The Agency (2001 TV series)

*The Agency*
The Agency
Genre	Action; Spy; Drama;
Created by	Michael Frost Beckner
Starring	Beau Bridges; Ronny Cox; Gil Bellows; Rocky Carroll; Gloria Reuben; Paige Turco; David Clennon; Richard Speight Jr.; Jason O'Mara; Daniel Benzali; Will Patton;
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	44 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Gail Katz; Wolfgang Petersen; Michael Frost Beckner; Shaun Cassidy;
Running time	44 minutes
Production companies	Radiant Television; Shaun Cassidy Productions; (2002–2003); (season 2); Studios USA Television; (2001–2002); (season 1); Universal Network Television; (2002–2003); (season 2); CBS Productions;
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	September 27, 2001 –; May 17, 2003

The Agency is an American action-spy television series that followed the inner-workings of the CIA.^[1] The series was aired on CBS from September 27, 2001 until May 17, 2003, lasting two seasons.

The series, which premiered soon after the 9/11 attacks, was created by Michael Frost Beckner and was executive produced by Beckner, Shaun Cassidy Productions, and Radiant Productions in association with Universal Network Television and CBS Productions. The program was allowed unprecedented access to the actual CIA headquarters, thanks to a partnership that began in 1996 when the CIA hired one of its veteran clandestine officers, Chase Brandon, to work directly with Hollywood studios and production companies influence its public image.^[2]

Premise

The series was controversial in its exploration of contemporary international affairs and its treatment of the ethical conflicts inherent in intelligence work. Beckner's pilot script, written in March 2001, posited a re-invented CIA tasked with a "War on Terror" after Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist organization plots a lethal attack on the West. The pilot was to premiere at CIA headquarters on September 18, 2001, and set to air on CBS September 21, 2001.^[3] The actual 9/11 attacks convinced the network to hold the pilot and instead air a later episode.^[4] That first episode was broadcast later as the fifth episode of the first season.

In advance of the September 11 attacks, film director Wolfgang Peterson, an executive producer of The Agency, said that post-WW II, the ideas of good and evil are no longer as clear. "Everywhere in the world, the C.I.A. is still involved in missions. It is sometimes difficult to tell who is on the right side and who is on the wrong side.''^[2]

It was one of three new series, including Alias, and 24, to highlight the CIA. All three premiered following the September 11 attacks. Alias and 24 were considered hits, but CBS cancelled The Agency after two seasons.^[2]^[4]

In its review of the series,The Los Angeles Times noted: It’s hard to remember a time in U.S. history when public attention was more sharply focused on issues of domestic security, civil liberties and the role of U.S. intelligence agencies. A prime-time dramatic series on the CIA could contribute mightily to public understanding--if rigorously independent and unencumbered. Unfortunately, that’s not the approach CBS is taking with The Agency..." ^[5]

Cast

Gil Bellows – Matt Callan (season 1)
Daniel Benzali – Deputy Director Robert Quinn (episodes 14–44; recurring previously)
Beau Bridges – Senator/Director Tom Gage (episodes 14–44)
Rocky Carroll – Carl Reese
David Clennon – Joshua Nankin
Ronny Cox – Director Alex Pierce (episodes 1–10)
Jason O'Mara – A.B. Stiles (season 2)
Will Patton – Jackson Haisley
Gloria Reuben – Lisa Fabrizzi (episodes 1–13, 21–22)
Richard Speight, Jr. – Lex (season 2; recurring previously)
Paige Turco – Terri Lowell

Episodes

Season	Episodes	Originally aired
Season	Episodes	First aired	Last aired
1	22	September 27, 2001 (2001-09-27)	May 9, 2002 (2002-05-09)
2	22	September 28, 2002 (2002-09-28)	May 17, 2003 (2003-05-17)

Home media

DVD Name	Region 1	Region 2
The Agency (2 Episodes from Season 1)	N/A	October 4, 2004

References

^ Terrace, Vincent (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2007 (Volume 1 A-E). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3305-6.
^ ^a ^b ^c Schou, Nicholas (2016-07-14). "How the CIA Hoodwinked Hollywood". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
^ Archerd, Army (2001-08-21). "'Agency' plots to stop London terrorist bombing". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
^ ^a ^b Lowry, Brian (2021-09-17). "Analysis: 9/11 made spy dramas like '24' and 'The Agency' scramble. But not for long". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
^ Cohen, Jeff (2001-10-08). "'The Agency': Right Time but Wrong Show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-30.

External links

The Agency at IMDb

[1] Terrace, Vincent (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2007 (Volume 1 A-E). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3305-6.

[:0-2] Schou, Nicholas (2016-07-14). "How the CIA Hoodwinked Hollywood". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-08-01.

[3] Archerd, Army (2001-08-21). "'Agency' plots to stop London terrorist bombing". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-31.

[:1-4] Lowry, Brian (2021-09-17). "Analysis: 9/11 made spy dramas like '24' and 'The Agency' scramble. But not for long". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-31.

[5] Cohen, Jeff (2001-10-08). "'The Agency': Right Time but Wrong Show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-30.

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