It started life as Rogue Spooks, morphed throughout its development into Spooks: Trinity, and has now emerged with this week’s announcement from Auntie Beeb as Code 9. Yes, a younger, sexier generation of Spooks are ready to take BBC3 by storm later this year…
Erm… and I have to ask myself, what’s the point of linking this with Spooks beyond the fact that indie producer Kudos is behind both shows? The tone of Code 9 (it’s uncertain whether the Spooks brand name will be included in that title) sounds so completely different, judging by the press blurb…
Basically, it’s 2013, the world has endured a nuclear war, with much of London devastated and causing MI5 to set up field offices around the country. Code 9 will focus on the operatives recruited to set up Field Office 19 (what? Code 9, Field Office 19? It’s confusing already!).
And what a motley bunch has been assembled to staff this provincial field office. Aside from experienced operative Hannah (played by former Corrie and Life on Mars actress Joanne Froggat), the team will have a “mathematician and problem solver”, “a former criminal gone straight”, “an ex-police officer” and “a junior doctor”. Oooh, sounds thrilling. Although I am somewhat tickled by the character thumbnail for Kylie, to be played Georgia Moffet. She’s a “psychology student who has just returned from her gap year…”
I can’t wait to see the first episode when Kylie rocks up in Field Office 19, rucksack on her shoulder:
“Anything happen while I was away?”“Nah, nothing much. Nuclear war, but that was about it. Wanna join MI5?”
“Yeah, okay. I can use psychology on the bad guys…”
Obviously I’m being unfair – it’s hard to get the flavour of something based purely on a press release, and perhaps the label of “Spooks spin-off” is doing Code 9 a disservice. Is their any virtue in BBC3 hanging this on the back of an existing BBC1 brand when it is making great strides towards establishing its own unique channel identity? Why not test the waters with a pilot drama along the lines of Phoo Action (shudder) or Being Human (hurrah!). A 13-part run is a huge commitment at this stage in BBC3’s current evolutionary path, but with Kudos on board, I need to stop worrying and have a little faith.
I’m sure Code 9 will be very stylised, very sexy and full of beautiful young things (all of whom I imagine have been on gap years). If it is to be considered a spin-off from Spooks, then can I please request that the series is given its own Captain Jack, just to make the link clear? For preference I’d like to see Peter Firth in residence as a grizzled Harry Pierce, chewing the scenery with as much aplomb as he does now in the parent show. Or, could it be too much to hope that this could open the door for a return of the divine Ruth Evershed, as played by Nicola Walker?
Oh, if only! Ladies and gentleman, the campaign begins now.
Code 9 is currently filming in Bradford and will be broadcast on BBC3 later this year.
I wouldn't imagine there will be much point in Ruth's return since Harry Pearce and company will probably have been vaporized in the bomb attack in London.
Not that Ruth's only reason for being is Harry....but you know what I mean.
Gap year? Just how posh are these kids going to be? Is she going to get a reception like that Guardian columnist did?
Hiya - FYI, I have recently heard that Being Human has indeed been commissioned for a full series, official confirmation to the press is outstanding though. Good egg!
That would have been Spooks: Liberty rather than Spooks: Trinity?