TV Drama Series: 10 Seasons: MI-5 (2002 - 2011) AA+

Avalability: Netflix
Subtitles Preferred

This extensive series (it ran for 10 seasons!!) of separate one hour shows is about the work performed by MI-5 in England. Excellent spy type entertainment.  (MI-5 is sort of a combination of British Military Intelligence, FBI and CIA). The action never gets to the unrealistic level of a James Bond movie or an American Action-Adventure violence film, which makes it perfect to watch just before going to sleep.  If you are into this type of stuff . . . it's great TV.

This award-winning series dramatizes the professional exploits and personal lives of the "spooks" of the MI-5. No-nonsense head officer Harry Pearce guides a band of dedicated spies who risk their lives every day.

The series is watchable because MI-5 involves a group of likable UK security agents  who must lie to the dangerous groups that they infiltrate  and also lie to their families as well . . . to keep themselves undercover.   A sleek, fast-paced BBC hit focusing on domestic-security intelligence agents, dealing with threats that range from arms merchants to germ warfare.

MI-5 (2001 to 2011)  A

Available from NETFLIX on DVD and Streaming.  40 discs / 86 episodes.  WARNING:  English subtitles are a must for this program.  Cannot use ROKU 1.  Check for compatibility with your Blu-Ray DVD player.

This extensive series of separate one hour shows is about the fringe edges of the work MI-5 performs in England. It's very good spy type entertainment.  (MI-5 is sort of a combination of British military intelligence, FBI and CIA). The action never gets to the level of a James Bond movie or an American Action-Adventure violence film, which makes it perfect to watch just before going to sleep.  If you are into this type of stuff . . . it's good TV.

The series is watchable because MI-5 involves a group of likable UK security agents  who must to lie to the dangerous groups that they infiltrate  and also lie to their families as well . . . to keep themselves undercover.   Rather than some recent undercover spy movies and TV, this series Incorporates realistic cutting edge technology.

TV Series Review: MI--5 Season 7 (8 Episodes) AA+

This is the only series that I can remember seeing a 100% approval rating by the people who send their views to Rotten Tomatoes.  And that's why the series has aired for 10 seasons, ending in 2011.  I promise it is fast moving , exciting and will keep you at the edge of your seat. Available from Netflix DVDs

Season seven of British spy thriller "MI-5" opens with Adam Carter (Rupert Penry-Jones) valiantly battling to move a car bomb away from a densely packed memorial service. Meanwhile Harry secures the release of Lucas North (Richard Armitage), a MI-5 officer imprisoned in Russia for eight years. It's not long, however, before Ros begins to suspect Lucas' loyalties. The rest of the season deals with a top secret Cold War-era operation named Sugarhorse.

If you like SPY/CIA/MI-5 action . . . don't miss this Series of excellently acted and produced programs.  It's James Bond without all the frills and magnificent cinematography of those movies.

TV SERIES LUTHER (2010) AA

English BBC

Great series if you are into a violent cop/crime series with very, very interesting interactions between players. Luther is a bolstered by a powerhouse performance from Idris Elba (little known in the US of A) in the title role.

Idris Elba, known for playing drug dealer Stringer Bell on "The Wire," explores life on the other side of the law in this psychological crime drama from acclaimed crime writer Neil Cross ("MI-5"). Elba portrays John Luther, a brilliant but tortured homicide detective who gets caught up in the psychological cat-and-mouse game between detective and criminal.