BBC Two has commissioned a “contemporary” spy drama from Tom Rob Smith, author of the award-winning Child 44 trilogy, and Working Title Television.
The five-part London Spy is described as “the story of a chance romance between two people from opposite sides of that street.”
In the centre of London is a street with the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service on one side and the headquarters of gay clubbing on the other.
Danny – gregarious, hedonistic, romantic and adrift, falls for the anti-social enigmatic and brilliant Alex. Just as the two of them realise that they’re perfect for each other, Alex disappears.
Danny, utterly ill-equipped to take on the complex and codified world of British espionage, must decide whether he’s prepared to fight for the truth.
The drama will be filmed later this year and air on BBC Two and BBC Two HD in 2015.
Smith said it was “very exciting to have one of the best production companies in the country, Working Title, produce my first contemporary spy thriller series for BBC Two, unarguably the most prestigious home for drama in the UK.”
Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two, said: “Drama on BBC Two has seen an incredible resurgence and I’m thrilled to be welcoming this gripping new series to the channel, written by an exciting talent.”
Polly Hill, BBC Head of Independent Drama, added: “I’ve been a huge fan of Tom’s and am delighted to be working with him, and to see his unique storytelling brought to BBC Two.
“This is a beautifully written love story, caught up in a spy thriller – a wonderfully complex and surprising story, of one man’s search for the truth. It promises to be a treat for the BBC Two audience, continuing the channels commitment to original authored drama.”