Killing Eve (Series 1)

With Series 2 of Killing Eve about to be broadcast, I watched Series 1 again, and enjoyed it just as much this time around. It is a truly mesmerising show.

The outstanding cast of Series 1 includes Sandra Oh in the title role of MI6 agent Eve Polastri, Jodie Comer as the sexy and likeable psychopathic Villenelle, Fiona Shaw as the mysterious veteran MI6 agent Carolyn Martens, and Kim Bosnia as the charming Konstantin, Villenelle’s Soviet Intelligence minder. Sandra Oh is known to many of us for her role in the long running TV medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, while Kim Bosnia starred in the critically acclaimed the Scandinavian police drama, The Bridge.

Killing Eve is a cat and mouse game in which Eve and Villenelle takes turns at being the cat. An intriguing subtle aspect of the plot is the sexual tension between the two. The story line is sufficiently different to prevent it being mistaken for other spy thrillers set in London, Moscow and Paris. These exotic settings are more than backdrops, and set the tone for the scenes set there. The plot is also unpredictable and does not allow the viewer to become too relaxed.

At times Killing Eve feels like a black comedy, but one with inevitable developments that repeatedly take us back to psychological thrills.

If Series 2 picks up where Series 1 left off, as trailers for the upcoming series suggest, first viewing Series 1 would be highly desirable, if not essential.