Series synopsis
Cambridge Spies is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC Two on May 9, 2003. It ended on May 30, 2003. It was created by Peter Moffat. It stars Tom Hollander, Toby Stephens, Rupert Penry-Jones and Samuel West.
In 1934, four brilliant Cambridge students are recruited to spy for Russia. Fueled by youthful idealism, a passion for social justice and a talent for lying, they take huge personal risks to pass Britain's biggest secrets to Moscow.
Premise
In 1934, four brilliant Cambridge students are recruited to spy for Russia. Fueled by youthful idealism, a passion for social justice and a talent for lying, they take huge personal risks to pass Britain's biggest secrets to Moscow.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Tom Hollander as Guy Burgess
- Toby Stephens as Kim Philby
- Rupert Penry-Jones as Donald Maclean
- Samuel West as Anthony Blunt
Guest cast
- Simon Woods as Charlie Givens
- Jenna Harrison as Miriam Block
- Patrick Kennedy as Julian Bell
- Leon Lissek as Prof. Bruno Klein
- Marcel Iureș as Otto
- Simon Jones as Sir Michael Boal
- Julian Firth as Prince of Wales
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Edward Hand
- Imelda Staunton as The Queen
- Anna-Louise Plowman as Melinda Maclean
- Ronald Pickup as Colonel Winter
- Anthony Andrews as King George VI
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | May 9, 2003 | May 30, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode One While at Cambridge university two students, Philby and Maclean, are approached by Intelligence officers and requested to spy. It does not take Philby too long to realise that it is not the British Intelligence services who want them, but the Russians. They agree to spy for the Russians and, once the school year ends, Kim is sent on assignment to Vienna, where he marries committed communist Lettie Friedman. Once back in England, Philby's runner,Blunt, tells him that the marriage is not in the interests of the mission, and Philby has to end it. |
May 9, 2003 |
| 2 |
Episode Two Burgess gets a job at the BBC. |
May 16, 2003 |
| 3 |
Episode Three With the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the spies find themselves working for the Allies. |
May 23, 2003 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 9, 2003 |
| Last aired | May 30, 2003 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Friday at 21:00:00 |