DVD Review: The Secret Agent

The acclaimed BBC One and Acorn TV period drama The Secret Agent makes its DVD debut on December 6, 2016 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. An explosive and heart-breaking three-part adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s timeless novel of terror, espionage and betrayal, The Secret Agent stars Toby Jones (Detectorists, Captain America), Vicky McClure (Line of Duty), Tom Goodman-Hill (Humans), Ian Hart (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Driver), and Stephen Graham (Boardwalk Empire). From the producers of the acclaimed Line of Duty, this riveting psychological thriller is adapted by BAFTA award-winning Tony Marchant (The Mark of Cain, Great Expectations) and directed by Emmy® award-winning Charles McDougall (House of Cards, The Good Wife). The DVD features all 3 episodes ($34.99, AcornOnline.com). The Secret Agent made its U.S. premiere in September 2016 on Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond.

In 1886 London, Verloc (Toby Jones) runs a seedy sex shop in the heart of Soho. Unbeknown to his loyal wife Winnie (Vicky McClure), Verloc also works for the Russian embassy, spying on a group of London anarchists. The Russians are furious with the English establishment’s indifference to the anarchist threat gripping the rest of Europe. So Verloc is assigned a mission: blow up the Greenwich Observatory and make it look like a terrorist attack to provoke a crackdown. Should he fail, Verloc’s real identity as a spy will be exposed to his vicious comrades.

Verloc is forced to turn to the volatile Professor (Ian Hart) to supply explosives which in turn attracts the attention of Chief Inspector Heat of Scotland Yard (Stephen Graham). Caught between the Russians and the police, Verloc grooms Winnie’s younger brother Stevie (Charlie Hamblett) as his unsuspecting accomplice. When the truth outs, Verloc has to face Winnie’s wrath…

My Thoughts

The Secret Agent is a historical thriller at it's best.This mini series is an adaption of the novel by Joseph Conrad. It's filled with espionage and intrigue that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It's set in London in 1886. A man named Veloc runs a sex shop, but he's also a secret Russian spy given the task of blowing up the Greenwich Observatory. It's broken down into three episodes:

 1- Veloc brings his family to the Soho where he meets up with an anarchist group.Soon he is tasked with a dangerous bombing that could cost him his life.

2- Veloc has the bomb in hand and an unwitting accomplice.One of his anarchy friends also puts the moves on his wife. 

3-Winnie is shocked at her husband's role in the plot. There is lots of deceit and betrayal and a bit of a cliffhanger ending that leaves hope for a sequel.

I just loved this mini-series.  This is a great show, and I plan to look for the book it was based on.  If you'd like to grab a copy of this outstanding series for yourself, you can find it online at Acorn Media and on Amazon.