We haven’t seen much of Charlie Cox since Netflix’s Daredevil came to an abrupt end in 2018. Cox disappeared just like his masked vigilante parkours off into the rooftops after an alleyway brawl. He’s been acting, but mostly in lower profile fashion than leading a hit Marvel series. Most notably he’s starred onstage alongside fellow Marvel actor Tom Hiddleston for the hit play Jerry, the Irish TV drama Kin, stopped in as Matt Murdock for a minute cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and an episode of She Hulk: Attorney at Law. But that’s been about it… until now.
Cox is starring in a new Netflix espionage drama Treason, set to premiere on December 26. Cox portrays Adam Lawrence, a young up-and-coming MI6 officer who is abruptly flung into the deep end of the chief position. The scrutiny of his job breaks the lock on a closet full of skeletons that Lawrence has kept at bay for 15 years. The series carries British Jack Ryan vibes right off the bat, with a relative newbie agent up to his neck in a destructive plot. Here’s a breakdown of the trailer for Treason.
Taking the Big Job
Netflix
The trailer begins with a woman presumably posing as a server cracking a small vial of clear liquid and administering it into a glass of liquor. We immediately learn via star Charlie Cox’s narration that the target is the chief of top Britain intelligence agency MI6 Sir Martin Angelis (Ciarán Hinds). After sipping from the drink, his vision blurs, and daunting music plays, bringing us to the succession plan.
Adam Lawrence, portrayed by Cox, has been promoted to chief in the wake of the assassination attempt. Lawrence informs a seemingly reluctant and skeptical room of suits that he will be in charge of MI6 going forward. Angelis, alive but hospitalized, warns Lawrence of the “volatile time” in which he will be shouldering this massive responsibility.
We cut to the assassin presenting a political candidate with a folder containing brain scans, extorting her to “drop out of the race” or the file will be released to the masses.
Back in the hospital, Angelis continues to advise his protégé and next-in-line; there will be doubts of Lawrence’s ability to do the job he’s been thrown into based on his age and inexperience. The clip’s backdrop is shots of Lawrence’s wife and young children. The talk ends with a stern “Do not trust anyone.”
Running from the Past
Lawrence nervously accesses a file labeled “BAKU” in the dark of his home as his wife drops in to check on him. The information is presumably damning to the new chief as he will now be under nonstop microscope watch.
We bounce across the pond to the CIA, where an agent following the developments at MI6’s leadership announces that the agency thinks Lawrence might be compromised. Lawrence’s photo is attached to a newspaper clipping with a headline about a deadly riot in a Baku embassy and British officials fleeing the compound. The story is accompanied by a photo showing a building ablaze.
We cut back to the UK where Lawrence meets on a rooftop with the assassin, who we now know is named Kara. She claims to have been behind the scenes pulling strings for Lawrence to drop into the chief’s seat, alluding to the attempt on Angelis’ life. “I’ve come to collect,” she coldly tells Lawrence. He tells her that they’re done and stomps away.
In near complete darkness, a weapon is assembled by an unseen gunman as an unknown voice says that there is a double agent in the agency and that they need to be eliminated. A breath is heard, and a rifle scope comes into the frame.
Trouble at Home
Adam’s wife is informed that her family could be in danger due to Adam’s dealings. A man is seen following Lawrence’s daughter down a dock. She places a panicked call to Lawrence saying she’s being followed as another man flanks her from the other side. Lawrence threatens an unseen party over the phone; “If you touch my daughter, I will destroy you.”
Tensions spill over between Lawrence and his wife as she asks him who is infiltrating their life like this. He says that he doesn’t know prompting disbelief and distrust from his wife. Lawrence is seen handing over a file to Kara with his wife peering around a corner at the transaction. Mrs. Lawrence exclaims to Adam that he betrayed Britain for Kara, pulling to a shot of Lawrence and Kara embracing in a dark setting.
“I am not a double agent,” Lawrence forcefully says as the trailer closes out to lingering shots of Lawrence and Kara. Mrs. Lawrence desperately asks if their situation can be salvaged; “We have to,” says Lawrence. The trailer ends with the title screen and the familiar Netflix logo.
The plot doesn’t appear to be anything terribly original; a spy’s spotty past and shady relationships come calling. But with an actor like Charlie Cox leading the drama, Treason should make for a great watch despite the tried-and-true storyline.
