In nearly every spy drama, the question lingers: Can a covert operative truly experience love when their entire world is built on lies and deception?
The Agency, the new espionage thriller streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, explores this dilemma through its protagonist, Martian, played by Michael Fassbender.
The series, inspired by France’s The Bureau, is set at the CIA’s London Station, where Martian returns after an extended assignment in Ethiopia. During his time abroad, he falls in love with Samia (Jodie Turner-Smith), a local woman. However, as the series begins, Martian struggles to reintegrate into life in England—especially when it means being apart from Samia. His internal conflict, compounded by his professional duties, sets the stage for the unfolding drama.
Fassbender recently discussed the emotional challenges his character faces, particularly the intersection of love and deception. “Martian is torn between his feelings for Samia and the relationship with his daughter, whom he’s been estranged from for six years,” the actor said. But this struggle is more than just personal—it’s shaped by years of operating in the covert world. “What has all this time and all these actions done to his moral compass?” Fassbender wondered.
The nature of Martian’s work means living behind a mask of lies. “Even when he’s undercover, it feels real to him. Lies and truth have merged to the point where Martian can no longer tell the difference,” Fassbender explained. This blurring of lines between authenticity and illusion is a core theme of the series, and Martian’s emotional journey will challenge viewers to consider: can love truly survive in a world built on deceit?
Yet, despite the murky waters of his profession, Martian’s feelings for Samia present a clear point of conflict. “Whatever love means to him, he’s willing to sacrifice everything for it,” Fassbender reveals, showing that, even in a world of constant deception, Martian’s emotions are rooted in something genuine.
The Agency premieres its first two episodes on Paramount+ this Friday for subscribers with the Showtime plan, followed by its linear network debut on Sunday at 9/8c.