š”ļøThe Assassin ā Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore Lead AMC+ās Sharp New Spy Thriller
- Boxofficehype
- Oct 31
- 4 min read

š„ āEvery past leaves a trail ā and every killer leaves a legacy.ā
A new kind of spy thriller has entered the arena, and itās as dangerous as it is dazzling. The Assassin, now streaming on AMC+, delivers high-octane action, emotional depth, and globe-trotting intrigue ā wrapped around a razor-sharp mother-son story.
Created by Harry and Jack WilliamsĀ (known for The MissingĀ and Baptiste), this slick, whip-smart thriller brings together two powerhouse performers ā Keeley HawesĀ (Bodyguard, The Midwich Cuckoos) and Freddie HighmoreĀ (The Good Doctor) ā for a deeply personal mission that becomes an international crisis.
š The Premise: Blood Ties and Bullets in Paradise
Julie Green (Keeley Hawes), a retired assassin living a quiet life in the sun-drenched coasts of Greece, thinks sheās left her violent past behind. But when her estranged son EdwardĀ (Freddie Highmore), an investigative journalist, shows up searching for answers about his father ā and his motherās mysterious past ā their reunion sets off a chain reaction neither can escape.
When a shadowy global corporation begins hunting them, mother and son must outwit assassins, intelligence agents, and their own fractured trust. The past Julie buried is coming for her ā and Edward is caught in the crossfire.
As The Times perfectly puts it, āThe Assassin has all the whip-smart, antic charm of Killing Eve or No Time to DieāĀ ā stylish, suspenseful, and unexpectedly human.
𧬠The Heart of the Story: Family, Secrets, Survival
Beneath the car chases and double agents, The AssassinĀ is a story about two people who barely know each other ā trying to survive long enough to finally understand one another.
Julieās life of secrecy and control collides with Edwardās life of curiosity and idealism. Every conversation between them is a duel, every mission a test of loyalty. As they travel through Greece, Italy, and North Africa, their emotional distance begins to close ā even as the danger grows.
Like Killing EveĀ or Hanna, the series finds beauty in tension ā a mother who kills to protect her son, and a son who wants to save his mother from herself.
š The Cast: A Global Ensemble of Shadows and Secrets
Keeley HawesĀ as Julie GreenĀ ā a retired assassin haunted by her past and determined to protect her future.
Freddie HighmoreĀ as Edward GreenĀ ā an investigative journalist whose search for truth pulls him into a world of deceit.
Jack DavenportĀ as SeanĀ ā Julieās ex-lover and a fellow assassin who blurs the line between ally and enemy.
Shalom Brune-FranklinĀ as Kayla CrossĀ ā Edwardās fiancĆ©e and the daughter of a powerful billionaire, hiding her own agenda.
Alan DaleĀ as Aaron CrossĀ ā the ruthless CEO of Cross Global Mining, a man with secrets buried in every continent.
Gina GershonĀ as Marie BertrandĀ ā a woman with her own reasons for tracking Edward.
David Dencik, Gerald Kyd, and Richard DormerĀ round out the stellar cast, each adding layers to the showās international intrigue.
š„ Style, Suspense, and Sharp Writing
The AssassinĀ moves with precision ā sleek cinematography, sun-drenched landscapes, and sharp dialogue that cuts like a blade. Director Harry WilliamsĀ keeps the pacing taut, balancing quiet emotional moments with explosive action sequences.
Every episode peels back another layer of deception. One moment youāre watching an intimate family drama, the next youāre plunged into a global conspiracy involving private militaries, deepfakes, and buried intelligence operations.
And just when you think you know whoās good ā the story flips the board.
š§© Themes: Legacy, Betrayal, and the Cost of Truth
At its core, The AssassinĀ asks one searing question: Can we ever escape who we used to be?
Julieās past as a killer clashes with her desire to be a mother. Edwardās relentless curiosity becomes his greatest weapon ā and his greatest vulnerability. As the two uncover secrets that reach into governments and corporations, they must confront a chilling truth: some enemies wear familiar faces.
āļø A Cinematic Global Adventure
From the quiet beaches of Greece to the chaos of desert raves and European capitals, The AssassinĀ unfolds like a modern Bond film ā but with more heart. The showās locations are as important as its characters, symbolizing Julieās longing for peace and the inevitability of being pulled back into the shadows.
The stunning visuals, paired with a moody score and immersive sound design, give the series a cinematic texture rarely seen in television thrillers.
šµļøāāļø Why You Should Watch It
If you loved Bodyguard, Killing Eve, or The Night Manager, The AssassinĀ belongs at the top of your watchlist. Itās stylish yet emotional, thrilling yet introspective ā a spy series that knows action means nothing without heart.
Keeley Hawes delivers one of her most commanding performances yet, while Freddie Highmore brings warmth and depth to a role that could easily have been overshadowed by the showās danger and drama.
Their chemistry grounds the story ā turning bullets and betrayals into something heartbreakingly human.
ā” Final Verdict: A Spy Thriller With a Soul
The AssassinĀ isnāt just another espionage series. Itās a deeply human exploration of guilt, legacy, and redemption ā all wrapped in a smart, fast-paced, and beautifully shot narrative.
As Julie says in one of the showās defining moments:
āIāve spent a lifetime hiding from what I was. But the past doesnāt fade ā it reloads.ā
š„ Watch The AssassinĀ ā streaming exclusively on AMC+.Because every secret has a price. And every assassin⦠has someone worth saving. šš¶ļø



Comments