Watch A Very Secret Service

A Very Secret Service is a French television comedy series that first aired in 2015. The show was created by Jean-Francois Halin and directed by Alexandre Courtes. It stars Hugo Becker as André Merlaux, a young man who is conscripted into the French Secret Service during the early 1960s. The show combines comedy with political satire as it explores the absurdities and contradictions of the Cold War era.

The show takes place in Paris during the early 1960s, a time when France was still a major world power and the Cold War was at its height. André Merlaux is a young man who is conscripted into the French Secret Service, despite his lack of experience and expertise. He is initially assigned to the "Cipher Bureau," where his job is to decode and decipher messages sent by foreign governments. However, he quickly finds himself caught up in a world of espionage, double agents, and Cold War tensions.

As the show progresses, André discovers that the Secret Service is not the glamorous and exciting career he had hoped for. Instead, he finds himself dealing with bureaucratic red tape, incompetent colleagues, and the constant threat of Soviet agents. Despite his initial struggles, André eventually proves himself to be a valuable asset to the Secret Service, and he rises through the ranks to become a top agent.

One of the strengths of A Very Secret Service is its ability to balance comedy with political satire. The show pokes fun at the ridiculousness of Cold War paranoia, while also exploring more serious issues such as nationalism, imperialism, and the struggle for power. The characters are all well-drawn and memorable, from André's bumbling colleagues to his cunning Soviet counterparts. The show also features a strong supporting cast, including Wilfred Bena as Raymond, a seasoned Secret Service agent who takes André under his wing, and Christophe Kourotchkine as Moulinier, André's bumbling supervisor.

Another noteworthy aspect of A Very Secret Service is its attention to detail. The show is set in the early 1960s, and the production design is meticulous in recreating the era. From the costumes to the cars to the furniture, everything is authentic and period-appropriate. This attention to detail helps to immerse the viewer in the world of the Secret Service and adds to the show's overall sense of authenticity.

Overall, A Very Secret Service is an entertaining and well-crafted television series that is sure to appeal to fans of political satire and espionage dramas. The show's combination of humor and drama is perfectly balanced, and the strong performances from the cast help to bring the characters to life. Whether you're a fan of spy movies or just looking for a good laugh, A Very Secret Service is definitely worth checking out.