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MI-5

MI-5

It's a fine line between safety and terror. Meet the rulers.

2002–2011Ended10 seasons86 episodes~60 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

Tense drama series about the different challenges faced by the British Security Service as they work against the clock to safeguard the nation. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, and the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a highly secure suite of offices known as The Grid.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch MI-5?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists MI-5 streaming on BritBox, Peacock, Pluto TV (free), Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Rent / Buy

Buy

Highlights

What stands out about MI-5?

MI-5 earns 5 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of shows.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is MI-5 worth watching?

MI-5's Midcredits score is the 94th percentile of all shows, from 21K ratings across 2 sources. 90% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

94th percentile

Better received than 94% of shows

93rd percentile among Action91st percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)90th
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

81 /100

90th percentile of all shows

91st percentile among Action87th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

90% liked it

93rd percentile of all shows

91st percentile among Action92nd percentile among 2000s
90% rated it 7–1010% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

21K ratings across platforms

77th percentile among Action89th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 9% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slick, fast-paced spy thriller that prioritizes entertainment over realism.

Fans praised

  • Intelligent, character-driven spy drama with moral complexity
  • Willingness to kill off major characters creates genuine suspense
  • Strong ensemble cast with believable chemistry and performances

Detractors panned

  • Implausible, increasingly ridiculous plots defy logic
  • Anti-American and politically biased writing undermines credibility
  • Frequent cast turnover and soap-opera personal subplots

What stands out

ActingDivisive80

Strong ensemble, especially Peter Firth, Macfadyen, Hawes

TensionDivisive80

Edge-of-seat suspense; detractors find contrived

PacingDivisive75

Fast-paced, tension-filled episodes; some find relentless

AtmosphereDivisive75

Immersion in gritty, contemporary security-world tension

DialogueDivisive70

Crisp, witty exchanges praised; some critics call it clichéd

CharactersDivisive65

Fans praise depth and moral shades; detractors see shallow replacements

Emotional impactDivisive65

Character deaths evoke strong reactions; some find unearned

Plot and storyDivisive50

Fans find plots prescient and twisty; detractors call them absurd and formulaic

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 26 points higher than critics.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Episodes

10 seasons

Series 10 · 2011 · 6 episodes

  • S10E1

    Garden Leave

    Sep 18, 201159 min
  • S10E2

    Stolen Laptop

    Sep 25, 201158 min
  • S10E3

    Dirty Bomb

    Oct 2, 201159 min
  • S10E4

    Suicide Bomber

    Oct 9, 201159 min
  • S10E5

    Kidnap

    Oct 16, 201158 min
  • S10E6

    Deportation

    Oct 23, 201159 minFinale

Watch experience

What is MI-5 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseDreadContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Dry humor
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Hardboiled · 1% of shows: Terse, unsentimental, noir-inflected.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe show treats its espionage material with deadly seriousness, framing the agents' morally grey choices as the cost of protecting the nation.
The rideSustained tension and a sense of foreboding pervade most episodes, with periodic quiet moments for character reflection; intensity remains high across the series run.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional setup-confrontation-resolution arc, with ongoing series arcs in the background.
Episode formatEach episode typically presents a self-contained mission while advancing season-long arcs about moles, betrayals, and internal conflicts within MI-5.
Season formatEach season introduces a distinct overarching threat or conspiracy while maintaining the same core cast and setting, with character arcs continuing across seasons.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingHaunting · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves you reflecting on the moral compromises of intelligence work, while the fates of its agents stay with you.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

18% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTypical episodes find the MI-5 team confronting an external threat to the UK, often hunting a cell or going undercover to stop an attack.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfDutyMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7% (this title)
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% (this title) · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Duty · 2% of showsBetrayal · 3% of showsLoyalty · 7% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the sacrifices and moral compromises required by intelligence work, where duty to country often clashes with personal bonds and ethical lines.
StanceThe series questions the cost of duty and the moral ambiguities of intelligence work without celebrating or condemning them outright; the ensemble cast reflects a collective burden.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
SettingMI-5 headquarters and various London and international surveillance locations

Content guide

Is MI-5 okay for kids?

TV-14

MI-5 is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (73/100), sexual content at moderate (51/100), language at moderate (52/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (38/100) and frightening material at intense (69/100). Its drug and alcohol content has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 84% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 10 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • MexicoD
  • Netherlands12
  • PortugalNR
  • Russia16+
  • Spain16
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 67% of all showsHeavier than 84% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 84%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 80%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 75%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 85%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does MI-5 have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in MI-5?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Peter Firth
as Harry Pearce
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Hugh Simon
as Malcolm Wynn-Jones
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Nicola Walker
as Ruth Evershed
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Rupert Penry-Jones
as Adam Carter
Miranda Raison
as Jo Portman
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Hermione Norris
as Ros Myers
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Rory MacGregor
as Colin Wells
David Oyelowo
as Danny Hunter
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
newcomer then · star now
Richard Armitage
as Lucas North
newcomer then · star now
Raza Jaffrey
as Zafar Younis
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

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