Reilly: Ace Of Spies
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Reilly: Ace Of Spies
A thrilling story that takes us through some of the most turbulent decades of the 20th Century, Reilly: Ace Of Spies lifts the lid on a real-life agent whose life was stranger, more exotic and more thrilling than anything Ian Fleming every dreamt up.
The series that made Sam Neill a household name, this enthralling drama tells the true story of a man called Sidney George Reilly. Although that wasn't actually his real name, and just about everything else about him was shrouded in mystery too. Spying for at least four different nations in the early decades of the 20th Century, Reilly was the original James Bond: suave, calculating, and irresistible to women.
Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, the man who gave us The Italian Job, Reilly: Ace Of Spies features before-they-were-famous appearances by David Suchet and Bill Nighy. Here's a rundown of the main stars and who they play.
Like Reilly himself, Sam Neill has an assumed name. He was actually born Nigel Neill – the "Sam" was a nickname he picked up at school to distinguish him from another Nigel. Drifting into acting while at university, he helped make film history by starring in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, New Zealand's first ever movie. Playing the Antichrist in Omen III made him a star, and since then he's been in everything from Jurassic Park to The Simpsons. And here's some trivia for you: Sam was shortlisted to replace Roger Moore as Bond, only losing out at the last moment to Timothy Dalton.
Leo McKern will forever be known as the brilliant and very British barrister Rumpole of the Bailey, so it may surprise some to learn that he was actually Australian, and only moved to the UK after serving in World War Two. His Aussie accent made it difficult for him to get roles at first, but he eventually became a brilliant character actor in programmes like The Prisoner. Still, his name will always be bound up with that barrister, and didn't Leo know it. Commenting a few years before he died, he irritably said: "If I get an obit in the paper, they'll say '...of course, known to millions as Rumpole.'" And he's been proved right ever since.
Tom Bell was, along with Albert Finney, Alan Bates and Tom Courtney, one of a handful of brash young British stars who rose to fame in the gritty "kitchen sink" films of the 1960s. But he eventually carved out a career on the small screen, most famously as sexist copper Otley in Prime Suspect. But off-screen he was also known for his sharp tongue and wicked wit – most notoriously when he heckled the Duke of Edinburgh during an awards ceremony by shouting "Make us laugh, tell a joke!" Hard to imagine David Jason doing that.
Sebastian Shaw made his stage debut way back in 1914, and kept acting all the way into his 80s. While he made his name as a Shakespearian thesp, the one thing he'll always be remembered for is playing Darth Vadar/Anakin Skywalker in Return of the Jedi (that's him you see when Luke takes Vadar's mask off). But even more impressive than that is the fact that he once went out with John Peel's mum. Imagine that. John Peel's mum!
Chances are you'll recognise Kenneth Cranham without knowing his name. He's one of those extremely versatile and talented character actors who appear in countless films and TV shows, generally stealing scenes from A-list stars whenever they turn up. Kenneth's CV takes in everything from Hot Fuzz to Gangster No 1 to Layer Cake, and he's got a legion of horror fans for playing a demented psychiatrist turned demonic monster in Hellraiser II. Which, let's face it, was probably more fun to do than anything Shakespeare came up with.
Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, the man who gave us The Italian Job, Reilly: Ace Of Spies features before-they-were-famous appearances by David Suchet and Bill Nighy. Here's a rundown of the main stars and who they play.
Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly
The mysterious Sidney Reilly is a seductive spy embroiled in a web of international intrigue. But is he too ambitious for his own good?Like Reilly himself, Sam Neill has an assumed name. He was actually born Nigel Neill – the "Sam" was a nickname he picked up at school to distinguish him from another Nigel. Drifting into acting while at university, he helped make film history by starring in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, New Zealand's first ever movie. Playing the Antichrist in Omen III made him a star, and since then he's been in everything from Jurassic Park to The Simpsons. And here's some trivia for you: Sam was shortlisted to replace Roger Moore as Bond, only losing out at the last moment to Timothy Dalton.
Leo McKern as Basil Zaharov
Every bit as cunning as Reilly himself, arms dealer Basil Zaharov is destined to cross paths with the master-spy on more than one occasion.Leo McKern will forever be known as the brilliant and very British barrister Rumpole of the Bailey, so it may surprise some to learn that he was actually Australian, and only moved to the UK after serving in World War Two. His Aussie accent made it difficult for him to get roles at first, but he eventually became a brilliant character actor in programmes like The Prisoner. Still, his name will always be bound up with that barrister, and didn't Leo know it. Commenting a few years before he died, he irritably said: "If I get an obit in the paper, they'll say '...of course, known to millions as Rumpole.'" And he's been proved right ever since.
Tom Bell as Felix Dzerzhinsky
The cold and amoral head of the Soviet secret police, Felix Dzerzhinsky will do anything to secure his own power and fortune.Tom Bell was, along with Albert Finney, Alan Bates and Tom Courtney, one of a handful of brash young British stars who rose to fame in the gritty "kitchen sink" films of the 1960s. But he eventually carved out a career on the small screen, most famously as sexist copper Otley in Prime Suspect. But off-screen he was also known for his sharp tongue and wicked wit – most notoriously when he heckled the Duke of Edinburgh during an awards ceremony by shouting "Make us laugh, tell a joke!" Hard to imagine David Jason doing that.
Sebastian Shaw as Rev. Mr Thomas
The Rev. Mr Thomas is an elderly clergyman who takes a liking to Reilly. But will Reilly take a liking to Thomas's wife?Sebastian Shaw made his stage debut way back in 1914, and kept acting all the way into his 80s. While he made his name as a Shakespearian thesp, the one thing he'll always be remembered for is playing Darth Vadar/Anakin Skywalker in Return of the Jedi (that's him you see when Luke takes Vadar's mask off). But even more impressive than that is the fact that he once went out with John Peel's mum. Imagine that. John Peel's mum!
Kenneth Cranham as Lenin
Having led his Communist forces to victory in the Russian revolution, Vladimir Lenin becomes a target for assassination by foreign forces. Will Reilly be the trigger man?Chances are you'll recognise Kenneth Cranham without knowing his name. He's one of those extremely versatile and talented character actors who appear in countless films and TV shows, generally stealing scenes from A-list stars whenever they turn up. Kenneth's CV takes in everything from Hot Fuzz to Gangster No 1 to Layer Cake, and he's got a legion of horror fans for playing a demented psychiatrist turned demonic monster in Hellraiser II. Which, let's face it, was probably more fun to do than anything Shakespeare came up with.
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