BBC’s “Bodyguard” captivates viewers

Three episodes into the first series, with “Bodyguard,” Jed Mercurio has provided the BBC audience with an explosive contemporary drama. With episodes directed by Thomas Vincent and John Strickland, the intensity of drama keeps viewers at the edge of their seats.

Bodyguard,” with a cast including Keeley Hawes, Richard Madden, Wendy Albiston, Faraz Ayub and Peter Basham, is the latest series Mercurio has created. If you are familiar with his work, you will know he was also responsible for “Cardiac Arrest,” “Invasion: Earth,” “Critical” and “Line of Duty.”

While the series is produced by World Productions for the BBC’s domestic television audience, international distribution is handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. Both the BBC and by ITV Studios Global Entertainment are better known worldwide for period dramas.

Keeley Hawes and Richard Madden

Hawes, known for playing Queen Elizabeth in the ‘Henry VI Part 2’ and ‘Richard III’ episodes of “The Hollow Crown,” is The Right Honourable Julia Montague. Montague, holding the governmental cabinet position Home Secretary, is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Thames West.

Fans of the long running spy-drama “Spooks” will know Hawes for her character Zoe Reynolds. After leaving “Spooks” at the end of the third series, the London born actress has accumulated a significant number of television credits.

Even though many of the characters Hawes has played during her career have been instantly likeable, the same cannot be said for Montague. Montague, extremely manipulative, is not someone anyone should place unreserved trust.

With cunning well calculated deceptive motivation, the Home Secretary selects her words very carefully. Although this is not an indication of duplicitous intentions, the way in which Montague handles herself in Parliament could have her fellow Conservative parliamentarians scratching their heads if it were not for the fact they implicitly trust her.

While the red briefcase is more commonly associated with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it seems appropriate for Hawes’ character to possess one. It’s a nice touch.

The title character, played by Madden, is Sergeant David Budd. Budd, an Afghanistan war veteran, works for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London’s Metropolitan Police Service. People familiar with Madden’s previous television appearances will recall the Renfrewshire born actor played Robb Stark in HBO’s popular action adventure drama “Game of Thrones.”

Even though it might appear the Home Secretary is using the police sergeant, there could be something more to the relationship. Their sexual relationship is perplexing. It sometimes distracts the viewer from the drama taking place in parliament and boardroom meetings. There could be adversaries hiding in the shadows.

The next episode, the fourth installment of the six part series, will be televised in the British Isles Sunday, 9 Sept. 2018.

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