The True Story Behind ‘Rogue Agent’ Explained

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There’s nothing quite like a captivating mystery that keeps viewers guessing with unexpected twists, leaving them breathless till the final moment when the credits appear. The 2022 thriller “Rogue Agent” demonstrates how riveting films based on real events can be. Lead roles in this suspenseful tale are played by British actors James Norton and Gemma Arterton. The story revolves around Robert Hendy-Freegard, a notorious swindler who, in the ’90s and 2000s, deceived countless individuals by pretending to be an MI5 agent.

In this narrative, I find myself drawn into the pulse-pounding cat-and-mouse chase portrayed in “Rogue Agent.” As an ally to Alice Archer (Arterton), I join forces with a tenacious policeman in our relentless pursuit to unmask Hendy-Freegard, a cunning trickster whose web of deceit and falsehoods must be brought to light. This gripping tale, boasting an impressive 73% Rotten Tomatoes score, left audiences spellbound, many astonished to discover that Norton’s character was based on a real-life con artist. Let us delve into the film and the life of the convicted swindler himself.

An Engrossing Thriller Full of Twists & Turns

The 2022 film “Rogue Agent,” directed by Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn in their debut, is loosely based on the unpublished article “Chasing Agent Freegard” by Michael Bronner. The movie stars James Norton as Robert Freegard, a notorious career conman who, during the ’90s, posed as an MI5 agent to manipulate his victims into giving him money while claiming he was an undercover spy on the run. In the film, Freegard is portrayed as a luxury car salesman who crosses paths with successful lawyer Alice Archer, played by Gemma Arterton. To unravel the mysteries surrounding Freegard, Archer hires a private investigator to delve deeper into his questionable background.

In the unmasking of Robert’s complex net of deceit, Alice is left in disbelief when she discovers that he is linked to the abductions of several women and had swindled them out of substantial assets. Joined by the relentless detective Sonny Chandra (Shazad Latif), they embark on a mission to bring this sly trickster to account. Tracking down the slippery Robert proves challenging for Alice, as he has honed his compelling tale of being an MI5 agent and has already moved on to his next target. However, her anger serves as motivation, driving her to finally put an end to his fraudulent schemes and insatiable greed.

The spellbinding thriller “Rogue Agent” left both spectators and reviewers craving more, with its numerous tantalizing plot twists earning it a strong 72% Rotten Tomatoes rating and 66% Popcornmeter score. Critics were particularly impressed by the film’s intriguing script, methodical build-up, and the undeniable chemistry between its radiant lead actors. What might astonish viewers is that the outrageous storyline of “Rogue Agent” and the character of Robert Freegard are grounded in truth, as they are based on real-life events.

The True Story of Robert Hendy-Freegard

As a film enthusiast, let me share a fascinating tale from my perspective. Born in the quaint town of Dronfield, Derbyshire, England on March 1, 1971, I – or rather, Robert Hendy-Freegard – honed my skills in weaving elaborate tales while juggling jobs as a car salesman and bartender. My life took an intriguing turn when I crossed paths with John Atkinson, Maria Hendy, and Sarah Smith at The Swan pub in 1992.

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, I – under the guise of Robert Hendy-Freegard – successfully convinced Atkinson that I was not just an ordinary citizen, but an undercover MI5 agent, investigating a suspected IRA connection at his college, Harper Adams University. I went so far as to manipulate him into acting suspiciously around his peers and even enduring physical harm to prove his loyalty and my supposed toughness. It’s a tale that underscores the power of deception and the lengths some will go to maintain their illusions.

In a deceptive manner, Freegard led Atkinson to believe they were being recruited, then heightened the scam by asserting his identity had been exposed, necessitating an immediate escape. He managed to persuade both Hendy and Smith to accompany them by fabricating a heart-wrenching story that Atkinson was battling terminal cancer and wished for a final tour across England as a farewell journey. Over the subsequent ten years, this group shifted from one supposedly secure location to another after Freegard misled the women into thinking he was an MI5 agent. He convinced them to break off ties with their families, claiming it was necessary for their protection and demanding all their money.

Smith transferred her entire £300,000 family inheritance to Freegard, while Atkinson passed on approximately £400,000 for “witness protection.” During this time, Freegard began a romantic relationship with Hendy, fathering two daughters with him. He adopted the surname Hendy-Freegard during their romance and is known to have targeted at least five women for their money between 1995 and 2002. Among these victims were lawyer Caroline Cowper and American child psychologist Kimberley Adams. It wasn’t until 2003, after months of surveillance, that Freegard was apprehended by Scotland Yard and the FBI, thanks to Adams’ assistance.

Before Freegard’s arrest in 2005, Atkinson decided to take action against the con artist. After an eight-month trial, he was found guilty of two counts of kidnapping, eight counts of fraud, and ten counts of theft, receiving a life sentence on September 6, 2005. Despite this, Freegard was surprisingly released in 2009 following a successful appeal that claimed he never actually kidnapped anyone because his victims willingly went with him. However, Freegard targeted another woman named Sandra Clifton in 2011 and formed a relationship with her. In 2025, he was arrested again for ramming his car into two policemen while trying to avoid questioning, and was sentenced to six years in prison as a result.

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2025-02-21 02:02