A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIESÍ
[ominous music playing]
LET'S GO WINGS-VICTORY
RUSSIANS
[music intensifies]
[ball hits the wall]
SIX WEEKS EARLIER
[breathes heavily]
Thanks for meeting me.
OSS HEADQUARTERS, JAN 1945
It's just us here.
Don't even need to keep your voice down.
-How can I help? -Look, I don't even know.
[snuffles]
[scoffs] All right, come on.
Let's sit down, you want a drink or anything?
Oh, no, thank you.
Look, I did go to MI5 about this
and I've been waiting for them to respond to me, no one has.
I spoke to a Kim Philby?
And I don't know, maybe Philby will respond to you because I know that
the Brits, the Americans, they're working together and...
[sighs heavily]
Look, I should tell you when all this happened I was actually drunk
and that's possibly why MI5 aren't responding
and it's possible they know that I do drink
and that's just something--
All you Brits drink, don't you?
[chuckles] Well, yes.
Actually the point is that I remember everything that was said.
And...
Well, you gentlemen.
[sighs] Americans who are...
-you're saving our lives. -[scoffs[
What's going on?
Mhm?
What's happening?
[closes drawer]
I heard there's a Russian spy in the Cabinet Office.
[suspense music playing]
What's your full name?
Phillip Jarvis.
And what's your address?
You can trust me.
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
Jerry Roxborough and Mark Stephens.
Both of these men are senior civil servants.
Stephens' more senior.
Both men were at the private Cabinet Office meetings in '37 and '43
where the leaks came from.
Either one or both could be the mole, but she and I lean towards
Mr. Roxborough.
He has a flashy new car that Feef says exceeds his salary.
Yes, he presents as sort of upper-crust.
But of course the upper classes tend not to flash their money about
they have holes in their jumpers, that sort of thing.
He has a very posh accent, but then the other day he said "opera."
As opposed to what?
"Op'ra." It's a sort of, we just wouldn't say it like that.
Brits are such fucking snobs.
And what about the other guy? Stephens?
He's taking early retirement. Wife's ill.
If the Russians had embedded someone at Stephens' level, they'd never let him out.
Sick wife or no sick wife, my money's on Roxborough.
Jarvis, why didn't he get you these names?
He was killed before he got to me.
But he checked out the files a month before he died.
Maybe he didn't trust you.
Maybe he wanted to be sure.
Which is what we need to be.
So now what?
Get to know Mr. Roxborough.
Earn his trust.
Oh.
[scoffs]
Yeah.
Very good.
Luckily English men are more sexually reserved than Americans.
She's an anthropologist too.
Jerry and I are seeing the matinee together at The Weekend.
Mm-hmm...
And until then?
I'll keep watching him, we're at work all the time anyway.
Pressure's on because of the new Ministry we're building.
Of National Insurance.
[Jerry] You know, if you ask me,
more than one commie's infiltrated this government.
[Feef chuckles]
Yes, well national insurance doesn't cost anybody very much and will essentially
do a great deal to eliminate unnecessary suffering.
You said she was on our side.
She seems awfully protective of the Attlee government to me.
Her boyfriend's gotten into her head.
They're dating?
Jesus, if she marries him just think of the access we'll get.
Yes well, if you want to keep her on board
maybe don't put her on edge.
-I didn't. -Yes, you did.
It's a seduction.
You have to make them feel safe.
There's other ways of keeping an asset in play, aren't there?
Especially if they're starting to buck?
[suspense music playing]
Yes, there are other ways.
[engine starts]
[honking]
Good morning, Mr. Roxborough.
Good morning.
[unintelligible dialogue]
[music continues]
[unintelligible dialogue]
Excuse me.
Miss Garrick.
[sighs]
I can't get it out.
[panting]
It is, it's working.
-[woman]Could you open the door, please? -One second!
There's a huge wet stain now anyway, everyone will notice.
Just roll up your skirt.
[sighs heavily]
Yes.
Yes, it's fine.
Okay. Tie this around your waist.
You look very chic.
No one will notice. [chuckles]
Thank you.
-Excuse me, the door's locked! -One second!
[ Miss Garrick groans]
I want all the Ministries to confirm
and double check these numbers as we go around.
Thanks by the way to Miss Symonds for tracking them down.
Clever little thing, isn't she?
She's actually quite tall.
We are anticipating a new staff of approximately
thirty two thousand five hundred for the new ministry.
That is 8,000 more than originally projected and I've still yet to see
reports about where those cuts might be found from either the MRHA or the NRFP
regarding nationalizations. Next year I need to see those projections.
[suspense music]
What we are attempting is as logistically complex as building the pyramids.
And we don't have any slaves.
Thank you for cooking.
You're very welcome.
[dishes rattle]
I should go.
Really?
I have a mound of reading.
History of the Jews in Palestine. History of the Arabs in Palestine.
History of the British in Palestine. The Turks, the Canaanites, on and on.
Look.
Don't go.
It's Friday night.
I thought "Can I cook for you?" was code.
[breathes heavily] Code for what?
[closes door]
[ambient music playing]
Nice place.
-Do you rent or? -Mind your business.
[breathing heavily]
[moans]
[both panting]
Oh...
Not there.
Sorry.
[camera shutter sounds]
[moans]
[grunts]
[moaning]
[doorbell rings]
[unlocks and opens door
[gasps and chuckles]
Flowers!
Outstanding observational skills.
I am so sorry, I overslept. I will be one second. One second.
Right.
[hisses]
[engine running]
So where did you grow up?
London.
-You? -Outside London.
Do you have brothers? Sisters?
I'd like to ask, just so we're straight and everything.
Did you ask for a lift because you like my car?
Or because
well you know.
Or because
you know.
I've really been enjoying working with you.
Even if it's on this stupid Ministry. [scoffs]
Such a relief to be out together.
As friends.
Don't have to be so bloody neutral.
[loud noise from the engine]
What?
What happened?
-Is it the engine or? -No, it's all right, we'll just pull out.
[engine noise]
[car backfires]
It still seems to run.
But I don't want to damage it.
I have a mechanic.
In the glovebox?
[both chuckle]
His card.
[nervous laugh]
[slams car door]
[suspense music playing]
[flips through papers]
[music intensifies]
[exhales heavily]
[slams car door]
[applauding]
["When A Merry Maiden Marries" playing on piano]
♪ When a merry maiden marries ♪
♪ Sorrow goes and pleasure tarries ♪
♪ Every sound becomes a song ♪
THE PHILLIP JARVIS ROOM
♪ All is right and nothing's wrong ♪
♪ From today and ever after ♪
♪ Let your tears be tears of laughter ♪
♪ Every sigh that finds a vent ♪
♪ Be a sigh of sweet content ♪
[chattering]
That's very kind, thank you.
So glad you could make it.
She overslept.
And then there was some trouble with the car, I'm so sorry.
You were wonderful, Pris.
When I sing, birds die.
[all chuckle]
Nice to see you, Miss Symonds.
Slap at him.
-What? -Nothing.
[tinkling glass]
Thank you so much for coming.
We pride ourselves at the Gilbert and Sullivan Society
on not overstaying our welcome.
But if I could just have your attention for a moment longer,
I did want to take this opportunity to remember our dear departed
colleague and friend:
Phillip Jarvis.
Who was such a robust member of the organization.
He is missed.
And I'm very pleased to announce formally, although you may have noticed
on your way in, that we made it through the necessary bureaucracy
[crowd chuckles]
and our rehearsal room is now named in his memory.
[crowd applauding]
Where did Miss Garrick go?
Oh, she and Jarvis were...
Ah...
Excuse me.
Everything all right?
Yes, of course.
Why wouldn't it be?
[Miss Garrick sniffs]
I fell in love during the war, too.
What makes you think I was in love?
Oh, Mr. Roxborough said you and Mr. Jarvis...
[gasps] Well, I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
Seemed like a wonderful man.
Mr. Jarvis was a drunk.
He smelled like a drunk.
I avoided him. [sniffs]
Avoid office gossip,
Miss Symonds.
[clears throat]
["Sing hey, Lackaday!" playing]
♪ Sing hey, Lackaday! ♪
♪ Let the tears fall free ♪
♪ For the pretty little flower ♪
♪ And the great oak tree ♪
♪ Sing hey, Lackaday! ♪
♪ Hey, Lackaday ♪
♪ Lackaday ♪
[piano music playing]
Oh, no.
Not for me, thanks.
Next week I'll want to look at transposing you down a few keys.
[hesitating] Next week I'll be en route to Dumbarton Oaks.
Well peace is no excuse for missing rehearsal, Jarvis.
August 21st, 1944, a day that we remember throughout history
as the moment the three great Allied Nations met here at Dumbarton Oaks
to lay the groundwork for a brand new organization: the United Nations.
To ensure that war becomes a horror of the past.
The American delegation, the British, the Russian--
-Assholes! -Sorry.
Cut!
Americans have bigger beds than us.
Of course they're bigger people.
The real super race.
Why are they so tall?
[grunts] I think I should sleep here.
You're bunking with Jerry, otherwise he'll know something's wrong.
He knows anyway.
No, he doesn't. And I don't want him to. I don't want anyone to.
I have to go and brief the Undersecretary.
All right.
[moans softly]
No, I have to--
Yep.
Yes, very good.
And everyone is aware of the start time is now half past 9:00?
Yep.
-Drink. -I got to get home.
-Wife's pregnant. -[chuckles] Congratulations.
-That's wonderful. -[man speaks in foreign language]
You. Come on.
-Oh no-- -This is a momentous occasion.
We drink to brüderschaft.
-All right, but just a quick one. -Yes.
[claps hands]
[sighs]
-This man, Attlee. -Mm-hmm...
-He will be prime minister? -I don't know.
[laughs]
Attlee's a smart guy.
[laughs]
He understands, if there is another war
we're all dead.
Bases in the Middle East.
England does not need them.
[grunts]
[sighs] So, what you...
You've heard Attlee
talk about whether or not
we need bases in the Middle East?
Oh, we are the little men that try to help. [scoffs]
We have leaders but it's us, the advisers, that's trying
to stop the world from going "boom."
And I'm telling you the world will go boom all over again
if your people on PWP committee and Palestine mandate working--
How do you know about those committees?
Stalin hears everything.cI
[ominous music playing]
I tried to move you last night.
You were immovable.
I hope no one saw you coming, and I would appreciate it if you could try to ensure
no one saw you leave.
I have to tell you about last night.
I think your priority should be gargling and a bath.
My priority is making sure everyone has what they need for today's historic,
important, not-wise-to-be-late meetings.
-You driving the girl home, Jerry? -Mhm.
[heavy breath]
Careful.
[chattering in the distance]
[unintelligible dialogue]
[closes door]
[sighs]
[flushes toilet]
[gasps]
How'd it go?
[ominous music playing]
You didn't bring Mr. Roxborough in, so
I assume you got everything out of him that you needed.
No, I...
[deep breathing]
Well you and I have both been picking locks.
I got into the glove box of Jerry's car without him seeing, obviously,
and he has a gun.
Lots of people have guns.
Not in England. I think it's odd.
I think we'd know more if you brought him in.
You brought someone in right?
I see the sheets.
You as a beautiful woman can get secrets much more easily out of people than I can.
That's a tremendous advantage you have.
-Yes, but I don't want to-- -Shh.
Don't be a little girl.
Be a big girl.
You have power.
Real power.
Use it.
There's no shame in it.
You and Peter were lovers, and he adores you, but he'd tell you the same thing.
This is the business.
Peter knows what this job requires from a woman.
So don't feel bad about it.
Do what you have to do.
[hisses] I found out something else.
Priscilla Garrick. I think she and Jarvis were having an affair.
When I asked her she denied it, but she did a little thing
-that made me think she was lying. -What little thing?
She cleared her throat.
[clears throat]
She does that when she's nervous, but why would she be nervous?
Maybe she knows what happened to him. Maybe she was...
involved? [sighs]
But she wasn't at the meetings where there were leaks.
She wasn't listed in the files.
But Jerry was.
Maybe there's more than one spy, Gouzenko gave up 40 names in Canada.
There was a whole spy ring.
Let's take the investigation up a notch.
[steps sound]
I didn't pick the lock.
[suspense music playing]
I have a key.
[closes door]
[picking the lock]
Nothing.
No secret boxes.
No bugs.
Place is filthy.
Like a slob.
Our girl said he was posing as an aristocrat.
Maybe
he's a secret member of the proletariat.
Double life.
Life of an agent.
You know what?
When Mr. Roxborough gets home,
why don't you ask him a few questions.
And make sure he tells you the truth.
Yeah.
[deep breath]
Okay.
[thumps]
[unintelligible dialogue]
Rae, I wondered if you might run out and get Mr. Stephens a cake?
That's not really my job. [continues typing]
It is today.
[coins jingling]
That's how mumsy talks to the servants, innit?
[all laughing]
The old girl's hitting the garage at The Weekend, they said it's a quick fix.
Everybody, we're doing a birthday surprise for Mr. Stephens at 5:00.
So I thought once I get her back I could take you on a drive to the country.
-Or alternatively we-- -Did you hear about the birthday surprise
-for Mr Stevens? -Yes I think you told the entire office.
Alternatively we could go for a drink. Tonight.
Or any night.
[catcall whistle]
Look, Jerry, I'm sorry but I don't think I should see you socially because of work
and everything.
[slams door]
I think it's fine for us to see each other we like each other, we should absolutely
-socialize, you're being silly. -[gasps]
-You all right? -Yes.
-Nicholas Sullivan. -Feef Symonds.
-After you. -Thank you.
[unintelligible dialogue]
The Minister was quite shocked at the devastation that he witnessed in Russia
last month.
He would like to give a speech in Parliament that articulates
the extraordinary suffering of the Russian people.
He believes it would bolster relations between our two countries which of course
are currently slightly strained as we thrash out the most practical use
of Germany's resources.
Buttering up to the Russians achieves nothing.
They despise you for it.
I will pass on MI5's generality.
I like the idea.
I do not.
Reports keep coming in.
The communists are using the Soviet Zone in East Germany to recruit.
The goal, step back, France is now communist-run.
Miner's strike in the US is happening at the exact same time as the miners
in this country have presented our government with a
written list of demands. "Workers of the World Unite" is happening.
And meanwhile, they keep asking for more information about our access to uranium.
I wouldn't butter them up too much.
So.
It's a no from MI5.
We shall pass that on.
[suspense music playing]
[knocking]
Birthday surprise for Mr. Stephens.
Right.
Lovely gesture, Feef.
-Birthday surprise, Mr. Stephens. -All right.
[phone ringing]
Let me just get that.
Hello.
Have at it, Miss Symonds.
[hangs up phone]
[cat meows]
[paper crumpling]
[closes drawer]
[people singing in the distance]
PHILLIP JARVIS RUDDIGORE
♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪
♪ Happy birthday, Mr. Stephens ♪
♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪
[loud noise]
Oh shit.
[suspense music playing]
Sorry. [chuckles]
Mr. Pitt the Elder ran in.
-I know you hate him. -[cat meows]
He opened the door?
No, of course not. You left it open a crack.
Sit down.
One second.
[clears throat] May I call you back Mr. Leeming?
[hangs up phone]
[deep breath]
[soflty knocking]
What's the matter with you?
You tell me you need to work for a woman. That Mr. Hennessey's all over you.
You've been here less than five minutes and you're distracting Mr. Roxborough.
Women have to be twice as good as men.
They really do.
Try to make yourself look less attractive.
Do you think I don't know how to do my hair?
Do you think I don't know what rouge can do for bone structure?
Do you think I have no idea how to dress?
It is the wrong sort of attention.
Have no private life in the office.
That's an order.
And if you want some advice
have no private life at all.
You're bright.
You'd be wasted as a wife.
I don't want to be a wife.
I've never wanted to be a wife.
-There is such opportunity here. -I know.
Back to work.
[sniffs]
My mother's just a wife.
Now she drinks too much.
I admire you.
It's a ridiculous plan.
I rent a cake, then I'm not there when they present it.
Because your phone rang.
-She almost caught me. -But she didn't because you had a plan.
You had a cover story, that was a brilliant use of a cat.
-If I get fired, I'm no good to you. -Then don't get fired.
[sniffs]
I met someone today.
His name is Nicholas Sullivan, he's MI5, and I want to tell him what's going on.
He's very anti-Russia and I think I, or you, or both of us--
Absolutely not.
Why? We're all on the same side.
MI5 and MI6
are either incompetent or they've been infiltrated.
I don't think Mr. Sullivan has been compromised, you should have
heard him at this meeting he was very clear about not budging at all
-to the Russians, and I thought-- -You thought what?
You'd go up to him and say "Hi, I'm a spy"?
"I've been secretly reporting on my countrymen to an American agent."
You will tell no one who you are.
Or what we're doing.
Or what?
Believe it or not,
I'm trying to keep you safe.
You're not doing a very good job.
I don't feel safe.
Only idiots feel safe.
[ominous music playing]
[doorbell ringing]
I was with someone else before I met you.
An American.
[sighs]
I hope you don't mind me saying.
No.
I did care about him.
[deep breath]
I'm not sure how nice he was.
Nice is
so boring.
[scoffs]
Yes, I know.
[sighs]
But it's also nice.
[chuckles]
[dramatic music playing]
[thumps]
[music intensifies]
[keys rattling]
[starts engine]
[loads gun]
What are you doing, man? Don't do that.
[whimpers]
[sobs]
[starts crying]
It's all right.
[dishes rattle] Is there someone I can call for you?
No family?
None?
Lost my brothers in the war.
I should be dead too.
I had to separate myself from the pack, didn't I?
Get yourself to university the next thing you know, you're too important to fight.
[whimpers]
[sighs]
It doesn't matter.
They always thought I was up myself.
That's what they'd say down to East End.
[exhales heavily] It's just something I've been doing.
Sitting in the car with a gun.
Because
I mean sometimes the world gets very dark.
Do you ever have that feeling sometimes?
I wouldn't do it.
But if I did do it, I wouldn't want the landlady to have to clear up.
The darkness?
Yes, it's awful isn't it.
What I figured out is the Party can always help.
Mhm?
Oh yes, a party does help sometimes. Absolutely.
With lots of pretty girls.
No.
The Party.
The Communist Party.
No.
[nervous laughter]
Not my cup of tea. [scoffs]
They'd always come knocking looking for converts when we were growing up.
My mother would shut the door on them.
"I'm not voting for no stinking Jew-Commie."
Very proud woman, my mother.
[music intensifies]
[man] Last weekend's performance was good, but if we want to knock their socks off
this weekend, I need better enunciation.
[laughter]
["We're Called Gondolieri" playing]
Three, four!
♪ We're called gondolieri ♪
♪ But that's a vagary ♪
♪ It's quite honorary ♪
♪ The trade that we ply ♪
♪ For gallantry noted ♪
♪ Since we were short-coated ♪
♪ To beauty devoted ♪
♪ My brother and I ♪
♪ When morning is breaking ♪
♪ Our couches forsaking ♪
♪ To greet their awaking ♪
♪ With carols to come ♪
♪ At summer's day nooning ♪
♪ When weary lagooning... ♪
I just wanted to have a quick word with you about Miss Symonds.
I'm just curious about why she wanted to leave Housing.
You said you wanted her.
She told me you were taking liberties with her.
But I think that's very unlikely. So I just wanted to discuss it.
Why do you think it's unlikely?
You just don't seem like the type.
Look, she's
a very attractive girl.
I probably
I took my interest in her too far.
I apologize. I'll apologize to her.
She's just
very pretty.
And I like pretty girls.
Are you coming, David?
[suspense music playing]
Then Mr. Roxborough is leading a double life.
But not one of a spy.
[typing sound]
There's something we're missing here.
I need to take another look.
Thank you.
ARCHIVED MATERIAL
TYPIST: R.S.
They want the King's speech to commit to Nationalization of Inland Transport
Services, Electricity and Fuel and Power and Health Services in the next year.
I think we have to advise that's too much for next year.
Excuse me.
I have to say
I think you're a very nice girl and I won't take no for an answer.
Jerry.
Look, I'm sorry. I've started going with someone.
What?
[sighs] So you just wanted a ride in my car.
And I asked you that directly and you lied.
I'm so sorry. Things just changed.
-Little girls. -[Feef gasps]
You want a ride in a nice car?
You should be very careful about giving a driver the eye
and a flash of the leg.
Lest the driver get the wrong idea.
[whimpers softly]
[piano music playing]
Can I tell you a secret?
Of course.
Because it's torturing me.
You'll think I'm crazy.
But I think that the
Russians have placed a fellow in our Department.
[scoffs]
-You're crazy. -And I think it's Roxborough.
Or Stephens.
But I mean, I can't
bring myself to say anything to anybody because
Christ, the idea. These are good men.
I just.
I can't believe it.
Now, now.
What's happening in your eyes, there?
It's nothing.
Just...
[voice cracks] why aren't we safe anywhere?
He doesn't want to say anything, anyway. And he's not on to me, but
I like to think I should mention it.
Yes.
So what do I do?
I'll take it from here.
Please.
Please what?
Please?
[music intensifies]
It's nothing for you to worry about, comrade.
PROPERTY OF THE CABINET OFFICE