Fleming

He lived it before he wrote it.

Episodes

Episode 1

In London, 1938, Ian Fleming is a dissolute playboy, eclipsed by his dead war hero father and successful brother. While propping up the bar at a jazz club, he meets Ann O'Neill, an alluring socialite. Unlike many of his conquests, Ann is more than a match for him. She already has a husband and a lover, Esmond Rothermere. Fleming finds solace in the arms of a beautiful dispatch rider named Muriel. Following a frosty morning-after encounter with Muriel, Fleming's domineering mother secures him a job assisting Naval Intelligence's Admiral John Godfrey. He quickly incurs Godfrey's wrath when he cooks up an unorthodox scheme to get information from two captured German submariners. However, Fleming's valuable findings make it apparent that an imaginative approach could be just what the war effort requires.

51 min

Episode 2

A mischievous Ann invites Fleming to Esmond's birthday party, and although Fleming has brought Muriel as his date, sexual chemistry sizzles between them. Meanwhile, France is looking like it's about to crumble against Nazi forces. Office bound and desperate to be a man of action, Fleming urgently tries to persuade Godfrey to send him to France to oversee the destruction of secret files at one of their bureaus. To his surprise, Godfrey accepts. Fleming sets-off on his mission, but when unexpected obstacles arise, how will he handle the dangerous consequences?

51 min

Episode 3

While training at a camp in Canada (Camp X), the Americans ask Fleming to use his talents to write a blueprint for a Central Intelligence Agency. On his return to London, Fleming persuades Godfrey to form the 30 Assault Unit - a group of the toughest soldiers prepared to play dirty, with Fleming serving as commanding officer. He believes the new unit of Intelligence Commandos is the key to beating the Nazis. Meanwhile, Fleming continues his relationship with Ann, but refuses to consider taking it to the next level, while Rothermere makes it clear he intends to win her over once and for all.

50 min

Episode 4

The war is nearly over, but Fleming is convinced the Nazis are hiding nuclear plans and that the British need to find them before the Russians. Finally, Fleming is granted permission to go to Germany to attempt to retrieve the plans. He succeeds in tracking down the documents, but comes face to face with The Werewolves (renegade German soldiers who will die before giving up the cause). Back in London, celebrations are underway, but the arrival of peace also means wartime relationships will have to be reassessed. Will Fleming and Ann finally find a way to be together? Moreover, with the war in its final throes, Fleming's days in Naval Intelligence are numbered - what other ways will he find to channel his ingenuity and imagination?

51 min

Videos

Fleming The Man Who Would Be Bond | DVD Preview

FLEMING: The Man Who Would Be Bond - Stylish Trailer

FLEMING: The Man Who Would Be Bond with DOMINIC COOPER - BBC America Extended Trailer

Fleming - Teaser Trailer

Cast and Crew

Dominic Cooper

Ian Fleming

Lara Pulver

Ann O'Neill

Samuel West

Rear Admiral John Godfrey

Anna Chancellor

Second Officer Monday

Rupert Evans

Peter Fleming

Lesley Manville

Evelyn Fleming

Pip Torrens

Esmond Rothermere

Camilla Rutherford

Loelia, Duchess of Westminster

Annabelle Wallis

Muriel Wright

Stanley Townsend

Colonel William Donovan

Michael Parke

Executive Producer

Robert Bernstein

Executive Producer

Douglas Rae

Executive Producer

Sarah Curtis

Producer

Caroline Harris

Costume Design

Ed Wild

Cinematography

Michael Standish

Set Decoration

Tim Wheeler

Music

János Szárnyas

Art Direction

Salvador Yagüe

Line Producer

Fleming

Set at the outbreak of WWII – mischievous playboy Ian Fleming is untroubled by the specter of impending war – chasing women, collecting rare books and living off his family fortune. Forever in the shadow of his brother Peter, and an eternal disappointment to his formidable mother Eve, Fleming dreams of becoming the ‘ultimate’ man – a hero, a lover, a brute and the one who always gets the girl. He is finally given some direction in his life when he’s recruited by the Director of Naval Intelligence to help in the effort against the Nazis. Suddenly, Fleming finds his chance to shine and prove his worth.

Orignal Language

Seasons

Genre

Drama, War & Politics

Status

Ended

Release Data

2014-01-29

Production Companies

Ecosse Films, Sky Atlantic

Streaming Network

Sky Atlantic, BBC America