Directed by Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll), Fleming captures both the opulence of high society London and the suspense and intrigue behind enemy lines in the heat of the Second World War. It also explores Fleming’s passionate and unorthodox love affair with the future Mrs Fleming, Lady Ann O’Neill (Sherlock’s Lara Pulver).
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Episode 1
Wednesday 12 February 2014, 9pm
In London 1938, Ian is a dissolute playboy, eclipsed by his dead war hero father and successful author brother Peter (Rupert Evans). With war looming and London in a hedonistic state, Ian is propping up the bar at a jazz club when he meets Ann O’Neill, a wealthy and connected socialite who – unlike many of his conquests – is more than a match for him. But she already has, not only a husband, but a lover, Esmond Rothermere (Pip Torrens).
Instead, Ian finds solace in the arms of a sweet and sexy dispatch rider named Muriel Wright (Annabelle Wallis). After a frosty morning-after encounter with Muriel, Ian’s domineering mother Evelyn (Lesley Manville) secures him a job assisting Naval Intelligence’s Rear Admiral John Godfrey (Rupert Evans). Ian is put to work at The Admiralty, whipping the team into shape with his charm and confidence. He even manages to impress Godfrey’s no-nonsense secretary, Second Officer Monday (Anna Chancellor).
But Fleming incurs Godfrey’s wrath when he cooks up a scheme to get information from two captured German submariners. However his valuable findings make it apparent an imaginative approach could be just what the war effort requires.
Episode 2
Wednesday 19 February 2014, 9pm
It’s 1940 and the French fleet is at risk of falling into Nazi hands. Ian is office bound and desperate to be a man of action. But as Godfrey explains, the more he’s trusted with vital information, the more vulnerable he is to being captured in the field. A mischievous Ann invites Ian to Esmond’s birthday party, and although Ian has brought Muriel as his date, sexual chemistry sizzles between them.
Back in the Admiralty, France is looking like it’s about to crumble against the Axis advance. Fleming urgently pitches to Godfrey that he travel to France and oversee the destruction of secret files and papers at one of their bureaus. To his surprise, Godfrey accepts. With Ian away, Ann invites Muriel for a drink. Muriel confides that she may be in love with Ian; her rival advises that the trick is never to let it show.
With his official mission complete, Ian moves on towards Montbazon, where he hopes to appeal to French Admiral Darlan to turn the fleet over to the Allies. But he starts to suspect Darlan may have his mind set on another course of action…
Episode 3
Wednesday 26 February 2014, 9pm
1943. Ian visits Canada’s Camp X to undertake front-line training, then, back at home, he and Monday recruit the most cut-throat and battle-ready of warriors to go behind enemy lines. While most people doubt that Ian has what it takes to make it in the field, he shows his talent for storytelling when he episode cooks up a meticulous plan to send the enemy on a wild goose chase.
Meanwhile, Ian’s violently passionate affair with Ann intensifies, but when Ann receives some devastating news, she presents Ian with an ultimatum.
Episode 4
Wednesday 5 March February 2014, 9pm
Ian gets a call to arms in both his personal and professional lives. With the top brass believing the end of the war is in sight, the Admiralty is in celebratory mood, but Ian is convinced the Nazis are still planning to attack and finally manages to get himself posted to the heart of the action.
Meanwhile, Ann is desperate to be married, but a proposal from Esmond is not the offer she was hoping for. However, Evelyn tries to dissuade her from waiting for Ian to return, or for him to get down on one knee for that matter, causing her to give pause to a future with Esmond.
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