Spy is a British situation comedy created and written by Simeon Goulden. The first series aired on 14 October 2011 on Sky 1 in the UK, as well as on the online video service Hulu in the United States. A second series began airing on 19 October 2012, ending with a Christmas Special on 26 December 2012. On 1 March 2013, Darren Boyd announced that the show would not be returning for a third series.

Cast and characters Darren Boyd as Tim Elliot Jude Wright as Marcus Elliot, Tim's ten-and-a-half year-old son Robert Lindsay as The Examiner, Tim's boss Dolly Wells as Judith Elliot, Tim's ex-wife Tom Goodman-Hill (series 1) and Mark Heap (series 2) as Philip Quil, Judith's partner and Marcus's headteacher Mathew Baynton as Chris Pitt-Goddard, Tim's friend and former colleague who is secretly a lawyer Rebekah Staton as Caitlin Banks, Tim's MI5 colleague Rosie Cavaliero as Paula Abdul, Marcus's first social worker who had a romantic obsession with Tim Ed Coleman as Moritz Skenk, Tim's hapless coworker Ellie Hopkins as Justine, Marcus's love interest Terence Maynard as Marion Portis, Caitlin's long-missing, assumed dead, fiancé Miles Jupp as Owen, Marcus's second social worker Frank Kauer as Nick Chin, Marcus's rival David K. S. Tse as David Chin, Nick's father

Episode list Series 1 (2011)

Series 2 (2012)

Christmas Special (2012)

Reception Reception of the series has been varied. Olly Grant of The Telegraph described the new series as "a very promising little comedy, and [Robert] Lindsay is particularly good in it."Grant, Olly (14 October 2011). "Robert Lindsay: 'Scripts just aren't as good as 30 years ago'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 December 2012. The premiere was described by Ben Arnold (The Guardian) as a "hopeful offering", but wrote, "It will need considerably more laughs in future episodes to stand repeat viewing."Arnold, Ben (13 October 2011). "TV highlights 14/10/2011". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2012. The series' second episode was termed "mediocre" by Catherine Gee (Telegraph),Gee, Catherine (20 October 2011). The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2012. but Jack Seale (Radio Times) wrote "never mind that everyone's crazy and nothing is real, so that – like a lot of US sitcoms – you wouldn't mind missing an episode. When you're in front of it, Spy keeps doling out quick, cheap, satisfying laughs."Seale, Jack (21 October 2011) "Spy". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 December 2012. In a 2011 year-end wrap-up, Julia Raeside (Guardian) wrote:

In 2012, Sam Wollaston (Guardian) described it as "totally ridiculous, but in a charming way" and having "a lovable silliness."Wollaston, Sam (20 October 2012). "TV review: Spy. It takes confidence to be as silly as this charming spy thriller". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2012.

DVD release The complete first series of Spy was released on DVD on 5 November 2012. The complete second series of Spy was released on DVD on 29 July 2013.

International remakes An American version was being discussed to broadcast on ABC. ABC released casting info for the show, with Rob Corddry being cast as Tim, Mason Cook as Marcus, Paget Brewster in the new role of Erica as Marcus' mom and Tim's ex-wife, replacing Judith, Moshe Kasher as Chris, Camille Guaty as Caitlin, and Ken Jeong as The Examiner. Nat Faxon was to guest star in the pilot, and if the series was picked up, would have been a guest star in as many episodes as possible. The show was to be produced by ABC Studios and Hat Trick Productions, with Simeon Goulden, Jimmy Mulville and Helen Williams as executive producers. The series was to be written by Simeon Goulden as well, with Alex Hardcastle directing the pilot. On 10 May 2013, Deadline reported that ABC had passed on the pilot.

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