House of Guinness Star Ann Skelly Secures Lead Role in BBC's New Cold War Spy Drama Honey
The BBC has officially announced the cast for its upcoming chilling war drama Honey, with House of Guinness star Ann Skelly landing the lead role. Filming for the six-part series is currently underway, promising a gripping tale of espionage and intrigue set against the backdrop of Cold War Berlin.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Team
Produced by Sid Gentle Films, the makers of the acclaimed series Killing Eve, Honey is penned by writer Emma Moran. Ann Skelly will portray Martha Schmitt, a deep cover MI6 agent navigating a perilous world of deception. She is joined by a talented ensemble cast including Nate Mann (known for Masters of the Air and Licorice Pizza) as Kurt Fischer, Jannis Niewöhner (from Munich: The Edge of War and Napoleon) as Friedrich Bauman, and Rory Kinnear (of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power fame) as Graham Anderson.
The supporting cast features Oliver Cudbill as Stefan Weiss, Sonita Henry as Anne Anderson, Victoria Mayer as Ingrid Schimmel, Valentino Dalle Mura as Rolf Muller, July Namir as Kamilla Akhmedova, Julian Niedermeier as Otto Kowalski, Sofia Oxenham as Greta Abstreiter, and Daniel Zielinski as Tomas Klein.
Plot Synopsis: A Deadly Love Triangle in Cold War Berlin
Set in early 1980s Berlin, the drama follows Martha Schmitt as she operates under deep cover for MI6, constantly surrounded by enemies and at risk of exposure. Her mission becomes increasingly complicated when she crosses paths with Friedrich Bauman, the new Stasi Head of Counterespionage against British Targets in the Berlin Office. The tension escalates as Martha finds herself caught between Friedrich and a reckless, arrogant CIA operative named Aaron Neeland, leading to a dangerous and dysfunctional love triangle.
The series synopsis reveals, "The risk of being garrotted or incarcerated is nothing compared to the horrifying ordeal of falling in love. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and bearing your heart and soul? She'd rather have her fingernails ripped off." This promises a unique blend of spy thriller and emotional drama, subverting traditional genre conventions.
Executive Producers Express Excitement
Sally Woodward Gentle, Executive Producer for Sid Gentle Films, expressed immense enthusiasm for the cast, stating, "Everyone says that they couldn’t be more excited by the cast they have assembled but Ann, Nate and Jannis are the real deal. We are beyond thrilled by their inherent talent, intelligence and intuitive brilliance. They shine. And Rory Kinnear! I am in love."
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added, "Honey is a smart, playful and irresistible tale of an MI6 agent drawn into a deadly and dysfunctional love triangle. Set against the backdrop of Berlin in the early 80s, this brilliant new series from Emma and the team at Sid Gentle Films Ltd subverts genre conventions in the best possible way and we’re very proud to have it on the BBC."
International Collaboration and Anticipation
The series is a collaboration with FIFTH SEASON, with Arvand Khosravi, SVP of Scripted Television Strategy, noting, "We’re thrilled to be partnering again with the talented team at Sid Gentle and the BBC, we have a long history of making iconic shows a reality together. Honey is as ground-breaking and elevated as our previous collaborations, and it's great to already be seeing strong international interest in the title."
While an official release date for Honey has yet to be confirmed, the combination of a compelling Cold War narrative, a stellar cast, and the creative force behind Killing Eve has generated significant buzz. Fans of espionage dramas and period pieces can look forward to a fresh and intense viewing experience when the series premieres on the BBC.
