Alex Rider: who is in the cast with Vicky McClure, where is it filmed, and when is it on TV?

The Anthony Horowitz book adaptation is coming to E4 on 19 December
Vicky McClure as Mrs Jones and Otto Farrant as Alex Rider (Credit: Des Willie/Eleventh Hour Films/Sony Pictures Television)Vicky McClure as Mrs Jones and Otto Farrant as Alex Rider (Credit: Des Willie/Eleventh Hour Films/Sony Pictures Television)
Vicky McClure as Mrs Jones and Otto Farrant as Alex Rider (Credit: Des Willie/Eleventh Hour Films/Sony Pictures Television)

Action-adventure series Alex Rider, based on the books by Anthony Horowitz, is coming to E4 on December 19.

Though it was previously available on Amazon Prime, this will be the first time it airs on a normal television channel. The second series was also recently made available on IMDb TV.

Here’s everything you need to know about Alex Rider.

What is it about and is it based on a book?

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Based on a series of books by Anthony Horowitz, Alex Rider is about a teenage spy. He’s drawn into the world of espionage after the death of his uncle.

In the first series, he’s sent to infiltrate a mysterious boarding school in the French Alps, and in the second he investigates a suspicious tech billionaire and video games designer.

The books were previously adapted into the film Alex Rider: Stormbreaker, which starred Alex Pettyfer and Bill Nighy, and was released in 2001.

Who is in the cast of Alex Rider?

Otto Farrant (Mrs Wilson) headlines the cast as Alex Rider. Broadchurch actor Alan Buchan plays Alex’s uncle Ian, and Brenock O’Connor (Game of Thrones) plays his friend Tom Harris. Marli Siu (Anna and the Apocalypse) plays original character Kyra.

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Vicky McClure (Line of Duty) also stars as Mrs Jones, deputy head of the Department of Special Operations. She’s joined by Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones, Vigil) as Alan Blunt and Ace Bhatti (Line of Duty) as John Crawley.

Additions to the cast in Season 2 include Toby Stephens (Die Another Day), Rakie Ayola (Doctor Who), and Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton).

Where can I see the trailer?

You can see the trailer for Season 1, which is coming to E4 soon, below.

In it, you can see Alex (Otto Farrant) in the French Alps at the mysterious Point Blanc school.

Where is it filmed?

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Though the series is set in the French Alps, it was not filmed there.

Sinaia, a town in the Prahova County of Romania, doubled as the French Alps in Alex Rider.

The second series was filmed around the UK, with Bristol and Cardiff standing in for London. Some scenes were also shot at Widemouth Bay in Cornwall.

Will there be a season 2 and season 3?

There is already a second series of Alex Rider, which adapts the book Eagle Strike. It was made available on IMDb TV early this month on December 3.

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Though a third season has not been officially confirmed yet, author Anthony Horowitz has indicated previously that the show could continue for years.

““Don’t forget that there are 12 more books,” Horowitz said to the Radio Times. “If it works it’s a TV show that can run and run until poor Otto will be in his late 40s!”

How can I watch it and what is IMDb TV?

Alex Rider was previously available on Amazon Prime, but is making its television debut on E4 on 19 December.

E4 will be played all eight episodes of the first series as a marathon on December 19, starting at 8pm.

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The second series is currently available on IMDb TV. IMDb TV is a free to view platform owned by Amazon, though it does also have adverts.

Why should I watch it?

Because it’s an impressively made action-adventure series, and a strong adaptation of well-loved books.

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