Slow burner... worth persevering with and deserving of a second series. Some of the persevered "Englishness" was plain dumb, such as the cricket match taking place in a cow field! But on the whole an enjoyable series. It grew darker as it progressed.
85 Reviews
Enjoyable series
alnewcastle124 February 2019
Strong start with disappointing ending
dkdm-418121 October 2019
I really liked the show's first 2 episodes and till some extent episode 3 also was quite intriguing. However, since episode 4 you'll find loosing interest in the show, maybe not enough to leave the series then and there but certainly, you wont be fascinated to watch every second of the show. The ending was simple and was hurried into. I think there was no proper closure between the characters. The acting was also not out of the world and can be said as just justifying what role demanded and not over and above.
As a suggestion, if you watch alot of tv shows and take it quite seriously, dont waste your time on this show.
As a suggestion, if you watch alot of tv shows and take it quite seriously, dont waste your time on this show.
Don't believe the bad reviews
Vindelander4 July 2020
A very good series imo and a cross between Foyle's War and Bridge Of Spies in atmosphere. Convoluted plot and very loosely based on Britain and her allies' history around the time of the partition of Palestine post WW2. Not to be taken too literally which is why some reviewers have criticised the series.
Good cast and acting and thoroughly enjoyable if you like a good spy story. John Le Carré would not have been ashamed of this.
Good cast and acting and thoroughly enjoyable if you like a good spy story. John Le Carré would not have been ashamed of this.
Great Premise But Very Uneven
annlevtex15 November 2021
This show got off to a very good start, for me. Emma Appleton, beautiful and talented, came out of the gate strong as the sexually liberated and strong-willed Fiona ("Feef"), who agrees to help a renegade American agent ferret out Russian sympathizers in the British government. It narrows in on an important and relatively unexplored transition era in history, when the war is over, Churchill is out and Labor takes charge, and the question of who is a friend and who an enemy is suddenly murky.
The cast overall is strong, particularly Keeley Hawes as a co-worker who draws Feef's suspicion and sympathy. Hawes' gives such a fine, nuanced performance that she eventually overshadows not only Appleton but the cause Feef embraces, which is to say, "England at all costs." Hawes' and Emma's lover, an idealistic young Labor representative, make a persuasive case for their view: that the poor in England had suffered and sacrificed too much and for too long under the class system and for the Empire, and it was time for change.
This is where the show kind of lost me. Feef is strong and idealistic in her own way, but she ends up being pulled in so many directions by circumstances and manipulative people that she seems lost at the end. The pacing of the series lurches about after the first couple of episodes, and things get spread a little too thin....or thick. It's all a bit much.
There are side plots involving a young African American driver and a Jewish woman who wants to see a homeland for her people created in what would become Israel. Both are interesting and well-acted, but when the latter becomes central to the story toward the end, it feels a bit tacked on. And what Feef does at the very end "For England" seems, frankly, baffling and pretty much unforgivable. She is a shell of herself, and it's not a satisfying conclusion at all.
The cast overall is strong, particularly Keeley Hawes as a co-worker who draws Feef's suspicion and sympathy. Hawes' gives such a fine, nuanced performance that she eventually overshadows not only Appleton but the cause Feef embraces, which is to say, "England at all costs." Hawes' and Emma's lover, an idealistic young Labor representative, make a persuasive case for their view: that the poor in England had suffered and sacrificed too much and for too long under the class system and for the Empire, and it was time for change.
This is where the show kind of lost me. Feef is strong and idealistic in her own way, but she ends up being pulled in so many directions by circumstances and manipulative people that she seems lost at the end. The pacing of the series lurches about after the first couple of episodes, and things get spread a little too thin....or thick. It's all a bit much.
There are side plots involving a young African American driver and a Jewish woman who wants to see a homeland for her people created in what would become Israel. Both are interesting and well-acted, but when the latter becomes central to the story toward the end, it feels a bit tacked on. And what Feef does at the very end "For England" seems, frankly, baffling and pretty much unforgivable. She is a shell of herself, and it's not a satisfying conclusion at all.
Indeed Traitors !
omegafrankie31 March 2019
This stands alone as a good yarn about spying in post war Britain, the storyline is interesting and the acting throughout is excellent. I am a little surprised at the low ratings it gets but I'm guessing it does not contain the action which many people seem to crave these days. Instead of this, the drama demands your attention and makes the viewer think about the issues it raises. The cynical viewer who wants endless action should watch pieces containing Jason Statham.
Very tilted to the American point of view
glilley8 June 2019
I found this very entertaining but was irritated by the constant suggestion that America won the war. Also the suggestion that the OSS had to step in at the end of the war to save Britain from Soviet penetration is ridiculous. Britain in fact helped the US set up the CIA out of the bones of the OSS after the war. The US was very much junior to Britain in the matter of intelligence and code breaking during the war.
This is not historically accurate; for example, reference is made to the traitor Kim Philby being a member of MI-5, he was in fact MI-6 (Secret Intelligence Service). This is an important distinction and not merely pedantic. It's like saying the FBI and the CIA are the same thing
Pretty clever and worth the view
monobloc28 February 2019
Shades of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Well acted micro history of early CIA.. Slow start but picks up momentum. Well acted, great cast, and would make excellent 2 hour movie. Good insight into British post war geopolitical situation. Needed a little more humour perhaps but nevertheless very smartly filmed and directed. Surprisingly good.
Good points make it worth watching
johnklem16 April 2020
Traitors is an interesting idea that suffers from extraneous subplots and some cringeworthy exposition. You'll be lectured on race relations in the USA, on abortion rights, on women in the workplace, on systemic abuse of Jews and a dozen other worthy but in this context distracting issues. That's just bad writing. At its core though, Traitors is a tale about one woman's emotional journey into, depending on your POV, adulthood or corruption and that story is very well told and very well acted by Emma Appleton. A second season? Why not.
the inconsistancy nettled me
credly4 April 2019
A series everyone should watch, no matter their age.
tnokoz20 February 2019
The characters may not be real but the story facts are. If you research the history of post war England, you will better understand it. This is not different than todays political climate. This is the first episode and I can see the character build up. It is going to be a very touchy, political series and I suppose people who do like this series care about how the current political world evolved and is going. The world today is in political disarray and due to many developments and leaders, especially with Trump being the President of a sliding nation. If you wasn't impressed with the first episode, hang in there, things will become more clear.
Jouful spy series
michael_ballstav24 September 2021
This show has no focus, tries to get into everything!
ghostfear-4593313 February 2020
This show is like an infomercial, constantly there is more. You would think this is a spy show, but no, there is more. It covers racial discrimination, women's work equality, sexual harassment, homosexual suffering, cold war, communism, Jewish struggle, US British relationship, socialism, and more. All for the price of just six episodes. A show covers everything but covers nothing.
Terrific series
clewis266613 May 2020
I am bewildered by the poor reviews. I lived through this period and I found the story, the dialogue and the acting exciting and convincing. The characters are very varied and the twists and turns gripping and unforeseeable.
If one is looking for mindless action as per James Bond or the others, this is not for you (not to say there is no action: there is, but it is properly integrated into an interesting story). If you are an intelligent viewer who likes to be challenged a bit, go for it.
Seven stars for the performances . . . the script not as much
jmccrmck-6517216 December 2021
I found this to be well worth watching , the acting and the cast are nothing short of brilliant. The script, on the other hand , is at times either heavy handed or strained : it does not seem to be true to life / realistic. Emma Appleton and Keeley Hawes are the elements that make this almost a must see. It doesn't reach that level because of the writing and probably the direction but it is so much better than other series that I have watched lately. So much content . . . How to decide what to watch ? I'd say this one is worth a go. Give it one episode and decide. I have seen better, yes , but I have seen offerings that were so much worse.
Personally, I totally enjoyed it.
Sleepin_Dragon22 April 2019
Traitors is quite a difficult series to review, from a personal point of view I found it engrossing, albeit after slightly slow early episodes. I have a big interest in politics, and a love of espionage dramas, so Traitors ticks all the right boxes.
I know the appeal of this drama will have its limitations, it isn't going to be to everyone's taste, as it is perhaps a little slow for some, buy for those that like slightly deeper drama, it's a winner.
I mentioned earlier I though the first two episodes were slow, it really does improve as it progresses, Parts five and six are simply brilliant.
Gorgeously produced, and superbly acted, Keeley Hawes stands out in particular, as she so often does, but it's generally very well acted.
I'm sure there's scope for a second series, Feef surely has more scope for development. 8/10
I know the appeal of this drama will have its limitations, it isn't going to be to everyone's taste, as it is perhaps a little slow for some, buy for those that like slightly deeper drama, it's a winner.
I mentioned earlier I though the first two episodes were slow, it really does improve as it progresses, Parts five and six are simply brilliant.
Gorgeously produced, and superbly acted, Keeley Hawes stands out in particular, as she so often does, but it's generally very well acted.
I'm sure there's scope for a second series, Feef surely has more scope for development. 8/10
A fairly good English spy drama!
bloodspencer-5361027 March 2019
I read most of the reviews about this new TV show and I am wondering: why do people review it after having seen just one episode? Anyway in my opinion the show is quite enjoyable although there are a few "glitches" in the story logic.
Great acting but the show is for British TV educated viewers. Who is expecting an American Spy Story will be disappointed.
Looking forward for a second season...one can hope!
Too much underrated
traianpang17 July 2021
I was surprised how underrated is this series; it depicts pretty accurate these convulsive years immediately after WWII, where people craved for peace but they noticed pretty fast that another kind of war is preparing to come.
I think from an historical and anthropological point of view, this series is pure gold but I can relate with others' impatience that is not showing "great action", maybe because the pace is rather slowly, reflecting the real rhythm of life in Britain.
Great acting, maybe much dark cinematography but brilliant atmosphere. Definitely recommend it but only if you have some time and take it really slow, in this hot summer. In the end, your patience and curiosity would be satisfied; I guess :)
I think from an historical and anthropological point of view, this series is pure gold but I can relate with others' impatience that is not showing "great action", maybe because the pace is rather slowly, reflecting the real rhythm of life in Britain.
Great acting, maybe much dark cinematography but brilliant atmosphere. Definitely recommend it but only if you have some time and take it really slow, in this hot summer. In the end, your patience and curiosity would be satisfied; I guess :)
Death is always the easy way out
cheer885 May 2019
I indeed wish this series could have shown more depth in the post WWII espionage world. Its writers seemed too lazy to do more research to dig deeper into British politics then in order to make a convincing story. Murdering characters unnecessarily is all too obvious and did not sum up writers' creativity. Violent death and sexual explicit scenes led to every character way out is far too simple and repetitive.
This TV series could be a great telling of the post WWII history which are not many on the market. However, it was ruined by limiting its scope on turning usual tricks, sex and violence to grab audience's wondering attentions. I felt wasting my time watching and waiting for it to change directions.
Good TV shows need dedicated writers to do research and deliverer their hard works to audiences. This one for sure is lack of that aspect.
This TV series could be a great telling of the post WWII history which are not many on the market. However, it was ruined by limiting its scope on turning usual tricks, sex and violence to grab audience's wondering attentions. I felt wasting my time watching and waiting for it to change directions.
Good TV shows need dedicated writers to do research and deliverer their hard works to audiences. This one for sure is lack of that aspect.
The Feel of "Smiley's People"
Venge1 April 2019
"Traitors" is a first-rate addition to the spy-genre, but not in the tradition of James Bond, but rather in the mould of Len Deighton's "Funeral in Berlin", or John le Carre's "Smiley's People". A story that builds piece by piece, as small, almost insubstantial clues are brought to light, while a web of danger lies in the dark corners. Those who are expecting a fast-paced action thriller will be sorely disappointed, but those who want a glimpse into the world of what a spy really does, leading a careful double-life, while trying to attract as little attention as possible, will be pulled into this rich story. Wonderful acting by the entire cast, but especially by the gutsy Emma Appleton, the tough but fragile Keeley Hawes, and the manipulative spymaster, Michael Stuhlbarg. Looking forward to future seasons.
Dark thriller, very dark!
bernardhope28 June 2020
Dubious premise
ConsDemo25 May 2020
If one takes this series at face value, the US was alarmed by the Labour Party victory in the first postwar election in UK and felt the need to spy on the new government. However, that wasn't an accurate depiction of the Labour Party or most European socialist parties in the 1940s, many were anti-communist and alarmed by the thuggish tactics of the Soviet Union. The Labour government of Clement Atlee backed the creation of NATO and the US in the Korean War. It's also worth remembering the US was governed by New Deal Democrats at the time, the gap between the views of the Truman Administration and Atlee government wasn't that large.
90% of ten to eight star reviews are FAKE/shill. All but one from single use accounts
random-707787 March 2019
Sorry but the series not only laughably bad, the critics have agreed it is as well. but it has an insanely high rating here in IMDB only because of shilled fake reviews.
You can tell since the only activity of the account giving it a 10, 9 or 8 is upvoting and shill reviewing series.
Poor acting, abysmal writing, laughable paranoid plot.
Accurate Boring History
dncorp10 March 2019
Unlike many that did not watch all six (6) Episodes before writing a Review.
Accuracy 10
states what The Great British Colonial Empire did to the World, as by British Military Force seized other Nations, divided up Nations, gave smaller Nations to larger Nations, created Treaties with the French Colonial Empire with no input from the Nations nor people of those Nations.
example. 1920 British seized the Kingdom of Israel (including Gaza, Golan Heights, Palestine, Jerusalem, West Bank), part of the Kingdom of Jordan, Lebanon, then later gave away Jews lands to their previous Ally of World War 1 the Arabs.
Being Anti Jew, 1933 the British deported the Jews that escaped from Hitler's NAZI Germany to UK, and Russia back to Germany and Russia and were executed.
The other example, of what British did, was the 1947 Partition of the Nation of India for the Hindus and the creation of Pakistan for the Muslims.
British have been very Nationalistic and Socialist as closer to being like Hitler's National Socialists German Worker's Party, a Political Labor Union Party, just like the British Labor Union Party.
Entertainment 5
This is more accurate "Spycraft", as not the explosions, car chases, violent killings, gadgets, and other things so typical required to keep today's low attention span kids entertained, 18 year olds to 30 year olds got up and left to go play video games.
Accuracy 10
states what The Great British Colonial Empire did to the World, as by British Military Force seized other Nations, divided up Nations, gave smaller Nations to larger Nations, created Treaties with the French Colonial Empire with no input from the Nations nor people of those Nations.
example. 1920 British seized the Kingdom of Israel (including Gaza, Golan Heights, Palestine, Jerusalem, West Bank), part of the Kingdom of Jordan, Lebanon, then later gave away Jews lands to their previous Ally of World War 1 the Arabs.
Being Anti Jew, 1933 the British deported the Jews that escaped from Hitler's NAZI Germany to UK, and Russia back to Germany and Russia and were executed.
The other example, of what British did, was the 1947 Partition of the Nation of India for the Hindus and the creation of Pakistan for the Muslims.
British have been very Nationalistic and Socialist as closer to being like Hitler's National Socialists German Worker's Party, a Political Labor Union Party, just like the British Labor Union Party.
Entertainment 5
This is more accurate "Spycraft", as not the explosions, car chases, violent killings, gadgets, and other things so typical required to keep today's low attention span kids entertained, 18 year olds to 30 year olds got up and left to go play video games.
Why England Slept
bzfysqk19 November 2023
A book by none other than JFK, entitled "Why England Slept" was the story about why England didn't aggressively re-arm after WWI, especially in the face of Nazi re-arming! Please, no more stories about how England was a big brother to the U. S.! And let's not forget about Lord Chamberlain and his back room deal with Hitler! I'm a tolerant person, willing to go along for the ride. But I must criticize the mumbling and lack of enunciation by many of the actors! Apparently no money in the budget for vocal coaches! Let's see where this goes! I think they have a great story to tell. Episodic TV tends to get more focused with each new episode!
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