Michael Fassbender’s The Agency: Trailer, Release date, cast, plot, Episodes, & Everything we know

The Agency, the highly anticipated espionage thriller series from Paramount+ with Showtime, has generated significant buzz with the recent release of its action-packed trailer. 

This new show features a stellar cast, including Michael Fassbender, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jeffrey Wright, and Richard Gere. It promises to deliver a gripping narrative that explores the world of international intrigue and espionage.

Originally ordered straight to series under the working title The Department, the show has since been renamed to The Agency. Produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, the series adapts the acclaimed French drama Le Bureau des Légendes, which aired from 2015 to 2020. With its striking visuals and tantalizing glimpses of the storyline, the trailer has fans eagerly anticipating the show’s debut.

In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about The Agency, from its captivating cast to the latest updates and insights into its production. Expect thrilling revelations and exclusive details that will keep you on the edge of your seat! 

Be sure to check back as we update this article with all the latest developments surrounding this must-watch series.

Release date & Where to Watch

The Agency is set to launch its first two episodes on-demand on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, targeting US viewers. The show will make its cable debut on Showtime two days later, on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. For audiences in the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany, Latin America, Brazil, and Japan, the series will start streaming exclusively on Paramount+ on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

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Plot

The Agency is an American adaptation of the acclaimed French series Le Bureau des Légendes (The Bureau), which garnered praise for its intricate portrayal of the daily lives and missions of agents within France's primary external security service, the DGSE. 

This new thriller centers on Martian, a covert CIA agent who must leave his undercover life behind and return to London Station. As Martian reconnects with a former love, he finds himself caught between his professional obligations and personal desires, leading to a high-stakes game of international intrigue and espionage. 

The original series, which aired from 2015 to 2020, was celebrated by major publications, including the New York Times, which named it one of the top international shows of the decade, and NPR, which hailed it as "one of the best TV shows in the world." 

Now, with its US adaptation, The Agency promises to deliver the same gripping narrative and complex character dynamics that made its predecessor a standout hit.

Cast

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• Michael Fassbender (The Killer, Kneecap) as Martin, the CIA agent

"Michael Fassbender is one of the most talented actors of his generation," said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. "His ability to bring depth and complexity to every role is exactly why we’re thrilled to have him lead The Agency as we launch a new wave of Showtime originals."

• Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) as Henry, the Director of Operations and mentor to Martian.

"Jeffrey Wright doesn’t just play characters—he fully embodies them, bringing a unique mix of emotional depth and psychological insight to every role," Chris McCarthy said.

• Richard Gere (Oh, Canada, American Gigolo) as Bosko, the London Station Chief with a distinguished background after eight years in undercover operations
• Jodie Turner-Smith (The Acolyte) as Sami Zahir, a Social Anthropology professor with a past connection to Martian
• Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts) as Naomi
• John Magaro (Past Lives) as Owen
• Julia Westcott-Hutton as Senior Analyst
• Curtis Lum as Guo
• Alex Reznik (Babylon)
• Andrew Brooke (Sexy Beast) as Grandpa
• Harriet Sansom Harris (Clipped) as Dr. Blake
• India Fowler (The Nevers)
• Saura Lightfoot-Leon (Masters of the Air)
• Reza Brojerdi (Homeland)
• Hugh Bonneville 
• Adam Nagaitis (The Responder) as Grandma
• Ambreen Razia (Ted Lasso) as Blair
• Bilal Hasna (3 Body Problem)
• David Harewood (Sherwood) as Dalaga
• Kurt Egyiawan (House of the Dragon) as Osman
• Ray BLK
• Sabrina Wu
• Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Ben
• Marcin Zarzeczny as Alexei Orekhov
• Tim Samuels as Alex Kent-Jones
• Ignacy Rybarczyk as Dmitri

Episode Guide

• Season 1 Episode 1 (Friday, Nov. 29, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 2 (Friday, Nov. 29, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 3 (Friday, Dec. 6, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 4 (Friday, Dec. 13, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 5 (Friday, Dec. 20, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 6 (Friday, Dec. 27, 2024)
• Season 1 Episode 7 (Friday, Jan. 3, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 8 (Friday, Jan. 10, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 9 (Friday, Jan. 17, 2025)
• Season 1 Episode 10 (Friday, Jan. 24, 2025)

Official Trailer

The trailer reveals Martian being called back to London from his undercover life, where he reunites with a former love, reigniting old feelings and dangerous entanglements. During his debrief, Martian confesses the harsh reality of CIA work, where survival requires “insanity,” sparking fears among his superiors that he may no longer be compliant. As Martian faces rising tensions both inside and outside the agency, the trailer hints at a suspense-filled mission that challenges his loyalties and puts his life—and those he cares about—in jeopardy.

On Nov. 20, 2024, a second trailer was released showcasing the interpersonal relationships between the various characters. Check it out below:

Filming

Filming took place in London in 2024, with additional shoots in Tallinn, Estonia, in September 2024 and Cairo, Egypt, in October 2024.

Behind the Scenes

Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, The Edge of Tomorrow) serve as writers and showrunners, with Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Cyrano) directing the first two episodes and joining as an executive producer. Alongside them, George Clooney and Grant Heslov executive produce through their company Smokehouse Pictures.

The production also includes executive producers Keith Cox and Nina L. Diaz of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, and Bob Yari of 101 Studios, Alex Berger of The Originals Productions, and Ashley Stern and Pascal Breton of Federation Studios/Federation Entertainment of America.

Fassbender serves as an executive producer, adding to the lineup of high-profile creatives bringing this adaptation to American audiences.