Sky’s new action-adventure series, starring Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander, delivers an engaging narrative, albeit with a highly fantastical storyline, reports BritPanorama.
The anticipation surrounding the next James Bond installment continues after Lashana Lynch portrayed the first female agent designated as 007 in No Time to Die. While speculation about a female Bond persists four years later, Sky introduces a character with similar attributes in Iris Nixon. The protagonist of the new eight-part action adventure, The Iris Affair, is not a spy but a mathematical prodigy and exceptional codebreaker. Despite lacking a license to kill, Iris proves equally lethal in her dealings with adversaries, mirroring the dynamics typically associated with Bond.
Niamh Algar delivers a compelling performance as Iris, who evades enemies determined to claim the €4 million bounty on her head. The reason for this substantial reward is gradually unveiled, linked to her victory over 17,000 competitors in a covert trans-European treasure hunt concluding in a piazza in Florence.
The treasure hunt is ultimately revealed as an elaborate job interview, with Cameron Beck, a venture capitalist played by Tom Hollander, awaiting Iris in Florence. Beck, intrigued by “helping brilliant people doing brilliant things,” invites her to his lavish lair in Slovenia, where he develops a “topological quantum device.” This highly advanced computer, known as “Charlie Big Potatoes,” is designed to exhibit creative thought, although its creator, Jensen, has seemingly lost his sanity and attempted to dismantle the device he views as dangerously powerful.
Facing mounting pressure, Cameron requires Iris’s brilliance to decipher Jensen’s codebook and reactivate the machine. However, Iris decides to steal the codebook instead, igniting a frantic pursuit.
Hollander’s portrayal of Cameron brings a sardonic charm reminiscent of his earlier work in The Night Manager. He pairs well with Algar, whose character is resourceful, frequently utilizing various safe houses to evade capture. Complex backstories unfold, including Iris’s guise as a tutor for a wealthy couple’s daughter, hinting at deeper motivations yet to be revealed. Although the narrative jumps through time, the foundational plot becomes clearer by the conclusion of the first episode.
Set primarily on the stunning landscapes of Sardinia, The Iris Affair presents a visually compelling experience. The storyline cleverly blends elements of Bond, Killing Eve, and Alex Garland’s techno-thrillers, creating a unique yet somewhat implausible narrative. While the execution may not surpass the lofty expectations set by its influences, the series possesses enough drive to captivate viewers.
The theme song, “Here Comes That Day,” a bold homage to Shirley Bassey’s style by post-punk rocker Siouxsie, evokes the spirit of classic Bond themes, previously described as “the best James Bond theme that never was.” Neil Cross, the creator and writer of the series, also known for Luther, hints that The Iris Affair serves as a subtle pitch to the new custodians of the Bond franchise at Amazon.
Despite the show’s ambitious premise, it remains uncertain whether Algar, an accomplished actress recognized for her role in Shane Meadows’s The Virtues, harbors aspirations to be linked to the notion of a female Bond.
The Iris Affair is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and Now.
