Latest news with #DamianLewis
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Damian Lewis teams up with music hitmaker behind success of huge Nineties star for next album
Plus, scroll to read why Simon Cowell's partner isn't a fan of him going phoneless WISE CHOICE Damian Lewis teams up with music hitmaker behind success of huge Nineties star for next album Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DAMIAN LEWIS has been hard at work on the follow-up to debut album Mission Creep. And my insiders say the Homeland actor has joined forces once again with Guy Chambers — the man behind some of Robbie Williams' biggest hits, including Angels, Millennium and Rock DJ – in a bid to nail down some belters. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 14 Damian Lewis has joined forces with Guy Chambers — the man behind some of Robbie Williams' biggest hits Credit: Getty A source revealed: 'Guy co-wrote Damian's song The Night We Called It A Day, and the pair worked so well together that Damian wanted the Angels hitmaker back in the studio with him. Damian has loved swapping acting for singing and was delighted with the response to his debut record. 'His acting schedule is less hectic this year and so he has decided to get back in the studio. 'Damian worked so well with Guy on their previous track, so it was a no-brainer to get him involved again, especially considering he penned Robbie's biggest hits. 'Damian is excited for people to hear what they come up with.' When the actor first revealed he was trying his hand at singing in 2023, he admitted he was nervous about the reaction he would get. He said: 'There's always a fear of impostor syndrome but, at the same time, I felt very relaxed. 'I think I was enjoying it so much, I didn't stop to think whether I should or shouldn't. 'Life is short — it took a pandemic for me to sit down and write some songs.' But he added: It's important to say, I don't expect to suddenly become Bruce Springsteen. 'I haven't given up acting — I love it and I'll continue to do it. Damien Lewis leaves F1 fans stunned with 'horrific' rendition of national anthem 'But [music] does feel different, and I'm having tremendous fun doing it.' Damian's record, Mission Creep, got decent reviews when it came out in 2023 and, with Guy on board, I don't doubt this album will fare just as well. Until then, his fans can look forward to seeing him on screen in World War II film, Pressure — about the 72 hours leading up to D-Day — alongside actors Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott. Damian is also starring in Jimmy Carr's screenwriting debut Fackham Hall, which is a spoof comedy that takes the mick out of Downton Abbey. Well, they do say variety is the spice of life . . . 14 Damian Lewis has been hard at work on the follow-up to debut album Mission Creep Credit: Getty Jade smashes tour JADE's fans are calling for her to play Radio 1's Big Weekend main stage next year after she smashed her set in the new music tent. The Angel Of My Dreams singer was on the line-up alongside the brilliant Flo, who packed out the venue in Liverpool, and Tate McRae who is on her Miss Possessive arena tour. 14 Jade's fans are calling for her to play Radio 1's Big Weekend main stage next year Credit: Splash 14 Jade took the stage at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sefton Park, Liverpool Credit: Splash 14 Renée Downer, Stella Quaresma and Jorja Douglas of Flo perform in Liverpool Credit: Getty 14 Tate McRae is also on her Miss Possessive arena tour Credit: Shutterstock Editorial It was Jade's first big performance since she announced her debut album, That's Showbiz Baby! which is out September 12. The Big Weekend was a good warm up for the Little Mix star, who will head out on her first solo tour this October. Jade will play nine shows in cities including Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester. Her final show will take place at London's Roundhouse on October 19. We love to see Jade rise and rise - and expect big things from her debut album. Demi said yes in a Viv dress CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Demi Lovato who got married on Sunday evening. The American star tied the knot with fellow singer-songwriter Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes, three years after meeting in the studio while working on her 2022 album Holy Fvck. 14 Demi Lovato got married on Sunday Credit: Getty She had a Vivienne Westwood dress designed especially for her for the occasion. Demi, who got engaged in December 2023, said: 'When I was thinking about [what dress style I wanted], I often found myself coming back to Vivienne's designs, specifically how the silhouettes really compliment the curves in your body, and her use of corsets.' The couple also had a wedding rehearsal on Saturday afternoon. They followed Sunday's ceremony with a reception, where she wore another ivory silk satin Vivienne Westwood dress. From drink and drug addictions to the pitfalls of fame and life in the spotlight as a child star, Demi has certainly not had an easy ride. But she looks healthier and happier than ever these days. I'm thrilled to see things going well for her. A good shout, Lu HE has a whopping ten Top Ten singles to her name, was married to Maurice Gibb from The Bee Gees, won Eurovision, had a fling with David Bowie and sang a Bond theme. So there would be plenty of drama if British music legend Lulu made a biopic… and that might just be happening – with a massive Hollywood star playing the role. 14 British music legend Lulu is getting a biopic Credit: Getty 14 Lulu had a fling with Bowie Credit: Getty 14 Saoirse Ronan is one of the star's favourite actresses Credit: Getty 14 Lulu thinks Reese Witherspoon could be a good casting Credit: Getty The Shout singer has revealed she is in talks to bring her life story to the big screen, after she told The Sun last year that there were discussions about a potential career-spanning documentary. In a new, exclusive chat, she told Bizarre: 'The documentary might be a film about my life. It might be all sorts of things. There are several interested parties talking about how it should go.' Her memoir, If Only You Knew, is out on September 25 so there will be even more stories to include in a movie. She added: 'I think the book has to come out first. I can't commit to any more right now, but maybe. And who do I want to play me? I think Reese Witherspoon might be good. 'But one of my favourite actresses right now is Saoirse Ronan. Does she sing? I think she can do anything.' It has been a decade since Lulu's last album but she said fans shouldn't get their hopes up for another any time soon. She explained: 'I haven't been in the studio, but my brother and I have been writing. I've been writing with a couple of friends.' With a book, film and her popular podcast on the go, I can't blame her for leaving the studio alone. CAUGHT LIVE: HURTS @ O2 Academy Brixton, London ★★★★☆ 14 Theo Hutchcraft of Hurts Credit: Getty HURTS may have been one man down, but you wouldn't have known it by the adoring and rabid sell out crowd. The Manchester duo burst onto the scene in 2010 with their debut album Happiness and now lead singer Theo Hutchcraft is celebrating its 15th anniversary, although he's without his bandmate Adam Anderson, who is taking time away from the group for his mental health. On stage, Theo says: 'We are a man down, and no-one misses Adam more than me tonight. He sends his love.' But fans have waited seven long years to see Hurts perform in their home country and the show lives up to the hype. Impeccably dressed as a hero on a victory lap, Theo looked in his element, flinging white roses into the audience whilst the dancers, string section and even an opera singer added the perfect amount of melodrama to the occasion. A decade and a half on, there's still plenty of love for Hurts. New album from Ken KENNY THOMAS has revealed he is releasing his first album in 15 years. The British soul singer will drop Unstoppable on August 8, with his new single If I Can't Have You out today. Kenny will take the record out of tour next year, with the dates lining up with the 35th anniversary of his debut album, Voices, which saw him land a string of hits with Thinking About Your Love, Best Of You and Outstanding. Kenny's tour will see him play the Gateshead Glasshouse on March 19 2026, before he plays in Manchester, London, Southend and Birmingham. He said of his new record: ''It's my first studio album in 15 years and honestly, I think it's some of my best work to date. 'I'm sure my fans will connect with it and enjoy listening to it. 'They've been with me from the beginning and we now have my biggest ever UK tour on sale including the legendary Eventim Apollo in London which is all because of them. 'I love performing and we can't wait to take these songs on the road as well as the hits that my fans expect.' 'Expect some noise' TO celebrate the release of their tenth album Antidepressants on September 5, Suede are taking over the Southbank Centre in London for four huge nights. The shows, on the 13th, 14th, 17th and 19th, will see the band taking over four parts of the landmark venue, with Brett Anderson saying: 'Expect old songs, new songs, borrowed songs, blue songs, drama, melody, noise, sweat and a couple of surprises.' Tickets are available now but you'll need to move fast, with their Suede: Off Mic show in the Purcell Room on September 17 already sold out. Simon keeps in touch HE famously doesn't own a phone but Simon Cowell has made sure wannabe stars of the future can still contact him. But his fiancee Lauren Silverman might not be best pleased about it, because the old X Factor boss has admitted he's taken to giving out her number and getting her to sift through the best talent. 14 Phoneless Simon Cowell has made sure wannabe stars of the future can still contact him Credit: Getty Simon, who is inundated with people wanting to give him their audition tapes, said: 'I say, 'Here's Lauren's number. Send your audition to Lauren'. 'She'll say to me, 'Simon, I've had these people leaving me all these messages today'. "And I said, 'Well, you will have to get back to them.' 'She actually does. She listens to the songs and sometimes gives them feedback.' If I was Lauren, I'd be asking for a raise . . . Pete's a top dog PETE WICKS is cosying up to another special someone but it's all for a good cause. The Strictly star is backing Animal Free Research UK with their battle for Herbie's Law, encouraging the Government to introduce a roadmap to end experiments on animals in medical research. 14 Pete Wicks is backing Animal Free Research UK with their battle for Herbie's Law Credit: Rankin/Animal Free Research UK He snuggled up to a beagle and was photographed by acclaimed snapper Rankin to help raise awareness about the amount of animals, including dogs, still used in British laboratories. Pete said: 'I'm supporting Herbie's Law because I believe in a brighter future, without animal testing.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Damian Lewis teams up with music hitmaker behind success of huge Nineties star for next album
DAMIAN LEWIS has been hard at work on the follow-up to debut album Mission Creep. And my insiders say the Homeland actor has joined forces once again with Guy Chambers — the man behind some of Robbie Williams ' biggest hits, including Angels, Millennium and Rock DJ – in a bid to nail down some belters. 14 A source revealed: 'Guy co-wrote Damian's song The Night We Called It A Day, and the pair worked so well together that Damian wanted the Angels hitmaker back in the studio with him. Damian has loved swapping acting for singing and was delighted with the response to his debut record. 'His acting schedule is less hectic this year and so he has decided to get back in the studio. 'Damian worked so well with Guy on their previous track, so it was a no-brainer to get him involved again, especially considering he penned Robbie's biggest hits. 'Damian is excited for people to hear what they come up with.' When the actor first revealed he was trying his hand at singing in 2023, he admitted he was nervous about the reaction he would get. He said: 'There's always a fear of impostor syndrome but, at the same time, I felt very relaxed. 'I think I was enjoying it so much, I didn't stop to think whether I should or shouldn't. 'Life is short — it took a pandemic for me to sit down and write some songs.' But he added: It's important to say, I don't expect to suddenly become Bruce Springsteen. 'I haven't given up acting — I love it and I'll continue to do it. Damien Lewis leaves F1 fans stunned with 'horrific' rendition of national anthem 'But [ music ] does feel different, and I'm having tremendous fun doing it.' Damian's record, Mission Creep, got decent reviews when it came out in 2023 and, with Guy on board, I don't doubt this album will fare just as well. Until then, his fans can look forward to seeing him on screen in World War II film, Pressure — about the 72 hours leading up to D-Day — alongside actors Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott. Damian is also starring in Jimmy Carr's screenwriting debut Fackham Hall, which is a spoof comedy that takes the mick out of Downton Abbey. Well, they do say variety is the spice of life . . . 14 Jade smashes tour JADE's fans are calling for her to play Radio 1's Big Weekend main stage next year after she smashed her set in the new music tent. The Angel Of My Dreams singer was on the line-up alongside the brilliant Flo, who packed out the venue in Liverpool, and Tate McRae who is on her Miss Possessive arena tour. 14 14 14 It was Jade's first big performance since she announced her debut album, That's Showbiz Baby! which is out September 12. The Big Weekend was a good warm up for the Little Mix star, who will head out on her first solo tour this October. Jade will play nine shows in cities including Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester. Her final show will take place at London's Roundhouse on October 19. We love to see Jade rise and rise - and expect big things from her debut album. Demi said yes in a Viv dress CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Demi Lovato who got married on Sunday evening. The American star tied the knot with fellow singer-songwriter Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes, three years after meeting in the studio while working on her 2022 album Holy Fvck. She had a Vivienne Westwood dress designed especially for her for the occasion. Demi, who got engaged in December 2023, said: 'When I was thinking about [what dress style I wanted], I often found myself coming back to Vivienne's designs, specifically how the silhouettes really compliment the curves in your body, and her use of corsets.' The couple also had a wedding rehearsal on Saturday afternoon. They followed Sunday's ceremony with a reception, where she wore another ivory silk satin Vivienne Westwood dress. From drink and drug addictions to the pitfalls of fame and life in the spotlight as a child star, Demi has certainly not had an easy ride. But she looks healthier and happier than ever these days. I'm thrilled to see things going well for her. A good shout, Lu HE has a whopping ten Top Ten singles to her name, was married to Maurice Gibb from The Bee Gees, won Eurovision, had a fling with David Bowie and sang a Bond theme. So there would be plenty of drama if British music legend Lulu made a biopic… and that might just be happening – with a massive Hollywood star playing the role. 14 14 14 The Shout singer has revealed she is in talks to bring her life story to the big screen, after she told The Sun last year that there were discussions about a potential career-spanning documentary. In a new, exclusive chat, she told Bizarre: 'The documentary might be a film about my life. It might be all sorts of things. There are several interested parties talking about how it should go.' Her memoir, If Only You Knew, is out on September 25 so there will be even more stories to include in a movie. She added: 'I think the book has to come out first. I can't commit to any more right now, but maybe. And who do I want to play me? I think Reese Witherspoon might be good. 'But one of my favourite actresses right now is Saoirse Ronan. Does she sing? I think she can do anything.' It has been a decade since Lulu's last album but she said fans shouldn't get their hopes up for another any time soon. She explained: 'I haven't been in the studio, but my brother and I have been writing. I've been writing with a couple of friends.' With a book, film and her popular podcast on the go, I can't blame her for leaving the studio alone. CAUGHT LIVE: HURTS @ O2 Academy Brixton, London ★★★★☆ 14 HURTS may have been one man down, but you wouldn't have known it by the adoring and rabid sell out crowd. The Manchester duo burst onto the scene in 2010 with their debut album Happiness and now lead singer Theo Hutchcraft is celebrating its 15th anniversary, although he's without his bandmate Adam Anderson, who is taking time away from the group for his mental health. On stage, Theo says: 'We are a man down, and no-one misses Adam more than me tonight. He sends his love.' But fans have waited seven long years to see Hurts perform in their home country and the show lives up to the hype. Impeccably dressed as a hero on a victory lap, Theo looked in his element, flinging white roses into the audience whilst the dancers, string section and even an opera singer added the perfect amount of melodrama to the occasion. A decade and a half on, there's still plenty of love for Hurts. New album from Ken KENNY THOMAS has revealed he is releasing his first album in 15 years. The British soul singer will drop Unstoppable on August 8, with his new single If I Can't Have You out today. Kenny will take the record out of tour next year, with the dates lining up with the 35th anniversary of his debut album, Voices, which saw him land a string of hits with Thinking About Your Love, Best Of You and Outstanding. Kenny's tour will see him play the Gateshead Glasshouse on March 19 2026, before he plays in Manchester, London, Southend and Birmingham. He said of his new record: ''It's my first studio album in 15 years and honestly, I think it's some of my best work to date. 'I'm sure my fans will connect with it and enjoy listening to it. 'They've been with me from the beginning and we now have my biggest ever UK tour on sale including the legendary Eventim Apollo in London which is all because of them. 'I love performing and we can't wait to take these songs on the road as well as the hits that my fans expect.' 'Expect some noise' TO celebrate the release of their tenth album Antidepressants on September 5, Suede are taking over the Southbank Centre in London for four huge nights. The shows, on the 13th, 14th, 17th and 19th, will see the band taking over four parts of the landmark venue, with Brett Anderson saying: 'Expect old songs, new songs, borrowed songs, blue songs, drama, melody, noise, sweat and a couple of surprises.' Tickets are available now but you'll need to move fast, with their Suede: Off Mic show in the Purcell Room on September 17 already sold out. Simon keeps in touch HE famously doesn't own a phone but Simon Cowell has made sure wannabe stars of the future can still contact him. But his fiancee Lauren Silverman might not be best pleased about it, because the old X Factor boss has admitted he's taken to giving out her number and getting her to sift through the best talent. 14 Simon, who is inundated with people wanting to give him their audition tapes, said: 'I say, 'Here's Lauren's number. Send your audition to Lauren'. 'She'll say to me, 'Simon, I've had these people leaving me all these messages today'. "And I said, 'Well, you will have to get back to them.' 'She actually does. She listens to the songs and sometimes gives them feedback.' If I was Lauren, I'd be asking for a raise . . . Pete's a top dog PETE WICKS is cosying up to another special someone but it's all for a good cause. The Strictly star is backing Animal Free Research UK with their battle for Herbie's Law, encouraging the Government to introduce a roadmap to end experiments on animals in medical research. 14 He snuggled up to a beagle and was photographed by acclaimed snapper Rankin to help raise awareness about the amount of animals, including dogs, still used in British laboratories. Pete said: 'I'm supporting Herbie's Law because I believe in a brighter future, without animal testing.'
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Damian Lewis' reaction to 'ranting' autograph hunters in Cannes - after Denzel Washington's heated exchange at the film festival
Denzel Washington may have become embroiled in a heated exchange with a photographer at Cannes earlier this week, but Homeland star Damian Lewis appears better at keeping his cool. When the actor, 54, arrived at Nice Airport on his return from Cannes Film Festival, he and his girlfriend, rock star Alison Mosshart, were accosted by a group of autograph hunters. 'One woman simply wouldn't take 'no' for an answer,' a witness told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden. They added: 'She quickly became extremely vexed, ranting about how they had 'made' him and how he was ungrateful. 'She was shouting and finger-jabbing and had people rushing to restrain her.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Yet unlike Denzel, Eton-educated Lewis 'could not have been cooler', the source said. 'He was calm, even polite, and simply let her vent while quietly clarifying that he couldn't agree with anything she was saying.' Earlier this month Damian put on a cosy display with his girlfriend Alison at the Moët Hennessy Dom Pérignon Revelations party at London's Tate Modern. The actor and the rocker, 46, looked as loved-up than ever as they posed for snaps inside the starry venue. Damian and Alison have been dating for two years, after they were first spotted together in the summer of 2022. Romance blossomed a year after Damian's wife of 14 years, actress Helen, tragically passed away in April 2021 aged 52 after a secret battle with breast cancer. Shortly after Helen's death, Damian wrote a heartbreaking tribute to his late wife in The Times where he revealed she wanted him to find love again - joking his children said their mother 'wanted daddy to have lots of girlfriends'. Last month, Damian poignantly opened up on how he handles grief after Helen's passing. The Homeland actor said: 'There's a well-known psychological state in grief, or post any sort of trauma, which is called the manic defence.' He continued: 'I have the manic defence in a very pronounced way, which is that you affirm life. 'So in amongst the inevitable days of being in a heap on the floor bawling your eyes out, there is your manic defence, which is like, 'Come on, live life, move forward, and reaffirm life'. Damian, who has two teenage children - Manon, 18, and Gulliver, 16 - with Helen, added: 'Life is there for the taking, to be lived. 'Especially when you have two children – making sure they have a sense that everything is not over.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Damian Lewis puts on a cosy display with girlfriend Alison Moss as the besotted couple attend starry Moët Hennessy party in London
Damian Lewis put on a cosy display with his girlfriend Alison Mosshart at the Moët Hennessy Dom Pérignon Revelations party at London's Tate Modern on Thursday. The actor, 54, and the rocker, 46, looked as loved-up than ever as they posed for snaps inside the starry venue. For the occasion, Damian cut an edgy figure in an all-black ensemble consisting of a black leather jacket layered over a shirt and smart trousers. He teamed the look with black leather loafers as he sweetly cuddled up to Alison, who he found love with in 2022 after the tragic death of his wife Helen McCrory. Meanwhile, Alison looked effortlessly stylish in a leopard print shirt, a black waistcoat and straight-leg trousers. She completed her outfit with a pair of comfortable chunky boots and a silver chain crossbody handbag. The happy couple took time to pose with their pals Elena Ora, Nikki Hunter and Fabrice Brovelli at the party. Also in attendance at the soirée were Elena Ora, David Mayer de Rothschild, Iggy Pop, Tilda Swinton, Erin O'Connor, Jefferson Hack and Vincent Chaperon. Damian and Alison have been dating for two years, after they were first spotted together in the summer of 2022. Romance blossomed a year after Damian's wife of 14 years, actress Helen, tragically passed away in April 2021 aged 52 after a secret battle with breast cancer. Shortly after Helen's death, Damian wrote a heartbreaking tribute to his late wife in The Times where he revealed she wanted him to find love again - joking his children said their mother 'wanted daddy to have lots of girlfriends'. Last month, Damian poignantly opened up on how he handles grief after Helen's passing. The Homeland actor said: 'There's a well-known psychological state in grief, or post any sort of trauma, which is called the manic defence.' He continued: 'I have the manic defence in a very pronounced way, which is that you affirm life. 'So in amongst the inevitable days of being in a heap on the floor bawling your eyes out, there is your manic defence, which is like, 'Come on, live life, move forward, and reaffirm life'. Damian, who has two teenage children - Manon, 18, and Gulliver, 16 - with Helen, added: 'Life is there for the taking, to be lived. 'Especially when you have two children – making sure they have a sense that everything is not over.' Damian recently made a rare public appearance with his kids Manon and Gulliver as they attended the Burberry LFW show. In April, Damian looked ever the proud father as he wrapped his arms around his children. He spoke about the qualities his children inherited from their mother in a sweet tribute in The Times, as he opened up on the absence Helen's death had left in their lives. Peaky Blinders actress Helen died from breast cancer in April 2021 aged just 52, having kept her diagnosis a secret as she continued to work (pictured with Damian in 2020) He said: 'She's left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life. 'They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother. She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid. 'As she said repeatedly to the children, "Don't be sad, because even though I'm about to snuff it, I've lived the life I wanted to".' Their fashion week outing comes after Damian revealed what life is really like with his 'noisy family' and the one mistake he thinks he made with his children. He opened up about his very private family life to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Harnett on an episode of their podcast Dish in October, telling them that while the family all get on very well, he is no longer allowed to cook for his daughter.
Geek Vibes Nation
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Why No One Watched 'A Spy Among Friends' (And Why You Should)
The 2023 British miniseries A Spy Among Friends went lost in the shuffle stateside thanks to crowded, bottom-barrel Epix and MGM+ streaming obscurity. Fortunately, this six-hour series is steeped in clever espionage and gravitas. Unfortunately, however, A Spy Among Friends doesn't make it easy on audiences in its first two episodes as director Nick Murphy (FX's A Christmas Carol) and writer Alexander Cary (Homeland) adapt the historical book by Ben Macintyre (Operation Mincemeat) with unnecessary busyness, back and forth flashbacks, and interrogations within interrogations. Viewers are expected to know about our Cambridge spy Kim Philby (Guy Pearce), his decades-long friendship with Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis), their cat and mouse betrayals, and the subsequent defections to Russia that shook the British Intelligence Services from top to bottom. This convoluted structure interferes with the potentially intriguing characterizations, for we're dumped right into the action without really being endeared to our spies. Obviously, A Spy Among Friends is probably not in chronological order because that would have involved even more de-aging special effects and make-up on the leads as we follow the titular pals from World War II into the 1960s. However, it may have been easier to simply trust the audience to overlook age rather than confusing viewers with who is who, doing what, and when, as if this were Clue. An opening episode meeting our boys during the War would have established their communist versus the Crown allegiances and relationships before a second hour dedicated entirely to their one-on-one fallout in Beirut, which is instead excellent twofer scenes broken up throughout the series. Who has duped whom in the boys-will-be-boys club amid the affairs and hidden handlers? A third episode introducing Anna Maxwell Martin as the composite agent Lily Thomas ruffling all the stiff-upper-lip feathers in her mission to grill Elliott on Philby regarding who has betrayed Britain and when would have laid out all the 'whither tos' and 'why fors' for the audience. But alas, A Spy Among Friends adheres a bit too closely to the cloak and dagger, deliberate and slight of hand confusion in its first half. A Spy Among Friends should probably be watched at least twice for full effect, but viewers made dumb by the trying-to-be-clever structure would most likely tune out by the second episode. The out-of-order piecemeal isn't trying to tell the whole decades' worth of this history, but the fictionalized plots and historical liberties may send the viewer towards other books and adaptations instead. It's also perhaps difficult now not to have current politics on the back of our mind while watching A Spy Among Friends. Unofficial American counterintelligence agents are excited to have defecting British double agents embedding disinformation in the KGB for the CIA, and the audience almost has to look up who is who. Episode Four 'Vodka' intercuts the action in London and the espionage in Moscow as concurrent, deflating intriguing ruses and fatal suspense that should have been told as uninterrupted acts. Fortunately, A Spy Among Friends improves once it settles down and reduces the interwoven flashbacks, allowing superb performances to play out in conversations laced with international details. Conflicting friendships and romances intersect, yet they look the other way at what the Secret Intelligence Service does. Jealous wives who also did their intelligence part during the War think it's over, never fully knowing the complex husbands who still think spying is fun. Maxwell Martin's original but historically based Lily is quietly tough in the man's espionage world, yet doing her best to be softer at home. She's not posh like the rest and told to wear lipstick so she doesn't look tired and get taken off the case. Sadly, though, one might wonder if Lily needs to be here when Lewis's Elliott plays the near-feminine lead a la the jilted lover. The bittersweet Elliott imagines Philby singing, and his rose colored hero worship of Philby is a vicarious obsession that didn't need an outside interrogation driving the realization of Philby's duality. Philby's mother says Elliott knows him best, and Lewis' excellent stiff-upper-lip, jolly-good, sharply contrasts with what most Americans may know of him on Homeland . It's also fascinating that Pearce (The Brutalist) was the second choice, replacing Dominic West after COVID delays on The Crown while putting on a remarkable Cambridge ego matching Lewis' Old Etonian acuity. Suave, charismatic flashbacks of Philby contrast his bitter Moscow frigid, hospital letters, and meager drunkard reduction. Our spies thought a different set of rules applied to them as they secretly spread disinformation for their country, but Philby's laughing reflections and judgmental visions of Elliott in the last two episodes seal the fatal consequences. Although the modern gradient is dark and dreary rather than the colorful essence of the era; the mid-century mood is laden with period airs, graces, and jolly good elitism thanks to classic automobiles, fedoras, cigarettes, and pipes. The de-aging in past scenes is brief – one wonders why they didn't just make our actors look older later instead – but ironically it's the smoking that seems slightly fake. The cast has the right cigarette mannerisms and intermingled nuances, yet the smoke itself seems digitally added and bemusingly noticeable. The penultimate episode 'Snow' lets the audience experience the bitter build-up as the vodka takes hold of the superb performances and sleight of hand espionage at the expense of self. The stars go head to head with disguised clues and duped semantics, tempting one to blink first. The over the barrel, who's trying to outwit whom tension is felt as the pip pip cheerio comes to blows. A Spy Among Friends can actually be pretty entertaining when the drunken secrets are casually dismissed as dinner party banter for the simple-minded and pompous spectators. Viewers may even admire the clever literary quotes and opera citations they use as Elliott realizes he doesn't know whom to trust, and Philby accepts his turncoat bitterness. Interplay with cricket scores, bluffing, dirty limericks, and word salad misdirection make for an intense three minutes of who told what and when betrayal after thirty years of loyalty. Mistakes realized decades later lead to government suspicion and destabilized agencies that, unfortunately, feel quite modern, and our spies can neither walk away nor live with what they've done. A Spy Among Friends is slow to start with out-of-order storytelling that will be frustrating to some viewers. However, period atmosphere and fine performances make this slightly obscure miniseries worth seeking. A Spy Among Friends is currently available to stream on MGM+.
