Mr. Palfrey of Westminster (1984)

He describes himself as "just a civil servant." But in the cloak-and-dagger world of the British security services, mild-mannered Mr. Palfrey (Golden Globe nominee Alec McCowen, Travels with My Aunt) is an invaluable player in the spy game. A master of counter-espionage and a spy-catcher extraordinaire, he's smart, discreet, cunning--and likes to do things his own way. His new boss quickly realizes the talents and dangers of the deceptively charming, utterly ruthless Palfrey. Known simply as "the Coordinator" and splendidly played by Caroline Blakiston (Brass, Scoop), she appoints an assistant (Clive Wood, The Lion in Winter) to work with Palfrey but report back to her. As always, however, Palfrey has his own ideas. "Alec McCowen plays Palfrey to perfection" (The Times, U.K.) in this stylish British spy series seen on public television and featuring guest appearances by Julian Glover (By the Sword Divided), Leslie Phillips (Chancer), Richard Johnson (The Camomile Lawn), and Deborah Grant (Bergerac).