The Ipcress File
ITV, Sunday 6 March, 9pm
The Ipcress File is probably best known for being a 1965 movie starring Michael Caine, in full-on charming bounder mode, as British spy Harry Palmer. This new six-parter tacitly acknowledges that classic film early on with a close-up of Harry’s iconic glasses, but now they’re going to be donned by Joe Cole, of Skins and Peaky Blinders fame. The series also goes back to the source material of Len Deighton’s original novel, and it’s been adapted by John Hodge
(Trainspotting) and stylishly directed by James Watkins (Black
Mirror). The series begins with army sergeant Palmer doing dodgy deals in Berlin, before being arrested, taken back to England, and recruited for a spot of espionage by a scene-stealing Tom Hollander. Also starring Lucy Boynton and Ashley Thomas, it’s a delicious treat. ★★★★