CHRISTOPHER STEVENS weekend TV review: A female 007? The Capture’s Holliday Grainger would be my first choice…

by

The Capture (BBC1)

Paapa Essiedu seems to avoid appearing in sequels. He’s the kind of actor who joins a show, then his character is quickly killed off at the beginning of the next season – perhaps because he gets bored easily!

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù’s character met a dramatic end in Gangs of London, sacrificing himself to avoid a second season. Now, as Isaac Turner in The Capture, he plays a rising politician—but even the potential to become Britain’s first Black Prime Minister couldn’t guarantee his character’s survival.

It was a shocking way to go, honestly – right in the middle of a press conference, a single shot to the head. And the timing! He’d just been openly flirting with Rachel Carey, the brilliant counter-terrorism agent. Honestly, it felt like instant karma for his casual, inappropriate behavior at work. It was a harsh lesson, but maybe he needed it.

Actor Fehinti Balogun Essiedu will play the famously critical Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO. Let’s hope he can handle the pressure and stick with the role for more than just the first season!

The Capture benefits from a charismatic cast, making it surprisingly engaging despite its complex and twisty plot. Set in a Britain where AI can convincingly fake video footage, the show isn’t captivating because of what happens, but because of who is on screen.

Grainger is remarkably skilled at expressing deep feelings with very subtle facial expressions. She avoids yelling or exaggerated movements, even in intensely dramatic situations – like when people are shot nearby or she’s facing a gun herself.

Without the ability to show vulnerability, Commander Carey could come across as harsh and unfeeling. However, the actor reveals that beneath her tough exterior, Carey struggles with insecurity, moments of weakness, and deep-seated pain from past trauma.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the buzz around the future of James Bond, and with Amazon now owning the franchise, the possibilities are endless. If they do decide to reimagine 007 as a woman, I know exactly who I’d cast – she’d be my top pick, without a doubt!

Ben Miles portrays the previous incumbent, a slippery and unpleasant character who often delivers menacing smiles. Ron Perlman returns as a frustrating CIA agent who enjoys both fine whisky and making threats.

Adrian Rawlins also deserves recognition for his role as the head of the public inquiry. He’s a familiar face – one of those actors you instantly recognize from other shows. He’s particularly good at making even small roles memorable.

Despite the far-fetched storyline, the impressive cast manages to draw us in. The movie starts with an unbelievable scene: a Russian assassin attempts to avoid being identified by facial recognition at Heathrow Airport by hacking the cameras with his phone.

Honestly, I just don’t understand the complicated routes some people are taking. It seems so much easier to simply cross the Channel in a small boat. Border Force will practically bring them in and put them up in a hotel! It makes you wonder why they bother with anything else – it would certainly save Russia a lot of effort, wouldn’t it?

Read More

2026-03-09 02:05