english
Jan 6, 2004 @ 7:29 pm
Nice little 1/4 page ad for the r1/s1 DVD release in this week's
Entertainment Weekly (on pg 79, for the obsessed). I like the little tag "We could telll you...but then we'd have to kill you." Even more so, I like the critical quotes, especially the one from the NYTimes: "Startingly, embarrassingly better than equivalent American CIA shows...."
What cracks me up is the "selling point" of the ad: "The hit show from A&E" (wtf?) with "over 90 minutes of brand new scenes!" It took me a second to figure out that they're bragging about the fact that A&E did some atrocious, hideous chopping to squeeze in 90 minutes of bland old commercials in the 6-ep run.
Whatever.
And, just another reminder that the
Region 1 DVDs are finally being released next week!
Shooshenova
Jan 6, 2004 @ 9:41 pm
english Hey, it's a hit in the U.K., a hit with the U.S. critics, and a hit with people who actually use their brain cells! Works for me. If only A&E knew how to promote this show, it would be a hit. Maybe, parent controller CBS will decide to get smart and put MI-5 on the network after a CSI show...and maybe give it a 90-minute slot? It was THE BEST reviewed tv show of the year and CBS seems willing to let shows grow an audience (it's a lot less expensive than producing a plethora of horrid pilots.)
Still, can't wait for season III anywhere. Delayed gratification is better than no gratification at all. A&E or whereever it ends up, the viewers will follow. Why? Because they have brains, can read, and deduce who will air the show and when.
english
Jan 7, 2004 @ 12:54 am
ShooshenovaHey, it's a hit in the U.K., a hit with the U.S. critics, and a hit with people who actually use their brain cells! Works for me.
Oh, I'm not arguing whether or not the show is a hit--I know it did very well in the UK and developed a bit of a cult American following thanks to A&E. I'm absolutely obsessed and I've only seen 9 of the original 16 eps. (I'm slowly working my way through my TiVo'd eps--savoring them like a box of Godiva truffles). I'm trying very hard to avoid spoiling myself for the last six eps, so I'm technically still on page 42 of this message board, with the Spooks thread bookmarked for when I'm done.
No, I'm only questioning the insinuation that this is an original
A&E series,
"The hit show from A&E"
as opposed to giving props to BBC.
*shrugs*
Shooshenova
Jan 7, 2004 @ 2:14 am
english Sorry, didn't quite infer that. I did see the ad and it does say BBC home video all over it. I guess we all have our blonde moments.
nowandlater
Jan 7, 2004 @ 3:37 am
Yes! There will be a 3rd season of MI-5, and Matthew Macfadyen will be back! Woo hoo!
Check out this article:While talking about the counter-terrorism expert he plays on British series MI-5, Matthew Macfadyen called him "Jack Bauer-esque."
Did that mean, then, that he's a fan of 24, the series where Kiefer Sutherland plays the sweaty terrorist-chasing Bauer?
"Oh, (bleep), yeah,'' Macfadyen said. "I've just watched the whole second season on DVD.... It's like eating cream cakes.'"
michelec
Jan 9, 2004 @ 11:16 am
News about Season 3 on A&E (scroll down about 3/4 of the page).
Be warned that there's casting spoilers in the link. Here's a snippet:
The life-and-death answers to Season Two's exhilarating cliffhanger will be revealed in Season Three of A&E Network's highly acclaimed spy series MI-5. Did Tom Quinn drown? Before he went into the ocean, did Tom kill his boss Harry Pearce? And, if he is alive, is Tom still on our side?
Principal Photography on the Third Season Begins January 2004
New Season Slated to Air on the A&E Network Late 2004
ETA maybe it's not too early to start bugging TPTB about putting the show in a 90 minute time slot so we can see the eps uncut.
attica finch
Jan 9, 2004 @ 11:39 am
Thanks for that link, michelec. What's really shocking is the item below the Mi-5 info, revealing that, in a separate A&E production, Tom Selleck will be playing Ike. I truly cannot wrap my head around that.
InnerCanuck
Jan 9, 2004 @ 1:33 pm
Tom Selleck as Ike? WTF?
But very good news about more MI-5, spoilers & all.
Shooshenova
Jan 9, 2004 @ 1:34 pm
Mil grazie michelec In reading the summaries of other A&E movies/shows on tap..."Barbie Forever." The fact that the woman who created Matel's Barbie ended up getting canned over financial misdeeds and then surfaced in her own business making prosthetic breasts! The truth is indeed better than fiction.
Glad to know the cast of MI-5 will be back (wasn't too surprised at that.) Also happy to hear of the new MI-6 intruder, though I hope this doesn't mean the end of Jools. It will stir the pot a bit and he is easy on the eyes...saw him in BBC Cambridge Spies.
SFHagood
Jan 9, 2004 @ 1:37 pm
Squeeeeee!!!!!
Tom! Ruthie! Harry!
That is very exciting news. You know, in case you couldn't tell by all the extra (!). Does Spooks air as it goes, or do they shoot the whole thing and then broadcast it?
oceloty
Jan 10, 2004 @ 2:11 am
Yay for season 3! But they haven't even filmed it yet? I think 2004 is going to be a very long year.
Does anyone want my MI-5 tapes (seasons 1 and 2)? I've been passing them around to my friends but have run out of people to hook. Anyway, if you'd like them, please let me know by e-mail.
nowandlater
Jan 10, 2004 @ 6:31 am
Great article in the NY TimesAnyone who has ever laughed at the image of Tony Blair as George W. Bush's poodle will be especially delighted by "MI-5," the politically astute, sleekly produced BBC spy drama about the British secret service. (The first season has just arrived on DVD, while the second continues in reruns on A&E.) Focusing on a counterterrorism unit, the series began filming in November 2001, and is so swift in its action, so pointed about post-9/11 threats, that it is easily the best suspense show around. And its subtext adds a witty edge: the theme of Anglo-American relations, a global-political version of intense sibling rivalry. As the countries compete with and often resent each other while jointly fighting the war on terror, there's no question which of them plays the bullying older sibling.
english
Jan 13, 2004 @ 8:28 pm
Yay! My DVDs arrived this afternoon. Three discs, spiffy little slipcover box.
And despite the BBC Video logo at the way top, there's also a bright red sticker calling it the "hit show from A&E with over
90 minutes of Brand-new scenes" (emphasis theirs). *shrugs*
Very exicted to get these, even if I won't watch til next month (I still have 4 eps of series 2 on TiVo, 2 seasons of Alias, 2.5 seasons of Buffy, and the Firefly DVDs to get through). I just hope the series 2 DVDs get released before series 3 starts in the US on A&E. I might need a refresher course!
Oh, and a Matthew Macfadyen alert:
The Reckoning opens March 5th.
eta: So i totally cheated and popped the first disc in to play with. Well, that menu interaction is just spiffy! Very, very clever and quite fun, though I wonder if it'll get old/annoying after a few go-rounds? Much like the first season of Buffy....
Endeavour
Jan 15, 2004 @ 7:45 pm
I've been checking out the new dvds too. It's nice to be able to finally see the parts that were edited out. One thing that's unusual is the subtitles. They just give you the gist of what's being said. I've never seen that before.
I've listened to the first two commentaries. The ep 1 commentary was a little boring, but the ep 2 commentary was better. There's a really funny part about how a shot was framed and a reindeer. It's a little difficult to hear everything, because they mumble quite a bit.
I'll definitely be buying S2 when it's available.
Shooshenova
Jan 17, 2004 @ 6:03 pm
Spooks voted Best Drama at 2003 British Drama awards. Second year in a row...not a huge surprise there.
Keeley Hawes finished second in
Best Actress voting and third in
Most Desirable star
Mathew MacFadyen finished fourth in voting for
Best Actor All results:
http://www.bbb.co.uk/drama/bestof2003/index.shtmlAlso, yahoo has a story of interest...MI-5
will be back on A&E next year with the cast intact! Good news all around.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040108/nyth187_1/html
kju
Feb 22, 2004 @ 12:56 pm
From the BBC Website:
NEWS: Spooks Series 3 is in production. A new 10 part series is due for 2004
Shooshenova
Feb 22, 2004 @ 2:32 pm
Um, YEAH! Nice to keep this thread going but this is old news. BBC says Spooks will arrive on tv in "late summer or early fall." A&E heavily butchered version of MI-5 to follow: fall or late fall.
Some new, dishy, hands on deck and hopefully a tighter zipper on Tom's pants. As to the "Tom won't be back" rumors. Not buying. (He may not appear on the first show, but he'll be back.)
VGMan
Feb 22, 2004 @ 7:51 pm
So essentially around August? why so long? Im crying on the inside. : (
Shooshenova
Feb 22, 2004 @ 10:45 pm
Why so long?
Well, first they have to shoot the shows and then edit them and send to post-production. Since Spooks production team prides itself on the "look" of the show, much like a movie, it does take a while to put ten shows in the can.
U.K. airing could be early summer??? I've heard various takes on when the BBC will start series 3 (anywhere from June to September), but as for us stateside...we'll have to wait a long while.
Hey good things are worth waiting for. I'd be happier if A&E didn't employ the industrial sized editing scissors. Perhaps they could throw us a bone by offering up one late show every week with the entire BBC 60-minute version (with commercials of course) that we could tape and watch at our leisure. But for now we wait to see if A&E has a plan (doubtful) or a promotion campaign (highly unlikely) or even a tidbit of info as to when the show might return. Dreaming....
InigoMontoya
Feb 25, 2004 @ 11:44 am
If last year is anything to go by, the new series in the UK starts at around the same time as the release of the previous one's DVD release. Amazon.co.uk list the Series 2 release for 1 June.
SkiffyPup
Mar 5, 2004 @ 3:42 pm
Spooks news for season three!
Olga Sosnovska (Currently playing Lena Kundera on All My Children in the states) has been cast in a lead role for season 3 of "Spooks/MI5".
The news was in TVGuide online today, and I'd go get you the link if the server wasn't having issues. (Crossing fingers for twopservers and projecting my meager healing powers...) And as a fan of hers... I have been sitting on this news for weeks. I'm so excited she's off AMC (Yay! I get my life back!). Be prepared for a mass influx of lesbian fans in this thread. She plays a lesbian on AMC and has a weirdly spectacular legion of fans. Between her and Keeley Hawes, I hope the "Spooks" is prepared for massive amounts of slashfic that will be forthcoming.
I heard a spoiler or spec that your Head Cheeze Tom is killed off in EP #2 season #3, but I have no independent info on that.
Olga is a Polish expat who grew up in the UK and still has a lovely UK accent. You won't hear it on AMC though ... she does a Polish accent there. If you're in the UK, you may remember her as Andrea Patton in "Take Me".
fndog
Mar 6, 2004 @ 10:16 pm
Wahoo!!! Olga Sosnovska on Spooks. Can't wait, I hear that the 3rd season is the 2nd season for the US, so we should be eye spyin her soon.
SkiffyPup
Mar 8, 2004 @ 12:18 pm
Dudes! There is new news.
Olga is replacing Keeley Hawes! That's what I heard from a BAMmer (Bianca and Maggie fan) who watches AMC.
tenblade
Mar 8, 2004 @ 2:57 pm
Dag, Skiffy, there go my plans for some fab slashfic for Olga and Keeley. Woe is me!
Thus begins the lesbionic influx into this thread. I watched series one of MI5 here in the states, but I sort of lost interest in the second series because of a brief flirtation with Queer Eye. However, wild dogs (horses?) couldn't keep me from Olga on anything, so this will be appointment viewing for me as soon as the new episodes start airing.
Olga posted on her board today that she was very recently in the UK for two weeks shooting, and now isn't due back there till May. Seems like forever till I'll get a glimpse of her doing her unbelievably gorgeous regular accent.
SkiffyPup
Mar 9, 2004 @ 4:28 pm
removed post so it would not mislead.
politikgirl
Mar 9, 2004 @ 7:33 pm
I'm so behind on buying some TV show DVDs (the life of a poor university student) that I haven't been able to get the North American release of Spooks/MI-5 on DVD yet... but once I get S2 of Alias, both seasons of Dark Angel and S1 of Roswell... (haha, that will take forever), I'll get these.
I love Spooks/MI-5 but I missed a few episodes while at school and then missed all of S2. Now they're not even doing reruns anymore. And I can't get BitTorrent to work here in residence. I'll have to download some eps when I'm at home on the weekend.
What is with all these rumours about certain cast members leaving & being replaced?
maraleia
Mar 9, 2004 @ 8:56 pm
The news is that Olga Sosnovska is being added as a cast member for this upcoming season. She's a talented actress that is currently being wasted on All My Children. Her role on AMC was part of a groundbreaking Lesbian storyline that has been essentially dropped out of fear so I'm glad she's going to a show that will appreciate her considerable talents.
politikgirl
Mar 9, 2004 @ 11:52 pm
I'm glad to see a new cast member being added, but I hope this doesn't mean replacing Matthew or Keeley, both whom I really admire. Thanks for the info though (or should I say... intel?).
ladyslug
Mar 10, 2004 @ 6:53 pm
The rumor in the Spooks thread says that there is the possibility (and this is by no means confirmed in any way) that this Olga person may be replacing Keeley, unfortunately.
politikgirl
Mar 10, 2004 @ 7:55 pm
That would be absolutely terrible. Keeley is an amazing actress who brings a special dimension to the show. I've also heard rumours of Matthew leaving, which is abominable as well... I love him. Plus ofcourse, he's a great actor and really leads the series. I don't know if I want to believe the rumour - I'm a big fan of the Nile River. ;) I'm happy to see a new face on the show, but if this means lose Keeley and/or Matthew, then I'd rather not. Thanks for the info.
Richyyy
Mar 10, 2004 @ 8:30 pm
politikgirl, welcome to TWoP, but if you want to avoid the wrath of the mods, then
please don't sign your posts.
Reading the rest of the
FAQ is recommended, too.
politikgirl
Mar 10, 2004 @ 8:56 pm
Thanks, I thought I had read the whole FAQ but I obviously missed something. Thanks.
Meady
Mar 11, 2004 @ 1:13 am
Chiming in to say that I think it's good news that Olga Sosnovska will be joining the cast at MI-5 (hopefully not due to the release of any other beloved cast member). As maraleia has said, Olga is a great actress in search of a great part. If the writers accomodate us with a good part, I don't think anyone will be disappointed.
SkiffyPup
Mar 21, 2004 @ 2:34 pm
And I read somewhere that there will be a PC/Playstation2/X-Box game release around the time of the series 3 launch. Ubercool.
Oh- Olga is hot and this should be a fun fall.
I doubt she'll be in the game tho - that shit takes forever to produce and she's new.
politikgirl
Mar 27, 2004 @ 12:04 am
A game? Neat. I don't play games anymore, but with this and the Alias game, I might start playing them again.
politikgirl
Apr 6, 2004 @ 9:55 pm
Oh, quick question. Any news confirming the cast? I haven't been following it lately, but with this show, like 24, I feel the need to check every so often, as they obviously have no problem killing people off.
JeanPoole
Apr 6, 2004 @ 11:37 pm
Last interview I saw was on Zap2it with Keeley Hawes (Zoe) talking about how everyone was back and ready to start filming the new year. Obviously Zoe gets a big character arc this year, but Hawes also muses about the fact that producers are not averse to killing characters off.
Other interview with MacFadyen and Firth regarding release of DVD of Series I implied all characters were coming back, including MacFadyen. Though, for how long remains hush, hush. Kudos production team holds their tongue (and presumably their liquor) rather well. Production team has been seen all around London, with Hawes and Oyelowo out in the field the most. MacFadyen has been seen as well.
As to the new characters...we shall wait and see. I'm willing to trust the production team and the writers on this one. We'll see what they come up with.
politikgirl
Apr 7, 2004 @ 6:42 pm
Thanks for the update. I don't know if I can bear losing any cast members, so this news makes me happy. Does anyone have any specific dates, or even months, regarding when series 3 will be on in the U.K. and then on A&E in North America?
JeanPoole
Apr 7, 2004 @ 6:47 pm
Think Fall. I'm guessing, just guessing, September-ish for U.K., October-ish in U.S. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, but A&E appears clueless so we'll just have to think for them.
politikgirl
Apr 8, 2004 @ 10:52 am
A&E has got to be one of the worst for keeping viewers up-to-date on things like that. Can't wait till fall if that's when we're going to be seeing series 3. Any news on when series 2 is going out on DVD in North America?
JeanPoole
Apr 8, 2004 @ 2:55 pm
Only news is that Series-2 dvd coming out in the summer in the U.K. I would imagine a late summer, early fall release for U.S. (Depends on A&E and if/when they're running the Series-2 episodes...they don't want to run them if the dvds are out because people will be able to see the hatchet-edit job they inflict.)
politikgirl
Apr 8, 2004 @ 5:20 pm
But they're already run series 2 on A&E, so I don't see why they'd have any issues with the release of series 2 on DVD.
SkiffyPup
Apr 20, 2004 @ 4:55 pm
Olga on her official fanboard-
Full Post
here. Below is an edited to take out the soap stuff copy:
olga
The Real Deal
Posts: 27
(4/20/04 5:07 pm)
SO-LONG!
-
Dearest, lovely all,
I am about to leave for London. I probably should have written this days ago but, as usual, events have been quickly gathering pace and I’ve barely managed to keep up…
(snip)
So, this is it!
(snip)
What next?
I am leaving the country (snip)
On a more practical level, I should probably inform you that my own humble contribution will doubtlessly continue in the present form. Although I will not have a computer with me in London I’m sure I will be able to get access to one often enough to drop you a line or two about some of the new developments. I’ve just read the script for the episode which starts filming in a week or so and it looks like I’ll be pretty busy! The story-lines are intense and my character is more removed from “me” than probably anything I’ve ever played before. I’m still trying to figure out what makes this woman tick and I can’t wait to get some more detailed input about her character from the producers.
I should probably clarify how exactly I am being introduced to” MI-5”: the 3rd season started filming in January. My character, however does not appear until episode 4 (this I filmed over the 2 weeks in February). Then the story continues without me until episode 7. By episode 8 I will be a fully-fledged member of the “team”. Next season (assuming there IS one) I’m in from beginning to end.
I am not sure about precise airing dates yet, but I’m told that the series will air in the UK in the autumn and there is apparently only a two month delay in the U.S.
So, my friends, wish me luck! It looks like we’re in for a fun ride!
I promise to keep in touch as often as I can.
With all my love and much nervous excitement,
Olga.
(snip)
There you have it. :-) Also- Keep an eye out for more in
Mimi Torchin's Soap Opera Weeky (Supermarket tabloid - I know! Just buy it in the self check line. LOL) column on stands around April 26th. She just did an exit interview with Olga and will be revealing some there ... and I'll let you know if she has additional info in her online monthly column on Soapnet.com
tijmetje
Apr 30, 2004 @ 11:02 am
the series will air in the UK in the autumn
I'm not sure, but I think the voice over presenter lady mentioned I had to wait until next summer to find out whether Tom was still alive. Maybe I am misremembering. Or things have changed.
Anyway, I can't wait for it.
SkiffyPup
May 1, 2004 @ 8:34 pm
Mimi Torchin's soapnet.com online interview with Olga breaks some news:
Her character is named "Fiona Carter" and is married. Her huband will also be a lead on the show. His name is Adam Carter and is being played by Rupert Penry-Jones
If Spooks/MI5 is picked up for additional seasons, Olga will be on for the entire run next year and the year thereafter.
JeanPoole
May 2, 2004 @ 12:53 am
Rupert Penry-Jones had been announced a while ago as he plays the new MI-6 guy coming in to take over Tom's department. He was in Cambridge Spies and was very good in that and is easy on the eyes.
Rumors rampant about both MacFadyen and Hawes leaving but they are rumors...one never really knows until it happens so it's best just to watch and see what develops. If the scripts are still good, we'll watch, if they turn in into Alias U.K., I'm gone. Sorry, Alias is still too stooopid for words. Garner's adorable and Garber is great, but, sheesh, the stories seem to be penned by a 12 year old.
That said, the new TNT show The Grid appears to be a major rip-off of Spooks/MI-5, but it stars American actors with prettier teeth and better make-up. I'm not holding my breath here.
SkiffyPup
May 2, 2004 @ 5:38 pm
Heh. Well, good thing Olga, a Polish immigrant to the UK, has pretty teeth and is, frankly, hot looking and tall. Together with Rupert, they'll increase the pretty + good actor factor vis a vis any competition.
Maybe that is what Spooks had in mind ... if the rumors you mention are borne out ... as I believe they will be.
I do not expect Alias UK ... as MI5 is still the focus of the show, not MI6.
halo_pub
Jun 14, 2004 @ 6:44 pm
It looks like they'll be wrapping up shooting for the third season soon, because MacFadyen supposed to become the next
Darcy in July. It's great they cast him - he's already shown a great ability in portraying a likeable martyr - but I think Keeley would make a more convincing Elizabeth than Keira Knightly (too young next to Matthew!).
Personally, I'd get a kick of them mixing up Spooks with Austen. Spys in regency era gowns, maybe getting themselves embroiled in some Napolean escapades...
JeanPoole
Jun 14, 2004 @ 8:11 pm
I DO like MacFadyen, but Colin Firth will be tough to beat. He was perfect as Darcy and I'm not too sure why Working Title wants to remake Pride and Prejudice so soon after the BBC version which got to get a lot of the book into the film.
I can NOT get behind Keira Knightley. I know she's adorable and cute and skinny. Elizabeth IS young but a bit chunky, no? I also don't think Knightley has the acting chops for this. (Hawes does, but casting Hawes and MacFadyen would just be too cute.)
This whole thing does seem to confirm the rampant rumors that Series-3 is it for both MacFadyen and Hawes...both want to do film work and Spooks/MI-5 just takes a 7-month exhausting bite out of the year. A very good gig though.
Philo T Farnsworth
Jun 15, 2004 @ 10:52 pm
For those who are impatient, Season 2 DVDs have been released in Australia. They appear to have no extras, but I have not been able to watch mine yet.
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