Photo credit: movieweb.com
The Agency: A New Era of Political Espionage
In an exclusive feature from Entertainment Weekly, actors Richard Gere and Michael Fassbender shed light on their upcoming spy thriller series, The Agency. Joining them are acclaimed actors Jeffrey Wright (Westworld, The Batman, American Fiction) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim, The Acolyte). This highly anticipated series is set to debut on Paramount+ in collaboration with Showtime in late fall, and it’s inspired by the French series Le Bureau des Légendes.
The narrative of The Agency centers on a covert CIA operative, code-named Martian, portrayed by Fassbender. After six years spent undercover, he is called back to the agency’s London headquarters, which leads to unexpected challenges when a past romance threatens to unravel his carefully constructed life. Fassbender elaborated on his character’s struggle, stating that Martian is attempting to reconcile two significant relationships: his lover and the daughter he has not seen in years. He noted the psychological toll that such clandestine work can exact, emphasizing the necessity of emotional compartmentalization for survival in the field.
Fassbender’s recent body of work includes a standout performance in The Killer, directed by David Fincher. In this action-packed film, he plays an assassin grappling with an identity crisis while confronting his employers. The Killer similarly draws inspiration from French origin, based on a graphic novel series by Alexis Nolent.
Comparing the New Series to the Original
As The Agency unfolds, viewers meet Martian at a pivotal juncture after years of deep cover. He finds himself adjusting to a more conventional role as he reports to his superior, played by Gere, who takes on the character Bosko—an agency chief with a storied past as an undercover operative. This role marks only Gere’s second foray into television throughout his illustrious acting career. He expressed how he and his wife were captivated by the original French series, highlighting the shift in television’s landscape.
Gere remarked on the transformative nature of contemporary television, saying, “What we’re seeing these days, there are beautiful things that are done on TV… It just wasn’t of the highest quality, but now we’re seeing things on TV that are as good or better than almost everything we’re seeing on [movie] screens.” This commentary underscores the evolving perceptions of TV production quality.
In his portrayal of Bosko, Gere aims to make the character relatable, showcasing the burdens that accompany a lifetime of secrets and perilous decisions in the field. He embodies a tough yet unconventional father figure to the agents he supervises, providing depth to the narrative.
Both actors conveyed their enthusiasm about the intricate relationship between Bosko and Martian, noting that The Agency promises a gripping and suspenseful experience. “There are a lot of nail-biting moments, that’s for sure,” Fassbender remarked, while Gere hinted at a continuously escalating tension that keeps audiences engaged, with each episode unveiling new developments. He emphasized that the new series would emerge as a unique entity, distinct from its French predecessor.
Gere also pointed out the contemporary relevance of the storyline, reflecting the current geopolitical landscape and the shifts in global focus compared to a decade ago when the original series aired.
The Agency is set to premiere on Paramount+ via Showtime this fall, promising an engaging dive into the world of espionage with a modern twist.
Release Date: November 10, 2023
Studio(s): Plan B Entertainment, Boom! Studios
Distributor(s): Netflix
Source
movieweb.com