Ever found yourself watching James Bond or Spooks and thinking, I’d give that a go?
Channel 4’s new series Spies is the one for you – a show which attempts to recruit ordinary people and test out their espionage skills.
The show comes from the makers of SAS: Who Dares Wins, and comes off similar to the ‘what-if-this-was-you?’ thrills of Hunted.
The applicants are put through their paces by ‘Control’ – a formidable trio of pro spies.
There’s Julian, a former MI6 Intelligence Officer, who has worked undercover.
“I would hesitate to describe myself as a gentleman spy,” he smirks with a sharp British accent reminiscent of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond. “I think others may see me that way.”
Then there’s Cameron, a former GCHQ analyst, who slips seamlessly in with the applicants under an alias to learn more about them.
Most impressive is Debbie, a former MI5 officer who spent 25 years running anti-terrorist surveillance.
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“You’re not jumping out of helicopters, putting people into death holds and syringing them with truth serums,” she says of real spy life. “You’re not a superhero – there is nothing to protect you other than your own skills.”
The wannabes deemed eligible take on sample missions based on the Intelligence Office New Entry Course – and each week will see the group whittled down.
Spies is entertainingly put together – and a top watch for anyone who’s dreamed of being a slick and unflappable agent.
Channel 4, 9pm
