The synopsis for the first episode of Doctor Who Series 12, Spyfall, has seemingly been revealed. It promises a story that spans the globe, and, as you might’ve guessed from its title (based on the James Bond film, Skyfall, which focuses quite heavily on the changing face of MI:6), it concerns one of the UK’s intelligence services.
The synopsis has cropped up on DigiGuide, and while it doesn’t give away too much, there’s enough detail here to whet our appetites:
The time traveller returns for a fresh set of adventures. When intelligence agents around the world come under attack from alien forces, MI6 turns to the only people who can help – a certain Doctor and her companions. As they travel the globe in pursuit of answers, threats arrive from all sides, leaving Earth’s security resting on the team’s shoulders. But where will this planet-threatening conspiracy lead them? Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole, Bradley Walsh and Mandip Gill star, with guest appearances from Stephen Fry and Lenny Henry.
The episode was partly shot on location in South Africa, so we should see some great new vistas on screen shortly.
The BBC’s most notable series about a secret intelligence agency (albeit MI:5) was the much-missed Spooks, which sadly ended in 2011, with a movie, The Greater Good, following in 2015. It’s known as MI:5 in America. And a number of Doctor Who alumni worked on it: Neil Cross (The Rings of Akhaten; Hide) was a showrunner, while James Moran (The Fires of Pompeii) and Matthew Graham (Fear Her) also contributed to the show.
The Rebel Flesh/ The Almost People director, Julian Simpson also worked on Spooks, as did Colm McCarthy (The Bells of St. John), Bill Anderson (Thin Ice), Peter Hoar (A Good Man Goes To War), and Jonny Campbell (Vincent and the Doctor).
Spyfall will air on New Year’s Day 2020 at 6:55pm on BBC1 and 8:00pm on BBC America.
