James Bond, Ethan Hunt, and Jason Bourne aren’t the only spy characters burning up the screens anymore. Praised author Anthony Horowitz has been writing about a young teenage spy for decades now by the name of ‘Alex Rider’. His book series has found its way into schools and libraries all over the world, and now on the TV screen. Alex Rider has in recent weeks debuted on IMDB TV, in a first season that’s exploded onto the scene with great enthusiasm from Horowitz’ base, and new fans alike. The eight episodes are available for a quick binge watch now.
Alex Rider is about a teenager who is recruited by the British Secret Service in order to accomplish life threatening missions with the fate of the world in the balance.
For those who are not fans of the books, Alex Rider is about a teenager who is recruited by the British Secret Service in order to accomplish life threatening missions with the fate of the world in the balance. Alex’s uncle is killed on assignment, and he soon finds out that it’s not the accidental death he was made to believe. Agency director Alan Blunt then decides Alex may be of use to the agency in a new mission linked to his uncle’s death. Alex though reluctant to get involved is extorted by Blunt in order to cooperate, later finding himself in the French Alps at a school where he hopes to find answers on what happened to his uncle. To the average person, Alex appears to be a normal teenager. Fortunately for Alex, and as deduced by Blunt, his uncle has been preparing him for this his entire life unbeknownst to Alex.
The case for sitting down and watching this: it’s not a kid’s show. There is violence, death, hints of romance, and plenty of espionage. Some things to be of note: the show does deviate from the books, and the first season is more a culmination of the second book than the first. Some of the characters are cast different, but it makes the show diverse and without the need to be ‘woke’. Horowitz is also an executive producer on the show, so it’s comforting to know that his approval for the changes is likely there. The show is shot well, the fight choreography his professional and realistic, the dialogue is in coincidence with the present day but also with respect to Horowitz original novels, and the other characters all have subplots that aren’t from the book but provide added elements of drama. Otto Farrant is the star of series, and picking him was practical. He looks young but behaves with maturity, performs with passion, and has room to develop the character ideally for a few more seasons.
The interesting thing will be to see where they take things later on. They’ve certainly started with a bang, and after initial viewing in its debut it has already been renewed for a second season. Horowitz has written plenty of books so it’s not crazy to think they could stretch this out for years down the road. The first season can be viewed on IMDB TV and also, Amazon Prime Video.
