In the thrilling new ITV series "Betrayal," Shaun Evans transitions from the hallowed halls of Oxford, where he portrayed the iconic young Morse in "Endeavour," to the more gritty and mundane settings of Stockport service stations. This shift might seem surprising after a decade spent in a classic role, but Evans shines as he takes on the lead in this contemporary espionage drama.
The show centers on a character who, while steeped in the world of espionage, is also a devoted parent, balancing toddler outings with covert operations. In one of the opening scenes, viewers are humorously introduced to him as he retrieves a tube of Anusol while stepping into a service station bathroom—don’t worry, the application is not shown!
To hook the audience right from the start, "Betrayal" begins with a gripping scene: MI5 officer John Hughes (played by Evans) is at a service station to rendezvous with an Iranian informant who claims to possess critical intelligence about a potential terrorist plot. Just as Hughes negotiates safe passage for his family in exchange for this information, chaos erupts when a gunman approaches and fatally shoots the informant. What follows is a frantic chase that ends with the assassin's demise, setting the stage for the turmoil that ensues at MI5 headquarters.
Hughes’s reckless decision to meet the informant alone does not sit well with his superiors. Faced with the consequences of his actions—both a dead body at a public location and the ramifications of breaking protocol—he finds himself on administrative leave and pressured to accept "voluntary" redundancy. However, true to the nature of a maverick agent, Hughes feels compelled to investigate the terror threat, refusing to let go of the lead.
While the overarching plot may seem straightforward, it is the performances that elevate the narrative. Evans infuses charm and a sense of rebellion into Hughes's character, while Romola Garai delivers a strong performance as Claire, Hughes’s wife, who grapples with the secrecy surrounding her husband’s job. This secrecy has previously led to a breach of trust between them, especially since it intertwines with Hughes’s past infidelity. Claire expresses her frustrations to a counselor, stating that Hughes's behavior often suggests he is up to something suspicious.
Adding complexity to the storyline is the dual narrative of Hughes’s professional life and his domestic struggles. The latter proves to be equally compelling as the couple navigates their differing social classes—Claire being a middle-class GP—and the unequal division of responsibilities in parenting. The writing, crafted by playwright David Eldridge, stands out for its authenticity, capturing the way people genuinely converse. For instance, Hughes's candid remark, "What a d--k," after an unpleasant phone call with a colleague, resonates with real-world dialogue.
The character of Simone Grant, portrayed by Nikki Amuka-Bird, serves as Hughes's boss at MI5 and brings another layer of depth to the series. Her presence is not just a matter of diversity; it plays a significant role in the narrative. Grant recalls her entry into MI5 as part of a cohort that included working-class individuals like Hughes, highlighting the agency's efforts towards inclusivity, yet she reflects on the challenges she faced in gaining acceptance within the organization. She critiques the superficial nature of these diversity initiatives, noting that while some public schoolboys left, equally aggressive working-class replacements stepped in.
With four episodes in total, the conclusion of the series may feel somewhat rushed. Nevertheless, it leaves viewers eager to see what Evan’s next role will entail.
Catch "Betrayal" on ITV1 starting February 9 at 9 PM, with all episodes available on ITVX.
