Treason Film 2022
Treason is a nail-biting thriller about M16 agent Adam Lawrence’s life and career. It hits Netflix on Boxing Day, and stars Charlie Cox alongside Olga Kurylenko and Ciaran Hinds. Filming took place in Maidstone, with Sessions House (a local government office building) doubling as Westminster.
From kompromat to shady Russian lords and the Conservative leadership campaign, Treason crams in a lot of plot within its five episodes. But the characters lack depth, which drains the tension.
MI6 Deputy Chief Adam Lawrence (Daredevil’s Charlie Cox) is forced to take over the position of Chief of MI6 after Sir Martin Angelis (Ciaran Hinds) is poisoned. But when the past catches up with him in the form of Russian spy Kara Yerzov (Olga Kurylenko), Adam is forced to question everything and everyone in his life.
While Treason crams a lot into its five episodes, it’s hard to feel genuinely engaged with all of the shady maneuvering. It’s also a bit confusing when it comes to the characters.
Oscar-nominated writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies) eschews realistic details for a brisk, fast-paced limited series that balances spies do spy-type things with soap opera-esque relationship twists. He shrewdly includes Tracy Ifeachor’s CIA agent Dee, Kara, Adam’s ex-lover and possible adversary, and Oona Chaplin as Maddy, the deputy chief’s wife, to keep the plot moving at a furiously rapid pace. It doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Bodyguard but is entertaining enough to keep you hooked.
Written by Matt Charman
While the Christmas turkey and leftovers start to run low, there’s still plenty to look forward to over the next few weeks. This includes Treason, a new British spy thriller from Oscar-nominated writer Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies).
The playwright from Horsham, West Sussex, began his career writing for the theatre, with his debut A Night at the Dogs winning him the Verity Bargate Award in 2004 and three world premieres at London’s National Theatre including Five Wives of Maurice Pinder and The Observer. In 2012, his play Regrets starring Ansel Elgort opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York.
His screenwriting credits include the Suite Franchise and Black Work. He also co-wrote the 2015 film Bridge of Spies, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance.
Directed by Matt Charman
A Bodyguard-vibes political thriller, Treason comes from the Bridge of Spies writer’s London-based production company Binocular Productions. Charman will write, showrun and exec produce. Foz Allan (Rivera) and Valery Ryan (Steel) also executive produce with Louise Hooper, who helmed an episode of The Witcher, co-directing.
A deliciously dark dose of British espionage, the first trailer for Treason sees M16 trained and groomed agent Adam Lawrence’s past catch up with him in the form of Russian spy Kara Yerzov. As a triangular relationship develops between them, he is forced to question everything and everyone in his life. Treason hits Netflix on 26th December.
Starring Oona Chaplin
Oona Chaplin, best known as Talisa Maegyr in Game of Thrones and Kitty Trevelyan in the BBC drama The Crimson Field, also starred in the 2017 film Taboo. She is a member of the famed acting Chaplin family and granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin.
She grew up in New York, where she attended the prestigious Brearley all-girls school and once received long daily letters from The Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger.
She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since then, she has nabbed small TV and movie roles. Oona plays Adam’s wife, Maddy. She also starred as Zilpha Geary in the period TV show Taboo.
Starring Ciaran Hinds
The year 2022 has been a good one for fans of spy thrillers. Besides the latest offering from Noah Centineo, Daredevil’s Charlie Cox is also back with another intriguing Netflix production titled Treason.
Treason’s creator Matt Charman is Oscar-nominated for writing 2015’s Bridge of Spies, and he has delivered a gripping five episode series here. Olga Kurylenko (Black Widow, Quantum of Solace) is a standout as the dangerous Russian spy Kara Yerzov.
Oona Chaplin is the emotional heart of the show as Adam Lawrence’s wife Maddy De Costa. Chaplin is a versatile actress who has been on the stage, screen and cinemas since she was a child.
Starring Olga Kurylenko
Olga Kurylenko’s ethereal beauty and unique features have made her one of the world’s most sought-after leading ladies. She often works on several projects at once and enjoys travelling and collaborating with fashion brands. Kurylenko has also used her platform to destigmatize mental health and encourage open conversations.
Previously a Bond girl as Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace, she’s appeared in countless other films including White Elephant, Vanishing and Wonderland. The Russian actress has a talent for all genres and shows no fear of challenging herself with new projects.
In Treason, she portrays Kara Yerzov. The character is complex and incredibly well realised, showing hints of her tragic past.