Betrayal Review: A Tepid Espionage Thriller Mired in Domestic Woes
ITV's latest offering, Betrayal, attempts to fuse high-stakes espionage with intimate relationship drama, but the result is a four-part series that feels disjointed and lethargic. Starring Shaun Evans as maverick spy John Hughes, the show often seems unsure of its own identity, veering between spy caper and domestic strife without fully committing to either.
A Protagonist Adrift in Grey Landscapes
John Hughes, portrayed by Shaun Evans, is a veteran MI5 operative with two decades of service, yet his life is far from glamorous. The series opens with him bloodied and shocked outside a motorway service station, surrounded by corpses—a stark introduction that sets the tone for the grim narrative ahead. His reckless methods, such as conducting operations without proper protocols, lead to a reprimand and the imposition of a new partner, Mehreen, played by Zahra Ahmadi, who is parachuted in from MI6 to take over his case.
Despite orders to step back, John continues his investigation into a potential Iranian terror threat, positioning himself as a lone wolf in a system eager to sideline him. However, the espionage elements lack the energy and complexity expected of the genre, with plot points often resolved through clumsy exposition and predictable twists.
The Domestic Burden: A Relationship in Peril
Parallel to the spy plot is John's troubled home life with his wife Claire, a GP portrayed by Romola Garai. Claire embodies the longsuffering spouse, managing their household and children while John remains absorbed in his work. Garai delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Claire's deep fatigue rather than outright anger, but her storyline feels at odds with the espionage framework.
The domestic scenes, set in their expensive but melancholic Victorian semi in London, are drawn with more detail than the spy intrigue, yet they struggle to mesh with the high-stakes backdrop of national security. Claire's frustrations—highlighted by missed counselling sessions and emotional neglect—are relatable, but they often overshadow the thriller elements, making the series feel like two different shows spliced together.
Visual and Narrative Shortcomings
Betrayal employs a drab aesthetic, with action sequences set in unglamorous locations like dirty car parks, flat-roofed pubs, and musty B&Bs. Oblique camera angles reminiscent of The Ipcress File accentuate the pervasive sense of malaise, but this stylistic choice does little to inject excitement into the plot. John's tetchy interactions at MI5 HQ, where he rails against modern sensibilities, further drain the narrative of momentum.
The spy storyline itself is underwhelming, relying on routine activities such as planting trackers and hacking laptops without building a compelling or intricate plot. Key revelations are often delivered through contrived cliffhangers, and the central twist is easily guessable due to the lack of narrative depth. Both Evans and Garai manage to bring vulnerability and authenticity to their roles, but their efforts are hampered by the material's inconsistencies.
Conclusion: A Series Searching for Its Core
In summary, Betrayal is an espionage thriller that fails to ignite, bogged down by its dual focus on spy intrigue and domestic drama. While the performances, particularly from Romola Garai, offer moments of emotional resonance, the series lacks the energy and coherence needed to sustain viewer engagement. It airs on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX, but it may leave audiences longing for a more focused and dynamic narrative.
