreover, given the current geo-political alignment, we see the spies from Sudan, China, Iran, Russia, and of course, Britain, all of them playing their highly competitive espionage games.

The transformation of an individual into an Agent, Informer, or Confidential Informant by a Case Officer is achieved through the strategic use of the acronym MICE - Money, Ideology, Compromise (aka Blackmail), and Ego.

As we have seen in the original French series (named above), there is a very thin line between the personal lives and professional lives of such covert agents. And more often than not, these thin boundaries are often crossed, in the very high stake spy activities. Although, we liked the fresh story of “The Agency”, the slow pace did bother us many times. One needs to stay invested and involved to finish watching its ten episodes. We hope that in season two, “The Agency” will pick up the pace and get more action. Especially with the new energetic US president.

It has an experienced and stellar ensemble cast, but…

What attracted us to this spy show was to check out the outstanding group of actors and actresses. The protagonist Martian is played by Michael Fassbender, whom we last watched in The Killer (2023) movie. Then, there is his love interest Dr Samia Fatima portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith, whom we saw in the “Bad Monkey” (2024) series. If “The Agency” series follows in the footsteps of “The Bureau”, then we are going to more of CIA agent Martian and Sudanese educator Dr. Samia. Particularly, the way the season finale played out for both of them.

But, apart from Danny (aka Ruiz), we did not get a chance to see more of his CIA office colleagues. Maybe, because they are operating in the espionage business, we did not get up close and personal with most of them. And this is a waste of great talent. Because they all are wonderful performers and they did well. The way this contemporary spy tale is going ahead, we are going to see more of Russia, China, Iran, and of course African nations like Sudan. So, once again, we hope that in season two, “The Agency” will show more insights about these characters and add a few more spooks, too.

The conclusion

In short, it is a fairly engaging and realistic spy show. But, to be honest, we expected more from it. Maybe, we have seen the original French show, so we certainly want more. Geo-politics is changing at a rapid pace. So, let us see, what the future holds for “The Agency”.

FM Rating
FM Rating3.70/5
Poster
The Agency

Spoilers Alerts: Summary of Ten Episodes of Season One

10 Episodes Summary of the Season One of “The Agency” Series
The Bends (S1, E1)

Covert CIA agent Martian is called back to London Station. An incident in Belarus puts Bosko and Henry on a collision course with Langley. Danny learns a lesson. Someone unexpectedly reappears in Martian’s life. Series premiere.

Wooden Duck (S1, E2)

Dr Blake arrives from Langley and is put to a test by Martian and Henry. A spooked source threatens to put an operation at risk. Danny’s cover is put in play. Martian, overtaken by events, begins to question Sami’s motives.

Hawk from a Handsaw (S1, E3)

Henry questions Martian’s thinking. Bosko is briefed on a top-secret operation. Poppy makes a startling discovery. Martian confronts Sami about why she’s in London and finds a needle in a haystack, before a heated session with Dr. Blake.

Quarterback Blitz (S1, E4)

Henry and Martian wade into a diplomatic incident with the Belarusian delegation. Dropped into her mission by Naomi, Danny walks a tightrope. Poppy and Martian attempt a fresh start. Osman threatens Sami.

Rat Trap (S1, E5)

Facing pressure from Langley, Henry sends Owen to Minsk on an intelligence mission. Danny’s work with Reza generates an unforeseen result. Sami confronts Osman about delicate issues, and Martian prepares a trap.

Spy for Sale (S1, E6)

Richardson’s arrival at the Fishbowl catches Henry off guard; Martian scrambles to unravel Cossack’s game as the stakes escalate; Naomi, uncovering a secret, cautions Danny; Sami’s attempts to reach Martian lead to nought.

Hard Landing (S1, E7)

Mr Dalaga intensifies pressure on Sami. Bosko learns about Valhalla’s scope. Jerome receives horoscope advice. Martian’s hand is forced when Poppy is threatened; with Henry’s team, he plans a risky recruitment strategy involving her life.

Truth Will Set You Free (S1, E8)

A botched recruitment, a decoded play, and a promising lead shake things up. Tensions rise as stakes are clarified and moral dilemmas surface. Meanwhile, an unexpected revelation threatens to change everything.

The Rubicon (S1, E9)

Martian tricks Langley. Blair and Owen are looking for the White Rabbit. Osman increases the stakes. Henry commissions Dr. Blake for an evaluation. Danny makes an irreversible decision. With Bosko’s green light, a trap is activated.

Overtaken by Events (S1, E10)

As command of the operation shifts out his hands, Bosko shares a grim reality; Naomi receives troubling news out of Iran; Richardson runs a rogue operation; Felix gets overtaken by events; Martian, desperate, makes a devil’s bargain.

Bonus YouTube Video Link:

The Agency | Inside The Agency | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME | YouTube

The Poster and Featured Image of The Agency (Season 1/2025) Series are credited to Paramount+ with Showtime.


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