Spooks Season 9 [** Spoilers **]

marybrowne

Hi folks!

I know i've already posted a thread about Gossip Girl Season 3, but i'm also wondering if anyone knows when BBC1 are starting Season 9 of Spooks! (Gossip Girl to Spooks! I know! Variety is the spice of Life!);)

thanks
M

Conor108

I THINK its usually around mid-october

marybrowne

Thanks!

JP Liz V1

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a209769/laila-rouass-to-join-cast-of-spooks.html

Laila Rouass will appear in the next season of Spooks.

The former Footballers' Wives star and Strictly Come Dancing contestant will join the cast of the BBC One show when it returns in the autumn.

Sophia Myles, who has starred in Doctor Who, and Mistresses actor Max Brown are also lined up to appear in the ninth series of the programme.

It has been announced that Iain Glen and Simon Russell Beale would also be joining the series as regulars, though details of their characters are not being disclosed at this time. It still remains unclear if Hermione Norris will return to the series.

However, the BBC's Sarah Brandist refused to reveal details of the new cast members' storylines.

"The new additions will really ruffle some feathers," she said. "But we don't want to give too much away as intrigue and betrayal are at the heart of the storylines."

Earlier this year, the BBC denied rumours that Spooks was about to be axed.

marybrowne

Thanks so much! I love love love this programme!

dcr22B

Richard Armitage returns as MI5 officer Lucas North in the ninth series of the BBC spy drama. It'll be broadcast on BBC One, beginning some time during the week commencing 18th September.

mike65

Laila Rouass? From the ridiculous to the sublime eh?

Conor108

Should we not have a trailer by now?

ejmaztec

Monday 20th at 9pm, 1st one of 8.:D

Mr E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyjHjtVlW90

JP Liz V1

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s120/spooks/interviews/a276603/richard-armitage-spooks.html

Richard Armitage interview

What do you think the theme of this series of Spooks is?
"The theme of the series is probably deception. And appearance and reality - what you think things are and who you think people are and who they really are."

How does Lucas react to Ros's death?
"I think Lucas is quite shaken by Ros's death. It reaffirms the danger of the world that we live in. They worked closely together and she was somebody that he really respected and admired, so it's quite a difficult thing to deal with. But actually, at the very moment he's trying to deal with it they're out on a really difficult mission, so it's one of those things where you rise above it and carry on with the job. But I think it rocks his foundations slightly and he starts to question what the job's about. At the same time this thing comes back from his past to crack his foundations."

Lucas has had a bit of a dark side in the past. Does that come out more in this series?
"The previous series have been very much about Lucas's prison sentence, and that's sort of coloured his present life. But we go much further back this time and have ghosts from the past. Maya, played by Laila Rouass, is one of the characters that comes back and she really opens up the Pandora's Box and makes him look at who he was before he went to prison, so we find out another Lucas."

How was it for you, playing a whole new side to Lucas?
"It's interesting. It feels like working in reverse because we've already established his background and then we've had to go and establish a much deeper background, so we have to make sure what we've shot in the present makes sense. And also it's taken me by surprise because the writers gave me something which I hadn't factored into my own biography. But it's fine because everything just shifts. It's quite exciting to play."

You mentioned Maya, Lucas's ex-girlfriend. How does he react to her return?
"It takes him by surprise. It comes in terms of a photograph, which really stimulates a very strong memory. He's just compelled to see her. It's Proustian - it kind of takes him all the way back to the time when they were together and everything was right. It was 15 years ago and they've really changed. His memory is something quite pure and amazing and real because since then he's playing this guy who's a spy and he's kind of lost himself in all those different characters that he's been playing and the legends he's been playing and the work he's been doing with his colleagues. She's real and it really shapes his future."

What happens when Lucas reunites with Maya?
"They go on quite an interesting journey because she really has moved on in her life and he has to fight quite hard to get her to even listen to him. They do rekindle something and it starts to burn but before it gets a chance to really ignite, there's another character who throws water over it."

In previous series we've seen Lucas get distracted by things and focus all his energy on them. Does that happen with Maya?
"Yeah. I mean, it happens more with another character called Vaughan who comes in in episode one and he really turns. He has a hook inside Lucas and he can really control him, so really for the entire series Lucas is being controlled by somebody else. And this character uses Maya as a way of controlling him."

Will Lucas's relationship with Sarah in the last series continue to affect him?
"I think it's made him question those personal relationships which are so difficult to maintain while doing this particular job. He's had two significant failed relationships. Hers was a weird one. She was his sort of equal for the CIA and it was quite volatile. So I think the failure of that relationship is making him question 'Is it possible for me to actually have a strong personal relationship and do this job?' and in a way that's one of the themes of this series."

A couple of series ago, Lucas was the new character. What's it like being one of the main ones now?
"After Ros's death, Lucas is asked to step up to be head of section. It feels like quite a natural progression and then our new team come in. I feel kind of responsible for them. I choose them as my team. Lucas has a nurturing aspect and he bears the responsibility quite well, although he's still dealing with the cracks in his foundation at the same time. It's a balancing act."

How does Lucas respond when he's asked to become the head of section?
"I think he's wary of it but actually waiting for it. It's a test of whether Harry will trust him or not. There really isn't anybody else around that could do it other than Ruth and she's not actually an operative, she's an analyst. In a way, when there is no-one there you kind of expect it to come your way, but there are no guarantees. Harry could draft in somebody new. It's a moment where they are kind of pitted against each other but Harry delivers, so there is a sense of Lucas finally getting the trust that he's craved from Harry."

How does Lucas react to the new recruits? Does he trust them?
"He's chosen them really. With Beth, she is a bit of a liability and I think he quite likes that. She's dangerous, she's brave, she'll go out on a limb, which is quite useful in a woman in this profession. To have somebody that thinks and behaves in the same kind of physical, mental strength as a man is rather brilliant. And Dimitri, his skillset is very useful. He's special services so he's an explosions expert. He's picking a team that's covering all the bases and he's quite nurturing towards them."

Last series the show's big storyline was Nightingale. What is it this time?
"Albany. It's very hard to describe. It's something they're chasing. It's something that's been developed, and it's terrifying to humanity. That's all I can say! But it's terrifying. And actually I don't think it exists, but it has the possibility to absolutely exist in real life. It's possible."

Do you think that's why Spooks is popular, because it deals with things that are so realistic?
"I think so. And because they get the science behind it. You think there's no way this could happen, but when you start to analyse it, it probably already exists. It's probably existed for a while. And that's in a way what Albany is - it's kind of like a voice at the back of the global subconscious saying, 'Be careful of this because it's probably already out there'."

Spooks returns for a new series on September 20 at 9pm on BBC One

Conor108

That trailer got removed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyjHjtVlW90

scout353

Strange that this is not being broadcast on BBC HD!

Pity!

The Black Oil

A pretty good start to the series.

Spooks has often tried to keep things current, hence the

piracy, private contractor, those mini-subs (poor CGI, but they do exist) and the quip about MP's expenses. I liked that they change it up slightly and had a teenage girl as a hacker. Was expecting it not to be the Dad or that it was the wrong address. Not sure what to make of the thing at the end - Lucas's past was always bound to catch up with him, even with the transfer back from Russia it seemed like he wasn't always going to be Lucas. Damn the promo for the next week. Truthfully, I think I would have preferred it if Harry had seen his resignation through, if you're gonna go, go. Don't hang about because London came to the brink of catastrophe and you were able to dust off a secret weapon.

mike65

I always flick away before the trailer glimpse for next week!

Good stuff I like our new operatives (I'm assuming the "Russian" is also going to be on the Grid) That Lucas, doing a Don Draper!

Mr E

Thread renamed to allow for spoiler free discussion.

Really good start to the season. The promo last week left me a bit cold to be honest, but the first episode made up for it. Loved the pre-credit scene in the remote house. I wonder if the Home Secretary grabbing Harry's shoe will come to anything later on?

I'm sorry I watched the promo for next week. It looks like it will be a great episode, but that last shot was a major spoiler.

From events in this episode, I think the signs are there that this will be

Harry's last season

....

ixoy

Enjoyed this - I'm still sorry to see Roz go though. She was one of my favourites.

On the topic of keeping it current - didn't they also mention something about a coalition government?

Was there any hint that the former home secretary was crooked before this episode? Seemed a bit out of the blue.

I didn't watch the trailer but someone, in another thread, assumed we all did and spoilt it for me. Idiots.

mike65

The coalition was mentioned as was mumsnet.com (in-joke),

the previous HS was part of the American led global conspiracy (Nightingale) that took up much of last series, you may remember he was apparently framed and then cleared - he was part of it all along.

DeepBlue

So that Nightingale thing is all finished then? Last season was such a mess.
If the first episode of this season is anything to go by then this season promises to be somewhat better.

From the preview of next week

surely they wouldn't introduce a character to kill her off after one episode?

ixoy

mike65 wrote: »

you may remember he was apparently framed and then cleared - he was part of it all along.[/spoiler]

Oh I recall that but are we expected to believe that the framing was just a fake and this happened off screen?

mike65

Yes! Its Spooks.

Niall06

Missed this, can't find it repeated anywhere. Anybody know if its been shown again

dcr22B

Niall06 wrote: »

Missed this, can't find it repeated anywhere. Anybody know if its been shown again

If you have a Sky box, try and tune in one of the regional BBC channels as they have repeats on Sunday night (not BBC NI unfortunately).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mf4b/episodes/upcoming

Whippersnapper

Anyone watching at the moment?

The Black Oil

Well, this week's was a bit of a let down and fairly daft, not even good daft on Spooks's usual daftometer. I wasn't expecting a repeat of last week's budget or global setup by any means, but meh. Plus, it bugs when me a show feels like it has to point out the bleedin' obvious to its audience 'where do you think they hid the gun? In the hotel..' Um, yeah. As for the Beth angle...

Mr E

Anyone still watching?

Last weeks episode was great, and last nights was even better. Just 2 weeks left....

Doodah7

Yes. I thought last night's episode was the best in the series. Good pacing and tension all the way through the episode. I also thought the music was very good, particularly with that subdued paino motif...

mike65

Who is doing what to who!? Thats all I want to know. :pac: Malcolms reappearance was welcome but who is is working for?

marybrowne

Does anyone else think that this season isn't as good as last seasons? Spoiler alert! - I'm sorry but i'm finding it a bit hard to swallow the whole Lucas/John betraying his country for love in the space of one or two episodes. If Ros was here she'd kick his ass!

Anchises

AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

I missed it tonite !

I'm a little upset at Lucas's turn to the dark side ....
He had such promise..

But they all seem to go down dark alleys at some point....

ever since the first series betrayal has been at the core of good plots

A.

ShamoBuc

Anchises wrote: »

AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!

I missed it tonite !

I'm a little upset at Lucas's turn to the dark side ....
He had such promise..

But they all seem to go down dark alleys at some point....

ever since the first series betrayal has been at the core of good plots

A.

Tuned in at the credits - gutted, think its repeated on BBC3 on Thurs