User reviews

Spy is insanely funny. Whereas another fantastic spy farce, Archer, is prototypically American (what with the over-the-top gadgetry, lewdness and macho stuff), Spy is equally British (compact, driven by small inflections and absurdities, and politely biting). Spy is rife with the comedic mechanism of interruptive dialogue where characters finish each others sentences or over-speak creating confusion and misdirection -- some intended, some not. It takes careful listening to stay with the dialogue and it's in the subtlety of the delivery that the funniest lines are spoken.

Jude Wright is brilliant as the über-intelligent and resentful son of the main character, Tim. Tim, portrayed with superb comedic timing by Darren Boyd, is an affably charming man of small wit and large misfortune. And for us, the scenes with Robert Lindsay's zany character, MI-5's examiner, are the gems of the show.

For comedic value, Spy is a 10 to us. Flaws abound in any program, but a rare show like Spy makes one not care. As far as we know Spy is not running for any particular comedic championship. It's just an easy going ride through hilarity.

If you love Quirky, British, Family Dramadey..... You will LOVE this UK show SPY. Get through the Pilot and you will be wanting more. Just like typical British flare at first glance it comes off as pompous and insincere, stick with it and by Episode 2 you care about about the family and it's wacky friends. Also they play off a lot of American current events and sayings so the writers "cross the pond" so to speak. I was sad when I ran through all of the episode, it defiantly left me wanting more. The only child Marcus Elliot played by Jude Wright is for lack of a better word BRILLIANT. The funniest show I have seen so far.....

Spy is so insanely underrated as a show that it's not even funny (at least in the United States). Thankfully, that's the only thing that isn't funny because the show itself is absolutely hilarious. The first series introduces the hapless but well-meaning Tim, his scheming best friend, his idiosyncratic MI5 coworkers, his ex and her besotted boyfriend, and his precocious son Marcus. The second series deepens and broadens the characters and turns some early misconceptions on their heads.

One of the most entertaining things about Spy is that it manages to be both an excellent spy spoof, in the manner of the also-underrated "Chuck," and an unexpectedly touching domestic sitcom. As with other British shows in a similar vein, it's obvious that Spy's stars are not phoning in their performances at all. In particular, Darren Boyd gives a performance absolutely deserving of his Bafta win, and Jude Wright strikes exactly the right tone as his genius son.

Spy is witty, intelligent, funny, and consistently engaging. No show is perfect, but there's so much to love that it might as well be.

Pros: Great acting, great writing = great show. Currently free on Tubi app.

Cons: Episodes are short. Show only lasted two seasons

I love this show. The characters are great and it makes me laugh out loud. I only wish they'd made more of it.

The first season is pretty good, and quite funny

The whole thing is more for adults, kind of man funny episodes, all good. It largely revolves around relationship issues, even though its man funny material, still not too bad

By the time you hit the second season you find yourself chomping for more MI5 related stuff, at least I did. And its still revolving around interpersonal relationship stuff, gettin kinda old at this point. Even id the synopsis says differently, it really isn't.

I looked to see if Simeon Goulden is female with such an obsession with interpersonal stuff, nope, he's a guy

Perhaps if he had injected some variety or sought out some objective beta viewers it would have gotten a cult following.

I really enjoy this show on so many levels. I think the best thing I can say is this- it entertains me, never bores me, it brings me happiness and joy. The actors are all excellent truly gifted.

Sometimes I just want a show that helps to take away an awful day and this show is an excellent escape.

Timing, content, characters all come together to ensure a great time. The shows writing staff must be terribly talented. They never go over the top the "joke" is never overdone or lacking.

The timing is perfect and delivered by actors that seem to just naturally pull it off and get it right every time. No great problems solved, no preaching, no motive except to just do it all perfectly and to the enjoyment of the viewer.

I just viewed the first episode of this series on WLIW-21/Channel 21 in New York City. I decided to record it on my DVR based on the synopsis provided by Time Warner Cable and also because it followed another program that I love, The Cafe.

I tend to love British TV but did not know what to expect from Spy, and was truly amazed at the solid character development, brilliant acting and the witty storyline. I literally had just finished viewing a limited HBO series, Doll & Em, which starred Dolly Wells and Emily Mortimer, and decided to look at Spy. I did not know Ms. Wells was a part of the Spy cast.

I am so glad that I recorded this episode of Spy. I laughed repeatedly and was riveted to all of the characters. Darren Boyd and Jude Wright are excellent as father and son, and their supporting cast is superb as well.

This program will be on my list of must-see shows to watch on PBS and I look forward to recommending it to my other friends who enjoy smart, fantastic and entertaining television from the United Kingdom.

Robert Lindsay shines in an otherwise routine Sky comedy, that goes down a well trodden path of making a normal guy become a spy.

The best scenes are those featuring Lindsay, with all the other characters feeling like they've been lifted from a book of sitcom stereotypes.

It lasted two series, but never set the world alight.

As the summary declares, I love British comedies! It is my current understanding that SPY was not renewed for another season. I am not quite certain, but I hope that I am incorrect. Once I discovered this program, I watched all episodes of Season I and II via the internet. I wasn't sure that I would like it, but by episode 2 of Season I, I fell in love with it! I believe that the writers actually were able to bring the characters along with each episode. By the end of Season II, I wanted (want!) more. I would like to see where the characters and relationships would (will!) go. I saw growth in the relationship between Tim and Marcus and hoped that things would only get better between them. Some of the situations I can live without. The crazy behavior of the first therapist (name?) and then the second therapist - Owen is it? That whole situation featuring the custody battle for Marcus and what a mother would do to gain said custody. Overlooking this part of the series, I still love British comedies and hope they bring this back with the same cast! Loved the Examiner and all the characters within MI5!

There are so many good characters in this sitcom but I must say Robert Lindsay as the Examiner is excellent. Also Rosie Cavaliero and Tom Goodman both give top notch performances. As does Dolly Wella and Rebekah Staton. Jude Wright, all though young in this series, does an excellent job as the son. Of course Darren Boyd and Matthew Bayton (one of my favorite British comedians) are superb. If you like sitcoms, especially British sitcoms, you will not be disappointed. It's funny and entertaining.

If you are a person who thinks all TV shows should be taken seriously, then don't watch this one. Otherwise, ignore the pretentious negative reviews. This is a lighthearted show that is meant to not be taken seriously. To put it simply, it is a fun show that I very much enjoyable. I am sad that it didn't continue beyond what it did. I easily watched the entire series in one day, and was ready to keep going. I recommend watching several episodes before making a decision. Basing your decision on just one episode could deprive yourself of some enjoyment. For the record, I almost never give 10 stars.

Managed to get half way through the second episode, its just not funny. The characters are totally unlikeable, a smart arse kid, a father who's stupid, am MI5 director who is just as thick, the fathers ex wife's lover who wants to be his best mate and a counsellor who falls for him.

I had low expectations to start with and they weren't met, these 10 star reviews are obviously by people associated with the show. Don't waste your time.

Tim is a gormless computer expert who accidentally gets a job as a spy. Meanwhile he is in a custody battle with his ex wife over their son Marcus. Marcus is so obnoxious that it is simply impossible to believe that anyone would want custody of him, not even an idiot like Tim. I endured the first season of this series in the hope that it might improve, but it doesn't. The only bright spot is Robert Lindsay as Tim's eccentric boss, but unfortunately there isn't enough of him. I will not watch the second season unless someon bribes me with a vast sum of money to watch it, which seems unlikely.