‘The Agency’ Bosses Explain That Season Finale Betrayal and How Current U.S. Politics Will Factor Into Season 2

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[This article reveals significant plot twists from the final episode of The Agency titled “Unforeseen Circumstances.”]

In the final episode of ‘The Agency’s first season, Michael Fassbender’s Martian character finds himself emotionally similar to his initial state: yearning for reunion with Dr. Samia Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), the Sudanese anthropology professor he developed feelings for during his CIA assignment in Ethiopia.

The season finale of ‘The Agency’ sees Michael Fassbender’s character on Mars feeling much the same as at the start: deeply missing Dr. Samia Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), the anthropology professor he grew fond of while working as a CIA operative in Ethiopia.

Instead, their inability to be together is no longer just about geographical distance and loyalty to one’s nation, as it used to be with Martian ending things when he returned to London under Paul Lewis’ disguise. Now, it’s a matter of survival, as Martian’s failed attempt to involve Samia with the CIA has put her life at risk, and also his own when he decides to work as a double agent for the U.K.’s Secret Intelligence Service in an effort to protect her.

Swiftly Overwhelmed,”

This thrilling episode serves as the climax of an intensely suspenseful first season, where the CIA managed a significant triumph by carrying out Operation Felix successfully, rescuing agent Alex Reznik (Coyote), who was previously held captive by a Russian mercenary group following his unmasking in Belarus. Meanwhile, Daniela “Danny” Ruiz Morata (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) accomplished the first phase of her covert operation to identify Iranian nuclear engineers, touching down in Tehran, Iran, where she’ll continue her undercover work alongside her professor (Reza Brojerdi). Lastly, Martian, who pursued his own agenda throughout the season, now finds himself in a reality where he must respond to senior MI6 official James Richardson (Hugh Bonneville), using Martian’s desperation for Samia as leverage and turning him into an unwitting spy.

John-Henry Butterworth, the co-creator of the Showtime espionage thriller, remarks, “Our world is one where everyone is engaged in a game of chess against each other.” In this narrative, derived from the French series Le Bureau des Légendes, James finds himself in a unique situation – Martian considers him a friend and requests a favor. However, James swiftly turns the request into a weapon, manipulating Martian and using his personal weakness against him. Now, Martian is under James’ control, effectively owned by him. To escape this dangerous predicament and ensure his own survival, Martian must navigate out of this trap set by James.

In the interview below with The Hollywood Reporter, the Butterworths discuss why Martian chose to betray his homeland and what this action represents. They also touch upon potential storylines for season two, taking into account the show’s early renewal, such as examining global issues emerging under the new U.S. administration.

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Reflecting on the initial phases of your establishment, what led you to establish your intelligence agency in London instead of the United States?

JEZ Originally it was going to be in Italy.

JOHN-HENRY The location was never within the United States; it was always associated with a foreign embassy or consulate.

We initially searched for the ideal location outside the U.S., overlooking our own backyard. Surprisingly, we overlooked the most suitable place at first. It turned out to be the perfect spot for numerous reasons, one of which was its proximity (laughs), but the primary factor was that it aligned better with our vision when viewed through a London perspective. This production is based on a French original, and it seemed fitting when we considered its events and settings from a London point of view.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed a significant shift from the previous version – Le Bureau. What set this new season apart is the updated relevance of the global challenges The Agency faces, making them contemporary issues. Were there any other substantial changes you incorporated from the original first season?

John-Henry: The geopolitical landscape shifts significantly when you’re focusing on America rather than France. The impact and influence America holds, as well as the various regions they’re involved in, are far more extensive. This transformation makes for a very different narrative. The motivation to explore current events, such as Ukraine, and other topics that should be getting more attention in Western news but were not at the time – like the situation in Sudan – was a crucial factor. Fortunately, these issues are now receiving more coverage, but when we initially wrote this piece, they were not making headlines.

In the second season, we’ll be venturing into Iran, where Danny’s adventure as a novice officer will carry on. What intriguing aspects of that place might we delve into?

JOHN-HENRY The character she portrays is truly captivating. The actress, Saura, does a fantastic job in this role; she’s an incredibly gifted young performer, and the part seems to have been tailored to suit her exceptional talent.

Isn’t it wonderful when someone surpasses your expectations in their performance? It’s happening consistently across the board – our storytelling peers are truly impressive! It almost seems absurd, but consider this: you’re crafting scenes for Jeffrey Wright, Richard Gere, and Jodie, among others. They’re adding depth and richness that we could never have imagined. We’ve seen it before, but not to the extent and consistency that we’re witnessing now. While writing a film, you occasionally experience this, but rarely to this degree. The unique aspect is that we get a second chance to build upon these exceptional talents and magical moments from season one as we dive into the writing of season two.

In the seventh episode, Dr. Blake expresses a notion that Naomi might be harboring romantic feelings towards the Martian, which could be clouding her judgment when evaluating his behaviors. Could this assumption be true?

JOHN-HENRY It seems this character has a knack for captivating and influencing those around him in various ways, sometimes knowingly and other times unknowingly, creating attachments that border on control. This intrigues me when it comes to writing such characters. I find myself constantly debating what actions of Martian are deliberate and what are mere accidents. Is he skillfully puppeteering events or is he just adapting swiftly to change his course? This question about the authenticity of his interactions, particularly with Samia throughout their relationship, is what makes their bond so intriguing: is what they feel for each other genuine, or is it all an act?

At the core of any captivating espionage tale isn’t just the exchange of information, but rather the uncertainty – was that statement sincere or a ruse? Is it truth or a façade? How am I being influenced here? It’s these questions that draw people to stories. To me, stories are intricate puzzles, and learning to discern lies is one of life’s most crucial skills, yet also the most challenging.

How comes Samia refused to compromise her nation’s integrity for her bond with Martian, whereas he eventually chose to do so at the end?

JOHN-HENRY I believe their bond has a pure quality that she upholds, while he spends the majority of this tale trying to meet her standards and shoulder the duty honestly. This isn’t something he’s accustomed to, as he hasn’t led an honest life or a complete one. However, when he encounters someone who embodies these qualities, it transforms him.

In this narrative, betraying one’s nation is portrayed as the act of becoming truly human. If you are prepared to make such a sacrifice, it signifies acknowledging the humanity within yourself. However, this newfound humanity comes at a steep price – it places everyone around you and your country in jeopardy. This creates an intriguing paradox that provides ample opportunity for continuous dramatic exploration.

Is Samia dead, as Osman (Kurt Egyiawan) claims in episode nine?

JOHN-HENRY I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone.

Henry, portrayed by Jeffrey Wright, seems to notice that Mars’ personal life might be spiraling out of control slightly. However, Henry also grants Mars a considerable amount of freedom, which Mars ultimately uses in a way that leads to his downfall.

John-Henry: This relationship is fantastic! I adore how it unfolds, with its strong foundations and a sense that there’s a past connection between these characters. It seems that at one point, Martian was Henry’s protege, learning the ins and outs of this world under his guidance. However, as the story progresses into season two, their bond becomes strained, and there’s a growing antagonism between them. In many ways, Henry spends much of season two pursuing him, trying to uncover the truth about what happened at the end of season one. This conflict serves to highlight the inner turmoil that Martian experiences, much like the novel Brighton Rock portrays its protagonist’s struggles.

During an initial chat, I casually mentioned to Michael Fassbender that his character seems deeply attached to his home country, explaining the reasons behind Martian’s actions. Upon my comment, he merely blinked and replied, “yet, he found something he cherished more,” which sent a shiver down my spine as I sensed an intense understanding of this narrative’s core theme. I believe Henry’s character serves as a reminder of the Martian who cherishes his country, emphasizing that he remains dedicated to the agents. He is unquestionably one of the purest in terms of commitment and self-sacrifice for the mission at hand. However, what intrigues him about Martian is perhaps a personal motivation that clashes with this dedication. That’s something that’s strictly forbidden within the CIA.

It’s significant to consider that viewpoint, as it made me question increasingly with each new occurrence, whether anyone would truly choose this as a profession in reality.

John-Henry explained that one of their goals was to portray the reality of espionage, contrasting it with the fictionalized version often depicted in spy movies or shows. They have an advisor who previously worked for the CIA and found humor in the disconnect between Hollywood’s portrayal and actual intelligence work. John-Henry stated that when you engage in overt actions like driving a tank through Moscow, as seen in Bond films, you cease to be a spy. Instead, espionage is characterized by secrecy, subtlety, and deception. The group aims to depict the human toll on these individuals, who are skilled at maintaining a facade that hides their true activities. As global tensions rise among countries we’re connected with, there exists a covert group of men and women willing to perform tasks that I don’t fully comprehend for reasons unknown to me. This fascinates John-Henry as it presents a challenge to portray the complexities of this world. The actors in their group have demonstrated an ability to unveil the hidden truth behind what we commonly perceive.

Have you mentioned that you’ve mostly completed writing for season two? Are you considering incorporating elements related to the current events involving the new U.S. administration into this upcoming season?

JEZ We’re offset by a couple of years.

JOHN-HENRY There’s a discrepancy, yet the circumstances that led to this event are undeniable. Predicting what will transpire next globally, given our rapid pace, can be risky; it takes time for things to unfold and I don’t believe we’re attempting to peer into crystal balls to foresee the future. It’s heartening to observe that our efforts have not become outdated or inaccurate. Writing a show set in the recent past poses a challenge as change can happen quickly.

It’s truly captivating to observe the current events unfolding in America. They are shaping things significantly. Compared to my upbringing during the ’90s, which felt rather uneventful on a global scale, it was almost as if the thrilling era of espionage, as described by John Le Carré, had ended around 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, we are now stepping into another golden age of espionage. I once believed that human espionage would become obsolete as technology advanced and everyone was under surveillance. But now, the ability to operate off-grid and avoid constant monitoring, a luxury many now carry in their pockets, has never been more crucial.

“I’ve been wondering if I could get some insights. Has there been any word from Éric Rochant, the mastermind behind the original series, or any other team members about their thoughts or updates?”

JOHN-HENRY I had a meeting with the producers in London, and I was quite nervous since he would be observing it as there’s a sense of obligation to maintain the quality of the original series, which we both admired greatly and aimed to match. However, he seemed pleased by it.

At the New York premiere, I sat beside him, and when the lights dimmed, he didn’t ball his hand into a fist and attack me. It was a comforting moment of peace.

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All episodes of The Agency are now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.

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2025-01-25 03:26