Undercover (I) (2016) User Reviews

An impressive drama that is enjoyable despite being too preachy at times

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 16 May 2016]

This seven part BBC drama opens in Louisiana where British civil rights lawyer Maya Cobbina is trying to get a stay of execution for her client Rudy Jones. She is unsuccessful and leaves as he is taken to the execution chamber. As she drives away she is stopped and told that Rudy is still alive following a botched attempt to kill him. This doesn't necessarily mean that he is safe and the state is determined to try again at a later date. She returns to her family in London… not knowing that her husband. Nick Johnson, of twenty years isn't the man she thought he was. Through a series of flashbacks we learn that that he was an undercover police officer who had been tasked with investigating her when she was part of a civil rights group led by Michael Antwi; a man who died in police custody shortly afterwards. Maya is determined to get justice for Michael but others are determined that what happened that day will remain a secret. Back in the present she is offered the position of the next Director of Public Prosecution; a bit of a surprise given that she always worked for the defence but she uses it as an opportunity to reopen the Antwi case. Nick thinks his past in the police is long over but his handlers contact him again and demand that he stops his wife from doing anything that could expose the truth of what happened that day. As the series progresses Nick must decide where his loyalties lie as it becomes apparent that the people he is working for are very dangerous.

This was a solid series even if it did wear its heart on its sleeve a little too much; we were left in no doubt who we were meant to sympathise with. At times this could be a problem; the character of Maya was so self-righteous that it was hard to sympathise with her at times even though we know she is in the right! This was even true of her final plea for Rudy's life where she argues against the cruelty of execution by lethal injection; this seemed a bit too much like the writers telling us how they feel on the matter and grated even though I broadly agreed with the argument. Thankfully though these moments didn't spoil the story; this is largely down to the cast, especially Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester. These two made excellent leads do a fine job. There are plenty of tense moments throughout the series from the gruelling opening to the exciting finale. We do need to stretch our suspension of disbelief a fair bit at time; would such an outspoken and controversial lawyer as Maya really be made DPP and even though there have been real cases of undercover officers getting involved with people they were investigating it would take something to keep it a secret for twenty years of marriage. Overall though, despite its flaws, I found this to be a highly worthwhile series.

Not flawless, but still above average

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 21 June 2016]

Last decade or so, the UK has produced so many versatile and dramatic (mini-)series that one must unavoidably compare and choose between them - as time is limited and eyes must relax from time to time. Sometimes you tend to forget what you have seen already - due to several recurrent actors, often in similar roles of coppers or crooks - the trend that is usually characteristic to smaller nations, in Scandinavia in particular.

Undercover sets in rather intensely, but then it scatters and wears away somehow, and some standpoints and attitudes are pointed out too often and too strongly, but then the thrill resumes and last two episodes form a real cat-and-mouse play, without becoming too "explosive". True, using flashbacks with a little effort to change the performers' outfit and looks for the period of 20 years brings along unnecessary confusions and disruptions, but all the major performances, however, are good at least, and Maya Cobbina QC by Sophie Okonedo deserves more praise and attention she has achieved so far.

The ending scenes are a bit odd, and the very ending made me the inspiration that another season would be launched, although there is no hint of it so far. Anyway, I would presumably find time for follow-up, but it is okay to cap off here as well. Let the big echelons be more visible in other series... :)

I missed this when it was broadcast but it is very good.

[ib011f9545i · 7/10 · 16 May 2020]

I think I saw the first episode of this and thought it was about America,but it is really a UK/London story. It is based on the idea of deep cover police officers,a big topic in the UK a few years ago. This is well acted and gripping but not very realistic. You do need to pay attention while watching it. If you like Good Cop,The Shadow Line or Luther you will like this

Good but could have been better

[Vindelander · 7/10 · 11 August 2019]

Strong cast and could have been so much better if the ending had not been so abrupt- almost as though they were against the clock to wrap it up. Still, with only 6 episodes at an average of 50 mins each it was absorbing enough until the inconsistencies in the plot rather spoilt it for me in the finale.

It's exciting at times, just suspend your disbelief.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 10 January 2021]

Where to even begin, episodes are either brilliant, or terrible, there is no happy medium, one thing that is certain, this should have been a four part series, at six, it's better padded than a Dreams mattress.

The story is up and down, implausible, nonsensical, but actually pretty enjoyable. You will be baffled by the actions of some of the main characters, particularly when you consider the positions they hold.

It's woke, Yep, it's great to see a principally black cast, it does make a nice change, but on a few occasions, they drop in a few lines that make you want to cringe, the Oxford jibe, not true.

The best aspect, the acting, the two leads, two people I'm a huge fan of, Okonedo and Lester, the acting from the pair, is first rate, two of Britain's best.

I can't really score it higher than a six, Parts 2 and 5 are terrific, parts 3 and 4 are a snore fest.

Overall, it's good, but know what you're getting. 6/10.

Excellent drama, fantastic acting

[jon-859 · 10/10 · 29 March 2017]

Absolutely loved this and no idea why so many people hate it. Sophie Okendo and Adrian Lester made a compelling team and the drama built impressively. Above all it was different. The plot was intricate and actually believable considering the time-line. The 1990's were a time when the police were often out of control and cover ups were the norm. Full marks.

A Shame They Had To Be So Worrhy And PC

[aldotaylor · 7/10 · 15 August 2019]

This was a PC Box Ticking Drama for the BBC where they seize the reigns of all things liberal and ram it down our throats. The shame is that despite the story being slightly unplausabke it's actualky pretty good and could have been so much better if they stopped being beacons of Wokeness. Adrian Leater (hugely underrated) is excellent as always as is The brilliant Sophie Okonedo who shines hugely. Give it a watch if you can get past the political bias and put that to one side it's pretty darn entertaining

A story that requires focus but Sophie Okonedos' performance is wonderful

[john-1424 · 8/10 · 13 February 2019]

Having read the variety of opinions in the reviews I still found this worth a try. Very glad I did. Yes, perhaps it was difficult to follow in places with multiple flashbacks but the central character Maya Corbina played by Sophie Okonedo was for me absolutely mesmerizing. What an incredible talent! The rollercoaster of emotions she portrays draws you into her world and as Maya Corbina, you feel every moment of love, anger, determination,betrayal,loss, confusion, sadness,.......All I can say further is don't be put off by the poor reviews, give this show a chance and if nothing else enjoy her talent.

Not my kind of drama, but...

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 24 July 2023]

This is not my kind of drama. But I watched if for one reason: Adrian Lester is, from my perspective, one of the very best actors out there...whether we are talking Hollywood or Great Britain. So I'll watch almost anything that he's in. And here, he didn't disappoint.

On the other hand...my position on, Sophie Okonedo...I see reviewers here raving about her performance. Throughout the series I sat there thinking, over and over, that I couldn't decide if that was good acting due to the intensity...or just plain over the top acting.

Everyone else here was good. Daniel Ezra...an intriguing young actor.

But there were things in this drama that bothered me. At times it was slow, but then, in the last 20-30 minutes -- I guess to be suspenseful -- it seems that the writers cheated us and tried to wrap up too much, too quickly. Early in the series I felt the story bogged down. Then in that last episode things sped out of control. The other thing that bothered me was that the segment in the United States Supreme Court...no, just no, not realistic at all.

But, I have to admit, the series had me hooked early on...again, despite the fact that there were aspects of it that were disappointing.

Interesting premise let down by an implausible story

[s3276169 · 5/10 · 17 May 2016]

Undercover offers an interesting premise, that is let down by an implausible story.

Without giving too much away, the notion that Undercover is built upon is interesting but its taken to such implausible extremes as to render the whole proposition unbelievable. Worse still and perhaps not surprisingly, the story simply doesn't hold together all that well as a tale of crime, politics and espionage (of a kind) gradually unfolds.The rather flat, abrupt ending, does not help matters either.

Its a shame too, as there is some genuine acting talent on offer, who hand in really excellent performances. Sophie Okonedo, in particular, is to be commended on her heartfelt, passionate performance, as criminal attorney, Maya Corbina.

In short, Undercover is a series I want to like. It has good production values and a quality cast. That said, its story is simply too weak to carry it. Five out of ten from me.

Amazing and important viewing

[marthaloveslottie · 10/10 · 22 February 2017]

This is a fabulous piece of writing, acting and directing.

It is not "pants" or "not believable" as some people are saying- it is based on extensive research into the long history of the Met Police using undercover cops to spy on a huge number of campaigning groups e.g Greenpeace.

The plot line may have been dramatised- but this is a DRAMA, not claiming to be a total replica of the truth which clearly people have totally misinterpreted.

It is compelling viewing, very well written by Peter Moffat (Silk, Criminal Justice, The Village) and beautifully acted by Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester, in particular.

It is one of the only British TV shows to cast the two main characters as black, and I think people are forgetting this.

Don't let patriotic, uneducated reviews put you off people!

Say what?!

[gmorgan51-158-682165 · 5/10 · 16 May 2016]

This was one of the silliest, campiest (is that a word?), most confusing mini-series that has ever been aired. The premise of an undercover policeman who spies on his prosecutor wife was hard enough to swallow, but it at least held enough interest to see how it would develop. But ... oh Please! The guy on death row in America didn't kill the American mayor; no - it was the British drug dealing activist?! Oh Please! (When did Maya get licensed to argue in an American appeals court, much less the Supreme Court?) My hope for this mini-series was never very high, but it really was a huge disappointment. And the activist was not killed while incarcerated - he actually had a heart attack? I thought the whole show was about discovering who was involved in the cover-up of the activist's death while in police custody. If not that, then what exactly was being covered up? Why, then, was the drug addicted ex-undercover police officer (Abigail) murdered by an injected drug overdose? What story was the journalists chasing? I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!

Crime/political/betrayal/secret/pursuit of truth intertwined

[fitzmary · 10/10 · 19 October 2017]

Something for everyone. True to BBC flavor. Each episode becomes more layered with complex struggles. Heart clutching, each episode builds to nearly breath taking crescendo. One main character is driven by truth. Another is controlled by secrets and lies. The deft unfolding of how external factors assault their perception of their personal realities and interpersonal relationships is absorbing. Can't wait for Season 2.

Fantastic acting

[anitastormes · 10/10 · 6 August 2018]

I hope the writers and the actors received awards for this show... Well done!

There should be a special place in hell...

[notoriouslynice-26657 · 1/10 · 1 March 2017]

I so wanted to like this. The premise sounded promising. Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester are two of my favorite actors. The story started slowly but picked up speed toward the end. Then...there should be a special place in hell for writers who string you along for 6 hours and then give you nothing.

When is Season 2 coming 🤗

[nceo-44778 · 9/10 · 19 July 2019]

I loved Season 1. The acting was great and I enjoyed the storyline. Now that the family knows the truth, how is Nick "Michael" and Maya going to turn the system underside-down.

Gave it three episodes...

[julesmoules · 4/10 · 17 April 2016]

Good acting but the storyline is pants - I simply don't believe this particular story, even though I know undercover agents have married or partnered-up with many women during their 'spying' years. The unalloyed 'goodness' of the principals in this series is cloying and unbelievable. I can't believe they scripted the Waltons in an story about deceit, scorn and cold-blooded treachery. The clunky dialogue just gives it away, badly.

Yes, let's have a seriously deceitful partner, who's spent years undercover with a loving partner, But making that partner Nelson Mandela in drag is a silly and wrong-headed plot device. You gotta get more subtlety and mischief in there for this to work properly. And don't start me on the kids...

All in all it's shame. And a huge opportunity gone sadly to waste. Should have got Jed Mercurio to write this one...

Conspiracies seamlessly domestic, national and international create a big, well-acted epic at times veering towards implausibility

[jrarichards · 8/10 · 26 October 2020]

Those watching the first scenes of Pete Moffat's "Undercover" will maybe imagine they are in for a detailed examination of the rights and wrongs of capital punishment in the US and the bizarre and unpleasant associated manifestation that is Death Row. In a sense they would be right, as this topic does loom large, as British lawyer Maya Cobbina (a series-dominating Sophie Okoneo) hops regularly across the Pond to defend long-term Death Row resident Rudy (convincing work from Dennis Haysbert). Odd, you may think, that a Brit lawyer should be defending in the States, but here we are, and it does allow for a bit of vaguely superior-loking British-origin knocking of the American system - so that's all right then!

On the other hand, Maya gets to say things like "our Founding Fathers" which sounds odd coming from her lips. OK, so the Fathers were technically perhaps British too (a few even British-born), but the moment they founded they ceased to be, so that looks sloppy and a bit unconvincing (and even like an American-made oversight, yet the whole piece is British).

Anyway, this British-American linkage spills over into bad things that happen in the context of the series, and it is made reasonably clear that something the state doesn't like in the USA will flow over easily enough to Britain - and probably even vice versa. Just how does that operate?

Indeed, conspiracy is writ large here, and to get full benefit from "Undercover" you'll have to be prepared to accept that the British state (also) will stop at nothing to silence or remove troublemakers - and if that means their deaths and attendant coverups that's OK. Apparently.

Anyway, so much for the BBC being an establishment entity, as this kind of plot is profoundly subversive-looking, even as it does vaguely manage to convince.

But Rudy's sentence and the Deep State are just part of the content here, as there's a domestic twist inasmuch as that a person initimately working within the state setup - that's Adrian Lester's Nick Johnson - is actually a spy and a plant whose job is to help report on all that subversive stuff, inter alia by spying on Maya, who at some point became his partner and fathered his three kids - who we also get to see plenty of and in fact play quite crucial roles in the plot. These roles are well done, BTW.

The fact that Nick is in the end Police (rather than an agent or military or whatever) pushes my credulousness further towards its limits.

There's (obviously) a domestic time bomb ticking here too, and it does go off, and all the more so as Maya ceases to be just a lawyer, once appointed to the senior UK post of Director of Public Prosecutions. Presumably it's a case of the British state having her where they can see her and where she can do less harm, but it's a bit odd-looking, all the more so as it brings her into contact with an unpleasant triumverate of lawyer-civil servant / Minister and DeepState-fixer of unknown origins. These roles are in the capable hands of Mark Bonnar, Derek Riddell (in yet another negative role) and Alistair Petrie, but - while indeed well-acted - these three never look really convincing as stop-at-nothing types, all the more so as they are frequently and visibly seen in one another's company, and seem to be pretty open about what they are doing.

We've also got investigative journalists in there - quite an effective and useful presence, but further upping the complexity of the plot, while not necessarily enhancing its credibility.

Nobody here is terribly nice, with the possible exception of Rudy (!), all act well, and its fun to see how Nick's decades of deception finally get derailed, often on account of coincidental or ad hoc events. Indeed, this slight eccentricity of the plot is a highlight of the piece, looking more realistic and sympathetic than most other aspects.

What this means is that most people can find something to appreciate here (even if it's a short amount of time spent at the family's picturesque holiday cottage in Cornwall), and there's a reasonable amount of thought-provoking moral stuff that we surely need.

Happily, what I have left unsaid or unemphasised here until now is that a large percentage of the performers here are black or ethnic minority. In 2020, this again assumes added resonance, all the more so as there is a remarkable piece of perspicacity in the plot here regarding maltreatment that is instantly visible to those who do indeed watch in this year of years, as opposed to 4 years ago when the series was made. But ultimately this is a family with various connections, and at times at least we joyously move far beyond any hint of traditional/stereotypical roles. However, that brings several stings in the tale, as there are no particular favours done here, no kid gloves, and quite often this really amounts to a lack of solidarity. This reaches a crescendo (and perhaps breaking point) in a last-episode twist that really seems to blot the copybook by suggesting that people we saw as heroes were not. This is as fun as it is daring, but certainly messes up what had been a cohesive/supportive/sympathetic message through 5.75 of the 6 episodes.

Odd and probably careless-looking, though also seeming to herald a further set of instalments that never actually materialised.

Too bad really, for this is mostly a satsifying, if not quite exquisitely good, watch.

Absorbing in spite of ticking every PC box there is

[truth-teller · 5/10 · 3 May 2016]

This is a comment on "Undercover", rather than a full-blown review. Sophie Okonedo is a very expressive actress and the range of emotions she displays as Maya are believable. She makes her real and at times extremely irritating with her relentless right-on, goody two-shoes behaviour. She loves her husband, she loves her kids, she is dedicated to her job, she has time for everyone and never snaps that she just wants to loll in the bath reading a book for some peace and quiet.

Every trendy box is ticked here - high-achieving black family, social conscience, human rights, epileptic heroine, autistic son, women's lib, house husband, fighting to save death row inmates - it's a full-frontal assault that dares us to disapprove or even have a fleeting selfish thought, because by golly Maya never does.

All this places a rather brittle and fake veneer on a storyline that does have its dark moments and dirty underbelly. The moral dilemmas are real and imaginable but what a shame the lead character is so upright and certain of her path that these dilemmas are not wrestled with in a realistic way. Nothing in life is clearly black and white, but that world view is not something Maya subscribes to. It must be nice to be so certain of everything.

For a long time now on television we have had flawed cops, private eyes, detectives, reluctant mediums, lead characters "battling their demons", all with messy private lives that are supposed to make them interesting as they react in unpredictable ways to all the various plot twists they are put through. In "Undercover" we have a lead character that acts in a totally predictable way to everything, apparently suffers no doubts or misgivings, and is firmly waving her righteous sword, never losing sight of the moral high ground or how to stay there.

This is a story of deceit and the sheer mountain of lies that can be constructed over a period of 20 years. What a pity it had to be wrapped in a politically correct blanket that suffocates any real exploration of the plausible grey areas in life. If it's not right then it's obviously wrong, and that's that.

Started well. Went downhill fast.

[andy-thelwell · 4/10 · 23 May 2016]

This show started out pretty well. Some cloak and dagger mysterious goings on, racial tensions, flashbacks to 20 years previous, various threads of story to follow. It seemed promising.

Then it really all started going downhill...

First, this show must take the award for literally the worst attempt ever (read: no attempt at all) to make actors look convincingly older/younger between two time periods. I know this is going to be challenging and there's only 'so much' that can be done, but at least do some work with hair and makeup, exaggerated fashion choices, etc. to try to convince us that these scenes are 20 years apart. Add a little grey hair and a few subtle wrinkles in the 'later' years, stuff like that. At least make some kind of attempt. This was pathetic. Everyone had the exact same hairstyles between 1996 and 2006... except Adrian Lester, whose hair is *slightly* longer in 1996. Even the restaurants in '96 have modern-day décor, and the kitchens look all glossy white and modern. Really, really poor.

Second, in the all-time awards of "most actors pretending to be American who clearly are not American" this show comes up trumps. The accents are laughable. Surely the BBC could find one or two actual Americans to play actual Americans, thus ensuring they sound like actual Americans? Terrible.

Third, there are several incredibly sloppy plot points. (Spoilers herein): 1) Adrian Lester's character deliberately breaks his wrist in the jamb of a metal gate. This is so he can get a plaster cast put on it, and use that plaster to hide a recording device to entrap the 'baddies'. Oooooh.... clever!

Problem 1: In the scene in question, he closes the gate with all the force of a feather blowing in the wind. It would never be enough to break a wrist. Problem 2: Why would you need to break your wrist in order to have somewhere to hide a recording device? There are tons of other ways to achieve this. Absolutely nothing in the plot explains why wrist-breaking was necessary, nor does anything in the plot hinge on the presence of the plaster cast itself. Problem 3: Immediately after trying to trap the baddies, Lester's character smashes the recording device, claiming that it did no good. WHY? Problem 4: ...Oh God, I can't be bothered. I'm bored now.

As for the ending... Well, I can only describe it as completely incoherent. I can only imagine there's another series to come because the major plot twist does nothing to tie up any loose ends and simply leaves more questions hanging in thin air.

I have never been left more confused or bemused by a TV show.

Thoroughly befuddled and disappointed with this.

Preposterous

[scottjtepper · 2/10 · 19 March 2020]

An English Barrister (soon to become the Director of Public Prosecutions in London, no less) is somehow the only lawyer involved in the death penalty appeals of an American convict? WTF? As if there are no organizations in the United States much more well equipped to represent a death penalty prisoner? Yes. Many of them.

Sure the U.K. has outlawed the death penalty, but are there British overseas territories somewhere where the death penalty is still applied? Why yes, yes there are. Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas; Barbados; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; and Saint Kitts and Nevis are all Commonwealth countries with the death penalty. Appeals were to the Privy Council, now the Supreme Court. This English barrister could have handled an appeal from any of these countries as a British barrister. By why the hell am I doing the work of the writers for them?

Just awful. And stupid.

Quite appallingly bad.

[jambosana · 1/10 · 16 October 2016]

This truly was a most shockingly bad attempt to tell a potentially interesting story.

Nothing in this made sense. Coincidence piled upon coincidence. Unpredictable twists conjured out of a hat whenever the writer painted himself into a very avoidable corner. Implausible development piled upon implausible development.

Worst of all, however, is the sense I had watching this that the team behind this went to work each day convinced that they were producing something great. They should hang their heads in shame for taking a good premise and turning it into such dross.

Dreadful. Avoid unless you wish to see just how a potentially good series can go very badly off the rails.

Good acting, weak plot

[nozoki · 4/10 · 11 December 2018]

Confusing story at first, then starting to become interesting. Unfortunately, despite the excellent acting the plot finally turns out tot be rather weak and unconvincing.

Wasted Opportunity

[sjhvii · 1/10 · 24 August 2018]

I though the idea of a drama featuring a successful middle class Black family was overdue and with two great actors in the leads I had high hopes for this.

Sadly the plot was utterly ridiculous. An undercover cop who fools his family y for decades by pretending to be a Writer who never writes a single word in 20 years but spends the time telling his dear old Dad a pile of porkies.

And what was all that running about? If it was supposed to be a metaphor it was too crude for words.

And a Wife who is aright on Defense lawyer who spends her days challenging dodgy Police evidence and who has never prosecuted in her life is picked to head up the CPS?

And what on earth is she doing messing around in the US Courts. Did she do this in her holiday? Did the Crown fail to spot that when she was supposed to be leading a huge and very important Government department she had gone awol And as far as I know British Barristers have no rights of audience in US Courts. .

And for good measure virtually every male character, black or white, turns out to be a turd. All in all man hating box ticking PC rubbish

What a waste

The most ludicrous plot ever

[trash-41084 · 1/10 · 19 November 2019]

Totally implausible and ludicrous. Nothing hangs together. If you like running a cheese grater over your face... might appreciate this. The motives of all parties is incomprehensible. Really BBC - if this is the sort of unintelligible nonsense you derive from my licence fee, perhaps I should stop watching. Sophie O is a great actress but hopelessly miscast. What a load of utter bilge. The story holds together as well as a floppy jelly, and the ending is a disaster -- a real pity it takes till the very end to realise quite what an unrecoverable mess it all is -- 6 hours of wasted life. Avoid....