London Spy

:

Season 1
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Jan 20, 2016
    60
    Occasional tedium sometimes makes London Spy a slog, and that's a shame because at its best moments--all of which are Whishaw moments--the show is gripping. There's a gasping desperation to Danny, and like any fully developed human, he feels original and unique, and his struggles matter because they're his. Unfortunately one of the things he's struggling against is a show that isn't 100 percent sure what to do with him.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Brandon Nowalk
    Jan 21, 2016
    42
    The mechanical storytelling is insurmountable even for such a talented cast, but there is some satisfaction in watching Ben Whishaw sit down for an informal interrogation by Charlotte Rampling or feel out a scoundrel and potential ally played by Mark Gatiss.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Jan 20, 2016
    40
    Here and there, Mr. Whishaw overcomes Mr. Smith’s stilted dialogue and Mr. Verbruggen’s predilections for looming close-ups and circling cameras.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Best TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 53
  3. Negative: 7 out of 53
  1. shellview
    Jan 26, 2016
    8
    Very good thriller from the UK. Although the protagonist and others are gay, "London Spy" is not about being gay. It is about people who justVery good thriller from the UK. Although the protagonist and others are gay, "London Spy" is not about being gay. It is about people who just happen to be gay That deserves an 8 by itself. No pandering nor agenda driven at all, bravo. I found the characters interesting and well drawn. The story,so far, is exciting and very well written as is the dialogue. Too bad it is only a mini-series but the Brit's, unlike the US, know how to end a story and not drag it out ad infinitum.… Full Review »
  2. nima1990
    Jan 24, 2016
    10
    The show deserves a 10 because we've seen tons of stories like this on TV or cinema but all of them had a super straight macho guy. London SpyThe show deserves a 10 because we've seen tons of stories like this on TV or cinema but all of them had a super straight macho guy. London Spy featured a gay protagonist and that;s where it shines without actually being a show about sexuality but a pure love between Danny and Alex. In this show unlike many other their gayness wasn't magnified and it was as trivial and normal as a straight romance and it's completely normal and nobody cares. We need more interesting action, thriller and mystery movies that feature gay protagonists like any other human being. Plus the writing was absolutely genius. I definitely want more. A season 2 is bound to happen. The cast is also amazing.… Full Review »
  3. PoeticDumpling
    Jan 24, 2016
    10
    Fantastic first episode. It felt like a mix of Hitchcock meets Tom Ford's cinematographic eye in The Single Man and a dash of Andrew HaighFantastic first episode. It felt like a mix of Hitchcock meets Tom Ford's cinematographic eye in The Single Man and a dash of Andrew Haigh ("Weekend"). I love how it started in a more romantic vein and then did a 180 by the end. Ben Whishaw is superb! Jim Broadbent is always excellent. It was a very different and sometimes strange concept. Excited to see where the next four episodes go,… Full Review »
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