A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
[gunshots]
Who are we killing for?
EGYPT, 1942
Who are we dying for?
[instrumental music]
The world as it was?
Or the world as it ought to be?
Listen to this. It's so simple, it's a bloody joke.
"The object of government...
in peace and war...
is not glory for rulers or races but happiness of the common man."
The common man.
That's us.
Let's fight for us.
Churchill's banned that report from the troops, hasn't he?
Well, fuck Churchill.
Read it.
Let's slay the giants.
[groans]
[panting]
[sighs]
Before I got here...
I just didn't realize the world was so big.
I thought it was all...
village fetes and...
marrying the girl next door.
[scoffs]
I'm happy about that bit, of course.
Man can accomplish so much.
That's the thing to remember.
Are you gonna stand then?
Me too.
[screaming] Slay the giants!
[country music playing]
♪ United we stand ♪
♪ Divided we fall ♪
♪ For every dime they give us A battle must be fought ♪
♪ So working people use your power The key to liberty ♪
♪ Don't support that rich man's Style of luxury ♪
SOCIAL INSURANCE
♪ There ain't no way They can ever keep us down, oh, no ♪
♪ Ain't no way They can ever keep us down ♪
♪ We won't be bought We won't be sold ♪
♪ To be treated right Well, that's our goal ♪
♪ And there ain't no way They can ever keep us down... ♪
HOUSE OF COMMONS, 1945
Lord of righteousness and truth...
grant to our King and his government,
to members of Parliament and all in positions of responsibility
the guidance of your spirit.
Amen.
[crowd] Amen.
♪ And there ain't no way They can ever keep us down. ♪
[bells ringing]
Mr. Fenton.
Don't believe we've met.
Marcus Winn. I'm your whip.
Message for you from the Prime Minister.
In the matter of the American loans, you are to vote that we accept the terms.
[scoffs] The terms are outrageous.
Your maiden speech was a triumph, Mr. Fenton.
The best of the Beveridge Report, but rousingly delivered.
Education, housing, healthcare for all.
If you would like Mr. Attlee to pass a single piece
of our ambitious and transformative legislative agenda,
then we must take America's money and the terms she has set.
Otherwise, the legacy of this administration
will be half starving the citizenry to death and...
No, that's it. Half starving the citizenry to death.
Beggars can't be choosers.
-We're not beggars. -Oh, but we are.
In faded suits with frayed cuffs on bended knee.
And pretending otherwise will not make it so.
-The Americans-- -In your opinion,
should we build this welfare state?
Then we need money.
And in my opinion,
passionate back benchers seeking to affect change
should not draw negative attention to themselves,
especially when they're currently held in high esteem.
The PM liked your speech very much.
You have his attention.
Capitalize.
Don't tell me.
Do what he says and it's a Cabinet position.
-Did he talk to you? -He told him, "Fuck the Americans
and fuck their fucking loans."
[all chuckle]
Did he say anything about your speech?
He said the PM hated mine.
He... He didn't mention it.
This loan, with the interest rates offered,
may ameliorate our financial crisis in the short-term,
but, in the long term,
and I'm talking about from now until the year 2000...
we will be on the rack to the United States government,
in hock to them to the tune of £70 million a year.
[angry crowd]
How are we to retain an independent outlook from a debtor's jail?
[crowd cheering]
Hello.
Where's Peter?
[hesitant] He'll be back soon.
Sorry, you're stuck with the ugly one.
Where did he go?
Can't tell you, sorry.
I just thought he would be running me--
That's my job. Peter is needed elsewhere right now.
If it really bothers you, talk to him about it later.
When can you move to the Cabinet Office?
The whole place is structure and rules. I mustn't rush it. It will look odd.
No-one thinks you're an agent. They think you're a...
rebellious spirit having a little adventure in Whitehall
before you go and get married.
But you are an agent and you have a mission.
Be creative.
[piano music]
Alright. What's in the Cabinet Office?
A Russian spy.
Actually in the Cabinet Office?
Yes.
France is falling to the Communists.
So is East Germany, Poland, Romania...
This tidal wave of interest in Communism...
It doesn't just happen.
It's the result of the Russian genius for...
placing spies, agitators, infiltrators everywhere.
Including the British Empire, including your socialist government,
including your Cabinet Office...
where all the Prime Minister's secrets, domestic, foreign, nuclear, are kept.
How do you know they've got someone in there?
You had a predecessor.
Who was that?
What happened to him?
Get in first and I'll tell you.
[crumples paper]
[knocking]
How are you doing?
Yeah, good.
[closes door]
Want to sit down?
I've got a question.
Why did you join the Army?
There was a general feeling among a lot of people I know...
that if we acquit ourselves well in the military,
that might have some bearing on our situation back home.
Ah...
And do you think it will?
From what I'm hearing, no.
Ah...
Men kill, don't they?
Sometimes because they're heroes and the other guys are Nazis.
Sometimes because they're an asshole...
and they want to string a fella from a tree.
[clicks tongue]
I killed someone.
I could tell you why I did it.
If you want to know, I will.
But I'm a white guy, you're a negro,
so why the fuck would you believe a word that comes out of my mouth?
So let's stick to the verifiable facts.
There's a dead man in my apartment.
And I need you to help me get rid of him.
If you help me, I will give you money.
What's the harm?
You seem to have lost your faith in God.
[dramatic music]
HOLY BIBLE
Sorry if you guys were friends.
Yeah, we weren't.
Why not?
Well, I'm not a chick...
and I don't play racquetball, so...
no common ground.
Can't move him till night.
[music intensifies]
[grunts]
[water splash]
Is there more where that came from?
Why?
How about a job?
I get what you do.
I get why you use that girl.
She can hide in plain sight.
Me too, man.
People say all kinds of shit in front of me like I'm just not there.
But I am there.
I listen.
I see.
Nice disguise.
DEAR MA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LAST LETTER. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR WHAT...
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
[radio playing]
MISS. A COLE, 29 BRIDGEMAN, OKLAHOMA, USA.
[intense music]
[clock ticking]
Now, I'd like you to take another crack at this. Not bad.
Definitely a first draft.
My biggest concern is that you recommend pine wood as an ideal building material.
Which it is.
That you affirm, but the conclusion has a certain spontaneity
that's tonally wrong, as you barely reference spruce, ash.
We have access to cypress in the colonies.
I'm so sorry.
Don't be sorry.
The first draft, your first report ever.
[instrumental music]
Phew...
Where the hell do you think you're going, Miss?
The Cabinet Office.
You'll sign in.
[applauding]
I am not married and nor do I expect to marry in the near future.
Therefore I did not organize this meeting out of personal interest, Mr. Quick.
Well, I'm here out of bloody personal interest.
Fire me, just because my husband's coming home?
Is the Cabinet Office
entirely the appropriate venue for this sort of discussion, Mr. Quick?
Yes, it is, Mr. Stephens,
as I arranged it.
[crowd applauding] Thank you for your contribution.
Gentlemen, the spirit of the times dictates, rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.
[cheering] Yes!
Let women rebuild too.
Rebuild is a word. Another word is rebirth.
We lifted the ban on married women working during the war,
but now your men are coming home.
They have sacrificed, as well you know,
more than you in this war,
and they will need, and have earned, your attention.
[scoffs]
We have lost...
a terrible number of our children.
Mr. Quick, women are more than just breeders.
[crowd cheering and applauding]
Listen to me.
Married women working here will be a perfect nuisance.
They would need to leave, to put their husbands' supper on,
they'll be concerned about sick children,
they will cry every day
and you will be as annoyed as anyone else.
There is irresolvable tension
between a woman working and her domestic responsibilities
and I just don't have the time for this.
[door opens]
This all that's left of you?
Everyone else went home?
Yes.
PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
I thought Peter was staying.
-We had squash scheduled. -I'll remind him for you.
It seems rather pointless any of you being here
if all you're allowed to do is read our intelligence reports.
Whoa, a Russian gave up 39 names?
Who did?
A Russian, the defector, Kchenko.
He gave up 39 names?
So that's...
What? 40 Russian operatives stealing secrets,
atomic and otherwise, and threatening all of us?
Man, how compromised are you guys?
I don't take your meaning.
A fucking Soviet spy ring in Canada, you guys found out about it how?
Because one of them fucking told you?
You think I give a shit about your intelligence report?
[drops the report]
Man, you guys don't have a clue what's happening
unless a Russian comes knocking on your front door to tattletale.
The Canadians--
It's part of your Commonwealth, right?
Your king owns it, take responsibility for it.
I heard you came to London because you went off your head rather.
Had some tough times in the war,
made rather significant errors in Bucharest, lost a lot of men.
Which, understandably, broke you.
No wonder you were put out to pasture here in London
at this rather pointless desk job.
Talk to me like that again...
and I'll have you sent home.
One way or another.
[dramatic music]
[door opens]
Where the hell is Peter?
Bored out of his mind.
Told me he's drafting a letter of resignation.
Guess who's stuck with the paperwork?
Ready to check out.
Yeah, we might as well do it now rather than the way back here.
You're not supposed to be here.
Why are you packing up Peter's room? Where is he?
He needs these things sent on to him.
Where?
I can't say.
Oh, come on, Jackson, I'm not going to...
Where?
Just tell me so I can say goodbye to him.
Let me tell you about these people.
You can only push them so far with your questions...
and breaking the rules and showing up where you're not supposed to--
No-one told me I couldn't come to his hotel room.
Okay.
You want something of his?
He'll be fine with it, I bet.
[sniffs]
Thank you.
[dramatic music]
Don't tell Rowe I came here.
"Dear Feef...
you're not supposed to know where I am or what I'm doing.
So when you're done reading, burn this.
I'm headed to Poland and, because it's dangerous,
I'm saying goodbye, even though it busts all protocol.
Like you, I will be undercover.
[music intensifies]
Communication will be hard.
I will take strength in knowing that we're fighting the same fight in the same way.
Courage.
You've got bags of it."
Bug?
Okay.
"Bug.
Over and out."
[cutlery clinking]
Mr. Hennessey has been...
[clears throat]
His advances are very strong.
I understand that boys will be boys.
[sobbing] Honestly, I was going to have to hand in my notice,
because I can't have him grabbing my...
Just slap at him.
If he cracks at you again, just slap at him.
[sobbing]
But then I thought of you.
Oh.
Pull yourself together, dear.
Tears are so weak.
I'm sorry but I can't just take you in.
The Cabinet Office is an elite placement.
We see everything.
We prepare everything for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.
We are not port in a storm.
I also believe that I could do the work.
Yes, well, unfortunately, after your interview in June,
I told the others I thought you could not.
That was my judgement.
And as you are well aware...
things are harder for women.
I cannot appear not to know my own mind.
-Why did you-- -It's not a matter of ability.
It's a matter of character.
This job requires the sort of people who are happiest in a back room...
working out the sort of problem
most people would find too gray and tedious to consider,
and you...
are a front room sort of person.
[sniffs]
Well...
just so you know...
I am fascinated by the tedious.
[instrumental music]
[typing]
WOOD MOST EFFECTIVE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION INTRODUCTION
PRISCILLA
INTER-DEPARTMENT DELIVERY
[whistling]
MINISTRY OF HOUSING
Hello, Reg.
[bell rings]
[cat meows]
SENT FROM A BACK ROOM
[cat meows]
Pssh!
[hangs up phone]
I just got a call from Miss Garrick.
She wants you in the Cabinet Office.
Which is annoying,
seeing as I'm the one who fought to hire you in the first place.
She's short staffed, apparently.
-Really? -Too bad for her.
I don't have to sign you off and I'd rather not.
I wish you would. [chuckles]
Why?
Right now you're building homes for those who have none.
What could possibly be more important than that?
I just find it all very dull.
[piano music]
I knew you could do it, I knew it.
Now what?
Now it gets a little simpler, believe it or not.
We know the Russians accessed information
shared at two private Cabinet Office meetings.
One thirty-seven, 143.
Because otherwise...
how in the hell does a random Russian diplomat
know Attlee said the UK should give up their bases in the Middle East?
How in the hell does a Russian diplomat know Churchill tasked his generals
with drawing up battle plans for a ground invasion into Moscow?
So it's someone from the Cabinet Office who was at both of those meetings.
Correct.
[phone ringing]
Tea room.
[unintelligible dialogue]
[phone ringing]
Typing pool.
But I have no reason to go to the archives. Isn't that suspicious?
I mean...
We don't want people thinking I'm a spy.
[phone ringing]
Your desk.
You're upper class. Every gesture you make screams entitlement.
That's why you're perfect. No-one will question you.
Archives?
There's no reason on Earth you'll need anything from the archives.
Really? I had to use the housing archives all the time.
We have over 500 meetings a day here. You'll mostly attend and take notes.
Nice to meet you. Jerry Roxborough.
-Feef-- -Symonds, yes, I heard.
I do hope Mr. Mulligan's tour has been thorough.
I'll be happy to answer any questions you have also.
Great.
[chuckles]
[unintelligible dialogue]
[phone ringing]
[cat meows]
[cat purring]
Is the girl in yet?
Of course she's in.
What did I tell you?
Okay, great.
Now, listen. The money men I told you about...
They're getting nervous the loans vote won't go through.
Obviously, we're doing what we can via the embassy, but...
diplomats can only do so much.
So they want me to do something.
If you can.
Meaning I'm working for these guys?
Doing them a favor.
Tell them I need a budget. A real budget.
These guys have more power than God.
I don't like telling them things.
They're lobbying Truman.
They want a real American intelligence agency up and running.
They're gonna need proof of what real American intelligence agents can do.
Now I'm damn good at my job.
My real job, not paper pushing.
But I can't get shit done without money.
If I get you money...
there have to be results.
Why wouldn't there be?
I heard Peter resigned.
So he doesn't have much faith in you.
Look, you read my report.
If you want results, I need a budget.
Then the money men need the loans vote pushed through.
Just...
put the girl to work.
[music intensifies]
The politician you were dancing with. I need you to tell me about his friends.
We're barely acquainted.
[sighs]
Change that.
I need to know who in the Labour Party is voting against the American loans.
How does that relate to the Cabinet Office?
Peter told me you were trained.
So I assumed you learned that an agent does not get filled in
on the big picture.
An agent does what they're told, when they are told it
and does not ask questions.
Yes.
This is the job.
Did anybody ever give you the impression this was easy?
I was...
given the impression the job was about Russia.
The far left of the Labour party are robotic ideologues.
And they're taking orders from Moscow whether they know it or not.
[sighs]
[heavy steps]
I can't come. I'm sorry.
No. What?
-I have to work. -No, you have to.
It's supposed to be the great meeting of the families.
They've been travelling for literally weeks to get to England from Ceylon.
They're going to want to meet my sister.
And I'll see them next weekend at the wedding.
Am I supposed to say that you have to work?
The're going to think you're so mannish.
Fine!
Fine.
Are you sure...
you want to get married?
[whistle]
Men don't have to, you know.
You were supposed to bloody marry so we could get some money and do up the house
and help Ma and Pa and you didn't, so now I have to do it.
I have to be the girl.
[clicks tongue
It's disgusting.
[whistle]
[chattering and laughter]
Feef!
Yeah, come over. [chuckles]
Do you really think the Americans are as bad as all that?
Americans are fine. America is shit.
Excuse my language. [chuckles]
But you're not a Communist?
A little too extreme for me.
But who knows? Never say never.
This time five years ago, I was a Tory, so...
Really? Why? What changed?
The war.
First time I ever went abroad.
First time I met people with different backgrounds to me, different ideas.
We're all so hemmed in, aren't we? Unless we fight to get out.
You don't seem hemmed in to me.
-Really? -[scoffs] No!
[chuckles]
[bells ringing]
[mumbling]
Is he going to kiss her?
Oh...
[disappointedly] Hasn't got the balls.
He's got a fiancee.
I looked into it.
[flashes lights]
What are they like?
These young braves. Stuart Butler.
These men, they're rejecting America's offer of help.
Why?
Because they think it's an aggressive gesture
designed to make England financially beholden to the United States
and whatever her agenda may be.
I don't play politics, but I do know that, over in America,
we are fans of democracy.
And that we do sometimes offer financial aid
with the proviso that the recipient
allow the good people of Africa and India and Ceylon and so on
to elect their own rulers.
Perhaps you're not a fan of the British Empire
because it makes us a force to be reckoned with.
We were talking about Stuart Butler.
-He's patronizing. -Uh-huh.
Why did you invite a Tory to drink with us?
Tories sit on that side.
Tight-fisted too. He never bought a round.
Really?
How did he explain that?
Your round.
Oh...I'm out, sorry.
Is it ever your round, Stuart?
Hugh Fenton, your boyfriend.
Neither my boyfriend nor a Communist.
What else about Mr. Fenton?
Hugh used to be a Tory.
Shame on Attlee, and shame on Winn for trying to get us to abandon
the socialist principles that got us elected.
[crowd] Shame!
I know it can feel uncomfortable...
telling tales after you've broken bread, but...
it's part of the job.
How are you progressing with gaining access to the Cabinet archives?
I'm working on it.
Good.
And you remember the dates I told you?
Hello.
Could you pull the minutes from the post-war planning committee meeting
of February 7th, 1943?
And the minutes from the May 22nd, 1937 Palestine working group.
-Name? -Fiona Symonds.
F. SYM...
Just don't leave a paper trail.
What if I do?
Just don't.
[music intensifies]
-What was your name again? -Fiona Symonds.
WALLACE, WENTWORTH, JARVIS
Can I keep these overnight?
Back by six.
[phone ringing]
MATTHEW HARVEY, DAVID PETERS, PHILLIP JARVIS, FIONA SYMONDS
MINUTE SHEET PALESTINE WORKING GROUP
ARCHIVED MATERIAL
MINUTE SHEET POST WAR PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
PRESENT: BENJAMIN MCMULLIN, MARK STEPHENS,
JERRY ROXBOROUGH, JASPER FITZGERALD
BENJAMIN MCMULLIN, MARK STEPHENS, JERRY ROXBOROUGH, JASPER FITZGERALD
DANIEL GIBBS
POST WAR PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
ANDREW WHITTLE, MARK STEPHENS, JERRY ROXBOROUGH, PERCY HICKS, DAVID CHILDS
MARK STEPHENS JERRY ROXBOROUGH
JAMES WALLACE: RETURNED OLIVER WENTWORTH: RETURNED
PHILLIP JARVIS: RETURNED FIONA SYMONDS
MATTHEW HARVEY, DAVID PETERS, PHILLIP JARVIS, FIONA SYMONDS
PHILLIP JARVIS
JERRY ROXBOROUGH PHILLIP JARVIS?
[bells ringing]
Get in line, chaps.
Ayes over here.
Where are you going?
We're voting no.
They're changing their votes. Look at them.
When I went home this weekend,
the union said they won't support me next time around
unless I vote yes to the loan.
They think we won't be able to keep the docks open without it, so...
I'm with Will, actually.
I'm actually a socialist. Aren't you?
How quickly they've fallen.
No.
No fucking way.
What will I get now? The cane?
[chuckles[
If you wish to confront America...
I've got just the job for you.
Stuart Butler. Gambler.
I flipped his vote.
The girl figured out he was short on cash.
I found out why and now he's ours.
The girl?
She's on the trail.
And she's planning to take the politician home for the weekend. Pass that on too.
He'll be pleased.
Also tell him I radioed a few of the OSS guys in Europe.
A bunch of them will stay put.
-Okay. -We need them there.
[scoffs] Get me their names and a way to contact them--
Get us a budget.
Look...
Nice shot.
Where did you come in that race?
Oh...
[chuckles]
If you didn't win, man, what the fuck is it doing on the wall?
[hits phone]
Call daddy.
[door closes]
[unintelligible dialogue]
A Miss Symonds works on this floor, doesn't she?
Yes, and I'd like to know where the hell she is.
Why not colloquy with the secretaries after work, Mr. Fenton?
-Hello. -Hello.
[phone ringing]
I have to go, my whip's punishing me for voting against the loans.
Is he punishing your friends too?
No need, they caved.
Fenton, now!
[dramatic music]
I don't suppose you're free this weekend, are you?
I am.
-Mr. Fenton. -It's my brother's wedding reception.
I'll telephone you.
UNDER-SECRETARY
Well...
Mr. Stephens, I heard you were working on the New Towns Act.
I did a fair amount of work on wood when I was in housing,
so just in case you were looking for any intel.
I'm sorry, you are...
Oh, Feef Symonds.
Hello again.
Apparently you've met Mr. Roxborough.
My father wanted me to say hello to a Mr. Jarvis.
I don't suppose you know where I could find him?
I heard he was working here before me.
Was my predecessor in a way.
Predecessor is right. He is in fact deceased.
Yes.
-Afraid Jarvis died. -Died?
Fell down some stairs, poor chap.
Right.
[door opens]
The Americans want us to let 100,000 Jews into what they allege is their homeland.
The Arabs, understandably, would prefer we did no such thing.
There's only one thing for it.
A committee.
You'll be joined by some civil servants, academics and Yanks.
I have no expertise in foreign policy.
For 2,000 years, people with expertise have failed to solve this conundrum,
so not to worry.
This is just for show, isn't it?
To show whom what?
To show the Americans
that we are pretending to take their concerns seriously.
When we all know there's no way in hell
we can risk upsetting the Arabs and our access to oil.
Then the Palestine problem is insoluble.
-Correct. -Hugh...
What if it's not?
[applauding]
[unintelligible dialogue]
We thought, well...
if you can't get the perfect wedding cake, get a cake that looks perfect.
How are we going to cut it?
Joanna, it's fine. We'll just pretend.
We'll just stand over here, not talk to anyone.
Okay.
Excuse me.
[sighs]
I'm sick of this war.
Have you tried the food? It tastes like paper.
The war's over actually.
You think you're so bloody young.
Mummy, please just have a glass of water. Here.
Please.
We've got a lot of guests. It's going to be a long night.
What is your point?
That you're swaying slightly
and no music is playing.
My sister and I used to dance when there was no music.
And we used to run.
Fast, fast, fast, fast, like...
colts.
My father used to call us his little colts.
Yes, and now maybe no more wine.
Oh, you're in charge now. [sighs]
Now that you have a very important job.
You can run the show
and you can tell people when they may or may not imbibe.
May I breathe? Is that alright?
Stop it.
-May I defecate? -No more bloody wine, mother.
Ladies don't have ink on their fingers.
They never get a beau with ink on their fingers.
I came here with someone.
You'll be a bluestocking by the time they're through with you.
Shh!
A bloody lesbian.
We both know Freddie's the one who's a homosex--
No!
Are you alright?
It's fine. I just banged my cheek. It was silly.
Yeah, I saw how you banged it.
Let me see.
[sighs]
There's a little bit of blood.
It's her ring. It's fine. It's just...
She had a little too much to drink. I was being annoying.
-I doubt that. -It's fine.
Listen...
Is that alright?
I worry I'll get you into a lot of trouble.
I want trouble.
[sand pouring]
[music intensifies]
[grunts]
[snake hissing]
[screaming] Slay the giants!
Come on.
[groans]
[panting]
[groans]
Come on.
You're gonna be fine.
You didn't dodge a thousand bullets to get killed by a snake.
Tell my ma it was a Nazi.
[sobbing]
She'll feel better that way.
No.
[snake hissing]
[phone ringing]
[snake hissing]
DERBY
You're a bad, bad, bad, bad man. [chuckles]
Fuck off.
[train whistle]
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND ALLIED SERVICES
WHY I BECAME A SOCIALIST
How do you like your new flat?
Please don't ask me any more about Hugh.
I think he's a good man and...
I have to be able to get up in the morning.
Have to be able to look at myself in the mirror.
[keys clicking]
My predecessor was called Phillip Jarvis, wasn't he?
[hits wall]
What do you know about Jarvis?
I know he checked out the same two files as I did.
And I know he's dead.
I trusted Peter, and Peter's gone. I have to be able to trust you.
-You can trust me. -You'll tell me the truth?
-Yes. -What happened to Jarvis?
They murdered him.
The Russians.
What if they murder me?
Subtitle translation by