Fleming (Sky Atlantic)

Dominic Cooper is set to take the lead role in Fleming (working title), a brand new four-part drama about the life of celebrated James Bond creator, Ian Fleming, coming soon to Sky Atlantic HD.

Other talent now confirmed to star in the drama include Lara Pulver, Annabelle Wallis, Lesley Manville, Anna Chancellor, Samuel West and Rupert Evans.

Set against the permissive society of war-torn London, where the martinis were always flowing and beds always being swapped, the series explores the early life of the charming, enigmatic 007 author.

The outbreak of World War II saw the young Fleming working as an unsuccessful stockbroker, with a failed army career behind him and living off his rich family while indulging in the very Bond-esque passions of womanising, alcohol and, erm, erotic literature.

It wasn’t until Fleming was forced to join the Naval Intelligence that he found his true calling. Using his mischievous sense of humour, sharp charm and vivid imagination, Fleming was responsible for some of the most outrageously dangerous counter intelligence mission against the Nazis – honing his inspiration for Bond in the process.

About landing the role, Dominic Cooper said, ‘Stepping into the shoes of the spy who not only created the enigmatic character of 007, but who fantasised about being him, has to be every actor's dream. I am honoured.’

Laura Pulver (Sherlock, Da Vinci's Demons, Spooks) will star as Ann O'Neill, the elegant Baroness whose wartime meeting with Ian Fleming was to alter the course of the rest of both of their lives. Ann is not the only woman in Fleming's life, however, and we meet Muriel (Annabelle Wallis, Pan Am, The Tudors), who in contrast to Ann is an innocent tomboy who proves irresistible to the young Fleming.

The drama joins a long list of original UK drama airing on Sky Atlantic HD that began with the critically acclaimed Hit & Miss, the recent detective thriller Falcón, and The Tunnel, coming soon.

We’ll start airing out our tuxes and preparing the Martinis now, shall we?

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode One premieres Wednesday, January 29, 10:00pm ET/PT.

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.

Episode Two premieres Wednesday, February 5, 10:00pm ET/PT.

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?

Episode Three premieres Wednesday, February 12, 10:00pm ET/PT.

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.

Episode Four premieres Wednesday, February 19, 10:00pm ET/PT.

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 throws, Fleming’s days in Naval Intelligence are numbered – what other ways will he find to channel his ingenuity and imagination?