Ann Skelly takes the leading role in Honey, a new six-part BBC drama described as a tender and flirty series set in 1980s East Berlin. The show explores a shadowy world of counter-espionage and risky but irresistible relations.
Martha's mission in 1980s East Berlin
The series is set in 1982, with Skelly playing Martha (pronounced Marta), a young deep-cover agent for MI6 who is constantly at risk of being exposed. Surrounded by enemies, she strives to avoid detection by Friedrich, the new Stasi Head of Counter-espionage against British Targets, Berlin Office.
Caught between Friedrich and the reckless CIA operative Aaron Neeland, she is blindsided by desire. The BBC teased: "The risk of being garrotted or incarcerated is nothing compared to the horrifying ordeal of falling in love."
Skelly's career before Honey
The 29-year-old Irish actress made her TV debut in the crime drama series Red Rock. One of her big breaks came as the lead character in the drama film Kissing Candice.
She may also be recognised for starring in the historical drama miniseries Death and Nightingales, alongside Jamie Dornan and Matthew Rhys. More recently, Skelly played Adelaide Guinness, inspired by the real-life aristocrat, in the Netflix historical drama House of Guinness.
Who is Ann Skelly's partner?
The Dubliner is in a relationship with Scottish actor Iain De Caestecker, who played Leo Fitz in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and starred in BBC thriller The Control Room. The Glasgow-born star has also appeared in the films Shell, In Fear and Lost River, and played the role of Adam Barlow in Coronation Street from 2001 for two years.
While the pair keep their relationship under wraps, De Caestecker took to his Instagram Stories to show support for his partner ahead of the launch episode of Honey. Sharing a montage image of Skelly in the show accompanied by Nena's soundtrack 99 Luftballons, he added the text: "My favourite show EVER!!! @bbciplayer". He also shared a second promo Honey picture tagging Skelly with a series of love hearts.
Honey airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
