ALEX RIDER

US/UK Amazon Prime, streaming now

Showrunner Guy Burt

Cast Otto Farrant, Vicky McClure, Ronke Adekoluejo, Brenock O’Connor

While this isn’t the first screen adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s popular teen-spy saga – remember 2006’s Stormbreaker? Thought not – this new series is self-assured enough to remain in the brain for longer than the last attempt. At time of writing Amazon had only released the first four episodes of the eight for review, but they’re solid enough for us to determine that while this show might not be breaking new ground, it’s certainly not afraid to dig up a few clods of earth and toss ’em about a bit.

Lead Otto Farrant takes an episode or two to settle into his role as the smart-ass Alex, who, despite being a mere schoolboy, is recruited by an offshoot of MI6 to help investigate the death of his uncle. Thankfully Alex is pretty damn good at all sorts of spy stuff already – including a surprising resistance to heavy metal being used as a torture technique (!) – so he’s the perfect kid to send into an elite school which may or may not be churning out brainwashed pupils.

While Farrant is decent enough, Brenock O’Connor – aka Olly in Game Of Thrones

– steals the limelight as his geeky school pal; meanwhile the adults and their backstabbing are rather entertaining. This is slick, confident YA drama – just don’t expect to have your socks blown off by its freshness. Jayne Nelson