Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

The State Within

The State Within is a six-part British political thriller television miniseries created by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival, first broadcast on BBC One from 4 November to 9 December 2006. Produced as a co-production between BBC Films and BBC America, with filming primarily in Toronto, Canada, it centers on Sir Mark Brydon (Jason Isaacs), the British Ambassador to the United States, who uncovers a vast conspiracy following the explosion of a British passenger jet shortly after takeoff from Washington, D.C. The narrative intertwines diplomatic tensions, covert operations, and corporate machinations, implicating U.S. and British officials in a plot tied to resource exploitation in a fictional Middle Eastern emirate. Directed by Michael Offer and Daniel Percival, the series features a cast including as Brydon's lover and aide, along with supporting roles by , , and as key political figures. Grainne Marmion served as , emphasizing high-stakes suspense akin to the creators' prior work on . Its plot escalates from the initial crash—suspected to involve —to revelations of manipulated intelligence, illegal arms deals, and threats to global stability, forcing Brydon to navigate betrayals within allied governments. Critics praised the series for Isaacs' commanding performance and its intricate web of intrigue, drawing comparisons to The Wire for political depth, though some highlighted the dense plotting and rising implausibilities as drawbacks. Airing amid real-world debates on transatlantic alliances and security, The State Within garnered attention for portraying systemic in and policy circles without overt partisanship, achieving solid viewership on and subsequent U.S. broadcasts on .

Overview

Synopsis

The State Within is a six-part British centering on Sir Mark Brydon, the British Ambassador to the , who becomes entangled in a high-stakes conspiracy after a British passenger jet explodes mid-air over , killing all 217 people on board. The incident triggers immediate diplomatic chaos at the British embassy, with initial suspicions pointing to terrorism connected to international tensions, forcing Brydon to balance loyalty to the government with mounting evidence of foul play. As Brydon, portrayed by , delves deeper, he confronts pressures from U.S. officials eager to leverage the crisis for strategic gains, including military actions against a fictional Middle Eastern state. The narrative unfolds across escalating revelations of corruption and deception spanning both U.S. and institutions, involving agencies, corporate interests, and political maneuvering over resources like oil pipelines. Brydon navigates treacherous alliances, personal betrayals, and ethical conflicts while striving to avert a broader geopolitical catastrophe that could undermine alliances. The series examines the fragility of diplomatic amid covert operations and the human cost of power plays, culminating in Brydon's isolated fight to expose the truth.

Background and Premise

The State Within was developed as a conspiracy thriller examining covert influences on international diplomacy and foreign policy, set against the backdrop of post-9/11 geopolitical tensions between the United Kingdom and the United States. Created and written by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival—whose prior collaboration included the 2004 BBC drama Dirty War on radiological terrorism—the six-part miniseries was produced by Grainne Marmion, with Jessica Pope serving as executive producer. Directed by Michael Offer for the first three episodes and Daniel Percival for the latter three, it was co-produced by the BBC and BBC America, premiering on BBC One on November 2, 2006. The premise centers on Sir , the British Ambassador to , who becomes ensnared in a high-stakes following the mid-air explosion of a passenger plane over the U.S. capital shortly after departing , an incident initially linked to . This event triggers a cascade of diplomatic crises, intelligence intrigues, and manipulations involving U.S. strategic interests in a volatile foreign region, forcing Brydon to confront deceptions propagated by unelected power brokers within governmental and corporate spheres. The title alludes to these hidden "states within states," where shadowy puppeteers exert influence over official policy, challenging Brydon's duty to national interests against his commitment to uncovering the truth. Throughout the series, Brydon's investigation reveals interconnected plots of , arms dealings, and political sabotage that risk escalating into broader conflict, highlighting the fragility of alliances and the ethical dilemmas faced by in opaque power structures. While entirely fictional, the narrative draws on contemporary concerns over the symbiosis of agencies, contractors, and policymakers in shaping responses to global threats, without endorsing specific real-world interpretations.

Production

Development and Writing

The State Within was co-written by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival, building on their prior collaboration for the 2004 drama , which depicted a fictional terrorist attack on using a dirty bomb. The project originated as a commission for a political thriller, with Mickery handling scripting duties across multiple episodes as co-creator. Percival, who also directed three of the six episodes, contributed to the screenplay's structure, emphasizing intricate plotting involving international intrigue and high-stakes . Development proceeded as a co-production between and , announced via press release on April 26, 2006, with production slated for later that year. The writing focused on a centered on a British ambassador entangled in U.S.-driven machinations, incorporating elements of and geopolitical tension reflective of transatlantic dynamics, though the core plot features fictional escalations such as a coup in the invented of Ornby. Mickery's background in television scripting, including prior work on series like , informed the character-driven approach, while Percival's experience in tense, event-based dramas shaped the thriller's pacing. No public records detail extensive phases, but the script's emphasis on verifiable procedural elements—such as diplomatic protocols and intelligence operations—suggests consultations with subject-matter experts, consistent with standards for factual political dramas. The completed six-part series maintained a tight arc, avoiding expansive rewrites post-announcement, and aired in the UK starting November 2006.

Casting and Filming

Jason was cast as the lead, Sir Mark Brydon, the British ambassador to the , in the BBC-BBC co-production. Sharon portrayed U.S. Defense Secretary Lynne Warner, while Ben played Nicholas Brocklehurst, a British Foreign Office minister and operative. Supporting roles included Eva as Jane Lavery, Brydon's deputy, Neil as Phil Lonsdale, head of embassy security, and Genevieve as Caroline Hanley, an analyst. Casting announcements highlighted the series' focus on high-stakes diplomatic intrigue, with Isaacs noted for his experience in complex authority figures from prior roles. Principal photography commenced in Canada in early 2006 and continued until July, substituting Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, for Washington, D.C., and London settings to depict embassy and government locales efficiently. Directors Michael Offer handled episodes 1 through 3, and Daniel Percival directed episodes 4 through 6, with producer Grainne Marmion overseeing the shoot. The production leveraged Canadian facilities for cost-effective replication of U.S. and U.K. architecture, avoiding direct location shoots in restricted diplomatic areas. Cinematographer David Perrault captured the visuals, emphasizing tense interiors and urban exteriors to underscore the thriller's geopolitical tension.

Broadcast Details

The State Within premiered on in the on 2 2006. The six-part aired weekly on evenings at 21:00, with episodes broadcast on 2 , 9 , 16 , 23 , 30 , and 7 December 2006. Each episode ran approximately 60 minutes. In the United States, the series debuted on in February 2007, with episodes airing over consecutive weekends, concluding on 24 February 2007. The production received positive critical reception for its intelligent scripting and performances, though specific overnight viewership figures for the UK broadcast are not widely documented in contemporary reports.

Cast and Characters

Lead Roles

Jason Isaacs stars as Sir Mark Brydon, the British Ambassador to the , whose diplomatic career is upended by a plane crash over Washington, D.C., revealing ties to a fictional Middle Eastern nation called Ornby and escalating international tensions. Brydon navigates betrayals within intelligence circles and foreign policy machinations, drawing on Isaacs' prior roles in complex authority figures like Lucius Malfoy in the series. Ben Daniels plays Nicholas Brocklehurst, an operative and Brydon's colleague at the embassy, involved in covert operations that intersect with the central conspiracy. Daniels' portrayal emphasizes the shadowy world, contrasting Brydon's overt . Sharon Gless portrays Lynne Warner, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, a key American official whose decisions influence the unfolding crisis and U.S.-U.K. relations. Gless, known for , brings gravitas to Warner's high-stakes political maneuvering.

Supporting Roles

Ben Daniels portrayed Nicholas Brocklehurst, the counsellor for external affairs at the British Embassy in , serving as a key advisor and right-hand man to Ambassador Sir amid escalating diplomatic tensions. Brocklehurst's role involves navigating internal embassy dynamics and intelligence matters, with his personal relationships adding layers to the intrigue. Sharon Gless played Lynne Warner, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, a high-ranking official whose policy decisions and public statements intersect with the series' central conspiracy involving and international alliances. Warner's character embodies assertive American military leadership, often clashing with British counterparts over strategic responses to crises. Eva Birthistle depicted Jane Lavery, a affiliated with a organization, whose investigations into alleged injustices abroad draw her into the broader web of political machinations affecting the protagonists. Lavery's pursuit of accountability highlights ethical dilemmas in and legal advocacy. Neil Pearson acted as Phil Lonsdale, the deputy at the Embassy, providing operational support and logistical coordination during the unfolding events in . Lonsdale's position underscores the administrative backbone of diplomatic operations under pressure. Lennie James portrayed Luke Gardner, a former British facing execution in the United States, whose ties into themes of military intervention and personal redemption within the narrative's geopolitical framework. Gardner's circumstances serve as a focal point for examining the human costs of international conflicts.

Episodes

Episode Summaries

Episode 1

The episode opens with the explosion of a jetliner over , killing 120 people and straining relations between and the as suspicions arise over the cause. Simultaneously, a citizen named Luke is on death row in for a conviction, prompting efforts to appeal his sentence amid questions about the trial's fairness. mercenaries operating in the of Tyrgyzstan inadvertently contribute to local destruction, complicating diplomatic ties. Ambassador Sir navigates the ensuing crisis at the embassy.

Episode 2

Sir pressures Virginia authorities to alter policies on detained British Muslim civilians following the plane incident, encountering resistance from U.S. official Lynne Warner. Tensions escalate as investigations into the explosion reveal potential links to broader conspiracies involving oil interests and intelligence operations. Brydon's personal and professional challenges intensify, including interactions with embassy staff and U.S. officials.

Episode 3

Violent incidents erupt in , forcing to mediate amid heightened security concerns and diplomatic fallout. Jane Lavery, involved in Luke's case, races to halt his execution by presenting to the pardon board that the original was fabricated. Revelations about manipulated intelligence and covert operations begin to surface, drawing Brydon deeper into conflicting loyalties between and interests.

Episode 4

Brydon embarks on a sensitive diplomatic to Tyrgyzstan, where activities and regime instability threaten regional peace. uncovers additional implicating higher-level involvement in Luke's , while corporate and governmental figures maneuver to protect oil pipeline deals. The episode heightens intrigue around potential operations tied to the plane crash.

Episode 5

Brydon's career hangs in the balance as exposure of embassy secrets risks his recall to , though unforeseen allies emerge to bolster his position. Investigations reveal deeper ties between U.S. defense contractors, British intelligence, and the Tyrgyzstan regime, with Lynne Warner advancing aggressive policies. Personal betrayals and moral dilemmas test Brydon's resolve against mounting evidence of .

Episode 6

Christopher Hart receives devastating information that reshapes alliances, as Lynne Warner and Carl Ferran engage in a power struggle over policy directions. Brydon pieces together the full scope of the plot involving the , actions, and fabricated claims to secure oil access, leading to a climactic confrontation with implicated parties. The series concludes with resolutions to the diplomatic and personal crises.

Episode Guide

Episode 1 (aired 2 November 2006): British Muslim terrorists destroy a passenger airliner over , prompting British Ambassador to the Mark to manage the ensuing diplomatic crisis and strained transatlantic relations. Brydon witnesses the explosion and navigates initial fallout, including pressure from U.S. officials and internal embassy dynamics. Episode 2 (aired 9 November 2006): Following the detention of Muslims in under anti-terror laws, Brydon offers them sanctuary in the embassy to defuse escalating tensions between the and U.S. governments. He lobbies against harsh policies while facing opposition from U.S. Secretary of Defence Lynne Warner. Episode 3 (aired 16 November 2006): As violence erupts in , Brydon coordinates efforts to avert further crisis; meanwhile, journalist Jane Phillipe challenges the validity of a case involving citizen Luke Maynard before the pardons board, and mercenaries target another . The episode heightens stakes with sickening acts of violence amid the conspiracy's unfolding. Episode 4 (aired 23 November 2006): Efforts to halt Maynard's execution fail, but he provides evidence implicating a broader before his death. Brydon embarks on a , while Phillipe uncovers additional leads tied to the plane crash and activities. Episode 5 (aired 30 November 2006): After the of a key figure, Eshan Khaldar, Brydon faces calls for his as suspicions of a deeper grow, coinciding with U.S. preparations for potential against the fictional nation of Tyrgyztan. His political survival hinges on unexpected alliances amid mounting evidence of manipulated intelligence. Episode 6 (aired 7 December 2006): In the series finale, Brydon races to expose the full orchestrating events toward , confronting high-level U.S. and corporate interests. Revelations culminate in a thrilling involving betrayals and truths about the initial attack and subsequent manipulations.

Themes and Political Analysis

Geopolitical and Elements

The miniseries depicts a geopolitical crisis triggered by the mid-air explosion of a British passenger jet over international waters near Washington, D.C., shortly after takeoff from Heathrow Airport, killing all aboard and initially attributed to suicide bombers linked to the fictional Central Asian republic of Tyrgyztan. This incident escalates US rhetoric toward military intervention against Tyrgyztan, portrayed as a resource-rich state obstructing Western oil pipeline ambitions amid post-Soviet regional instability. The narrative frames the conflict as a proxy for real-world energy security dilemmas, where control over Tyrgyztan's untapped oil fields and transit routes becomes a flashpoint between US strategic interests and Russian influence, mirroring debates over Caspian Sea hydrocarbons since the 1990s. At the conspiracy's core lies a covert alliance between a powerful , Hart Purdee, and rogue elements within the CIA and , who orchestrate the plane crash as a provocation to fabricate for . This scheme aims to install a compliant in Tyrgyztan, enabling pipeline construction to bypass volatile routes through or , thereby securing uninterrupted oil flows to global markets estimated at billions in annual value. The reveals manipulated intelligence dossiers, suppressed forensic evidence from the crash site, and assassinations of whistleblowers, including a British intelligence officer and a Tyrgyztani defector, to maintain the deception. Such elements evoke unsubstantiated theories surrounding the , like claims of fabricated weapons of mass destruction intelligence, but the series invents the specifics without evidentiary basis in verified events. Diplomatic intrigue underscores UK-US alliance fractures, with Ambassador confronting Whitehall's deference to Washington—reminiscent of Tony Blair's alignment with in 2003—while piecing together the plot through unauthorized and alliances with skeptical officials. The conspiracy implicates a "state within a state," where unelected corporate and intelligence actors override democratic processes, prioritizing profit from arms sales and energy contracts over , as evidenced by fictional backroom deals inflating Tyrgyztan invasion costs to $50 billion. This portrayal aligns with critiques of the military-industrial complex's influence, as articulated by President in his 1961 farewell address warning of unwarranted power aggregation, though the series amplifies it into outright malfeasance without paralleling documented scandals like the Iran-Contra affair in scope or execution. Broader geopolitical motifs include the moral hazards of rendition and programs, depicted via Brydon's discovery of a -operated in Tyrgyztan employing to extract coerced confessions tying the crash to local extremists, reflecting declassified CIA practices post-2001 but fictionalized in their direct linkage. The resolution exposes complicity up to near the vice-presidential level, forcing a public reckoning that averts war but strains bilateral ties, emphasizing causal primacy of resource scarcity in driving state aggression over ideological pretexts. While the narrative privileges dramatic revelation over empirical restraint, it draws from observable patterns in documentation, such as State Department assessments of Central Asian energy corridors since 2001, without endorsing the depicted as factual.

Critiques of Foreign Policy Portrayals

Critics have argued that The State Within presents a heavy-handed and conspiratorial view of U.S. , emphasizing duplicitous American officials and a manipulative military-industrial complex at the core of international decisions. The portrayal of U.S. of Defense Lynne Warner as a bellicose figure with deep ties to defense contractors exemplifies this, reducing policy motivations to personal greed and aggression rather than multifaceted security imperatives post-9/11. Such depictions contrast the U.S. as a "raging " power with the more restrained diplomacy, which reviewers contend oversimplifies transatlantic dynamics during the early 2000s debates. Conservative outlets have labeled the series' narrative as melodramatically anti-American, depicting the U.S. as on the brink of in response to , including elements like mass roundups of British by a Virginia governor and extrajudicial killings at roadblocks. A British ambassador's invocation of the Reichstag Decree to critique U.S. measures underscores this analogy to , which critics see as an exaggerated left-wing fantasy that vilifies neoconservatives, corporations, and provincial American leaders without acknowledging legitimate needs following events like the 2001 attacks. The show's emphasis on British moral innocence—positioned as corrupted by an scheming American superpower plotting attacks on its own citizens to secure U.K. involvement in wars—has been dismissed as a pathetic geopolitical wish-fulfillment, evoking for a victimized amid real-world policy strains under the Bush-Blair . This framing ignores the U.K.'s active support for U.S.-led interventions, such as the 2003 authorized by on March 18, 2003, with 412 votes in favor, thereby prioritizing narrative purity over historical complicity in shared foreign policy choices. While the series loosely reflects documented tensions, including Blair's domestic opposition over on weapons of mass destruction, its conspiratorial lens critiques argue distorts causal realities of alliance-driven decisions into unilateral U.S. villainy.

Realism vs. Fiction in Diplomatic Intrigue

The portrayal of diplomatic operations in The State Within amplifies real-world geopolitical frictions for dramatic effect, particularly in its depiction of U.S.-U.K. tensions over Middle Eastern policy and corporate influence. The series draws from anxieties, including manufactured fears justifying aggressive foreign interventions and the outsourcing of military functions to private contractors, which allowed governments to sidestep ethical constraints on warfare. This reflects documented cases, such as the rapid expansion of firms like (now Academi) in from 2003 onward, where U.S. contracts exceeded $1 billion by 2006, enabling profit-driven operations with limited oversight. However, the narrative's central —encompassing a staged plane crash, oil pipeline machinations, and executive-level betrayals—strains plausibility through its intricate layering and improbable coincidences, culminating in resolutions that hinge on individual heroics rather than institutional processes. In reality, diplomatic intrigue operates through protracted, bureaucratic channels rather than the swift, unilateral actions afforded to Ambassador . Ambassadors, while influential in reporting and negotiation, lack the autonomy shown; decisions on crises like the fictional Rezqia pipeline require coordination with the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and intelligence agencies such as , often involving weeks of cable traffic and multilateral consultations under frameworks like the U.K.-U.S. established post-World War II. The series' espionage elements, including rapid intelligence coups and embassy-based covert ops, exaggerate human intelligence (HUMINT) timelines; real operations, as in the Five Eyes alliance sharing, emphasize long-term asset cultivation and (SIGINT), with leaks or defections rare due to compartmentalization and legal safeguards like the U.S. of 1978 (amended ). Corporate sway over policy, a core plot driver involving fictional energy giants manipulating governments, captures authentic causal dynamics but fictionalizes their scope. Oil multinationals have historically lobbied for resource access, as seen in the 2003 Iraq invasion's alignment with securing reserves estimated at 115 billion barrels, yet such influence manifests through think tanks, campaign donations, and revolving doors rather than overt conspiracies. The show's antagonist, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lynne Warner, evokes figures like or , whose ties to (Cheney's former firm, awarded no-bid contracts worth $7 billion by 2006) fueled critiques of , but her outsized role in domestic roundups and foreign plots diverges from constitutional checks, including absent in the series. Critics observe that The State Within reinforces a trope of U.K. restraint against U.S. belligerence, as Brydon brokers deals amid American "Neanderthal" impulses, mirroring media narratives around the 2003 Iraq War where Tony Blair's government committed 46,000 troops despite domestic opposition. This portrayal, while engaging, overlooks the alliance's depth—evidenced by over 1,000 joint military exercises annually and shared intelligence yielding operations like the 2011 Bin Laden raid—prioritizing moral dichotomies over the pragmatic, interest-driven causality of statecraft. Real diplomatic realism prioritizes deterrence and alliance maintenance over the series' high-stakes personal vendettas, where body counts and twists serve narrative momentum at the expense of procedural fidelity.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reviews

Critics acclaimed The State Within for its intellectual depth, sharp geopolitical intrigue, and Jason Isaacs's commanding performance as British Ambassador Sir , though opinions divided on its narrative density and occasional implausibilities. The six-part series garnered an 86% Tomatometer score on from 12 reviews, with consensus highlighting its preference for cerebral tension over action spectacle. It earned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 15 aggregated reviews, classified as generally favorable for its ambitious fusion of , conspiracy, and moral ambiguity. MaryAnn Johanson of Flick Philosopher praised the series as "a riveting BBC political thriller offering one of the most trenchant explorations yet of the sick symbiosis between big government and big business," emphasizing its unflinching critique of power structures. Empire magazine rated it 4 out of 5 stars, acknowledging initial bewilderment from plot complexities but rewarding persistence with "an expertly told conspiracy yarn about Anglo-American relations and the business of war." Similarly, Pajiba described it as highly addictive, noting that its six-hour runtime demands commitment yet compels viewers forward through escalating revelations. Matt Roush of likened it to a "cerebral of treachery" in contrast to the adrenaline-fueled , appreciating its dark pleasures amid intellectual demands but conceding the latter's broader entertainment value. Detractors, however, faulted its overambition; Gerard O'Donovan in derided the series for a "superslick blend of pace, bafflement and occasional revelation" that propelled viewers through "plotholes and credibility gaps" via an artificial vacuum-like pull. 's 2006 critics' roundup singled it out for "impenetrability," awarding it alongside Lost for narrative opacity that prioritized convolution over clarity. Despite such reservations, the ensemble—including and —drew consistent commendation for elevating the material's high-stakes drama.

Audience and Commercial Response

"The State Within" garnered a favorable response from audiences who engaged with it, earning an average user rating of 7.7 out of 10 on from 2,523 votes, reflecting appreciation for its intricate plotting, strong performances, and political intrigue. Viewers frequently highlighted the series' suspenseful narrative and acting, particularly ' portrayal of the British ambassador, in user reviews that described it as a "classy" thriller with effective twists. On , it holds an 86% approval rating from 12 critic reviews, indicating solid professional reception for its exploration of diplomatic tensions, though audience scores were not separately aggregated in available data. Despite this acclaim among niche viewers, the struggled with broader audience reach on , where it aired in 2006. Viewer feedback on the BBC's official site noted perceptions of "poor ratings," contributing to the decision against renewal or expansion, suggesting viewership fell short of expectations for a high-profile . Its U.S. broadcast on in 2007 similarly positioned it as an entertaining but demanding watch for fans of complex thrillers, rather than mainstream fare, with reviews acknowledging its potential confusion amid rapid plot developments. Commercially, "The State Within" achieved modest success through releases rather than box-office equivalents. A two-disc DVD set was issued in the UK in 2006 and later in Region 1 for in 2007, featuring the full six episodes, but specific sales figures remain unavailable in , consistent with typical performance for limited-run series lacking theatrical tie-ins or international booms. The production, budgeted as a prestige without emphasis on mass-market appeal, did not spawn merchandise, spin-offs, or significant ancillary revenue, underscoring its status as a critically respected but commercially understated entry in the genre.

Cultural Impact and Retrospective Views

The State Within has exerted a niche influence on the genre of political and diplomatic thrillers, particularly those exploring tensions and covert power structures. Its portrayal of high-stakes intrigue involving dealers, manipulation, and strained U.S.-U.K. alliances prefigured elements in subsequent series like and , where protagonists navigate moral ambiguities in . The miniseries contributed to a wave of British television fiction that dissected real-world geopolitical frictions, such as the Bush-Blair dynamic over , as noted in analyses of U.K. trends. Recommendations in contemporary lists alongside shows like and underscore its enduring appeal to audiences seeking layered narratives on and policy failures. Retrospective assessments highlight the series' prescience in depicting fabricated intelligence justifying military action and the undue sway of private contractors over state decisions, themes that gained renewed relevance amid later disclosures on pretexts and surveillance overreach. Critics and viewers in the late and beyond praised its timeliness in an era of eroding trust in Western establishments, with elements evoking bureaucratic conspiracies akin to early X-Files arcs but grounded in diplomatic . While not a blockbuster, its sophisticated scripting and performances—earning a Golden Globe nomination—have sustained appreciation among enthusiasts of intelligent thriller miniseries, often cited for avoiding in favor of causal examinations of power imbalances.

References

  1. [1]
    Press Office - The State Within, new conspiracy thriller for BBC ONE
    Apr 26, 2006 · Filming in Canada until July, The State Within is a co-production with BBC America. Producer is Grainne Marmion. Directors are Michael Offer ...
  2. [2]
    The State Within - About The Show - BBC
    The State Within is a six-part action thriller starring Jason Isaacs as a British Ambassador in a conspiracy, where he is played by an invisible puppeteer.
  3. [3]
    The State Within - Variety
    Feb 15, 2007 · Finding conspiracies and duplicitous Americans in every corner, “The State Within” boasts a handsome cast, but its convoluted story and rising body count ...
  4. [4]
    The State Within - The Hollywood Reporter
    Feb 15, 2007 · Probably a lot like “The State Within,” a rip-roaring thriller of a three-night, 71⁄2-hour miniseries that pulls off the rare trick of being ...
  5. [5]
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - IMDb
    Rating 7.7/10 (2,523) The State Within is a crime, drama, thriller, war mini-series about a plane explosion and a British ambassador caught in a diplomatic incident, and a ...
  6. [6]
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - Plot - IMDb
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - Plot summary, synopsis, and more ... Summaries. After a plane explodes over Washington D.C. panic begins to ...
  7. [7]
    The State Within - TVmaze.com
    Sir Mark Brydon is the British Ambassador to Washington, who finds himself at the centre of a terrifying conspiracy that could bring down Western Government.
  8. [8]
    Full Writer's CV | Lizzie Mickery
    Jun 8, 2016 · 2006 The State Within (TV series) (co pro BBC/BBC America) – Episode #1.6 (2006) (co-creator/writer) – Episode #1.5 (2006) (co-creator/writer) – ...
  9. [9]
    Biography | Lizzie Mickery
    Jun 8, 2013 · Lizzie Mickery lives and works in London and Los Angeles. ... The State Within Biarritz International Festival 2007 nominated Best ...
  10. [10]
    The State Within - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide
    Jason Isaacs. Mark Brydon ; Ben Daniels. Nicholas Brocklehurst ; Eva Birthistle. Jane Lavery ; Neil Pearson. Phil Lonsdale ; Genevieve O'Reilly. Caroline Hanley.
  11. [11]
    The State Within (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) - Epguides.com
    Jan 10, 2024 · Start date: Nov 2006. End date: Dec 2006. Status: cancelled/ended. Network(s): BBC One (UK) Run time: 60 min. Episodes: 6 eps. Genre(s): Drama.
  12. [12]
    The State Within - TheTVDB.com
    Feb 4, 2008 · First Aired November 2, 2006; Recent December 7, 2006; Airs Thursday, at 9:00pm; Network BBC One; Average Runtime 60 minutes; Genres Crime Drama ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  13. [13]
    On TV: BBC's 'The State Within' gives us a '24' for the thinking viewer
    Feb 15, 2007 · Now we have an answer to "24" in the six-hour BBC miniseries "The State Within," airing Saturday and Sunday, and concluding Feb. 24, on the ...
  14. [14]
    The State Within | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 86% (12) The State Within is a conspiracy yarn about Anglo-American relations and war, with a 86% Tomatometer score. It can be difficult to decipher initially.
  15. [15]
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Cast · Jason Isaacs: June 6. Jason Isaacs · Jason Isaacs · Ben Daniels · Ben Daniels · Eva Birthistle in A Fond Kiss (2004). Eva Birthistle · Kourosh Keshiri ...
  16. [16]
    The State Within (TV Series 2006-2006) - Cast & Crew - TMDB
    Series Cast 18 · Jason Isaacs · Mark Brydon (6 Episodes) · Ben Daniels · Nicholas Brocklehurst (6 Episodes) · Sharon Gless · Lynne Warner (6 Episodes) · Aaron ...Missing: lead roles
  17. [17]
    The State Within | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
    Cast & Crew · Daniel Percival · Jason Isaacs · Sharon Gless · Ben Daniels · Eva Birthistle.Missing: lead | Show results with:lead
  18. [18]
    Press Office - The State Within Ben Daniels - BBC
    Oct 23, 2006 · Ben Daniels plays Nicholas Brocklehurst · Sharon Gless plays Lynne Warner · Eva Birthistle plays Jane Lavery · Neil Pearson plays Phil Lonsdale ...
  19. [19]
    The State Within - Character Dossiers - Nicholas Brocklehurst - BBC
    Find out more about page archiving. 24 September 2014. The State Within · BBC ... Nicholas Brocklehurst; Job: Counsellor External Affairs; Date of Birth ...
  20. [20]
    Press Office - The State Within Sharon Gless - BBC
    Oct 23, 2006 · It was one of the most sensational shows of the Eighties and it changed the history of television for women." Sharon reveals that she and ...Missing: background development<|separator|>
  21. [21]
    The State Within - Character Dossiers - Lynne Warner - BBC
    Find out more about page archiving. 28 October 2014. The State Within · BBC ... Lynne Warner; Job: US Secretary of Defense; Date of Birth: 22.02.1943 ...
  22. [22]
    The State Within - Character Dossiers - Jane Lavery - BBC
    The State Within · BBC Homepage · Drama · The State Within · Game · Episodes · Your Reviews · Characters · Interviews · About The Show · Photo Gallery · Contact ...
  23. [23]
    Press Office - The State Within Neil Pearson - BBC
    Neil Pearson plays Phil Lonsdale, one of Sir Mark ... The 47-year-old Londoner expands on his own character ... The State Within: Episode One clip · The State ...
  24. [24]
    The State Within - Character Dossiers - Phil Lonsdale - BBC
    The State Within · BBC Homepage · Drama · The State Within · Game · Episodes · Your Reviews · Characters · Interviews · About The Show · Photo Gallery · Contact ...
  25. [25]
    Press Office - The State Within Lennie James - BBC
    Oct 23, 2006 · The State Within demands a certain intelligence from its audience. It doesn't just wash over the audience - it asks for commitment. And ...
  26. [26]
    The State Within - Lennie James Interview - BBC
    "Once upon a time, he was a basically good man," says Lennie of his character ... The State Within demands a certain intelligence from its audience. It doesn ...
  27. [27]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode1.shtml
  28. [28]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode2.shtml
  29. [29]
    "The State Within" Episode #1.2 (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb
    Rating 7.7/10 (80) Jason Isaacs and Rahnuma Panthaky in The State Within (2006). CrimeDrama ... When the governor of Virginia detains British Muslims, Ambassador Mark Brydon offers ...
  30. [30]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode3.shtml
  31. [31]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode4.shtml
  32. [32]
    "The State Within" Episode #1.4 (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb
    Rating 8.1/10 (65) Español (México). Use app · The State Within. S1.E4. All episodesAll · Cast & crew · IMDbPro. All topics. Episode #1.4. Episode aired Nov 30, 2006; TV-14; 50m.Missing: plot summary
  33. [33]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode5.shtml
  34. [34]
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/thestatewithin/episodes/episode6.shtml
  35. [35]
    "The State Within" Episode #1.6 (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb
    Rating 8/10 (58) Español (México). Use app · The State Within. S1.E6. All episodesAll · Cast & crew · IMDbPro. All topics. Episode #1.6. Episode aired Dec 14, 2006; TV-14; 50m.Missing: plot summary
  36. [36]
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - Episode list - IMDb
    ### Episode Summaries for The State Within (2006)
  37. [37]
    Episode Guide - The State Within - BBC
    Nov 2, 2006 · Find out more about page archiving. 28 October 2014. The State Within ... drama reaches its thrilling conclusion. Read update and watch ...Missing: miniseries | Show results with:miniseries
  38. [38]
    The State Within (Series) - TV Tropes
    Series / The State Within. Following ... This 2006 miniseries on The BBC centers on Sir Mark Brydon (Jason Isaacs), the British ambassador to the United States.
  39. [39]
    The State Within (TV Mini Series 2006) - User reviews - IMDb
    THE STATE WITHIN is a six episode series from BBC that has class, excellent writing, top notch acting and enough twists and turns of story line to keep the ...
  40. [40]
    Trends in political television fiction in the UK: Themes, characters ...
    May 1, 2012 · Natural Lies (1992) was inspired by the BSE crisis, whereas The State Within (2006) was loosely based on the strained relations between the ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
  41. [41]
    State Within, The - DVD Talk
    Feb 13, 2007 · The hero in this story is a British Ambassador and he quickly finds himself in a world of deceit with no one to trust. It is up to him and a few ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
  42. [42]
    Meanwhile at the BBC | The New Criterion
    We are thinking of “The State Within,” a three-part mini-series that aired at the end of last month. As Brendan Bernhard noted in The New York Sun, the film “ ...
  43. [43]
    The Canadian Wire: Watch Intelligence soon, OK?
    Jul 1, 2011 · With its midfiasco yearning for British innocence, The State Within is, frankly, pathetic. Indeed, it's tempting to read it as a geopolitical ...Missing: critiques foreign portrayal<|separator|>
  44. [44]
    The State Within TV review: unknown knowns - FlickFilosopher.com
    it's a limited ...
  45. [45]
    The State Within Reviews - Metacritic
    Rating 3.4 (15) Based on 15 Critic Reviews · 68. 60% Positive 9 Reviews. 27% Mixed 4 ... If 24 is a roller coaster, The State Within is more of a cerebral maze of treachery.
  46. [46]
    https://www.empireonline.com/tv/state-within/
  47. [47]
    http://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/everythings-better-with-a-british-accent.php
  48. [48]
    The State Within season 1 Reviews - Metacritic
    Rating 3.4 (15) If 24 is a roller coaster, The State Within is more of a cerebral maze of treachery. One's more fun, though the other has its dark pleasures. By Matt Roush FULL ...
  49. [49]
    You Review: The State Within | Culture | The Guardian
    Nov 3, 2006 · For the Telegraph's Gerard O'Donovan, "The State Within exerts the inexorable grip of a vacuum, sucking viewers through plotholes and ...
  50. [50]
    Critics' Review of 2006 | Movies | The Guardian
    Dec 23, 2006 · Critics' Review of 2006 ... The I Wish I'd Concentrated Award for Impenetrability: jointly to The State Within (BBC2) and Lost (C4/Sky One).
  51. [51]
    And it's goodbye from them | Culture - The Guardian
    Nov 4, 2006 · The first episode of the BBC/BBC America six-parter The State Within was so pacy and taut and cool, even before the fabulous Sharon Gless ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary<|control11|><|separator|>
  52. [52]
    Episode 6 Reviews - The State Within - BBC
    "I think this is a fantastic show. Sadly I believe the ratings were poor, so I have little doubt the BBC are going to take the rash decision of axing this show ...Missing: response | Show results with:response
  53. [53]
    'State Within': It's fun (if you can follow) - Los Angeles Times
    Feb 17, 2007 · “The State Within,” a new, imported political whodunit on BBC America, is something less than perfect, but if you have a taste for high ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  54. [54]
    The State Within (Region 2) : Jason Isaacs, Ben Daniels, Sharon Gless
    30-day returnsPlayback Region 2 : This will not play on most DVD players sold in the U.S., U.S. Territories, Canada, and Bermuda. See other DVD options under “Other ...Missing: 2006 commercial performance
  55. [55]
    State Within, The Review | TV Show - Empire
    Rating 4.0 · Review by William ThomasJan 22, 2007 · A tense, six-part series set within the walls of the British Embassy in America, we observe the fallout after an American jet is blown up by a ...<|separator|>
  56. [56]
    11 Shows Like 'The Diplomat' Watch After Finishing Season 2
    Nov 9, 2024 · The Americans · Bodyguard · The Night Agent · The West Wing · Homeland · Madam Secretary · Designated Survivor · The State Within.
  57. [57]
    Austen? Buchan? It's time for more unusual adaptations
    Aug 21, 2008 · Moreover, The 39 Steps is being written by Lizzie Mickery, who co-wrote the marvellous, and indeed prescient, 2006 thriller The State Within ...
  58. [58]
    BBC America spy thriller hits close to home - The Denver Post
    May 8, 2016 · “The State Within,” written by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival (who previously wrote “The Dirty War,” about a terrorist attack on London) ...<|separator|>
  59. [59]
    'My film flopped and Hollywood didn't want to touch me' - The Guardian
    Jan 10, 2008 · Or the ethically challenged British ambassador in the BBC drama The State Within, for which he has been nominated for a Golden Globe. ... review ...