Fans of the British political thriller Bodyguard should be chuffed that Treason, another high-intensity espionage import, will be heading your way on Boxing Day, aka Dec. 26. Rife with double crosses and deadly spies, the white-knuckle series stars Charlie Cox as Adam Lawrence, MI6’s second-in-command who gets bumped up to the top position after his boss (Ciarán Hinds) is poisoned by an unknown assailant (Olga Kurylenko). Making matters more complex is that Adam and this mystery assassin have some unfinished business. Soon, the truths he uncovers — and those he’s hidden from his wife — threaten both his career and his family.
MI6 agent Adam made his reputation after foiling an attack on the British embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan. But when MI6 chief, Sir Martin Angelis, is nearly killed and a former flame comes back into the picture, Adam realizes his on-the-job success may have been orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives.
Cox brought the character Daredevil, aka Matt Murdock, to life in the Netflix series of the same name. Since then, he’s portrayed the blind superhero in a number of Marvel projects, like The Defenders and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Cox will reprise the role in 2024’s Daredevil: Born Again.
Kara has complex ties to both her ex-lover Adam and the SVR — Russia’s spy agency. For years, she’s been playing the long game with Adam’s career for her own personal gain. Kara’s involvement in Sir Martin’s assassination attempt makes her a target, but she just might have enough leverage with Adam to wriggle off the hook.
Like Cox, Kurylenko is best known for her place in the Marvel Universe, playing Taskmaster Antonia Dreykov in Black Widow. The French-Ukrainian actor first landed on the map thanks to her memorable turn in the 2008 James Bond installment Quantum of Solace opposite Daniel Craig.
You can follow Kurylenko on Instagram.
Ex-Army officer Maddy is Adam’s devoted wife and the stepmother of his two kids, Callum and Ella. But when Adam’s promotion jeopardizes their family, Maddy wants some answers — especially after discovering her husband has been in contact with the elusive Kara.
Those still haunted by Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding massacre will remember the Spanish-Swiss actor Chaplin, who portrayed Robb Stark’s wife, Talisa. She also stars as Varang in Avatar: The Way of Water. For those wondering about her last name: Yep, she’s Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter.
You can follow Chaplin on Instagram.
When we first meet Sir Martin, this head of MI6 is blackmailing the UK’s Supreme Court President. Now, that’s power. However, soon after, his whiskey is poisoned by Kara, sending him to the hospital and leaving Adam in charge. As Adam tries to uncover why his boss was targeted, he learns that Sir Martin’s well-kept secrets could lead to even graver consequences.
Hinds portrays Father Thaddeus in the recent Netflix adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel The Wonder, starring Florence Pugh. Other memorable roles include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, in which Hinds played Dumbledore’s younger brother, Aberforth.
CIA agent Dede served with Maddy in Afghanistan. So when the agency opens an investigation into her British cohort, Adam, Dede takes on the case to protect her friend — and use her as an asset.
British actor Ifeachor will be familiar to longtime Doctor Who fans, as she played Abigail Naismith in “The End of Time.” She’s also known for the vampire series The Originals and will appear in 2023’s Wonka starring Timothée Chalamet.
You can follow Ifeachor on Instagram.
