House of Guinness star unveiled in first look at spy thriller tipped to be Killing Eve prequel

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The BBC has released initial photos from its new spy thriller, “Honey.” The show, which is described as both playful and risky, is believed to be a prequel to “Killing Eve,” focusing on the beginnings of Carolyn Martens’ career, played by Fiona Shaw.

Honey is a spy thriller co-produced with German broadcaster ZDF. It features Ann Skelly (known for House of Guinness) as a British MI6 agent working undercover in East Berlin during the 1980s, and she unexpectedly becomes involved in a love triangle.

According to the BBC, the story will center on Martha (Skelly), who finds herself caught between two opposing forces: Friedrich Bauman (Jannis Niewöhner), the head of counterespionage for the Stasi, and Aaron Neeland (Nate Mann), a CIA agent described as both reckless and arrogant.

Okay, so this film really throws you for a loop! It’s a steamy, dangerous love triangle set against the backdrop of the Cold War, and honestly, the emotional stakes are way higher than any physical danger. Forget getting captured or worse – the real horror, according to the story, is falling in love. It’s a bold claim, and the movie definitely leans into that tension. I wasn’t expecting that kind of heat and vulnerability amidst all the espionage!

She’d do almost anything to avoid being emotionally open and sharing her deepest feelings – it’s something she actively resists.

Soon after the show was announced last year, Deadline revealed a surprising theory: “Honey” might actually be a prequel to “Killing Eve.” The report suggested that the character Martha, played by Skelly, was likely a disguise for Carolyn, the well-known head of MI6 from “Killing Eve.”

However, the BBC has yet to address the claim, so take it with a pinch of salt for now.

New photos reveal Austin Butler, known from Masters of the Air, playing Aaron, who is posing as a citizen of East Germany named Kurt Fischer. Thomas Niewöhner, from The New Look, portrays Friedrich, whose task is to identify and expose British spies.

Rory Kinnear, known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Diplomat, joins the cast as Graham Anderson. While details about his character are still under wraps, some speculate he might play an MI6 handler, judging by a recently released photo that seems a bit unusual.

Sally Woodward Gentle, the show’s executive producer, praised the actors, saying that while many productions claim to have great casts, Ann, Nate, and Jannis truly deliver.

We’re incredibly impressed by their natural talent, intelligence, and insightful thinking. They’re truly exceptional. And Rory Kinnear is fantastic – I absolutely love his work!

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Sid Gentle Films, the company that made Killing Eve, is also producing this project. The writer, Emma Moran, is a comedy writer known for her work on the Disney+ show Extraordinary and the BBC panel show Have I Got News for You.

The cast of Honey includes Oliver Cudbill, known for his role in ‘My Lady Jane,’ alongside Sonita Henry (‘Wild Cherry’), July Namir (‘The Lady’), and Sofia Oxenham (‘Poldark’). Joining them are German actors Victoria Mayer, Valentino Dalle Mura, Julian Niedermeier, and Daniel Zielinski.

Honey is coming soon to BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about television and streaming dramas and comedies for TopMob. Before that, he contributed to Starburst Magazine, hosted the Winter King Podcast on ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-02-20 18:06