Preview: BBC Three's 'Spooks' spinoff

The long-awaited Spooks spinoff begins in a few weeks' time. But what exactly is Spooks: Code 9 all about? Read on for your briefing.

What's the setting?
It's a rather creative premise. It's the year 2013, one year after a devastating nuclear attack on London that killed hundreds of thousands of people. With the former capital now deserted, the government has relocated to Manchester. Meanwhile, MI-5 has had to adapt to the new society by "fast-tracking" younger officers through the training process. Code 9 focuses on the team of Field Office 19.

Who's on the team?
Experienced spook Hannah (Joanne Froggatt) is the team leader - "ballsy, intelligent and very patriotic". She oversees a group of six young recruits: Charlie (Liam Boyle), a mathematical genius but socially awkward; Rachel (Ruta Gedmintas), an ex-police officer who runs ops; Rob (Andrew Knott), the alpha-male medical expert; Kylie (Georgia Moffett), a "loose cannon" suffering from radiation sickness; Vik (Christopher Simpson), the "point of stability" for the group; and Jez (Heshima Thompson), a new breed of spy with "street-level" knowledge.

What sort of missions do they take on?
In the first episode the team is dealing with an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister, but in future episodes they'll be tackling political activists and more bomb threats. There's also an "incident" early on that will have repercussions throughout the series.

Are there any references to the main Spooks series?
No, the spinoff is to be viewed as a completely new entity rather than a supposed continuation of its parent show. That said, if Spooks hasn't reached an end by its eleventh series, there may be some continuity problems to contend with.

Do we get to see a bomb-ravaged London at any point?
We see the bomb explode at the start of the episode as part of a quick recount of the 2012 devastation. Later in the series, however, the team will get to make a field trip to London - well, what's left of it.

When's it on?
The first episode airs on BBC Three at 9pm on Sunday, August 10. The show airs every week for six weeks, leading in to the brand new series of adult Spooks on BBC One.

Any more?
I'll have more news for you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out this website for some more hints.

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